Asher could almost taste the bloodlust in Zaine's eyes as she struck down the Alpha without mercy.  That was her specialty- exploiting gaps in her opponents guard.  The Alpha was so overwhelmed by those in front that he'd left his flank open, and Zaine moved in for the kill.  Seraphina's reaction was almost instant.  It was what Zaine wanted.<br/><br/>He felt her grip falter as she fell to her knees.  Asher coughed as his air passage opened up again, as they were surrounded by the Clan.  The shackles around his wrists were cut, while the woman behind him was subdued.<br/><br/>“Wait-,” he wheezed.  Chains were coiled round her neck as the hunters shouted to each other to bring her to the ground.  It was an execution method typically used to bring down Alphas, and required several men.  If he didn't stop them, her body would be squeezed until the silver sliced through her like a well-sharpened knife.  “-Stop-!”<br/><br/>This vampire never intended to kill him.  She made threats and made every effort to keep him all to herself, but even in the face of a dozen hunters ready to kill, she couldn't deal the final blow.  There had to be a reason for that.  No matter what it was, he couldn't stand by as the Clan began to execute her in the most barbaric way possible.<br/><br/>“I said<span style="font-style: italic">stop</span>!” he shouted.  The hunters flinched, confusion in their eyes as they looked to their superior.  “I need her alive.  Take her back to the camp.<span style="font-style: italic">Unharmed</span>.”<br/><br/>“Are you mad?” Zaine snapped at him as she approached.  Her eyes fell on Seraphina with venom.  “That's an<span style="font-style: italic">Alpha</span>, Asher.  Who sees a bloody Alpha and thinks, 'Oh well dunk a butt let's invite her in for tea'?!”  Her expression softened as she turned back to him, placing her remaining hand on his shoulder.  Asher stiffened uncomfortably.<br/><br/>“Don't touch me,” he hissed.  He shook her off and addressed the hunters again.  “If anyone objects you can sod off.”<br/><br/>The hunters hesitated, but finally decided to obey.  The chains loosened around her, and she was instead bound in iron.  The Chief ordered the retreat, and the Clan began to fall back before more vampires could join the fray.  Asher pulled Seraphina along, and the trek was quiet.  It was… disturbing how quiet and cooperative she was all the way back, even as he walked her past the many wagons and tents with the eyes of junior hunters set on them suspiciously.<br/><br/>Just in front of his own tent, the one he thought he might never see again, he was stopped by the Chief, whom placed a hand on his shoulder firmly, his unspoken question communicated with the gesture.<br/><br/>“She has information I need,” he muttered, “Give me two days.”<br/><br/>“Two days,” the Chief repeated, “Then she must go.”  Asher nodded grimly, then disappeared into his tent, pulling the vampire behind him.  Inside, he simply let go and closed the doorflaps.  Asher turned and crossed his arms.<br/><br/>“Why?” he asked, one word to encompass all.