Chapter 22: An eye for an eye

"Ace?" came a faint voice.

Ace's face was buried in the bedsheet but came up with a start. He had been sitting at Bird's bedside for several hours. Ace's black eyes widened and he broke into an excited grin.

"You're awake!" he exclaimed.

Bird stared back at him still half in a daze. His eyes traced the stone walls and bare room before his eyes came to the small window. It was slotted between large bricks. A slither of dingy brown light cut a square of light into the shade of the room.

Bird's mouth opened slightly in disconcertion. His eyebrows drew in as his eyes slowly came to Ace.

"What is this place?" Bird questioned.

Ace could see the mounting distress in Bird's face and wondered how to answer. Before Ace could answer, Bird's hand flew out from under the bed cover. He gaped at them in alarm.

"My magic..." Bird stammered, "My magic is gone! "

"No, no," Ace reassured, "It's not like that..."

Bird's brow furrowed even deeper. He was trembling slightly as Ace went on:

"Your magic isn't gone permanently. At least I don't think it is. It should come back when we get back,"

"Get back from where?" Bird interrupted with growing agitation.

"We're in the demon world, Bird," Ace said slowly.

"WHY?!" Bird exclaimed.

"You'll have to ask Michael that," Ace sighed, "but Bird, you were really sick. Clover healed you. Even after that you didn't wake. We were so worried,"

"I don't feel healed," Bird bit on his lip anxiously, "I feel really strange,"

"It's the effect of the demon world," he tried to rally Bird's spirit, "you'll get used to it. It's going to be okay,"

However, Bird wasn't convinced. He shook his head in disbelief , "I can't believe this," he said.

At that moment, Michael arrived at the door. Clover followed without saying a word. Ace hadn't seen them since they had stormed off and even now they wouldn't meet his gaze. Clover slunk back against the wall with their arms crossed and disinterested expression.

Michael let out a relieved sigh. "Finally!"

"You're okay," Michael said with a satisfied nod.

"What did you do?" Bird said in a low voice.

Michael raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about? You're healed,"

Bird's eyes came up hostilely to Michael, "If I wanted to become a demon, I would have stayed in the south when the demon king came!"

His voice came out hoarse and more angry than Ace had ever heard him. An awkward silence followed. Michael approached apprehensively and took Bird's hand.

"You're not going to become a demon," Michael said at length, "This is just temporary. We're just hiding out here until...things calm down. As long as Clover continues to heal us with life magic we shouldn't become demons for a while,"

Bird's jaw clenched. "The magic here is not something to be played with. We don't even understand the process well enough to take such a risk and you knew how I felt about this place..."

"I..." Michael hesitated.

"You're so selfish, "Bird murmured before he could answer.

Michael retracted his hand and his expression became frosty. Bird's eyes fixed on the window with barely contained irritation and didn't not come up from there again. Another extended silence followed.

Clover tilted their head back apathetically, "Are we done here?"

Before waiting for an answer, they pushed off the wall and began to walk away, but Michael followed.

"Wait!" he said hastily. He rose to his feet and stopped Clover, "When are you going to heal the rest of us?"

"Tomorrow. You can last till then, right?" Clover dismissed.

"Why can't you heal us now?"

Clover gave a cold smile, "You know, really any magic will work. It doesn't have to be healing magic. Maybe I should just set you on fire. Then I wouldn't have to listen to any of your demands."

Clover peeled Michael's hand from their arm.

"Where do you think you are?" they added mockingly, "This isn't the tower. Here, I'm the lord of everything as far as the eye can see. King of the wasteland, got it? So, If you want something, you have to ask nicely,"

"Oh I get it," Michael derided. He glanced at Ace then added, "There's trouble in paradise? But do you need to take it out on me?"

Clover gave a placid smile, "I'll see you tomorrow, Michael,"

They were half way out the door when Michael added quietly, "You don't think I deserve this much?"

Clover raised an eyebrow, "deserve?"

They pivoted back and leaned in viciously. "I gave you everything you have. I let you take your little revenge and played along with your little game. It's not my fault you messed it all up. Now you're here and I even saved his life. Tell me, what more do you fucking deserve, Michael?"

"You think any of that can take back what you did?" Michael responded without hesitation.

"Be glad you're still alive. The only thing you deserve is to be hanging from the Empire's noose, little apprentice," Clover regained their indifferent smile, "I'll see you tomorrow,"

They walked away leaving Michael standing rigidly still. For a moment, his back was still to Ace and Bird. He abruptly slammed the door. It let out a loud bang that echoed faintly. He then turned back with uncharacteristic composure. Ace was surprised when he took his seat again without the slightest sign of the outburst that had just occured.

