Noelle and Aundreya marched in silence through the halls of the second floor to the grand staircase.

"Why do you listen to her?" Noelle asked, not looking at her sister. "Helena? Why do you do what she says when you're the one with the real power?"

"She promised me I'd be queen."

"But you aren't. And now there's this revolt that even you can't control, and Helena seems to be losing her hold on everything. What happens when this all falls apart?"

Aundreya shot her a dark glance. "What do you care if it does?"

"I don't, not really, but I've just been wondering--after all your years of keeping me in the house locked up with everyone convinced I was dead, how is it that you're not the lackey of a weak old woman like Helena?"

"She has the Ancient on her side," Aundreya said with a sniff.

"But why? Why would the Ancient want Helena when he could have someone like you? Someone who could actually do something special? Why don't you just tell him to get rid of Helena and have you by his side instead? After all, he wants power, but not position. You could be queen and he could be behind you as your advisor or something."

"True." Aundreya considered this as they reached the staircase and descended. "Why are you trying to help me? What's the catch?"

"I just don't understand what hold she has over you. Besides, I think Helena might realize you're a threat. In fact, I shouldn't have said anything so she'd get rid of you and I wouldn't have to see you ever again."

Aundreya stopped on the ground level, her face impassive. "You're right. She's using me. She won't even tell me who the Ancient is--because she doesn't want him to come under my power! It's so clear. Why are we bothering to do as she says? Let her go find that wretched boy."

"But the boy is important to the Ancient," Noelle said. "Shouldn't we--"

"No. We're going back."

#

Entering the castle from the front doors felt strange after all their time living inside the walls. Phoenix caught sight of two skirts disappearing around a corner on the second level, and she pointed.

"There, I saw someone."

"We know where they are," Maverick said. "We should just go."

#

"Did you hear them?" Helena asked, her whole body shaking. She hadn't gone back out onto the balcony, not willing to risk it, but she'd heard it all--they all had. "Standing out there in the crowd claiming their right to the throne. I'll cut each of their throats, starting with Bainon." A dozen generals and soldiers had come into the room at her command and now stood with swords unsheathed, ready to protect those in the room.

Roman watched Helena with caution. He'd never seen her like this, and something in him told him to be very, very afraid. He knew the soldiers she'd brought in--they were her most trusted in the Militia, the ones who would die for her and her cause.

"We'll take care of them. I'd like to see how the townsfolk handle a bit of fog." Mygel cracked her knuckles.

"Oh please, what will fog do to them?" Helena snapped. "What they need is a reminder of what true power is."

Roman's mouth dropped open as he understood.

#

"Trey! You're supposed to wait until we call for you!" Phoenix said as Audra and Trey flickered into appearance on the landing. "We can't risk you getting hurt."

"The time is now," Audra said. "The Ancient wishes to be seen."

#

Aundreya and Noelle marched back through the doors to the proclamation room. Helena whirled around at the sight of them, and Noelle slowed, sensing danger.

"What are you doing? Where's the boy? Why is that crowd still chanting Maverick's name?"

The crowd had taken up the chant since the last time they'd been in the room, and with the balcony doors open, his name filled the space like the beat of a drum.

"You don't control me," Aundreya said, glowering at Helena. "I'm the one with the power. I demand you call the Ancient here so he can decide once and for all whom he wants at his side. Someone old and feeble or a young and able, powerful beauty to do his bidding."

Noelle felt a sturdy pair of hands grip her shoulders. She looked up to see Roman's eyes fixed on Helena as he pulled her back a few steps, fear like she'd never seen before in them. Facing forward again, she watched the interaction with her sister.

#

Several more pops sounded and Finny, Altair, and Castor appeared, faces grim.

"What are you doing?" Maverick asked. "You can't fight the Ancient."

"We can protect you while you fight," Finny said.

"We won't let you do this alone." Castor put a hand on Eric's shoulder. "We're here for you. I'm surprised the Ancient didn't reveal themselves when Audra and I stood in the crowd. I thought for sure we'd be attacked."

"As did I," Altair said, his face darkening. "I can't believe either of you did that without telling me."

"They asked," Castor said. "I couldn't refuse them."

"It doesn't matter now." Eric gestured ahead. "We need to end this."

"More of us than them," Gwen said, forcing a smile. "That's a good sign." Nothing they said could turn her back, despite their best efforts. She'd never learned the sword or any fighting skills, barely equipped with enough knowledge to defend herself against a mugger. But she insisted--as long as Maverick and Bainon fought, so would she.

