Talia Al Ghul was beyond herself with rage. Her feet stomped the ground furiously as she paced her room, features set in a lethal look. A look that clearly meant that whoever had driven her to such a dangerous state would no longer live to see another day.

Her recent decision of withdrawing Mona from her plan to keep her control over the League had resulted in chances of further rebellions, the faction that had supported her against Nyssa was likely to object to her decision of not only sparing Mona but also declaring her as her successor.

Whereas she didn't want to give Nyssa's faction any hope of standing up against her again by using Mona as an excuse.

Hence, at the moment Talia had not declared the girl as her successor to keep her safe for the time being.

She was angered at having to deal with the rebellions all over again, though she had thought it would be the last of all such issues when she had gotten rid of Nyssa.

Her robes swept around her majestically with each spin of her feet, her brow furrowing as she pondered on how to make things even.

Sensing a presence at her door, she spun around immediately to yell and threaten away whoever was foolish enough to show up while she was burning in rage. But she turned to see Mona standing timidly at the door.

The girl stepped back immediately upon seeing her enraged, fear spreading over her features that had earlier been slightly hopeful.

Talia's hand reached up to her temples which were throbbing with anger, taking in a deep breath to compose herself.

"I... I'm sorry, Mistress. I'll leave right now if it pleases you," the child stuttered, stepping back further.

But Talia strode towards the door, gripping her wrist as she pulled her inside and locked the door shortly after.

Mona was trembling in fear at the sight of the ferocious woman in front of her, thinking that she was going to be punished severely. It was no secret that Talia was most dangerous when angered and seldom kept her calm in such scenarios.

However, the woman was unbelievably silent as she continued her furious pacing, features set in a deeply thoughtful look. Mona wanted to know what had made her so angry but knew better not to ask her just yet.

In the past few weeks, the girl had grown to understand her very well, from her outward anger to her deeper concern. Mona was very observant so it was no wonder that she had started to figure out the puzzle of Talia's behavior towards her as well.

At last, the woman stopped pacing and stood in front of her, slender hands reaching out to rest upon her shoulders though the girl had flinched away, thinking that she would be punished.

"Mona, what do you think of me?"

The question was abrupt and unexpected, making her pause to think of a reasonable answer first. She didn't want to make her angrier yet she was scared that if she spoke up, it would somehow result in a punishment.

"I require an answer," the tone was firm that once and Mona looked up at her immediately, eyes flickering in fear.

"I... I respect you and think of you as a leader," she replied meekly, "I will forever stay loyal to you, Mistress. You pardoned my life even though I didn't deserve it and for that I am grateful."

Her brow furrowed as she observed her closely, "is that all?"

Mona didn't know what to say to that. Of course, she thought of her more than just the Demon Head who she was supposed to obey till her last breath. Over the past few days, her opinion regarding Talia had changed a lot but she couldn't voice it out to her just yet.

"Come here," she ordered and the girl stepped forward reluctantly, eyes lowered in respect.

Talia had bent down on her knees to be on eye level with her, slender hands still holding her by the shoulders. "You called me Ummi."

Her features flushed in embarrassment, recalling that night vividly.

"I had had a nightmare," she whispered, "I was terrified and I thought... It won't happen again. I shouldn't have crossed that boundary."

Talia sighed and lowered her head, hands pulling her closer. "Do you really think of me as a mother? Could you?"

"I... I would be... Honored if..." Her voice broke and she shuddered, "pardon me, I shouldn't have said anything."

"You are not going to be punished, darling," she resumed softly, "tell me."

She lowered her gaze, not knowing whether it was the right time to tell her what she really thought to her. Though it seemed as if Talia had a fair idea about it already.

She understood the unspoken words behind her silence and stated at last, "you can call me Ummi."

Mona looked up at her in surprise but no words escaped her lips.

"But not in front of others," she resumed, "when it's just you and me, you can call me Ummi. Understand?"

Mona couldn't believe her ears as she stared back at her in shock.

"I know you feel shocked. But I liked it when you referred to me as your mother," her voice was muted as she resumed, knowing the child was too shocked to answer, "it reminded me of my own son, Damian. He used to call me Ummi... Just like you did that night."

Her slender hands pulled her closer towards her as she engulfed her in a gentle embrace, very unlike the usual way she treated her. At that moment, Mona felt as if she had been taken into a safe haven, the relief spreading over her quite new to her.

"Ummi," she breathed out, hands tentatively reaching up to hold Talia. The woman didn't seem to mind that as she kissed her forehead instead, leaving her more shocked than ever.

And with the frail child close to her, all the anger had somehow faded into nonexistence for that short instant.

"You will always be safe with me, child," she spoke, knowing that the decision she had taken was final, her voice sincere as she resumed, "stay with me and train to be the best you can."

"As you wish, Ummi."

Hearing the word from her was so pleasant that a smile flickered on Talia's face. She had been angered earlier at the chaos that had unleashed as she had revoked her decision of using Mona as a pawn in her lethal game of chess.

But right then as she held the child close, it felt as if she had taken the right decision.

When she let go of her, Mona asked in a low whisper, "why were you angry?"

"None of your concern, darling," she replied, brushing her soft brown hair back from her face, "when you are old enough to understand these matters, I will tell you myself."

That seemed to have given her the answer she was looking for and she nodded in affirmation. "You are not angry at me, right?"

"Of course not," she stood up, her hand lingering gently on top of her head, "you have been an obedient child, I have no reason to get angry at you."

Mona nodded, relief spreading inside her at last.

However, Talia's eyes narrowed in deep thought because even though she was not angry at Mona, the troubles she had had to face were due to her. But she had changed her decision and was not going to back off from it.

"Mona, listen to me very carefully," she spoke up, realizing that there were a few things the child had to know to be cautious herself, "you are Nyssa's daughter and the League still sees you as a traitor. They might try to harm you even though I am doing my best not to let it happen. But you have to promise me not to trust anyone but myself in this situation. Don't believe anything they tell you and don't lower your guard in front of anyone. The reason I started your training was because I want you to be strong enough to defend yourself, you do understand that, don't you?"

She nodded in affirmation, listening closely to each word.

"You have to tread very carefully from now on," her voice was lowered to a confidential whisper, "trust no one and always carry a blade or dagger with you. I can't always be here to protect you."

Mona understood the severity of the situation from her tone and nodded her head, "I will be careful."

"Good. Now go back to your room and be ready for training tomorrow. This time, you will be training with me instead of Udit," she opened the door at last, "give your best."

With the door open, Mona lowered her head respectfully, watching the woman shift back into her cold demeanor, "I won't disappoint you, Mistress."

***