Willow picked up the phone, frowning at who was calling her. "V?" she murmured as she clicked on the line.

Vern's normally bright and cheery voice sounded tense and brittle. "H-hey, D-Desire. Um...look, I'm really putting myself out on a limb here..." He let out a long sigh.

"What are you talking about?" Willow frowned in confusion even more. Glancing around, she located the kids and Raja hanging out in the kitchen. It was Sunday afternoon and Bri was still out and about, while Aiden and Bren were still in the Other Realm. It was just the five of them at the moment. Trying to be quiet and sneaky, Willow carefully got up from the couch and began to back up towards the large double doors. So far, she was doing good.

"Okay, so, um...CRAZY shits happened while you've been on vacation," he started.

"Yeah? Well, this vacation of mine hasn't been all fluff and rainbows. In fact, talking to you has reminded me that I need to talk to A because-"

"See, that's just the problem!" he hissed close to the phone. "A's dead, D. He's dead and Z's taken over for him. We've got new management."

Blinking, Willow froze, hand squeezing the phone tightly. "W-wait...d-dead?" she breathed out in shock. A had been the leader of their band of mercenaries and assassins since her father had still been in the business. How could he just...? "Was it a heart attack or stroke or s-something?"

"No...See, I've been suspicious about it for the past couple years, but now I'm damn sure...I've got proof! D, the leader ain't the Leader...We're all working for a scumbag hot-shot...make that a crazy scumbag hot-shot!" he whispered in rage and disbelief. "I'm friends with Z, so he told me all about it during sex last night," he explained casually.

Shaking her head slightly, Willow fought to keep the image of Vern and Z having sex from forming in her mind. "Um..."

"So, anyway, apparently Z's been in the know for awhile. Now he's the 'leader' and he's got to keep this other guy happy...Oh, and apparently this other dude murdered A! From what I was able to gather from the memories Z wanted me to eat for him last night, it wasn't a polite sort of murder. No gun, no knife stab, or a simple break of the neck. We're talking savage here, D!"

Letting her breath out in a soft exhale, Willow kept backing up. "Well...thanks for the heads up, but I am planning on backing out of-"

"So, anyway, baby, I need to meet up with you. Z told me some crazy stuff this motherfucker has planned...Remember how you failed your last job? Girl, no joke, you need info and protection, because this guy doesn't sound like the 'forgive and forget' type. More of 'hold a grudge until it's branded into their soul' type. We need to meet up so I can give you a better idea of the playing field. You need a strategy, preferably one that helps you get out and keeps your tight little ass intact!"

Rubbing at an ache that was beginning along her temple, Willow's mind began to spin. She'd just had to deal with all the drama of her past and now this? Sure, Vern liked to over-exaggerate and dramatize things, but the man sounded legitimately worried right now...Which wasn't like his normal, devil-may-care self..."Alright, Vern. When and where should we meet up?"

Vern quickly listed off a time and location and Willow mentally forced herself to memorize it. Once she was sure she had it, she said goodbye and hung up. Turning on her heel, since at this point she'd backed up enough to be past the double doors, she came up short.

Aiden, his platnium blonde hair looking a little messy, dark green eyes tired but also filled with an annoyed light wearing a short-sleeved grey polo and skinny jeans, was standing a foot in front of her. His arms were crossed over his chest and he wore a frustrated frown. "Just who is Vern?"

Clamping a hand on his shoulder, Bren leaned down, wearing a teasing grin. "Awww...Is Wister Widen wealous?"

Cutting the taller man a glare, Aiden's gaze seemed to glow slightly. "Of course I am...Also, you aren't cute."

Batting his lashes, Bren smirked. "I so am though! Right, Willow?" he asked, leaning his body half-way into Aiden. "You better be careful, honey, or I may steal him from you."

Blinking, Willow let out a sigh and shook her head. "Both of you are being ridiculous. Vern's just an old aquaintence of mine-"

"Oh, an old aquaintence! Oh...Oh my!" Bren waved a playful paw at her. "Is he a yummy aquaintence?"

"Seriously?" Aiden sighed, jerking his arm out to jab Bren in the side with his elbow. "What's come over you since the whole Luke and Christine incident?"

Willow frowned. "Wait, what?"

