Arianna/Thea

"Why are you late?" rococo's voice boomed as he shouted at me in front of a room full of men.

My eyes narrowed at him, contemplating my next move, if I should talk back to him or if should I just accept it and sit with the others.

But they are men, and they are already giving me smug looks that are getting on my nerves, I can't let anyone disrespect me from the start, or it will set the tone for how they will behave with me for the rest of the time I work here.

Before I could say anything, he interjected, "She was helping me." His voice cutting over the others, everyone turned to look at him, then their gazes turned to me.

And I could see it in their eyes, that they are thinking the wrong thing.

Damn him, why does he have to make this more difficult than it already is?

"Take a seat," Rocco said, as he moved to the head of the long table.

His white shirt was replaced by a dark green one, and with a smirk, he was tracking my every move.

I swallowed hard as his eyes fell on my lips, he stared as if there was no one else in the room, biting his lower lip as his eyes traced my lips, the curve of my neck.

The tension was palpable as my body grew hotter under his stare.

Ignoring him I focused on Rocco who was explaining something.

"Half of you here are newcomers, whose abilities will be put to test today," he said, his eyes falling on one side of the table where I was seated beside three men.

"All of you have a simple task to do, don't worry you will be accompanied by your experienced peers," he said pointing at the men in front of us. "But they will only guide you; you have to do the work."

"The four of you have to take this," he shook a small box that was in his hands, inside the 'Serenity'." I have no idea as to where that is but I tried not to show it on my face. I guess I can ask for cosmos help. "To a man who will be waiting, and return with the scroll he will give you." he finished.

"It sounds easy but you will have to be incredibly careful and if you are caught by any of the soldiers, you will be left to die." He finished glaring at each of us.

"I will also guide them," he said, from behind me, I almost jumped out of my skin.

I didn't even notice him move, when did he move?

"Athos?" Rocco asked, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"I have free time."