"This way." Audra led them all down the hall. Phoenix could feel the electricity in the air. Outside, the crowd chanted Maverick's name, emboldening her.

#

"I beg your pardon?" Helena said, her voice low.

"I said call your Ancient, if you dare. Give him the chance to choose. You give orders like you're the queen when all you ever do is push others forward. You don't have what it takes to rule, but I do." Aundreya squared off, lifting her chin. "I can control crowds. I can make men do exactly what I want. What good are you when compared to me?"

"You must be the stupidest creature on this earth," Helena said, her head lowering as she kept her eyes on Aundreya, giving her the look of a predator. "You're so convinced you're special and that males can't help themselves around you. Yet you've never considered that the Ancient could be a female?"

Roman's grip tightened, hurting Noelle's arm. Suddenly she realized what he must have, and she let out a gasp.

"That's why you never let us be there when you met," she said in barely a whisper. Helena's gaze flickered from one sister to the other. "Because then we'd know."

"Know what?" Mygel asked, head swiveling as she tried to keep up. "What do you mean? The Ancient is a woman?"

"Not just any woman," Roman said, still backing away with Noelle.

Helena tilted her head to the side, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She didn't look crazy or maniacal the way Aundreya often did, but amused, even condescending.

"My dear boy, it's about time. I always knew you had a head on your shoulders. What gave it away?"

"Pieces," Roman said, now pushing Noelle behind him. "The way you always met in secret and wouldn't tell even those you trusted most, and today how you reacted when you saw Tremaine and Castor. That, and what you did to the wall." He pointed the where Helena had punched the stone wall just thirty minutes before, a hole visible from the force. "It reminded me of when you threw Narissa out the window--more power and strength than would be possible for a woman your age."

"You killed Tremaine and Helix," Noelle said, peeking out from behind Roman. "You betrayed them."

"Tremaine betrayed us all," Helena said, bitterness ringing in her words. "He chose this world over us, giving our power to those undeserving. And Helix let him."

"He fell in love and got married," Noelle argued.

"Because of him you have people like this." Helena gestured to Aundreya. "You have mixed blood that creates horrible gifts and wretched little lives that think they have more value."

Aundreya, who had been silent for a few moments, caught her second wind. "How dare you speak to me like this. You've been using me this whole time and have done nothing for me in return! If I'm so despicable, why rely on me so heavily?"

"I relied on those I needed to get me where I wanted to go," Helena said. "You foolish, vain little girl. You think I care what happens to you or what you want? You're a pawn in my game."

"What is your game?" Roman asked. "Why would you want me to be king?"

"Does it matter?" Helena asked, arching a brow. "I have to go to plan B anyway."

"I'd like to know. You said you loved me--like I was your own family."

"And you were. Your mother was. She wasn't a bright woman, but she cared. She served me with respect and understanding. She helped me plan everything--the courting of Tarvril, the rise to power, the destruction of the Guardians."

"No." Roman shook his head. "She wouldn't."

"She would and she did. She knew what I was, and she helped me in any way I asked." Helena took a step forward and Roman stepped back, a flicker of pain crossed her face. "I wanted you to be by my side like she was. I wanted you to understand."

"You're a murderer," Roman breathed. "I could never understand."

"But I do." Noelle stepped out from behind Roman, holding Helena's gaze. Her path seemed so clear now, and she stepped out with eyes open. "You were special--an Ancient. Those created by Adonai--the stars who watched the earth, but never partook. But Tremaine did. He took what made you special, your gifts and knowledge, and he shared it. Not only that, but he became king, ruling over all of them, all while you watched."

Helena's gaze didn't wander as Noelle spoke but fixated on her.

"And even when you came down it didn't matter--not with Tremaine the great and wonderful there. Even after he'd stopped being king, he was still the most beloved creature in all of Braskey. Nothing you did or could ever do would make the people love you like they loved him. Am I right?"

"No," Helena said, even as she smiled. "But I think you might be on track for someone else." Helena's eyes flickered to Aundreya.

"What?" Aundreya looked around at them all like they'd gone mad. "Her? She's nothing! She's always been nothing."

"The favorite of your parents," Helena said, eyes glittering with malice. "Protected, loved, cherished. She gained the favor of the boy you so desired without any effort. She has a gift far more powerful than yours."

"Stop it." Aundreya's face twisted, darkening. "Stop talking right now."

Though she rarely seemed to pay attention to Aundreya's demands, this time, Helena stopped. Noelle could see that she struggled against Aundreya's power, but the latter had finally snapped. Aundreya's whole body shook, her concentrated effort--a maxed power she'd gained through months of stretching it over an entire city--all focused on Helena.