Bren's smirk grew bigger. He moved to wrap his arms around Aiden, leaning fully against his back. "Yep, you heard right, lady. Aiden's a free man! His cousin and Christine were playing kissey-face last night. We caught them," he chuckled. "It was actually really sweet, especially since Christine's been in love with him since her early school days. So...now you can come over here and play kissey-face with Aiden all. You. Want!"

Willow's cheeks turned faintly pink, but she couldn't help but chuckle at Aiden's brightly red face. "You're a nut, Bren," she laughed, shaking her head.

He winked. "That's one name I go by," he agreed gaily.

Aiden massaged the bridge of his nose, taking in a deep breath. "Alright then..." Lowering his hand, he shot Willow a sheepish smile. "Sorry...about earlier. I, um, ahem!" he cleared his throat. His green eyes darted around nervously, looking everywhere but at her. "Also, it's good to see you," he murmured quietly.

Willow felt a small ray of warmth start to grow in her weary, bruised, and still-healing heart. "You too, Aiden," she replied with a soft smile.

Bren hid his own smile, quietly trying to move away and give the two a bit more privacy. To any of the gods listening, please, PLEASE just get these two together and let them both finally be happy. At least help me get one of my worries off my freaking plate, he sighed internally, begging.

A thought that Bren had been telling Aiden on their trip here from the Other Realm flashed through Aiden's mind. Opening his mouth, he started to ask, pushing forward on what courage he'd gained from Willow's small smile. "I-I would like to know if you would agree to go out with me sometime for dinner," he cleared his throat again, fighting off the nervous urge to fidget. Another thought came to his mind and he smiled softly, shaking his head. Staring into Willow's faintly surprised eyes, he grinned. "Actually, can I change my request? Rather, I'd love to go out and spend time with all of you...Prophecy, Marcus, Malik, and you. I want to get to know the boys and spend time with them as much as I do you and Prophecy."

Willow blinked, staring into Aiden's warm, happy face. H-he means it. He honestly means it.

After only a few seconds, she stepped forward, closer, and held out her hand for him to shake. "If the kids are okay with it, I'd love to," she agreed calmly. "And...thank you. I, um...I understand everything has been both weird and awkward since...w-well..."

Reaching out to grasp her hand a little more firmly, Aiden shook his head. "You don't have to bring it up, Willow. It's not your fault. We all have our secrets and our own demons to deal with. Yours were just a little more physical than most. I'm just happy all of your were safe and well. I'm happy you were able to find your sons too."

Staring at his chest, still feeling a little uncertain and shy around Aiden, Willow could only nod. "Yes," she agreed in a firm, strong voice.

After another two seconds, they dropped each other's hands, Willow taking a step back. "So, would you like to come in, you two?" she officially welcomed them. "Everyone's in the kitchen right now, Dad's teaching them how to make a proper meatloaf. He told them it was essential to be able to survive in the world." She shook her head, lips lifting in a short laugh. "I swear, he's impossible sometimes. He hasn't changed a bit, even after everything."

Bren raised a brow, poking his head out from around the corner he'd sneaked to spy on the couple while he gave them "privacy". "Eh, Sensei's here? About fucking time. Where the hell was he all last week?!" Bren demanded gravely. "His fucking daughter's in trouble and he's nowhere to be seen? That doesn't sound like Kazuo at all."

Willow chuckled nervously. "Um, well...He's back, but he's a lot different. I don't really get everything, but apparently his ex...um, wife? Well, she's a psychopath and also really powerful. She put him under some sort of spell...A really crazy one and now he's, well...It would be better just for you both to see for your own eyes," she sighed tiredly. 

Leading the way, turning on her heel, she started off towards the kitchen again. The others following after her and it didn't take long for Aiden to let out a soft noise of confusion. "Who is-?"

Raja looked up from where he'd been checking the meatloaf that was in the oven. His black eyes lite up, face breaking  out into a wide grin. "Oh, hey! It's Twiddle-Dee and Twiddle-Dum! You guys sure took your sweet time to show up."

Bren stood stock-still, sea-green eyes wide in shock. "No way..."

Aiden frowned fiercely. "Wait...you can't be serious!"

Raja smirked. "Dead serious."

Malik rolled his eyes. "It's not like it's that weird," he insisted.

Marcus huffed in disgust. "Yeah, sure. You can pretend you didn't shit your pants at all when you found out too."

"You're young!" Aiden gasped, staring at Raja in disbelief.

