I slowly opened the door, cringing as it creaked with each movement. Poking my head out, I scanned the hallway for any guards. My stomach clenched when I saw nobody standing around.

They would have someone standing guard. They always do.

I chewed my bottom lip as I slipped into the hallway. Something wasn't right. Creeping down the stairs, the foyer was deserted. Granted it was the middle of the night but there should have been a guard of some sort. The long hall going toward the library sent shudders of nervousness up and down my spine. Torches lit the way, casting shadows against the stark walls. A flutter of white crossed at the far end. I pressed my back against the cold wood and watched, waiting for something. Anything.

The movement vanished though. I continued along, placing each foot down as softly as I could.

"Evelyn?" a loud whisper came from a small alcove near the library.

"Anastasia?"

"We're all ready."

I peered into the small enclave, there were at least thirty girls stuffed into the small space. More girls were around a corner, huddling together.

The library was empty. The fireplace at the far end seemed to have never been used.

"Where's the passage?" I asked.

"Beyond the wall. There should be a lever within the fireplace," a small voice said from within the group.

I felt along the walls, my fingers dipping into a groove in the stone. I reached in until I felt a small switch. I dug underneath, my fingers sinking in ash and dirt. Lifting up, I jumped back as a whoosh of air rushed out at us. A few of the girls squealed as the scrapping stone moved back.

"Shh," I urged them all. "Hurry, down the passage! Wagons are waiting."

The smallest girls went first, walking slowly into the darkness.

"We can't see!" the youngest called from the front.

Lighting a torch I handed it off to an older girl, motioning for her to take the lead. She nodded and crept along the draft passage.

"Where do all of you girls think you're going?" Angnolo asked from behind us.

"Hurry! Run!" I yelled to the room full of girls.

They hurried through as I jumped in front of a few of the Guides attempting to grab hold of them.

"Let me go!" a young one with a thick French accent screamed.

I ran to her, grabbing hold of the guide's arm. I watched in amazement as my hands glowed a bright red, searing his flesh. He yelled out in agony, releasing his grip on the girl. She scampered past and into the darkness, trying to catch up with the other girls.

"Well, well, aren't you full of surprises, precious petunia? I knew there was something different about you. I never would have imagined you bonded with a dragon."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my heart speeding up.

Agnolo tusked me as he circled around the room.

"You won't catch them," I said.

"I don't care much about those little dew drops. I have the most perfect weapon standing in front of me. They go on. But you. Not you."

"What?" I asked.

"Your mother was the only assassin to ever break from us. Now you, well you lost us all of our assassins in training. It's okay though. We have a dragon rider now."

"Dragons' don't exist. Don't be ridiculous."

"Now, now, sweet princess, you can't lie about something like that. You have the dragon fire. I'm assuming it's a new power. You haven't tested it much have you?"

"No. No, you haven't, or you would have used it by now."

My throat went dry as my heart slammed against my chest. "How?"

"You don't live to be as old as us without learning a few things. Back when I was a mortal, which I also know you are not, I could never have imagined the power that existed in this world. But as you've found out there are amazing abilities out there. There are people who can give unending life. Dragons who bond with us in such amazing ways that a normal person could never fathom what they could do."

I stood there, my legs shaking, as he revealed what he knew.

"There's something I am curious about, Agnolo," I said.

"What's that?" he asked.

"How did you know?"

"Dear one, you honestly thought I wouldn't know something as big as an escape plan? There were some assassins' who remained loyal to us."

Anastasia stepped back through the passage.

"I could never betray my father."

"Your what?" I screeched. "You said you were a duchess from Russia!"

"Yes, well, I lied." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled at Agnolo.

"Your daughter?" I spun on my heels to stare at him.

"She is. She is quite the wonderful little assassin."

"Who are you?" I asked her.

"Githa."

"Githa?" I furrowed my brows thinking. I'd heard a name such as that once before. "War? Your name means war?"

She nodded her head, a sly smile spreading across her lips as she moved forward.

"Githa, no."

"But father..."

"No. You are not to harm her."

"I don't understand why!" she whined.

"She is much to valuable to us. I want her alive."

