The artwork above is not mine.

(And yes, I know it's Dagdan and Brannagh but I thought it also worked well as an example of the painting.)

•༻☾☽༺•

Seren stood before the strange painting once more. She had pulled the black cloth off it entirely. The more she studied the people portrayed, the more she felt like she should recognize them. The twins bore resemblance to the dread lord. She wondered if they weren't all siblings.

"Beautiful, aren't we?" The dread lord's voice came from behind her.

"Who are they?"

"My little brother and sister."

"What happened to them?"

"They died," he said simply.

"I'm sorry." Seren glanced at him, judging his expression. She cast her flaming hand towards his mind. She felt no sorrow. In fact, she felt nothing at all. His mind was strongly shielded. Her plan was not going to work.

"It was only a few years ago. They were killed during the war with Hybern. They chose the wrong side and suffered the consequences of that choice," the dread lord said. "We had been out of contact for many years. I have never mourned them. I have never loved them."

"What were their names?"

The dread lord shrugged. "I've no idea. I can't even recall my own name on a regular basis."

Seren turned back to the painting. Again, she couldn't help but feel like she should know these people. Her mind was still foggy. Why were they so familiar? Where had she seen a painting like this before? Seren leaned closer, an odd detail leaping out at her.

"You have pointed ears," she said.

The dread lord stiffened. "You're mistaken."

"No," Seren shook her head. She pointed to the ears in the painting. "Look. They're pointed." She faced the dread lord, peering through his white locks. To her surprise, his ears were rounded.

"You're mistaken," he said again, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Seren looked at the painting. The ears were rounded. She blinked, looking closer. But how...I could've sworn they were pointed.

She jerked her head around. The dread lord was standing right behind her. He seemed taller than before. His features were sharper. His presence was ancient, stifling. Shadows wound tightly around her arms and neck, poised to protect.

"Who are you?" Seren demanded. "And who are they? What's wrong with this place?"

"I know you, Seren Marzena." His voice was cold like death. "I know your companions. I know your family. I know your mate. I know your child."

Immediately, she attempted to winnow. Wind roared in her ears, then quieted once more. The dread lord gave her a wicked grin. Seren lifted two flaming hands. "Who are you?" She growled.

"I know you spoke with Vassa. I know she warned you away. I know everything that happens in this house. I know everything that happens beyond it. I know you. I know what you are. Daemati." His form flickered before her, becoming whispy, but still faintly distinct. "I know why they brought you. I know why your enemies want you."

"Who are you?" Each word was hard as she spoke it.

"Death," an oily voice whispered. Seren threw flames around herself as the dread lord vanished and a creature of shadows descended upon her.

•༻☾☽༺•

"This isn't good," Rhys said, rubbing his forehead furtively. "Beron might be gathering his forces in the Spring Court. If his scouts locate Tamlin and kill him, the Spring Court will collapse entirely."

"I'm glad you called us back from Cretea," Mor said. "We can't trust my father not to betray us. We have to go to the Court of Nightmares and remind him who's really in charge here. We need to make him too afraid to betray us."

"How do we know he hasn't betrayed us already?" Nesta asked.

"Eris said his brother is supposed to meet with Keir. I believe that means he hasn't done so yet," Rhys answered. "Nesta, go to the Summer Court and bring Amren home. All of us will attend this meeting with Keir. He needs to be reminded of our full power." Mor nodded her approval. After a moment, Rhys added, "Gwyn, Emerie, and Jorah should come too."

"Why?" Cassian asked from his spot near Nesta. "Keir doesn't know or care about them."

"He needs to see our full power," Rhys repeated. "And we all know that when the time comes, Gwyn, Emerie, and Jorah will stand side by side with our Inner Circle. They deserve to be there."

Cassian inclined his head. "Is someone going to retrieve Lucien, Elain, and Seren?"

Rhys glanced at Azriel. He straightened instantly and nodded. "And Cassian will go with you. I'll check in with Devlon and his spies while you're gone." Both nodded their agreement and headed towards the door.

Azriel followed Cassian past the gates of the river house. He pulled on the Bond gently. Cassian and I are coming to get you all. Something came up. I'll explain when we see you. He waited, but Seren didn't respond. Azriel tugged on the Bond again.

Cassian spread his wings and shot into the air. Azriel flew after him. Seren, he called. He continued tugging on the Bond. Nothing. Nothing but steady silence. Seren? His heart began to race.

"Az?" Cassian flew beside him. "What's wrong?"

"Seren isn't answering me," Azriel replied.

"She's probably just busy. You don't answer her when you're busy."

Azriel yanked on the Bond sharply. Still nothing. "No, we always answer each other somehow. I can't..." he felt for the end of the Bond, where Seren's presence usually rested. "I can't feel her."

"Shit," Cassian hissed.

Seren, Azriel called again. Where is she? He asked the shadows.

Hidden, they whispered. We cannot find the Lady of Ashes. We cannot find ourselves.

"The shadows can't find her. They can't even feel the shadows that are with her," Azriel reported.

"Shit," Cassian said again. "Shit. Shit. Shit. Take us to the Mortal Lands, Az. Take us there, now." Azriel grabbed Cassian's arms and shadows overtook them.