"I didn't notice at all," Raja muttered sarcastically.

"You a freaking kid!" Bren breathed, shaking his head.

"But I'm legal," Raja winked, propping his hip out in a sassy pose. "Imagine how much of a lady-killer I'll be in a body like this."

"This can't be possible," Aiden shook his head as well.

"You're a pretty boy, man," Bren stressed tensely.

Raja's jaw flexed in annoyance. "What did you just call me?" he grumbled.

Prophecy reached out and patted his lower back. "Don't worry, Pawpaw, I think you're handsome," she assured him smoothly.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you are my dad," Willow admitted as she moved into the kitchen with the kids.

"...You two can have food, but stop questioning my manhood," Raja growled, glaring at the other men. "...Do I need to pull out my cards? Are we going to have to settle this like real men?" he demanded, his higher voice than before almost begging them to say yes.

Aiden and Bren both very quickly shook their heads. "No, sir!" they dutifully and correctly replied as they moved to sit at the dinning room table.

Over Prophecy's head, who was humming happily as Raja grumbled in irritation, the twins raised a single eyebrow in a mirror of a question.

Poker? They asked each other silently. Got to be, they both thought. What other stereotypical "man's" card game is there to play?

O O O

Max grumbled in sleepy annoyance. Turning his head, he took in the blurry, unfocused sight of the shapes and colors beside the hotel bed. Stretching out his right hand, he grabbed his black glasses that were resting closed up on the bedside table. Opening them, he pulled them up to his face, placing them where they belonged. Turning on his side slightly to glance behind him to the rest of the bed, he saw it was empty.

So...she's gone, he thought in a mixture of disappointment and relief.

It's better this way, he reminded himself sternly.

I'm going to miss her...She was nice, Nox murmured. It's been so long since we could-

No, no, no! Max snarled. Shut up and stop it! You know...Damn it, we shouldn't have done that...We shouldn'thave done any of this...All of this was a mistake. Damn it, I never should have agreed to help Christine! he hissed internally.

But...she was so good. Are you really going to say that last night was a mistake?! Nox demanded in a mixture of rage and disbelief. No. Not at all! If anything, we should have crossed over sooner. If what happened last night was what was waiting for us...How can you not want that all over again? It was...it was amazing. It was wonderful. It was instinct and primal, emotional and shocking. We need to do it more often...So much more often.

No, Max shook his head firmly. Inside his mind and heart, he wanted to sob. The urge to scream and shout in rage, sorrow, and disbelief over what had happened...

It nearly overcame him...But he prevailed, just barely.

Grinding his teeth together in suppressed rage, jaw flexing, he rose to his feet, shoving back the sheets. Moving around the bed, he started toward the bathroom. "I have to take a shower," he said aloud. "I still have to do all that research for Christine," he sighed.

Nox's voice was heavy and tired. Do you really, though? How long have you know about this problem, anyway? Known all this time and you've never told Felix or Aiden...You've never tried to warn them. Now what are you going to do?

"I learned..." Max raised a hand to cover his mouth and inhaled a large breath. "I don't know, okay?" he muttered defensively. "There are some things I still have to check on."

Do you? Nox taunted. Do you really?

Fuck you, Max growled internally,  though he remained silent. Taking off his glasses and setting them on the bathroom sink countertop, he shoved back the plain white shower curtain before stepping inside.

O O O

"Really, I just want to say thanks again," Willow murmured. She turned, lifting up her hair from her back. "Can you zip me up, please?"

"You know," Bren chuckled lightly as he took hold of the zipper, pulling it up Willow's spine. The tight black dress closed, hiding her black bra and dark skin. "Aiden would string me up by my toes if he knew I got to see you in this and he hadn't."

Turning, dropping her hand to allow her hair to flow down her back, Willow rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, Doyle." She used the alias he'd given her for this trip.

Hearing the name in the light of day again made Bren's small smile tighten. Closing his eyes, he took in a long inhale and told himself to stay calm. Afterall, it was his job to make sure nothing happened to Willow on this trip. "Oh, I don't think so at all. I know I'm completely right, Desire."

Shaking her head slightly, Willow moved over to grab the small clasp purse. "So...you ready?" she asked, glancing up at Bren's tall frame encased in his simple black suit and tie.

He smiled fleetingly. "As ready as I will ever be," he assured her. His eyes roamed briefly over her dress.