So many emotions coursed through my body. I was terrified, angry, and confused. The one person I thought I could trust turned out to be my downfall. The confusing mass of energy that ran through me seemed to warm my insides. I could feel a burning building in my very core. It rose to my shoulders, traveled down my arms, and erupted into flames in my hands. I stared wide-eyed at the fire. It didn't hurt. I seemed to be one with the power. Looking in confusion and wonderment, I felt as though I had to do something. I had to test it.

I turned on Anast...no, Githa. I stared at her with such anger and hatred. She risked the lives of all the other girls. I didn't even know if they made it to the other end of the passage. Holding my hands up, I aimed my anger and power at her. Flames erupted into a massive fireball, hurling across the room. I gasped as her entire body was engulfed. She let out a gut-wrenching scream as her gown caught ablaze. She sank to her knees, holding out her arms for help. I didn't budge. I pursed my lips and turned toward the others.

"You've realized your power. It seems your emotions are tied to it. Not surprising. Shall we test you some more?"

"Are you even upset that your daughter is dead?" I questioned.

"She was disposable. I have more." He shook his head and stared at the charred remains on the floor. "She lived in a world all her own. It would be absolutely silly to assume she was the only one."

"You truly are a monster," I mumbled.

"There is also something you didn't think about."

A groaning from behind had me glance back. The charred remains were moving! Th-they were standing up! I couldn't believe what was happening.

"H-how?" I queried, watching as the dead girl shook the ash and char off, revealing a flawless face.

"You didn't think I'd let my favorite daughter remain mortal do you?"

"She burned," I whispered more to myself than anything. "I watched her!"

"It takes more than a bit of dragon fire to kill us. Don't be so simplistic, sweet one. Now if you'll stop, I can tell you what we are going to do."

"No. No!" I shouted, letting another fireball erupt from my fingertips.

The Watchers' burst into flames, dropping to their knees as their flesh sizzled and turned as black as roasted pigs.

"Now they are not immortal. It will take some time to find replacements for my Watchers"."

"Enough of this!" Berard shouted.

I'd forgotten he showed up. He stood silently at the back of the room for so long, that anyone would have missed him.

"Calm, brother."

"I cannot remain calm. Her mother murders our brother, she nearly kills your daughter, and now she slaughters our watchers'. How can you stand by while her lineage destroys us? All our assassins are gone."

"We can easily find the wee lasses. Their punishment shall be severe. But isn't she simply amazing!" he sang to me, clapping his hands together, biting down on his knuckle. "Oh, I haven't seen such ferocity since your mother!"

I let out a growl that startled even me. The flames that encased my hands crept up my arms, I wanted to kill them. All of them. I'd never experienced such pure hatred before, it scared me. I lifted my arms in the air, allowing a billowy plume of fire encircles my entire body. As the heat intensified I let my arms drop out to the sides. The fire plume exploded in the room, scorching all the furnishings and throwing everyone back. Githa slammed into a wall, slumping to the floor after. Agnolo flew through the for, splintering the ancient wood. While Berard soared through a window, landing with a crunchy thud outside. As the flames dissipated I seized the opportunity to escape. I such through the fireplace, activating the door to shut once I was through. At the end of the tunnel, Draco was waiting.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I was betrayed. This isn't over."

"It absolutely is not," a soft yet angry voice said from beyond a tree.

I turned, my heart sinking to the pit of my stomach.

"Mother."

"Evelyn, you are in so much trouble," she growled at me through gritted teeth.

"I don't want to know how you found out where I was, but we'll have to discuss it later. Right now we need to escape."

"I can provide you majesties with the escape," Draco said.

"The other girls?" I asked.

"Safe."

"Okay."

"We're not going anywhere until I very some explanations," Mother yelled at me.

"I'll explain once we're away from here. It's not safe. They could wake at any moment."

"Who?" she asked.

"The Guild leaders. I promise I will tell you everything. Please, we need to leave." I grabbed her hand, dragging her towards Draco.

I paused as she climbed onto his back. "You're not afraid of him."

"No," she replied.

"Why aren't you frightened? Have you rode them before?"

She sighed heavily and held her hand out to me. "You're not the only one with secrets. Let's leave."

I held tightly to Mother's waist as Draco lifted into the air.