For the first time, Anastasia studied the features of the woman. She had thick black hair that was tied in a ponytail on the top of her head. Darla had beautiful black eyes and white skin with a dusting of freckles over her nose and onto her cheeks a little as well. Tall and athletically built, she looked like a warrior . Her black leather pants and a black sweater only added grace to her lithe frame. She had an oval face with pink lips. Her nose was slightly upturned giving her quite a cute look, despite her fierce demeanour.

Darla started, "Ileus is one of the best men I have ever met in my life and he deserves nothing but the best. I can see what you are trying to do here. Just don't!"

Anastasia frowned. She narrowed her eyes and jerked her head back. "What do you mean by that?"

Darla took in a deep breath. "Ileus had always been the cynosure of women his entire life. I mean look at that man. He is brilliant, a genius, handsome and gifted beyond your comprehension. He has a gaggle of women around him all the time." She scoffed, "And you are trying to wrap him around your little finger? When no other woman could entice him, who the hell do you think you are? Besides, he will grow tired of you very soon!"

"What?" Anastasia was bewildered.

"Don't you 'what' me!" Darla replied with anger flaring out of those black eyes. She growled, "Ever since he was young, Ileus has had an abundance of girls at his disposal. At the drop of a hat he could get a girl from any realm he would want. They all wanted to get near him, just like you."

Anastasia pressed her hand to her mouth. This woman made her feel cheap so easily. Her frown deepened as she tasted bitterness over her tongue.

Darla continued to spout poison. "But guess what? I will not let you do that. We all know that you want to escape from Vilinski and that is what we are aiding you with. Know your facts and stay within your limits. Once you are out of this realm, out of Sgiath Biò, you will go on your way and we are going to go our separate ways, so you better refrain from whatever you are trying to do, because girl-" Darla flicked her hair back. "I will block you at every step. You don't even know how deep my friendship with him goes, or how long we have known each other. We were friends even before we started walking. In other words, he is mine! Hundreds of girls have come and gone his way. Hundreds have thrown themselves on him. But none lasted. I am the only one whom he always comes back to. So back off!"

Anastasia wasn't experienced in these affairs but she wasn't dumb. This woman in front of her was stomping all over her dignity and this didn't go down well. "Why do I feel that it is you who needs more of an assurance that Ileus is going to stay with you despite being his childhood friend? If he allows every woman who comes in his life to come near him, then Darla," she smirked, "You seriously need to reconsider your position in his life."

Darla's face became red with fury. Before she could lash out, Anastasia added, "And you are right. I will be leaving you all once I reach Óraid. I have no intention of staying with you with your so-called-never-in-hand boyfriend!" Saying that Anastasia rose on her feet and stomped to where Nyles was leaving a gaping Darla behind. She was furious at Darla's words. Was she his childhood sweetheart? How dare she put her in the same line as all these other girls? Her emotions for him had been natural. It's not like she wanted to feel attracted to him. However, now that Darla spoke about it, she felt that she was just as common as the other girls in his life. She turned her gaze to look at him and noticed that he was deep in conversation with the men.

"M'lady!" Nyles whined. "See what that vukodlak has done to me!"

Anastasia was breathing heavily after her spat with Darla. Her breath converted into thick clouds of smoke. How dare anyone accuse her of such a cheap thing? Did Darla think that she was planning on trapping Ileus for her ultimate escape from Vilinski? Shortsighted woman.

"There you go," said Carrick and started to pack the medicine box. "Your wound is healing fast. I think by tomorrow you will be fine."

Anastasia looked at Nyles who was holding her bandaged arm and then her gaze travelled on to Carrick. "Thank you Carrick," she said politely, reining her anger in.

"You are welcome," he replied with a grin. "I hope your scars have healed completely."

Anastasia was embarrassed at the mention of the scars, but then she thought that it was no secret since Ileus had attended to them. "They have," she said in a low voice.

Carrick left and joined the men while she sat with Nyles. "I wanted to ask you one thing Nyles."

"Yes m'lady?" Nyles looked at her with attention.

"Yesterday you saw me going towards the portal?"

"Yes," she replied.

She asked in Fae language. "Zasto me nisi stad?" Why didn't you stop me?

Nyles looked flustered. "Ye Jer zelim se tilleadh." Because I want you to go back.

Anastasia shook her head. "Reka zam ti mi iarraidh se vracam." I told you that I don't want to go back.

Nyles bit her lip and looked away. In a low voice she said, "Ne mozes pobeci od an dan." You can't escape your destiny.

"Jeste li videli vampir?" Did you see the vampire standing behind me?

Nyles got up and put her hands on her waist. Then she rubbed her hands down her arms and avoided looking at Anastasia directly. She licked her dry lips and said, "Uradio sam." I did.

"Zasto me onda nisi upozorio?" Why didn't you warn me?

"I thought we were going to cross the portal!" She said in an agitated tone.