Little black dress was definitely what she'd been going for and she'd pulled it off perfectly. It fell in straight, slim lines, cupping her curves until stopping at four inches above her knee.

The front along her throat, collarbone, and dip of cleavage was black lace. The shoulders were cut off and left completely bare, simple...but sexy all the same.

Keeping his silence, Bren started towards the door of their shared hotel room. He could appreciate the view, but that was it. Besides, he much preferred Willow as a friend rather than a potential lover.

Such relationships almost always seemed to turn messy...No matter how neat and organized they might have started out.

Stop thinking about Carly, he told himself off sharply. Your own personal life isn't important right now...You've got a party to attend, with one goal in mind: making sure Willow comes back in one piece.

Gods...I'm getting to old for this job, he sighed internally.

The two left the hotel, getting into a taxi before heading to the venue which was the location for the high-end charity cocktail party going on. Vern had left two tickets at the hotel desk a few hours before, ensuring the couple would be able to enter.

In the back of her mind as Willow slipped her arm through Bren's, she tried to fight down her nerves. They'd already gone through the grand lobby of the building, moving past it to the large ballroom all the festivities were taking place in. It wasn't like she hadn't been to her fair share of events like this...

But that was just it. She'd always been doing it with a mark, a target in her mind she was going to be killing either that night or a week or several months later. It all just depended on her individual target. Now here she was again.

It was why she'd begged Bren to come to California with her. She needed someone to watch her back, someone who could handle themselves in a mundane, human way. Aiden would just use his powers, she was sure. Bri had been a bit AWOL as of late. Willow had no idea what had happened, but she'd seemed to retreat into her own private shell. Since the day Raja had shown up at her door, she'd only heard from Bri five times...

It had been nearly a month since then now and Willow couldn't help but be worried. She tried to tell herself that it was just her own ridiculous self, that she was mothering Bri way too much...Even so, she couldn't help it.

They stepped through the doors to the ballroom. Willow glanced around, her eyes barely noticing the finery, the beautiful lighting, and then elegant setting. Instead her gaze flickered around the room, noticing all exits and entrances, as well as looking for Vern.

Her gaze paused on a tall, fire-red haired woman. She was in the middle of a company of several other powerful-looking figures, her sharp gaze filled with a calm confidence. The aura coming off the woman shouted command, authority, unlike anything else Willow had ever seen before, except for once.

There had been one time before when Aiden had gotten serious. Completely serious. He'd become the Lord of Winter in all his domain, untouchable to regular beings. It had been the only time so far that Willow had felt as if he was a completely different person...One that was far out of her reach and own world. He, too, had had the same sort of confidence, power, and authority coming off of him as this woman.

Wait...Is that? No, can it be?! Is that Naomi Dracon?

"Desire? Oh, honey...Don't you just look...Dazzling," a familiar voice pulled Willie's attention away. Vern was leaning on the arm of Zigor, who's expression remained like a stone. Vern's pale blue eyes, nearly white, were wide. "Black is definitely your color, honey," he nodded his head vigerously.

Zigor was wearing a black tux much like Bren, tall and sturdier just as the man at her own side. His burgandy-brown curly hair had been pulled up and back into a Victorian-styled tail. His eyes had been allowed to remain his inhuman gold-green, as sharp as they ever were as they took in Willow and Bren silently.

Vern, on the otherhand, had dressed up as a woman. His mid-length bleached white hair had been curled at the tips, his face clean-shaven. He'd slipped into a light green dress that was held up by wrapping around his neck. The dress was sleeveless, covering his body, falling down to two inches above his ankles in straight, tight lines. It worked well, since Vern wasn't very muscled and was himself quite delicate and petitely-featured for a man. He'd even put on a small amount of eyeliner, lipgloss, and mascara to complement the outfit.

He looks really good, Willow observed in the back of her mind. "Hello Vern, Zigor...I'm surprised to see you here," she commented. Tightening her hold on Bren, she pulled him a little closer. "This is a long-time friend of mine, Doyle," she introduced him smoothly.

Bren smiled lightly, dipping his head in a quick bow. "It's nice to meet you both. Might I add how stunning you both look?" he murmured.

Vern's gaze lit up in pleasure, his pale eyes drinking in the tall, broad sight of Bren. "Thanks, sweetie...You're looking killer yourself," he smirked.

