The sound of footsteps echoed throughout the empty room. Rhys peered through the onyx into the darkness. He knew who was coming. A smug grin was plastered on the man's face as he walked up to the crystal encased prisoner. His golden cat-eyes gleamed with excitement as he placed his hand against the crystal with satisfaction.<br/><br/>"I'm surprised you made this so easy for us," he rapt a knuckle against the pristine maple colored surface that separated them. He chuckled before leaning against the stone wall behind him. Rhys was silent. Unmoving as his green eyes stared daggers into the man before him. A small woman walked into the room with a book in her hands. Without even looking, the man took the book from her hands and she retreated back into the darkness. He pushed away from the wall and gingerly walked side to side as he flipped through pages in the leather bound tome. He cracked a twisted smile as he glanced up from the text.<br/><br/>"Now, now," he almost sung "Don't look so upset, we both know I can't kill you, but getting rid of you for a while is all I need. With your magic gone, those pathetic whelps you call witches will fall," he walked up to the barrier and stared Rhys directly in the eye. Rhys's gaze was unwavering "Good night," he said lowly "I'll see you in the morning,"<br/><br/>A cold wind wafted over his face and the low rumble of purring against his side made his eyes shoot open.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"What the hell?" </span>a voice had risen up next to him. He jolted upright. The black cat, Valentine, started a bit before returning to his side. Rhys sighed before gently running his hand over the cat's neck. He gently scratched a bit under his chin and ears before standing to gain his bearings.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Gone.</span>He thought to himself<span style="font-style: italic">They're all gone. And it's my fault.</span>he wanted to scream, or punch the ground but a quick mew from Valentine reminded him that someone was nearby. He turned his head just in time to see a girl stumble and fall right on the ground. He cursed under his breath. This was going to be difficult to explain.<br/><br/>He slowly walked over to offer his hand. Sharp pebbles and cracked asphalt reminded Rhys that his possessions had been taken.<br/><br/>"Good day," he rose his voice to meet her but kept his tone gentle so as not to further startle the wide-eyed woman. He outstretched his dark palm and offered her as much of a smile as he could manage right now. "I apologize if I've startled you, madame. My name is Rhys and I seem to have-..." He stopped only for a moment to think of an excuse "-taken a fall here, I see you must have done the same," he gave a hollow chuckle.<br/><br/>"Would you do me the kindness of telling me where I am? I... think I might have hit my head," he said as if he were trying to convince himself more than anyone else.