"Now we're alone, we can talk seriously," he said flatly.

Bird shook his head in annoyance, "What now?"

"We need to find that necklace," Michael answered in a low voice.

"What are you talking about?" Bird remarked, "I thought we had it..."

Michael quickly recounted the event leading up to their arrival in the demon world. Bird listened intently and upon hearing of Albaric's reaction, he let out a sad sigh. This seemed to aggravated Michael but he continued with the story until he reached the conclusion. When he had finished he looked at the other two expectantly. However, neither said anything. Michael shook his head exasperated.

"Don't you see?" he gestured enthusiastically, "we need to get the necklace before Clover realises we've stolen it,"

"What are you talking about now?" Ace let out an incredulous breath. "You still haven't learnt your lesson. We should tell Clover the truth! I don't even think they believe your whole 'delayed' storyline. Why make things worse by hiding it?"

"Are you really this stupid?" Michael snapped. "Clover is barely tolerating us. What do you think will happen if they discover we interfered with their plan? Whether Clover is suspicious or not, they have no concrete evidence. Once they know for sure Bird and I will be finished. And it won't just be us, when Clover hands it back to the Empire, it will be Albaric and the uptight sister who pay the price when the world ends.

You may have gotten comfortable because Clover has been lenient on you so far, but trust me, you don't know Clover like I do. This is something they won't forgive. You won't be let off this time. Your punishment will be to watch us die - you know that don't you?"

Ace's eyes came up to Bird and Michael who were looking at him earnestly..

"What do you want me to do?" he said reluctantly.

"We need to know if Kalandra has the necklace," Michael explained. "If she does, she's going to need to hide it from Clover too,"

"Michael..."Ace started.

"When Clover heals you tomorrow, your magic will come back. Use it to bring her here," Michael interrupted.

"Kalandra won't hide the necklace. She thinks we're going to give it Clover," Ace's eyes fell to the floor.

"What?" Michael's voice rose, "Why in the world would she think that? If we give it to Clover, they'll just hand it back to the Empire,"

"I promised her I was going to give it to Clover," Ace said in a low voice.

"You did what?" Michael uttered in disbelief. "Why would you do that?"

Ace didn't answer. This only provoked Michael more. He grabbed Ace by the collar.

"Why aren't you answering, you son of bitch?! You screwed us over!" he screamed. "No way she'll hand it over now!"

Ace faced off against Michael with a blank expression. It looked as if he was about to punch him in the face when Bird interceded:

"Let go of him, Michael," Bird said flatly, "That's not going to solve anything,"

Michael threw him back roughly. Ace stumbled back a pace but found his balance. He inhaled deeply and turned to Bird.

"I'm sorry,"

Bird didn't look up for a moment. He looked deep in thought. Finally, he looked up and said in a calm, clear voice:

"Why did you make a promise like that?"

"I thought it was the only way to get her to help," Ace confessed, "and..."

"And what?" Michael injected angrily.

"And I wanted to save Clover," Ace added truthfully.

"Save Clover?" Michael remarked, "How will that necklace save Clover?" he demanded.

"I can't tell you that," Ace answered.

"You little shit..." Michael's wrath was rekindled.

"Enough!" Bird said sharply. He turned to Ace again.

"Do you think Clover will give the necklace back to the Empire?" he asked.

"Right now, yes - Clover will probably give it to them," Ace answered reluctantly.

"I knew it!" Michael exclaimed adamantly.

"But there's a possibility that could change," Ace interceded.

"If you were able to change Clover's mind, we wouldn't be here!" Michael erupted.

"This time is different," Ace dismissed.

"How so?" Bird probed.

"I understand Clover better this time," Ace answered.

Michael let out a sardonic laugh, "You think we're blind? Clover hasn't said a word to you in days. I guess the honeymoon period is over. Clover's bored of you. Surprise, surprise. Clover does whatever they want and it's pointless to even try to change their mind. Even after all this time, you don't know anything?" he scoffed.

"Well Michael," Ace said soberly, "Maybe you can help me,"

"Me?" Michael sniggered, "Do I look like a marriage counsellor to you?"

"I need to know more about Clover and who knows them better than you?"

"You've really got the wrong person," Michael scoffed.

"You can start by telling me about Lune," Ace went on shortly.

Michael suddenly stopped laughing. He averted his eyes in an abnormal show of remorse. A strained air overtook his entire manner. Ace observed him astutely.

"You were involved in what happened, weren't you?"

Michael didn't answer.

"Did you kill Clover's mother?"