Zigor's eyes flashed in annoyance. "Vern, please stop flirty when I'm right here..."

Vern was quick to turn to his date, perfectly manicured fingernails running along Zigor's chest. "Oh stop. You have nothing to worry about, baby. I know a straight man when I see him. I'm just admiring. He's just a nice sculpture," Vern assured Zigor firmly.

Bren's lips twitches in humor. "Well, thanks."

Willow let out a soft laugh. "You just enchant everyone who meets you, don't you, Doyle?"

Shrugging, Bren pulled her a little closer. His movements were completely natural, a playful grin lifting his lips as he smirked down at her. The light in his vibrant eyes was filled with a mixture of amusement and heated lust. "Mhmm, something like that," he agreed softly.

Willow felt a flash of heat in the pit of her stomach at the light in his eyes. Her eyes widened just slightly, lips parting in a natural reaction somewhere between shock and startled response. She stared up into Bren's face for a few seconds, before the sound of a throat clearing pulled her mind back to the present.

"Wow...Need a room?" Vern teased lightly. But in his pale eyes was a tiny flare of jealous irritation. By his side, Zigor's fingertips dug into his arm. Sighing quietly, Vern told himself to remain calm. Afterall, he and Zigor were a thing right now. It really was unfair of him to lust after Desire...but he'd always had a thing for her.

"I see you have quite the beautiful...stone there," Zigor observed after clearing his throat.

Glancing down, Willow flashed a nervous smile. She'd figured this place would be fancy enough that it wouldn't be strange at all for her to wear the necklace Aiden had given her. Afterall, some of these people here could most likely afford the price of it two or three times over. The stone nestled against the black lace covering her cleavage, it's vibrant blue and red shade clashing brilliantly with the solid black of her dress and slightly lighter shade of her skin visible through the lace. "I...yes," she cleared her throat, getting her emotions back in check. "It's a very precious gift I got from a friend of mine."

Zigor's gold-green eyes narrowed. "...A very precious gift indeed," he agreed softly.

Vern frowned, admiring the stone and wishing he had found something as beautiful himself. Damn, that would make an amazing ring!

Bren tensed slightly, feeling something was a little...off.

Turning his side to them a little, taking Vern with him, Zigor glanced at them side-long. "Perhaps we should find a table to sit and chat at?" he suggested.

"Mmm, great idea, baby. You'reso smart!" Vern winked, reaching out to lightly pat the taller man's ass.

Zigor's face showed one of long-suffering annoyance. "It's just common sense, Vern."

As they followed the other couple, Bren leaned his head down to whisper. "Sorry about earlier," he apologized quietly. "I guess all my practice as the dashing, sweep-you-off-your-feet hero sort of set off that episode," he chuckled.

Frowning lightly, Willow raised a brow in question. "It's fine. You just startled me a little. Just friends, right?"

"Exactly," Bren smiled, agreeing firmly. "Good friends, but no benefits."

Actually, thinking about it, Bren would be more of my type than Aiden...In fact, how is the man still single? With how he is, you'd figure someone would have snatched him up by now...

"Right," Willow nodded, a few seconds before their whispered conversation was brought to a stop by arriving at the table.

They spent the next half hour going through all the formal small talk before, drinking from the glasses of wine carried on trays by waiters in full costume.

One such tall waiter paused by Williow's left arm. "Another glass?" the tall, brown-haired and hazel-eyed young man inquired smoothly.

Nodding her head, Willow shifted in her seat slightly to grab the thin neck of the glass. Taking a sip, she smiled at the taste. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You're welcome, hjarta mítt," the young man whispered quietly.

Beside her, Bren tensed, starting to turn his head to look at the young man. But as he did, his eyes glaring gold as he activated his Sight, all the souls around him made it so that the man easily slipped away. Shooting to his feet, Bren placed a hand on Willow's shoulder, pausing only long enough to whisper in her ear. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

As Willow nodded her head and Bren walked off, heading in the direction he'd seen the man head toward, Vern rose to his feet. "Bathroom break?" he inquired. "I'll jump on the bandwagon," he declared.

Bren glanced over his shoulder, feeling his irritation spark. "Um, yeah, sure," he sighed as the younger man moved to walk beside him.

