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"I mentioned he needs a probation officer. I want you to be that.

"Probation officer. Your job is to keep an eye on Illidan, make sure he obeys the law, and see if he is up to no good." Maiev was absolutely flabbergasted. Even if she had hoped for a similar outcome, she certainly didn't expect this. Although Shandris was delighted that she had aroused the night elf's interest, she knew she could not keep the other half of the job secret, and she was almost sure that that would be a deal-breaker for the warden. But who knows... maybe... She cleared her throat and continued. "However, the job is not just about that. The probation officer is, in fact, a prevention expert, not a warden. They help released prisoners reintegrate into society, thereby reducing the risk of relapse. In other words, you would have to work with Illidan." Her words sparkled a bitter grimace on her sister-in-law's face. Shandris suspected that this part would not be to her liking. Although she hoped that the assignment would not only be beneficial for the demon hunter but for Maiev, too, by helping her fit in with society. "Have another think, and..."

"I'll do it." the reply came immediately, to the captain's utter dismay. She thought the woman would instantly reject the offer as soon as she heard the details, but apparently, she was wrong. Maiev snarled as she squeezed the words through her slowly permanently down-curving lips, but her gaze bespoke about the seriousness of her determination.

"All right. Then please provide me with your personal information. I'm sending it to one of my friends who works in the field. You will be officially hired. They will soon contact you with a detailed job description and the contract." And with this, she exhausted the quota of favours she has accumulated throughout her life. But if she can help her beloved husband with it, it's even worth risking her job.

Maiev reluctantly retrieved her ID holder and handed it over to Shandris, who took a few pictures of the small cards with her phone and then gave it back. With that, she bid farewell to her sister-in-law and waited for Maiev to leave the building. She wanted to make sure that the night elf wouldn’t break her promise right away and sneak back in. When she was sure that her concerns were unfounded, she set off toward the exit.

"When she gets home, she will write a report stating that the offender has been released with a warning, and has been placed under probation to prevent further law violations. It's a bit of an unorthodox solution, but maybe it won't catch anybody's eye. In addition, she could only hope that her confidence in Maiev, and even more so in Illidan, would not prove to be a mistake. It would be difficult to explain to her superiors why she had not handed over a potentially dangerous mage to the military and placed his former warden – widely known to be unstable - as his supervisor. Well, she obviously wouldn't be able to plead ignorance. But if Maiev fulfils her obligation as obsessively as she used to be, she will surely be able to keep the demon hunter and herself at hand... At least she hoped... Then she'll have to talk to Jarod..." Shandris reviewed her tasks while kicking a crumpled sheet in front of her, wishing that the last event could be avoided, but she knew that sooner or later she has to confess to her husband. She could only hope that her sister-in-law would benefit from her new job and not sink deeper. Finally, she picked up the trash and walked to the bin to get rid of it along with her annoying thoughts.

"Damn you, Shandris..." Maiev muttered to herself as she stopped at an intersection, waiting anxiously for the light to turn green. The sudden onset of wintry weather only worsened her mood.

The city of Astranaar was relatively close to the sea, so generally winter was mild, but this year nature had a different plan it seemed. The evening rainfall froze solid on the sidewalks of the wide avenue, turning it into an obstacle course for all of those who desperately tried to get to their workplace.

Shop windows, that once attracted customers were now sheepishly hiding their wares behind glasses decorated by the morning frost, and office buildings towering over one another obscured even the little sunlight that had been filtered through the dirty grey clouds.

The light turned green, and Maiev quickly crossed while murmuring. Two more corners - she thought, squeezing the bulky folder under her arm. It tolerated the rumpling in silence, quietly concealing the long line of papers waiting to be filled. She didn't apply as a therapist, but to keep Illidan on a short leash! Sure, as if she and he would sit peacefully over a cup of coffee in a restaurant, discussing what had happened since the last mandatory report to write it down for her new boss. A murloc would produce an award-winning piece of literature sooner! In addition, Shandris made it clear to her that she had informed the demon hunter about her sphere of action and what her job's nature was. Maiev could already see Illidan's arrogant smirk in her mind's eye, taking advantage of her position to mock her. Had she not been so vulnerable, she would have never taken the job! But at that moment she desperately tried to hold on to something... anything! Unfortunately, this happened to be the unexpected reappearance of Illidan. Oh, how he would gloat if he were to know the pathetic excuse she used to cling to life! Heck, who is she trying to fool, he already knew it, even before her, since their clash at the top of the Black Temple... Fortunately, self-defence is allowed, at worst she can plead that's why the idiot's nose has broken if he can't behave. This thought finally made her feel a little better as she turned at the next corner.

