Forming a plan

"Shh . . . . Shh . . . . . . "Aria continued to calm Helen while listening for some sound outside the room.

She let out a hiss loud enough to be heard outside the small room after a few seconds. It was followed by a slight chuckle from outside and then the sound of retreating footsteps.

Aria stroked Helen's hair while she used wind bending to scan the room and the surrounding area. Once she was sure they were quite alone, Aria held Helen's shoulders and spoke, "Did they hurt you?"

Helen continued to sob, but shook her head. Aria tightened her grip upon Helen's shoulders and said, "Helen, I'm going to get you out of here. But for that, you have to be strong. This will all be over for you by daybreak." "For you anyway." Aria added internally and continued aloud, "Now please tell me Helen, did these people hurt you?"

Helen seemed to have better control over herself as she wiped away her tears and spoke in a heaving voice, "Not really."

Aria face-palmed and spoke in a stern voice, "Helen you need to remember that these men are kidnappers at the very least. You need to stop being kind for a minute. Now tell me, did these people hurt you?"

Helen was getting more composed by the second as she sat up supporting her own weight and said, "They were rough while transporting me. Not at first, but once they realized who I was. Someone hit me when I refused to write you a message. And . . . . . . ." her voice trailed off.

"And?" Aria prompted. She was already very angry but was composing herself for Helen's sake.

"Some of the men tried to force themselves on me." Helen spoke in a small voice, "But they couldn't. The one who brought you here arrived with another man and told them off. I think he even had them punished." she hastily added, sensing Aria's anger.

"Not enough." Aria spat through gritted teeth. She was on the verge of losing control when she felt a shudder beside herself.

"She's already been traumatized enough. Doesn't need me exploding in anger." Aria thought as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself and then wrapped her arms around Helen.

"Don't worry, I'm here now. You'll be fine and meet Joseph and the others in just a few hours.Come on now, try to relax." Aria said in the most soothing voice she could manage in her anger.

She knew she wouldn't be able to maintain her calm exterior for much more time, so Aria led Helen to the bed and began to hum the lullaby she only remembered the tune of.

Aria could swear this song was magical as even in such a tense situation, Helen relaxed and dozed off to sleep. Even Aria's own anger dissipated to the extent that she was able to formulate a concrete plan.

After laying down the sleeping Helen on the bed, Aria sat cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the room and closed her eyes.

She knew that these night warriors underestimated her. They thought she had raw talent but believed she had never received any proper training. And for some weird reason, Edmond Christo had taken a liking to her.

And she planned on utilizing these to her utmost advantage.