The two had gotten a good ways away from their dates before Vern spoke again. "You know...I'm really confused here. Desire's always remained firm in her 'rules'," he raised his fingers to make air quotes. "If she knows your name, any name to call you by really, then it's no dice. But you..." he let out an angry huff of laughter. "You're different, Doyle. Known her long, have you?"

Prepping himself for a potential fight, since everything about Vern's body language screamed it, Bren shrugged. "Sort of," he answered intentionally vaugely.

They entered the bathroom and found it was empty of any other occupants. Bren had just enough time to strike out with his right fist, slamming it into Vern's stomach as the man shoved him up against the near bathroom wall.

"You know, I could just eat your memories of ever being with her!" Vern hissed. His humanity was beginning to slip, hair turning an odd two-toned purple-green shade at the tips and traveling up to his roots. His pupils and irises were split apart, appearing as if he had two in each eye. His teeth grew sharp, haggard, and long as he smiled fiercely. "You have no idea how long I've been chasing after that woman, human!" Vern growled darkly.

Raising his hands up to forcibly put space between his throat and Vern's hand, Bren stared down at the shorter man calmly. "Really, man, it's not how it looks. Desire's just a friend...You're a memory eater, are you?" he asked with an odd light of hope and terror in his eyes. "How about I don't beat your ass and you do me a favor, alright?"

Vern growled, shaking his head. "What? What the fuck did you just say, human?"

"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah," Bren sighed in boredom. "You're a big bad monster and I'm just a little puny bug. Well, bitch, bugs bite."

Before Vern could react, Bren was out from under his hold, ducking down. Bren struck out with his palm into Vern's stomach again, twisting and sweeping his leg out to make the man fall. Vern's stiletto heels were definitely not the best battle-wear choice, his body balancing precariously with one leg out from under him.

Moving around and behind him, Bren rose to his full height, reaching down and grabbing Vern's flailing arm as the other man panicked for a few seconds. Using his hold on the man's arm, he twisted it and pushed it into Vern's back, into a classic but efficient restraining grasp.

"Now can we both agree to stop with the violence, before I end up ripping your pretty dress?"

"Fine!" Vern hissed, slowly reverting to normal. "...What's the damn favor? I happen to really like this dress, so thanks..."

"I want you to go back to exactly twenty years ago today...Look for the memory of a young girl telling me to love her forever."

Turning, rubbing at his sore arm and stomach, Vern raised a brow in confusion. "Um...that's crazy specific, man. What's up with the memory?"

"Please don't ask questions and just do it! It's personal," Bren growled, glaring at the other man tensely.

Shrugging, Vern stepped in close to Bren. "M'kay, honey," he whispered before rising up to his tiptoes and pressing his lips lightly to Bren's forehead.

Keeping his eyes closed, Bren remained stock-still, frozen in terror, hope, and cautious disappointment.

Back at the table, Willow finished off the wine glass, smiling distractedly at Zigor. She felt like She'd heard that phrase before. Something...something about it was so familiar...But for the life of her she couldn't remember why.

"You've been gone for quite awhile, it seems," Zigor broke the silence between them. His two-toned eyes seemed to glow dimly as he watched her closely. His eyes constantly kept glancing down at the stone around her neck.

Raising a hand up to cup the stone, she rubbed it lightly with her fingertips. It seemed to grow hotter at her touch, making her blink and glance down. A soft purple light came off the stone, for some reason making her want to smile.

"I never realized. It's amazing honestly...So you know the Lord of Winter?" Zigor pressed.

Blinking slowly, Willow raised her head up. She blinked again, feeling a little light-headed. "I...how do you know that?" she whispered, shaking her head to try and clear it a little.

Zigor frowned, his handsome face darkening. "Who else but the Frost Family carries out such archaic practices as the exchange of a soul-stone?"

The world behind Zigor seemed to be moving...very, very slowly starting to tilt. Willow struggled to focus on the man's words and his voice. "...Soul...stone?" she repeated in confusion.

"Yes...It proves now that you can't just be captured and handed over to my lord, as originally planned. You are the ultimate weakness of the Lord of Winter," Zigor explained in a calm, cold voice. "With this, my lord is closer to winning than he's ever come before. With this, he can proclaim check-mate."

Shaking her head just made the spinning and tilting worse. "I-I-I...no...wha...D-Doyle..." she called out faintly. She turned her head to try and find Bren, but all she saw were the colors of the world around her mixing and clashing with each other.