After a while, the night elf arrived at her destination. Two weeks had passed since the last time she was at ReLife's downtown centre when she saw the Betrayer for the first time in two thousand years. He just had to reappear on that day! 

A chilling feeling came over Maiev, but this time not because of the icy breeze that was sweeping across the street but of the memories that were running through her mind. The frustration, the hopelessness, the huge empty waiting room, the number in her hand, the request on her lap... Then everything happened so fast.  She was struck dumb by Shandris's call. She didn't even really know how she got out of the building or where her Passing request disappeared. Perhaps she throws it away with her serial number? Well, she didn't care either way. She only recalled how that name was cutting its way to her consciousness with primal force, filling her with vitality.

The next thing she remembered was halfway asking for directions to ReLife's Downtown Office from an old dwarf woman. The lady looked at her so veiled that Maiev was sure that she mistook her for a grieving relative. Although considering how awfully she looked that day, it may not have been too surprising. But it didn't matter anymore. If she was to do her job well - and she can stop herself from beating up her protegee - then she won't have to fill out that damn request ever again. Surprised by her sudden optimism, she raised her gaze at the building, but it didn't become nicer since the last time. Unimpressed by the unobtrusive grey cube-looking building, Maiev glanced at her phone's displays.

"Almost eight, he should be..." She couldn't even finish her sentence when she picked up on moving from across the door. Through the dirty glass the well-known green eyes appeared first, then the huge bat wings, demon horns, hooves, and tattoos covering the upper body unfolded slowly. Beside the approaching figure, another tiny creature was trying to keep up with him. Maiev thought she recognized the goblin from the last time. Garlobe accompanied Illidan all the way to the door, and when he saw the woman waiting on the other side, he nodded to the man and then he showed a clean pair of heels. Maiev still remembered how terrified he was of the demon the last time, so his behaviour was no surprise at all. 

At the corner of her mouth a barely visible grin began to appear as the door opened, and this time without walls she stood face to face with her former prisoner. Oh, how many times has she fantasised about this moment? Until that, dreams of her got thwarted by that nasty job description. Matters not... If she knew Illidan well, then soon or later he will surely cause trouble. And then, she will be there... Until that she will fulfil her job properly.

"Well, well... look who's on time for once." she pecked at the man.

"Maiev." the demon hunter made a greeting gesture, but his gaze was already looking somewhere else. His temples protruded, his jaw slightly strained, and Maiev concluded that he was trying to concentrate. Slowly, without alarming the man, she reached for her dagger fastened on her belt. If he tries to fire a spell, she will not take her sister-in-law's instruction into account to leave the action to the authorities, and she will take immediate measures. But nothing happened. Illidan stared intently at the dirty highway's lights, the skyscrapers obscuring the sun, and the cars crawling slowly in the traffic jam enveloped by exhaust fumes. Maiev finally got bored of the wait.

"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously. She knew the man had lost his eyes several millennia ago, so she quickly ruled out sightseeing as a possible activity.

"Looking around?" Illidan turned to her, but her incomprehensible expression forced him to explain further. "The energy flow in the world has changed entirely. Back in the day magic flowed through everything, but now... nothing! I can still sense it, but just faintly."   

"I'm trying to figure out what kind of new power resource I'm sensing, and I'd appreciate if you could let go of your dagger's grip." he looked up, and Maiev, in shame of being caught, fulfilled his request with annoyance. "I can see it encompassing the buildings and if my sight is right then it flows through those strange ropes." he said as he pointed to a pylon.

"It's an electric cord. Electricity is running through it."

"Electricity," said absently the man" It reminds me of lightning." 

"Similar, indeed." she pondered as the demon hunter continued to study the city. As he stood beside her, so close after so many years, Maiev couldn't help but feel thrilled, as her twisted mind was slowly overwhelmed with hate-filled joy. She looked at him as a beast looks at its prey, almost tasting its sweet flesh, filling its long starving body with bliss. The experience was almost ecstatic. But before she could fully lose herself in the feeling, Illidan suddenly set off, and if she did not want to lose sight of him, she had to run after the man. "Hey, where do you think you’re going?" but no answer came.

