Jade, dear, she heard his thought echoing in her mind as she rushed down the steep staircase, silently hoping she wouldn't trip and break her neck. Would you please stop? Erik and I need to get to the Academy!

She came to a stop at the end of the stairs and hid behind the wall at its side. Why? What's there that's so important to you? Is that why we're really here?

Leaning against the torn, old walls, she waited for Erik to catch up with her. She was going with the two of them to the Academy. Quickly, his heavy footsteps came into sound as he flew down the staircase, so fast that he rushed right past her without even noticing her, but a cool voice from the top of the stairs said, "Erik, you've missed her."

Erik spun around to find himself face to face with Jade. She gasped, surprised at how close they were. Their noses were touching and her eyelashes were beating against his cheeks. Instinctively he leaned forward to kiss her and she closed her eyes, but suddenly he took a step back as if he had remembered something and pressing his lips together, furrowed his brow. He then put a hand over his mouth.

"Wise choice," Drake hissed as he stepped down the last stair, glaring at Erik.

"I-" Jade began. She knew that what she had almost done could've jeopardized not only her's, but Drake's life. If she'd actually kissed Erik and let him know that she didn't like Drake. Damien would've skinned them both alive, beginning with Drake since he couldn't harm Jade as long as he was in her debt.

Drake sighed, almost begging her, "Please, will you just listen to me for just once in your life and stay here. Don't travel to Damien-"

"You can't control me," Jade interrupted him angrily as he rested his hands on her shoulders where they slowly rose to trace her neck, stepping in front of Erik. She shuddered as his hands moved over her neck as she waited for him to choke her. He wouldn't be killed with her since he'd be touching her and she knew it was on the very tip of his mind as he stared deep into her eyes. She repeated herself as confidently as she could through a trembling voice, "You can't control me. Just because-"

However, he cut her sort with a kiss to clarify to Erik that Jade was his and once he had released her said, "I know I can't dear, but he can and I don't want to see you get hurt because if something ever happened to you-"

Jade looked up to see why he had stopped to find him smiling as he trembled trying restrain his laughter. He had stopped in the middle of the act. His lines weren't over though. Her eyes widened Drake! Erik is standing right behind you! You'll blow our roles.

He took a deep breath, as if he had simply become choked up and tried once more to continue, "if something were to happen to you ever I-"

Cut it out! She hissed into his mind as he slipped into his silent laughter Erik was beginning to frown and look at Jade quizzically.

I know, I know it's just that. If something were to happen to you it'd be the happiest day of my life, finally free of you!

She tried hard not to roll her eyes and said gently, "I know, love. It's all right. I'll stay here." Because I have to do everything you say!

"I'm so glad you understand that finally," Drake said through a sly smile, and then facing Erik, clapping his hands together, "now that that's settled, are you ready?"

He gave Jade a sympathetic, almost curious, glance before saying, "I suppose so."