•༻☾☽༺•

Seren sobbed in the darkest corner of her mind. She could feel nothing. She couldn't summon her fire and Azriel's shadows were gone. All that remained was the stench of blood and melted flesh.

She felt around for the Bond once more, but only empty space greeted her. "Azriel," she called. "Somebody! Anybody!"

"You will find no one here, Child." A tall graceful male approached her. He no longer looked elderly. He looked strong. He looked powerful. He looked like the male in the painting.

"Get away from me," Seren hissed. She tried to back away, but was pressed as far into the corner as she could go.

He came closer. "What fears lurk in that pretty head of yours? I'm curious."

Seren's heart raced uncontrollably. The male's features contorted until he took the shape of her oldest fear. Trestwyn Marzena crouched down in front of her. "Hello, Girl," he sneered.

"No, you're dead," Seren whispered. "This is a trick."

"Do I feel dead to you?" He grabbed her hand and held it over his heart. It beat steadily in his chest. Trestwyn's gaze passed over her. "Do you know how much you look like your mother? Do you know that if I took a knife to your corpse, you would look exactly like her?"

"Get away from me!" Seren kicked at him.

Trestwyn grabbed her ankle and shoved her leg aside. "Hold your tongue, Girl!" A knife appeared in his hand. Seren began screaming. "Hold your tongue!"

"Scream, and I'll slit your throat!" Seren couldn't stop the tears that fell as Erebus pinned her arms above her head. "I'll have you, one way or another. Even if I have to take you in this state." He stared at her round stomach with disgust. "And if you cry out for him, I'll make sure your baby doesn't live past its first breath."

Seren kicked at Erebus and fought to free her wrists. His grip was iron and became white hot. Beron now held her hostage, a wicked smile on his face. "I've waited a long time to kill you. I'll wait no longer."

Their faces continued to flash before her eyes, occasionally becoming the ancient male again. Seren screamed and cried, desperately searching for a way to free herself. She screamed until her throat was hoarse and she tasted blood.

"Such delicious fear," the ancient male crooned. "Such potential. Soon. Soon all of that fear will become reality. But not yet. Not yet." Seren screamed again as he touched a hand to her forehead. Pain erupted through her skull, followed by an intense ringing in her ears.

•༻☾☽༺•

"Seren! Seren!" Someone was shaking her. She blinked her eyes open and saw Elain's panic stricken face. "Oh, thank the Mother!" Elain sobbed with relief. Elain pulled her into a hug.

Seren lifted a hand to her cheek. It was wet with tears. "What happened?" She rasped.

"We found you out here screaming and thrashing around. Are you all right?"

A heavy fog settled over her mind. Seren looked around, but did not see the dread lord. For some reason, she felt as though she should, but she didn't know why. She lifted her gaze to the barren walls. That also felt wrong. Wasn't there something there the last time she looked at them?

"Seren?" Elain was watching her worriedly. Lucien and Jurian hovered behind her.

"I..." Seren closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands. "I don't know what happened. I can't remember anything from after breakfast." She felt a sharp yank on the Bond, suddenly. She returned it and instantly, Azriel's relief washed over her.

Feet pounded on the stairs and Azriel and Cassian burst into view. Elain jumped at the sight of them. "What's going on?" Azriel demanded. He pushed Elain aside and wrapped his arms around Seren. "Are you all right? I've been trying to reach you, but you wouldn't answer. The shadows couldn't find you."

"What are you two doing here?" Jurian asked. No one answered Azriel's question.

"Taking the three of them home," Cassian replied. "We're going to the Court of Nightmares."

Nightmares. Seren's breath caught on the word. Hadn't she just had a nightmare? Or had she been hallucinating? What had she seen anyway? She couldn't remember. Did she see anything at all? A tear slipped down her cheek. Azriel stroked her hair and shadows roamed over her, offering what comfort they could.

"Is something wrong?" Cassian and Jurian stepped aside, revealing the dread lord. "Why are these two here?"

"We're here to collect our friends," Cassian answered.

"I'm staying here, as usual," Jurian said.

"I see. I hope you'll think on my offer while you're away." The dread lord's dark gaze fixed on Seren.

"The answer is no," Lucien said firmly. "Let's not keep the others waiting."

Seren stood on trembling legs. Azriel wrapped an arm around her waist and she leaned against him as they followed the others down the stairs. She felt calmer now, but something was still off. She just couldn't remember what.

They left the manor behind and Azriel held onto her as they soared into the air. Lucien winnowed himself, Elain, and Cassian away. "Why aren't we traveling through the shadows?" Seren asked.

"What happened?" Azriel ignored her question.

"I don't know. I think..." Seren rubbed her forehead. "I don't know. I can't remember."

Azriel was silent for several minutes. "That's strange." He glanced at her, his hazel eyes reflecting his concern. "Neither can the shadows." Seren said nothing, but buried her face against his neck. A moment later, Azriel began to hum.

"You never sing," she murmured. He didn't answer. He just kept humming, and the soft sound soothed the last of the panic from her mind.