Illidan stood a few meters away in front of an electronics shop's window displaying several large-screen TVs. On one screen a football match was broadcast, on another, the news was on, and yet on another, a movie's teaser was on the screen. The latter caught the man's attention in particular. He then turned to Maiev after the short, half-minute video had finished playing for the third time.

"Is this happening now?"

"Is there a war somewhere? Is this happening now?" he pointed at the screen where a car had been blown up for the fourth time.

"No, that's a movie." she waved. She just began to realize how difficult her job as a patron will be.

"Yes. Like an act that you can watch anytime. It's for entertainment."

"I see. And what is this thing that the image reflects from?"

"I think you mean the TV."

"Fascinating... Can you tell me more about it?"

"What do you think I am, an encyclopedia?"

"So you don't know." Illidan concluded, and Maiev already regretted not giving a less offensive answer, provoking a response, which might have missed the cushion, but after this trying to explain it to the man would have been in vain and acting cynical would just make his battle of words victory even sweeter, and she would not want to give that to him. She decided it would be better to end the conversation and finally get to work. Without a word, she grabbed one of Illidan's horns and, despite his loud protest, pulled him away from the TVs.

The bell hung over the entrance of the small fast-food restaurant ringed joyfully as the door opened, signalling to the bored staff that they had to work for a change as guests arrived. Maiev looked around in the empty place with satisfaction. That's exactly what she was looking for. Originally, she wanted to sit in her least hated fast-food restaurant, but the morning rush was still on, thanks to students being late for their university lectures, so she preferred to take the wardrobe-sized and not-too-family-friendly looking Illidan to a less crowded place. In the end, she settled for the run-down chick-snack restaurant.

Despite the dim light conditions, the staff did not turn on the lights, they probably tried to save on everything else as well, but it didn't bother the two guests. They could still clearly see the tables that had fallen victim to vandalism, the once beige, but now heavily worn walls and the withered potted plants on the uncleaned windowsill. Maiev made Illidan sit down at a table with bar stools instead of chairs where she thought that he would have enough room for his huge wings, then rushed to the cashier to order. Meanwhile, she kept her eyes on the staring demon hunter.

"Can I help you"? asked the grease-smelling, probably criminally underpaid human teenager. He wiped his left hand unthinkingly into his work suit and placed it over the touch screen's interface.

"I would like to have a chicken wrap and a coffee."

"And for your friend?" the boy looked over her shoulder, then flashed a smile, revealing his disjointed teeth. "So metal!"

"My order, please." said the night elf, placing emphasis on her words with a menacing glance.

A few minutes later, Maiev returned to the table with a tray in her hand, and one didn't have to be particularly empathetic to see how frustrated she was, the harsh, bashing sound of the plastic on the wood just proved it. Illidan stared silently at the woman's brutality against the restaurant's equipment. He didn't want to risk her anger, as he still remembered too vividly how she had dragged him across several corners grabbing his horn.

"Here." The night elf threw a paper-wrapped package at him. He gazed suspiciously at the unknown object, then at the woman, who was gloomily opening a similar package. "I didn't poison it," she said bitterly and seemed to regret it immensely. The cashier boy somehow managed to get an order out of her for him too at the end. But at least Maiev didn't have to listen to the boy's stupid questions anymore...

"I'm a demon, I don't need food."

"Normal creatures don't eat solely because they are hungry," Maiev replied, then took a bite in her own sandwich. To her surprise, it was exceptionally delicious. She couldn't stand the cheap fast-food meal, which wasn't on her list of what she considered edible, and was a far cry from her favored traditional Kaldorei dishes, but she had to admit that the crispy fried chicken breast flavoured with spicy sauce and fresh vegetables made a special delicacy. She would have preferred to praise the food loudly, but she felt it would have been inappropriate for the situation she was in, not to mention her company. But in the end, she didn't have to, because the demon hunter did instead at the next moment.

