Chapter 4 - Asher

Ison threw a porcelain vase at my glass coffee table as they all continued to argue, or I should say fighting like wild dogs on the street. I sighed at them. It was like I am the father of four unwanted kids whose mom had run away, leaving me no choice but to keep them. These grown-ass kids will surely get a strangling from me one of these days.

The vase was an artifact that was a gift from my mother to me. What Ison and others failed to notice was that the vase didn't break, nor did the glass table. They were intentionally riling him up so that he would break a few things, particularly my things, as he had already broken a few things in each of their houses.

Ison was mad that he lost the bet. The bet about the gender of the phantom, he was angry because he thinks that Zuro was making it up. He was right to doubt him as he had already done it one too many times. Now he wants a proof, and apparently, my words don't count as I might also be involved in this with Zuro. As if he really did lose this bet, he would have to become Zuro's slave for a month, He then accused Zenor and Solas of being involved too, which is what escalated the whole argument.

Solas was the first to notice that nothing was broken or maybe he noticed my lack of reaction, he is the most observant of us, he came over picking up things that Ison threw, and tested them by banging them on the wall. The others turned at the sound of banging and their mouths dropped open at what they saw. A laugh escaped me at their expressions.

Did they think I would let them inside my apartment without any precautions taken? I had learned my lesson when Ison broke Zuro's coffee table. I had called a witch and had her place a protection spell on everything. I was not letting him break anything in this house, if mom finds out that her precious vases were broken, she will break our bones.

"Do you guys like it?" Ison had calmed down and strode to the couch making sure to knock them out of his way. That made them tumble sideways. He was built like a mountain, a grumpy mountain.

"Asher, you are a party pooper." Zuro said and sat beside Ison. "What did you do to them." "You just ruined our fun man." Solas and Zenor followed behind. Even though they are a nuisance I can't help but feel like I belong here whenever I am with them. I guess that is why I keep them around, I laugh with them, I fight with them, they are a part of me. What will I even do without the four of them? It is one question which i had no answer to. I can't imagine my life without them.

"Guess who lost a bet?" Zuro sang in his ears. To which Ison replied with an elbow to his stomach, making him double up clutching his stomach, which made us laugh until we could not anymore.

After we were done laughing at Zuro, Ison asked "did you really see her?" The image of her lithe figure in that floor-length cape flashed in my mind. The memory of her body pressed into mine was something I will remember in the most inappropriate times. I want to see her face. To see what she would look underneath me, calling my name.

I shook my head to rid myself of her thoughts, which are as stubborn as her refusing to leave me. In this short amount of time, I had recalled our conversations and conjured her images, and done everything that I had never done before. I don't know if it is the challenge that she presents or the sexy figure, but she seems to be imprinted on my mind.

"The look on his face says it's a girl. A sexy one I believe for him to be lost in her thought." Zenor said while taking a swig of his drink. They know me quite well. Ison gave a long sigh admitting his defeat.

"I want you all to help me find her." I said to them.

"No can do. No one has been able to find her. Even we tried to find her after the bet. But couldn't even find out she is a woman." Zuro said to which everyone else was nodding their heads.

"You were lucky that you were able to meet her. If you weren't there I bet even, you would not be able to find her. She is that good." added Solas. Ison was pouting at his drink like it was the one that offended him. He will be pouting for the rest of the month while serving Zuro's every order. Why did he even make that bet?

"Yeah, she has been working for 2 years now and no one was able to catch her. I don't think you will be able to find her bro. I wish I could meet her." Solas had a dreamy look on his face. She is good. How was she able to hide her identity? I guess I am lucky. Now I just have to find her.

They left after I told them about her. They wanted to know every detail, but some things cannot be formed into words like the feel of her beneath me or the way her eyes shined with excitement when I held the knife to her throat. The way her scent still lingers on my clothes. Or the sound of her laughter that is still ringing in my ears. When I catch her again, I will make sure to not let her slip from my fingers.

"You will never be able to catch me, pretty boy." Her voice sounded in my ears. I will show her and everyone else that there is nothing, nothing the prince of the shadow kingdom, Asher, cannot do.