She tried to imagine it, Geraint being successful in his mission and what the witches would do.  No matter how hard she tried, she could not imagine a scene in which they actually rewarded him.  Most female werewolves would not have wanted a real relationship with someone like him.  They would not see a future in it.  So there would be no reward, no peaceful life.  She should have felt similarly about him, that he was not a viable option so there was no need to feel attracted, but when he made the comment about her ass, a faint blush came to her cheeks.  She enjoyed the idea of his eyes on her, the idea that he desired her in some way.  Vara had never enjoyed the idea of Blackvayne’s affections.  It felt like he wanted to possess her, like a porcelain doll on a high shelf...Geraint’s flirtations felt nothing like that. They were much more raw, much more authentic.<br/><br/>“The idea of dying in my bed of old age is actually looking more and more attractive.  As long as it was a warm bed.”  She said, before turning her attention back to the terrain.  The conversation went silent for a time, as they moved into the darkened lands impacted by the atomic spirits.  She had never traveled through a place like this, but she’s had heard stories.  It smelled like hell on earth, heavy and full of death, and it looked about the same.  Still, Vara pressed on once she saw the tower that Geraint described and she did not stop until they made their way inside the small safe haven.<br/><br/>Once they were settled within its safety, Vara let out a sigh that she felt like she had held in for a long time.  “Even if it doesn’t end with you being a hero and them giving you redemption, I’ll help you stop him.  I owe him that for what he did to my parents and I owe you for keeping me out of the hands of the witches after attempting to kill one of their leaders.”  Vara wondered if she should have resented feeling indebted.  That was often how she felt about Blackvayne, a deep yearning for freedom from what she owed him.  Yet, with Geraint, she was now seeing new and interesting places, which felt a bit like freedom.  “Are there others like you?  Outcasts?  You mentioned that thing about the oils, was there are time where the witches let you wander?  I’ve never explored much outside the missions I was sent on...”