"This thing is surprisingly delicious." he said to Maiev's surprise. She hesitated for a moment if she cared to share her own similar opinion, but eventually decided against it. Like hell would she chit-chat with the Betrayer! "If only it wouldn't be so milk-and-water, it's dripping everywhere!" Illidan said as he tried to keep the chunks of vegetables in the roll while the dressing ran unhindered down on his forearm, getting ingrained into the bandage wrapped around his hands. Eventually, a huge slice of tomato slipped out and fell onto the table. Maiev couldn't help herself and started to laugh gloatingly at him for his annoyance.

"Stop. Hold it this way and then it won't fall apart." she leaned over the table to show Illidan how to grab the sandwich, then offered a napkin to him. "If possible try to eat properly, cleaning is not in my job description," she said. The demon hunter nodded as a thank you, then tried again to bite into the wrap, this time leaving the table clean.

Maiev waited to see if he gets on with the meal, then returned to her own wrap. Meanwhile, she was contemplating her situation. When was the last time she ate with someone? For months, this was her first normal community experience... Fate is playing a cruel game with her. But at least her dignity could not be hurt. It has long faded into oblivion over the years, when for months she was lying on the cold stone in that dark den with no purpose like a pitiful worm. Her remaining pride got her only a job as a bounty hunter and a dysfunctional family relationship.

However, she could not ponder on her state any longer. Illidan bit into the roll wrongly again, and its contents dropped straight onto the table. Maiev looked at the awkward man with a bitter smile. It's gonna be even worse than she thought... but at least there's a reason to wake up in the morning. For starters, that's enough.

"Sister, are you all right?" Jarod's voice sounded more worried than usual through Maiev's old, battered phone. Without waiting for an answer, he continued the question-storm. "You didn't jump at each other's throats, did you? Why didn't you tell me you were starting today? I would have gone there! What were you doing? Are you home yet?" At that point Maiev was running out of patience, she had to interrupt her brother's volley.

"Do you want to hear the answers in chronological or relevance order?" The younger Shadowsong seemingly understood the woman's obviously cynical tone, stopped talking and let Maiev finally gather her thoughts. "Yes, I'm here, I got home recently. Everything is all right, I'm fine. Unfortunately, he is, too. And I didn't mention it because I didn't want you to come. This is my job, I know how to do it. I don't need help."

"No "but', Jarod! Your wife trusts me, follow her example."

"You're right." he gave up as he sighed.

The affectionate concern in his voice filled his sister with warmth. How fortunate that he didn't suspect what kind of madness she was about to do just a little while ago. How much pain he would have had to endure if she had succeeded... It's not like she would have been executed right away on that day, but she knew herself way too well that if she once submitted the request, she would go through with it.

"So..." Jarod resumed the conversation. "What were you two doing?"

"Let's see. I tugged him into a fast food restaurant, handed over his finished certificates and filled out the necessary papers. Then I came away. A week from now on we will meet there again."

"Well, it really doesn't sound that bad." This was the most accurate description of the situation. 

Maiev was also surprised by just how much more pleasant her first meeting with The Betrayer was than she expected, but since this was Maiev, she would eat glass before she would ever admit that she kind of enjoyed it. She sneered. Did she miss social interactions so badly that she finds even that monster's company pleasing?! And they only ate a damn sandwich together...

It's about time to do something about this problem of hers as well... She already missed her last chance, this was a do-or-die. "Tell me, Jarod. Is Lysende free at the weekend? I'd like to take her to pick a normal birthday present. Better late than never, right?"

"Are you serious?"

"You ask this as if you know me as such a prankster."

"You're right. Wait, I'll ask her. Lysende!" she could hear the voice of her younger brother crying for his daughter, feeling that his earlier worries have disappeared.

A faint smile appeared on Maiev's face. If she was planning to stay alive - and that is what she was aiming at from now on - then it was about time to get her relationship with her brother in order, and this time not just on the surface. No matter how much it would hurt her when the time comes. Until then she must do it not just for herself, but for Jarod, too. This is the right thing to do. She can't cause him any more pain. Her experience that day with Illidan had made her realize that she could no longer escape into the constant grip of loneliness to avoid the inevitable feeling of loss. Oh no, no, no. She won't thank him! Maybe she can buy him another sandwich on an another day. Even she can afford that much kindness. And maybe this time she will poison it... or at least put laxative in it.

"Hello, Maiev?" Jarod returned to the phone. "She says it's fine by her."

