Jack's mind raced around. The cloak. Where is the cloak? The entire crew turned around to see the crowd part with a small girl standing in their view. She had long silver hair, lighter than Stella's, with over sized, dirty clothes draped over her. Her eyes were large and violet, but expressionless. Jack couldn't tell where her focus was, but it wasn't on anything in this room. Her wrist was weighted with iron shackles and chains that dragged to the ground.

"Luna—" Stella whispered. Jack saw her eyes lifting a growing water droplet. The water having a slight bounce, in time with small trembles in her bottom lip. "Luna. It's me, Stella. You are alive. Everything will be okay now." Stella inched forward. Her pace starting to pick up to a run for her sister.

Shit! Jack dashed ahead wrapping his arms around his friend who was lost in emotion. He slammed both their bodies to the ground. He was just out of reach for the scythe blade that almost kissed Stella's nose.

"That isn't her right now. She only knows survival. You can't do that." The panic in his voice made him choke on the words.

"What do you mean that isn't her? Jack, she is right there. Jack she is right there! Luna!" Stella's voice ripped into Jack's stomach more than her physical attempt to pry herself free. "Get off me!"

Ace gently placed his hand on Stella's head while passing. Her loud cries slowly came to a quiet frustration. She wiped away her tears to see her friend walk directly into her sister's range. There was no swing. Stella's jaw fell slightly open as salted tears flowed to the corner of her mouth.

"You must be hungry huh? You have to go with my friends, okay." Ace placed his hand on the young girl's head and gave her a soft smile.

Luna was dragged backwards to the ground by the chains. Mercenaries surrounded her while a sword was pointed at her throat. She was completely unfazed. Her body still and eyes remained distant.

"It looks like you have a strong connection to my Little Reaper, Boss. I think I want to renegotiate our terms. I am sure you understand that I can take her life before you ever take a step. How about I spare her life and let her escape and you give me my dream. I will let you keep your band and work under us."

Stella dug her hands into the brick floor. Her teeth biting into each other. Jack struggled to hold her back. Should he hold her back? The moment in thought was just enough for his grip to slip. She was already on the move with red forming in her palm. She just had to get past Ace, but that was if he was still there. The entire group frantically stir their eyes for a trace of him.

"I am pretty sure I can still take a step before you do anything," Ace said directly behind Quinn with the edge of his knife flirting with the sly bear's neck. Ace's eyes looked narrow and dead. Everyone could tell from that gaze that they were playing his game. Jack saw the sweat form on the forehead of the checkmated opponent. "Let me give you some words of advice, Baker, and never forget it. People are not items. You cannot own anyone, so the only life you can ever barter with is your own. Understand?"

"Yea. I get it loud and clear, Boss."

"Good, so here is what we are going to do. Luna is going to go with my subordinates. I will take her place as your ransom for the money. I could still use your help, but I understand the distrust so I think this will suffice. Tell your man to drop his weapon and you guys can tie me up instead."

Only one person in that room was not shocked by Ace's words and she hasn't shown a sign of emotion yet. Jack wanted to testify, but how could he? He felt his heart waver. What can he do in this situation? He stood up to face his mentor as the orders were being carried out.

"Wait!" Ace objected. "I want to write a note for my subordinates to follow in my absence. Just to make sure the plan follows through. I hope you understand that I can't show you the note, so I can ensure that you won't attack my men in an ambush while I am tied up."

"I can allow that." The orders were carried out and Ace's wrist were tied with the note being sealed on the table. He walked over to the stunned trio.

"Ha, it looks like things got a bit off track. I am all tied up and stuff. Talk about a disaster." He chuckled at a volume only the small group can hear. "Oh, by the way, what is a dark kingdom?"

"Ace, what the hell are you doing?" Stella growled but matched volume. "You can easily kill all of them and we can get out of here."

"I am really sorry. I don't want to fight, and if I do, I am sure someone will end up dead at my hands. I would rather people with clashing ideals, who are willing to fight, kill each other. I know it sounds like a flimsy excuse and I am still practically leading people to death, but it is really important to me that I don't do it myself. I am being selfish but please understand this is the best I can do. Jack, I am putting you in charge because Stella might be a little too close to the situation. I want you to take the note and make a decision that you believe in. Do not think about me, I will be completely fine. I am trusting you to do what you believe is right and I will follow your choice no questions asked. Look out for yourselves."

"Okay, I trust you." Jack walked over and grabs the letter. His eyes locked again with the troublesome beady eyes. Jack felt his blood heat up. He couldn't wait to get an opportunity to crush this man. They continue to walk through the alley of mercenaries with Luna holding Stella's hand. The trio take one last look before ascending.

"It looks like it's just me and you guys. I hope we can have a great time together." Ace's grin made the mercenaries feel uneasy.

"You are the most unpredictable opponents I have ever faced," Quinn chimed to the chained man sitting in the centre of the room. He took a seat behind his desk once again and exhaled the tension from his body.

"It's probably because I try not to think too much. I didn't expect to get so pissed earlier either. That is not a good side of me but let's not do that again. So, if you ever try and use a life as a bargaining chip again, I will break every bone in your body." The large warm grin on his face silenced the room.