Author's Note: A short quick chapter, which makes a nice change in pace with the longer, dry, and more technical chapters we had previously while Michael's mother was explaining things to us. It seems short as a web-release, but when it's assembled into the published version, it'll make a nice quick transition for the reader to help reset the mind before we get back to another technical chapter about what's going on with Ghost. :)

For those folks who complain over short chapters, simply skip this one and come back to it and read it with the next one. :P

Walking side by side, Michael’s and Le’Nara’s expressions were polar opposites as they strode arm-in-arm down the hall. Frowning, Michael’s eyebrows were furrowed tightly; his lips twitching unhappily in a half-snarl. Laughing gaily, Le’Nara was half skipping as she clung tightly to his arm, a dazzling smile dancing freely across her face. Trailing behind them, head down, with her hair hiding her expression, Crystal followed respectfully along. Dressed in nothing but a set of plain steel shackles, silent and humble, Crystal was the source of both their reactions.

“This isn’t right,” Michael muttered moodily, stomping down the hall. “Mother didn’t have to make them damnable shackles!”

“It’s fine. It’s fine,” Le’Nara reassured him, laughing. “It’s good for her to remember her place. She is your slave after all. I should know,” she reminded him, “I was the one who bought her.”

“No one knows that,” Michael pointed out. “I was going to attend the school undercover, if you remember, and enjoy being a normal student for a change! How the hell am I supposed to do that with a slave?”

“Just be a normal, rich student,” Le’Nara suggested. “Acting all poor and stupid doesn’t suit you. Why hide who you are from the world? You’re the Heir of the House of Dancing Flames, The Champion of Andor, The Lord Heartstone, and my partner. Why hide any of those from the world?”

Stopping at the top of the steps, Michael turned and stared into Le’Nara’s eyes. “I just wanted a chance to spend a few years relaxing, goofing off, and seeing the outside world from a different perspective. Why can’t you seem to understand that?”

“Fine!” Letting go of his arm, Le’Nara turned and stomped down the steps. After several steps, she turned and shook her fist at him. “Be a nobody. Be an idiot, jackass, good-for-nothing asshole, if you want to Mik’Hail! Just remember, moron, I’m the second daughter of Andor and the public face of your business! I can’t be seen walking around, talking, and spending time with an idiot nobody!” Turning quickly, she rushed down the steps, running away.

“Jackass.” Brushing past him, Crystal slowly stomped down the steps after Le’Nara. “I didn’t realize you were so selfish, My Lord. There’s no problem with a wealthy lord having a slave, and I told you from the beginning I had no problems being yours. You make it sound like you don’t want me with you, any more than you want her. It seems like you’d rather just run around, play, and leave us both behind!”

“What the hell?” Mouth agape, Michael stared wide-eyed as Crystal stormed down the steps and followed after Le’Nara. “Why the hell am I the bad guy here?”

Blinking stupidly, he eased over to the top of the steps and sat down. Hanging his head in his hands, Michael tried to sort out what the hell had just happened.