Eric stared at the woman, not recognizing her. She was lean and strong, almost as tall as Phoenix, with flawless umber skin and closely shorn black hair. They stood several paces away from each other, facing off. Dread filled Eric's stomach--he would have to fight his way out of this one.

Voices echoed above them, shouting in different directions. Eric could hear one of them getting closer. If he didn't act quick, he'd be caught. Still blocking his exit, the woman's gaze flickered up, and then back to Eric. With slow movement, she brought a finger to her lips and beckoned him to join her.

With a quick calculation of his odds, Eric chose to go up against her as opposed to waiting for multiple guards. He did as she asked, coming closer. She kept her finger to her lips, her eyes on the ceiling. When he reached her, she moved with impressive speed, shoving him into a nearby closet.

Eric slammed into a bundle of brooms, creating a cacophony of noise. He shoved back toward the door, but couldn't turn the handle.

Locked.

"HEY! Who's down there?" a voice shouted from somewhere above.

Deciding to risk it, Eric let out a shout. "I'm down here! Come and get me."

"Just me," the woman said, her voice deep and rich. "What's going on up there?"

"Possible intruders. You'll keep watch?" the male voice shouted down.

Eric decided to try again. "Intruder! An intruder!"

"Of course. I'll let you know if I see anything," the woman said. She didn't even raise her voice above Eric's. It was as though he wasn't there. He heard the sound of feet retreating above him, heading back to where they'd come from.

After a few seconds, the door opened again, the woman's glower fixed on Eric.

"What part of this didn't you understand?" she asked, holding her finger to her lips. "Do you want to get caught?"

Eric opened his mouth, but no sound came out. She shook her head, full lips pursed.

"No. I don't trust you. Come. You don't have much time."

Fifteen minutes later Eric slipped back through the door into the secret passage. Phoenix let out a squeal of relief and threw her arms around him.

"Where have you been?"

"You wouldn't believe me," Eric said, thankful to hear his own voice again. "I think we might have an ally."

#

The castle was in a complete uproar when Noelle was let out of her room the next morning. She sat down to breakfast alone, watching servants bustle about and have whispered or signed conversations. Before long, Roman joined her, apparently just as confused.

"What happened?" he asked, looking around. They didn't speak much anymore, and Noelle was surprised he addressed her at all. After she'd told Helena about Eric being Ares, he'd been cold, not bothering to even try.

She couldn't blame him.

"I don't know," she admitted, plucking up a piece of toast. "Everyone seems--"

She stopped short as Aundreya entered the dining room. Noelle's mouth fell open, and she wasn't alone.

"What the hells happened to you?" Roman asked, not bothering to stifle a laugh.

Aundreya's hair had lost its sheen. Ratted and in disarray, it looked as though a squirrel had made a home there. Her eyes were puffy with dark circles beneath them. Her skin seemed paler than normal, and a few marks of acne were visible.

"You look awful," Noelle said, still in awe.

"I couldn't sleep," she said, sitting in her place and glaring down at her meal. "At least I look better than you."

"You've never looked better than her," Roman said, taking a bite of bread. "She's still prettier with her scar. Everyone knows it." Roman chewed as he turned to Noelle. "Seriously. It's a thing. People talk."

"Roman, be quiet," Aundreya said in a weak voice.

"Nope. Not today. You're missing your usual umph." Roman grinned through his bite. "I get a day off."

"Why couldn't you sleep?" Noelle asked, frowning as Helena entered the room. She, too, seemed to be haggard and a bit worn.

"There were intruders in the castle last night," Helena said through gritted teeth, speaking before Aundreya had the chance. "Someone destroyed several rooms on the fifth floor, and there was ice everywhere. Mygel's room was lit on fire."

"That's insane," Roman said, eyes wide. Noelle knew he wasn't actually afraid, but hopeful. Her own heart skipped a beat--could it have been real? Could Phoenix have really been there?

She's dead. You smelled the smoke and it made you think of her.

"How's Mygel?" she asked, not actually caring. She wanted more information on the fire.

"In a fit. It sent her back to when she was burned. She didn't sleep much."

"Hah!" Aundreya scratched the side of her face, glaring over at Helena. "And Mygel's far more important than what I went through last night."

