Don't Let Them Catch You

3? Attachment

Aura felt a keen urge to defend Skye, as her snow leopard bowed her head, unable to look Markus in the eye with the look he was now giving her.

Taking the bowl in one hand, Aura slid off of the bed, and scurried towards her. "Its not her fault." She exclaimed, placing her bowl down as she buried Skye's neck into her chest. Facing Markus with a fierce frown, she continued, "She doesn't do well in tight spaces."

"No animal does." He stated, black-blue orbs snapping lazily onto her.

Aura struggled to find words under his intimidating gaze.

"And it is not wise to treat your animals like that."

"Huh?" Aura frowned. Her gaze snapping onto Skye, who hid within her clutches. Her bowed head stroking against Aura's stomach, unable to face Markus. "I'm not doing anything bad! She loves when I hug her!"

"Love, is not something animals should feel towards their owners." He explained. "Not here."

"I am not her owner. Skye is my guardian animal--"

"Regardless. She is an animal nonetheless. The only connection that animals can serve between their owners here, is loyalty. Even if you claim that you aren't her owner." His tone hadn't been the softest of tones, he realized as Aura's face scrunched into an expression that tugged at the strings of his heart.

He sighed, arriving in front of her with two strides. Crouching to her level, he made sure her electric blue gaze was fixed solidly with his. Aura couldn't bring herself to look away, even if she wanted to. "You're in a place where love is only shared between mates. And even then, it is not the average kind, the majority of the time it is only to add to our numbers. And love shared between a girl and her leopard, even though it is platonic, only serves as distraction." He explained, with slow words so that every word would sink into her head. "Here, you have to learn to rid of ties of attachment. Or you will not survive much longer."

"So...?"

Markus breathed a sigh through his nose.

It hadn't sank into her head.

She was fortunate he had patience regarding her. "Survival is key. Attachment is distraction. Here you will become a soldier. And Skye will become as ruthless as a lion, whose loyalty lies only with you. Do you understand?"

Aura nodded.

"Good. And to do that, you mustn't coddle her like a baby. She will lose sight of her duties-- or the duties to come." He explained. But Aura had a look on her face that told she wasn't going to listen to what he said. "You will understand, someday. For now, you have to eat, so I can take you to a shower room."

"Am I going somewhere?" She asked.

"You will." He nodded. "Today, you will forget everything you've ever learned in Heaven. You cannot be an angel here."

"Why not?"

"Because the only kind of good we've got here, is good at slaughtering our enemies. And like a chameleon, you must become one with the colours."

Aura didn't understand.

She was only a child.

But survival is key, according to Markus. Whatever that really meant.

But no matter. She could be an angel again soon, when the stars retreat and the moon bleeds blue.

__

After Aura had eaten, showered, and changed into a dark tank top and leggings, Markus had taken her through corridor to corridor. Down flights of never ending stairs and passed a grande, vacant room with peeling walls that could have once been described as a grand foyer.