"I'm not taking orders anymore," Aundreya said, her voice low. "It's my turn to be in control. You're going to do everything I say now, including using your power to make me the greatest. I don't need to control an entire country with my words. I only need to control you."

It was as if Noelle could see the future. Helena's world would burn, destroying humanity, but Aundreya's world would be a different kind of hell, with Helena at Aundreya's beck and call. Noelle didn't have the power to destroy the Ancient, but she could do something.

With her sister so focused on Helena, Noelle approached without drawing attention. She'd been practicing for this moment ever since she first discovered her amplifying abilities. She'd learned that if she focused hard enough, she could control the path of the other person's gift. Over the time she'd been out of the dungeon, she'd been using it on Aundreya--forcing her gift to not work at times the way she wanted it to.

Now would be the test. Noelle stepped up behind her sister and placed her hands on either side of Aundreya's face. Aundreya jerked, turning, and Noelle adjusted to keep her grip, face to face with her greatest enemy. She could feel Aundreya's gift pulsing, and she redirected it, forcing it back to the source.

"You promised me you'd give me whatever I want," Noelle said, heart hammering as Aundreya struggled against her. "Stop moving!" Aundreya obeyed--she didn't have a choice. A thrill ran through Noelle. It was working.

"She doesn't need you anymore, Aundreya." Noelle's heart twisted at what she knew was about to happen. She couldn't stop it, but what was worse was that she didn't want to. "She needs me. I'm the one who can amplify her power so she can defeat Trey and Eric. I'm the one who will help her take control of Braskey. Not you." 

Fear registered in Aundreya's eyes as she understood what was happening. Noelle's breathing increased in difficulty as she focused, fighting off her sister's struggle to break free.

"You promised. Whatever I wanted, and I want you to know what it feels like. Feel it, Aundreya--soak in it. You have no control. You'll do whatever I say. You can feel the knife biting into your skin the way you cut into mine. You can feel the metal tearing muscle as it slides down your face."

Aundreya screamed--a high shrieking scream Noelle knew sounded exactly like her own the day her sister cut her. She held tighter.

"Feel the helplessness. Feel trapped as pain slices through your body. Feel every cruel thing you ever put me through--remember it, and suffer through it yourself."

Aundreya's body couldn't stand upright against the onslaught of her own gift, and together she and Noelle dropped to their knees. Tears flooded down Noelle's cheeks, shining in Aundreya's eyes as well, but she didn't let go.

"Noelle!" Roman's cautionary cry reminded her where she was, but Noelle held on for a moment longer.

"I'm not like you," she said, holding Aundreya's gaze. "I'm not someone who hurts someone else for fun. This isn't fun. This isn't revenge. This is a lesson--a lesson for you to learn what it is you do. If you don't stop, Aundreya, I will make sure you never hurt anyone again."

She let go, and Aundreya crumpled to the floor, heaving,and sobbing as the side-effects began to ease. Shaking, Noelle got to her feet and caught Roman's wide-eyed stare. He'd truly thought she'd kill Aundreya.

A few weeks ago, she might have.

"You broke my toy," Helena said, sounding amused as she stepped up next to Noelle. Noelle backed away. "I had plans for her, but then again, she apparently had plans for me. I suppose I should thank you. You were right, whether you meant it or were just trying to scare her. I don't need her anymore." Helena bent down and shifted Aundreya onto her back, staring down at her as she placed a hand above Aundreya's heart.

Noelle and Roman realized what Helena was saying too late. "No! Don't!" Roman lunged forward as Noelle screamed and turned away. When Noelle turned back, she stared in horror at Aundreya's blank face, her eyes staring up into nothing.

"What did you do?" Roman asked, backing away. "How--how did you--"

Before he could finish, the door to the room exploded open in a blast of fire. A woman stepped in, her fiery red hair flowing as though in a breeze. Noelle's legs went weak, joy and dread fighting for the dominant place in her heart.

The woman's eyes darted from Aundreya on the floor to Helena, Roman, Noelle, Mygel, the soldiers, and then back to Helena.

Helena stared open mouthed, momentarily taken aback. "It's not possible."

Phoenix grinned, spreading her arms. "Welcome to the impossible."

AND NOW IT'S ON!

Ohmygosh Aundreya's dead. I know so many of you must be so happy, but whatever Helena did it was quick--in fact, so quick we should all be afraid. Are you at least happy that Noelle didn't kill her, but gave her a taste of her own medicine?