"You had nightmares," Helena said, her face darkening. "No one hurt you. No one was in your room--you weren't in the middle of a fire."

"Someone was there! I know it! I saw--I saw--" Aundreya hesitated, not finishing her sentence, but the hair on Noelle's arms stood up.

She's dead.

But what if she wasn't? No, Noelle had been forced to watch. Aundreya had made her watch Phoenix's body burn.

"Perhaps you should rest today," Roman suggested, looking at Aundreya. "Get some sleep now that all the chaos has ended."

"No. I'm needed," Aundreya said, her eyes lit by madness. "I'm needed."

"Roman is right," Helena said, eyeing the girl with a hint of unease. "You should rest. You'll need your strength. Once we find these heathens, we'll need you to interrogate them."

"But--" Aundreya began. Noelle leaned closer, whispering so only her sister would hear.

"They don't need you, Aund," Noelle said, leveling her gaze at her sister. "They have me. But I still need you. I haven't gotten what I want, remember? As long as I need you, I won't let them get rid of you."

Aundreya's eye twitched, her face paling further if it were even possible. "Promise?"

"Promise," Noelle said, squeezing Aundreya's hand.

Lips twitching, Aundreya leaned just a bit closer, her lips at Noelle's ear. "When I kill you, do you think they'll care if it was on purpose or not?"

Noelle's body stiffened, the old fear returning. Her sister might be weakened by her harried night, but Aundreya couldn't be counted out. Leaning back, Noelle forced a smile for them all.

"No, I suppose not," she said at full volume. "But sleep will help."

Aundreya nodded, placing a hand on Noelle's shoulder to help her to her feet. She squeezed--too tight, her nails digging into Noelle's skin through her dress. Noelle gritted her teeth, not wanting to give Aundreya the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.

"I'll be down later," Aundreya said, glancing around at them all. "I will."

"Of course," Helena said, her tone cold. "Rest now."

Roman waited until Aundreya had left the room before continuing the conversation. "Did you say the floors were covered in ice? Is that what happened to the rooms?"

He wanted more information, just as Noelle did. She tried not to show too much interest as she listened to Helena's reply.

"Ice. Yes. An elemental power like that can only come from someone strong. There was word that someone had been doing the same thing to the towns in the midlands. I think another Ancient might be entering the fray, but I can't be sure."

Neither Roman nor Noelle offered any suggestions as to who it could be, but they shared a rare look of compliance.

"The rooms, though." Helena shook her head. "Someone demolished them. An entire room of Tarvril's statues and paintings were crushed and ripped to bits. The study had the same thing. The desk is practically dust, and all the shelves destroyed. Only the books survived."

"Another Ancient?" Roman suggested. Helena shot him a dark look.

"You know who has the strength for something like that," she said. "Maverick Knight."

"But he's dead," Roman said. "Isn't he? Doesn't he have to be? The only reason I'm on the throne is that Maverick isn't here. That's what you said."

He was calling her bluff. Noelle almost snorted with laughter at how well he walked Helena into it. She straightened her shoulders.

"I believe our enemies have gotten to him. I think he's been turned against us. Likely by Bainon or that wretch Gwen."

"Gwen never wanted the throne," Roman corrected her. "She didn't have any--"

"If you hadn't released her mother and brother from prison, we might have had leverage against her. But you couldn't be good, could you? Guards! Take Roman back to his rooms. I don't want to see him today."

When Roman was taken away, Helena set her elbows on the table and dropped her head into her hands.

"It's not easy, is it?" Noelle asked, her tone level. "Being in charge?"

"No." Helena lifted her head to glare at her. "Why are you still here?"

"I haven't finished." Noelle continued eating her breakfast in silence for several moments while Helena watched her.

"What are you planning to gain in all this?" Helena asked.

"Freedom."

"From what?"

Noelle turned her head, chewing her bite as she considered Helena. "When I figure that out, I'll let you know."

Yowza! Does anyone remember the woman who just helped Eric out? She was an eensy part in Scorched, but she's BAAACK. As for the breakfast scene - who is loving Aundreya unhinged? What do you think Noelle wants freedom from?