Lauren pressed her weight forward as she turned the bike around a corner. Topaz fired two shots to the street beside them at approaching Ashurian security. The young siamese cat held on to her waist as Lauren searched for a way to loose their pursuers. They had gotten flagged trying to sneak into the city under the cover of darkness, and now were being pursued by the Guardians.

Topaz had been able to find clothes to disguise her Talwyn heritage however Lauren still wore her Talwyn master's clothing. She knew it identified her. It had been given to her by Lucas, and she could not bear to part with it. She would have to change as soon as she lost their tail though she would not be able to leave them behind. She supposed a part of it was pride or sentimentality, but to her it meant something more than just a title. It was her identity.

She had to get to Michael, but to do that, first she needed to lose their pursuit. She dashed down into the lower levels of the Ashurian city. A risky gambit, but they would not be able to follow them from the air if she did.

With a burst of speed, she shouted to Topaz to hold on and swerved around a pedestrian, who shouted profanity at her.

Art by