"All right. I'll check the details with her later." with that the woman said goodbye. The phone beeped to indicate that the line has been disconnected, and with it her connection to the outside world has ended as well. She was surrounded only by the small apartment's usual darkness, only the display of her cellphone was still lit. A dim light in the maelstrom. As the screen's light went out, Maiev began to think. What should she do until the weekend? After some quick pondering, she put on her tobacco coloured jacket. The whole day was ahead of her. And she would start it by visiting the gym.

Lysende would have had a better idea for the weekend, which she shared with her father, but seeing the man's telling look, she chose to voluntarily say yes to her aunt's offer. At that moment it undeniably showed that they were siblings. But at least she could choose her gift. However, she soon had to realize that she knew almost nothing about her aunt, especially regarding to her financial situation. Of what value ought she ask for? Unfortunately, she had forgotten to ask her father, and it was too late now. She stole a glance at the woman beside her and eyed her up and down. Black simple-cut linen trousers, laced boots, gray hoodie and a black leather jacket with cream-colored furskin. No jewelry or bag. As Lysende could remember, her aunt always dressed plainly. Could she have financial troubles? Maybe. She had never heard her talk about her job. Could she be unemployed? That would explain why she always gave lame gifts.

"Is something wrong?" Maiev said suddenly, frightening her cousin beside her to death.

"Oh no, of course not!" she fibbed without thinking, just to regret it the next moment. Here was the opportunity to ask what she wanted to know and she missed it. Lysende looked around in the huge mall with a resigned look.

Maestra's Post was the only shopping centre in town, but no more was needed anyway as the building complex sufficiently compensated the public for its lack of competition. The facility welcomed the potential customers on four floors, accommodating many smaller and larger stores. The façade of the entrance was fashioned in traditional night elf architectural style to commemorate the long-standing post it was named after, but from the inside it was characterized by the spaciousness and brilliancy of modern architecture. The sun's glowing rays flowed through the enormous glass roof effortlessly, glinting every now and then on the huge, overarching artifical waterfall's surface at the enterance. One of the escalators stood silently to the annoyance of those on it while the security guards tried to free a clumsy vulpera's tail from the structure. Families were relaxing on the benches in the corridors after a long and arduous shopping tour, while elsewhere a group of teenagers was laughing louder than appropriate, attracting the disapproval of the elderly. Lysende watched them enviously as they passed by. She didn't know them, but she would have liked to hang out with her own friends somewhere. Maybe if they finish here quickly, she could still go over to Agariel... But first she would have to figure out what to ask for as a gift. She took a deep breath at last.

"Aunt Maiev? I'm sorry, just..."

"Hm?" she turned to her, and Lysende got cold feet. They may have been relatives, but Maiev didn't feel like a family member at all. How on earth she could ask politely how much money she was willing to spend on her gift? Anyway, it was too late. She caught the woman's attention and had to say something now.

"So... You never mentioned it before... What's your profession?" she heaved at last, but immediately regretted it. "Idiot! What if she really doesn't have a job?" she sweared to herself, as she blushed in shame.

"Jarod didn't tell you?" Maiev asked. But there was no sign of anger or shame in her tone, which somewhat calmed Lysende. At least she dared to open her eyes to see where they were going, but she still didn't have the courage to face her interlocutor.

"Dad doesn't talk that much about you." she finally groaned.

"I see. I'm a probation officer." Maiev replied after a short hesitation. Lysende was pleased that her aunt wasn't unemployed, but on the other hand she had no idea what a probationer was or how much they earned, so she was not one step ahead.

"Oh, that must be fascinating!" she tried to pretend interest to her best abilities.

"It is, but what about just finally asking what you really want to know?" hit her the mercilessly straight question, but Maiev didn't wait for the answer. "You choose whatever you want. There is no limit on the price." She turned again to her niece, who stared back at her numbly.

"How did you know...?"

"You checked my clothes a moment ago. Then you asked about my profession and you acted embarrassedly the whole time. One don't have to be the sharpest tool in the shed to figure out what you wanted to tactfully find out. That was considerate of you. Jarod raised you well." she replied, placing her right hand on Lysende's shoulder encouragingly. "I'm serious about what I've said. Choose whatever you want." She smiled a bit awkwardly, yet honestly at the girl, whose face has finally returned to its healthy color, and she nodded cheerfully, acknowledging in her mind that her aunt was quite pretty when she wasn't acting like an overly sour old bag.

Although Maiev assured her that she could ask for anything, Lysende's utmost intention was to not abuse her aunt's generosity, so in the end she chose a blueberry-colored winter dress. They walked out of the fourth floor fashion store with satisfaction. Not far from there, a confectionery tried to lure in the sweet-mouthed customers with their colorfully decorated cakes and desserts. The young night elf looked at the muffins and caramel shortbreads craving. Suddenly she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Next to her, Maiev looked back at her with a faint smile and nodded questioningly towards the confectionery, and the girl's eyes lightened up. Her aunt winked, and the next moment they were browsing the menu.

"Do you see through everybody like this, Aunt Maiev?" Lysende asked the woman sitting front of her as she cut a bite from her slice of the drum cake with a small spoon.

"That's one of my special abilities."

"What are the others?"

"It's a secret." The night elf brought her index finger to her lips, then took another bite of her rum ball.

"Can I ask you something else? If you don't take it as an insult..."

"Well, well, out with it."

"I've never seen you so... cheerful. I mean, you know... usually...

"Yes! But today ... As if you were somebody else. A new guy, perhaps?" she asked with a barely concealed excitement. In her age, it was natural that the boys were the most interesting subjects and were guessed to be behind every change, so Maiev was not surprised the least. She hesitated for a moment, then laughed.

"Well, you could say that. But don't get me wrong. Not the way you think."

"Lysende, you're crossing the line." Maiev winked a hint, and her niece had to admit that no matter how good the shared afternoon was, a single occasion can't overwrite years of superficial familiarity. She was disappointed to learn that she wouldn't know more about her aunt's mysterious admirer. Well... At least not that day. But maybe next time. Excited by the thought, she was about to ask her out for another afternoon, but when she looked up at her aunt's face, she saw no sign of her good mood left. Maiev's features hardened, she clenched her hands together, and with bristled eyebrows she was fixated at one point of the glass roof.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Stay here. Do not move! Am I understood?" Maiev ordered her, not taking her eyes off even for a second.

She slapped a few banknotes from her pocket on the table, then jumped off the chair and ran straight for the hallway. When having reached the barrier, she climbed onto it with a gentle motion, then leaped off. Lysende didn't have time to scream. There was a gap of at least seven meters between the two parallel corridors and they were at least twenty meters high. She was sure her aunt would fall to her death. Maiev jumped into the void with grace, putting big cats to shame, then disappeared mid-air in a blink of an eye and reappeared on the other side. She bumped into a few people as she rushed straight forward, then turned at the corner of the corridor leading to the roof and disappeared from Lysende's eyes. She didn't really understand what had happened. Where did Maiev disappear to in the air? She should have fallen. She simply vanished and just reappeared on the other side. She didn't even have time to blink, it happened so fast. What was that and how did she do it? She just sat there staring for minutes before she woke up from her initial shock and began to reach for her phone. But before she could dial her father, to her utter relief, she saw her aunt returning. She paid hastily, grabbed her gift and hurried to the woman.

"Is everything alright?" Her voice had the same worried tone as her father's.

"Of course. Just something came up. Can you go home alone or should I call a taxi?"

"No, it'll be fine. It's still early. And the bus stops nearby."

"I see. Then, if you excuse me..."

"It's fine, really." She waved her hand and said goodbye to her company, heading for the escalator.

Her earlier irritation of not being able to spend the day with her friends was long gone. What would have they done anyway? They would have watched a teledrama again while going into raptures over their eternal platonic loves for the umpteenth time. No, what she became a part of today was much more interesting. As if she had gained insight into a new and exciting world. Her aunt, whom she considered grumpy and boring before, turned out to be far more than meets the eye. Where did she learn to read people's minds like this? How did she disappear in the air? Who is that mysterious man she mentioned? What did she see on the roof, why does she have to leave now? So many mysteries, like in an adventure movie! She has to get to the bottom of it! And knowing her father, she would hardly get any answers from him, or if she would, it probably wouldn't be as stimulating as today was.

"Aunt Maiev?" she shouted after the mysterious relative.

"Hmm?" she turned back.

"Can we hang out like this again? I have so many questions!" Lysende asked with sparkling eyes.