Silas had a significant flaw: his unwavering trust in his advisors. A considerable number of them were individuals he had known since childhood, as they were the offspring of other members of the Court and had been raised and trained alongside him. It was a loyalty that not even Sadie could make him question–and his aides knew this.

"You look as beautiful as always, Sage," Everand smiled, his hand inching towards Sadie's chest as they strolled towards the train. She swiftly swatted away his hand, her eyes narrowing in a glare. "Do not mock me."

Everand clutched his chest and said, "But I mean it, my dear. Have you ever wondered why Silas parades you around at parties, almost playing the role of a matchmaker with William here? He knows he has good bargaining power once he finds a way to heal you." His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

Sadie shifted her gaze towards William, noticing how he strode ahead in silence, his solemn expression never once turning back to acknowledge her. In stark contrast to Everand, who was outspoken, rough, and lewd, William rarely spoke, and when he did, it was never directed at her. Even at social gatherings when Silas insisted on introducing her to William, he remained completely silent, never uttering a single word to her—except when he would frequently, direct threats her way.

"How much is coming in this time? Did you have an excuse for Silas?" Everand's laughter echoed through the street, his voice dripping with mockery. He made a vulgar gesture with his hands, the crude motion punctuated by a smirk as he pointed at William. "What do you think, darling? Silas was almost beaming when I told him what you were off to do with dear old Will here."

Sadie's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson as a wave of shame washed over her. She turned away, trying to hide the tears brimming in her eyes. Her affection for her brother was genuine and deep, yet she knew his feelings were not the same. He was indifferent to her interactions with Terrans, barely giving them a second thought, but when it came to Novas, his aversion was palpable. His protective nature was marred by an intense dislike for Novas, and he watched her every move when she was around them with hawk-like vigilance.

The roots of his disdain ran deep, planted by their father's influence. Silas was more subtle in his expressions, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings every time he looked at her. She could see the conflict, the embarrassment, and the anger.

Silas and William often discussed finding a cure for her curse, always insisting it could be done without the Novas' involvement. Their conversations always carried an undercurrent of determination to rid her of what they considered a blight. Until they could prove their theories, William saw Sadie as a pawn, a means to an end, to be used strategically for their advantage. And Silas–dear Silas– would not listen to her when she told him William could not be trusted.

The realization that her brother and his friend viewed her as a tool rather than a person stung deeply. Her heart ached, not just from their disapproval, but from the crushing shame from their disdain.

Everand grasped her arm and caressed her cheek, and as she tensed, he chuckled, "Don't cry, little bird. These guests we'll meet are regulars. You'll be safe. Just check the crates, and you can leave, okay?" Sadie ripped her arm away, and a flash of anger crossed Everand's face, but he didn't try to reach for her again.

"We're here. Get on the train." Will announced, still not looking back as the station came into view. The night was aglow with a dim, dusty haze that made the lights on the platform appear murky and dull, their orange glow struggling to pierce through the thick clouds of dust. The wide deck was adorned with several solitary figures, their silhouettes huddled together as their clothes billowed in the wind. As the train slowly came to a stop and its doors glided open with a soft hiss, a group of weary figures made their way inside. The miners were clad in heavy gear, their belts and holsters bearing an assortment of tools and equipment. Guns, swords, and vials of potions were securely fastened to their clothing, ensuring easy access while allowing for swift movement. In the treacherous depths of the caves where they worked, agility and speed could mean the difference between life and death.

Sadie followed Will while Everand trailed behind her, the tension palpable. As the doors closed with a final, echoing thud, she felt encased, the walls closing in around her. The two men flanked her, Will on one side and Everand on the other, his pistol resting lightly against her side.

She closed her eyes, trying to muster the strength to stay calm for the next twenty-minute ride. The train lurched to a start, the sudden movement jolting her slightly. The smooth, rhythmic hum of the magic-infused engine beneath the hovering train provided a small comfort, its gentle vibrations a stark contrast to the turmoil in her mind. As the train surged across the sand, the scenery blurred into a continuous wave of black hills, the neon lights from the train casting long shadows across the sand. In the distance, the reverberating roars and screams of monstrous sand creatures echoed through the closed train doors. Despite the unsettling sounds, the passengers on the train remained unfazed, their weary faces concealed by masks or hats.

As Sadie observed the train, she noticed a figure who seemed strangely at ease, with his hands neatly folded in his lap. He leaned against the window, his hidden eyes observing the night landscape with a hint of curiosity. Upon closer inspection, Sadie noticed the gentle fall of blonde hair framing his face, hinting at his handsome features. As she continued to watch, a sense of unease crept over her, and her breath quickened when she spotted a small tendril of black magic escaping from the man's neck and lips, enveloping him in its dark embrace.

Just as she grasped the reality of the situation, the man turned towards her as if he could sense Sadie's stare. His familiar, kind, gray eyes met hers, but this time, they held an unsettling coldness that sent shivers down her spine. A slight sound of fear escaped Sadie's lips, and she turned away just as Everand pressed his pistol further into her side.

"Shut up," he hissed, but Sadie was not even looking at him. Her eyes traveled to Will, who had glanced down at her at the sound of her voice–his brown eyes still solemn and unforgiving.

Why was he here? What could she do? Did Angus want her to tell them he was here? Why hadn't Will noticed him yet? Sadie felt herself slowly beginning to panic, a tightness in her chest making it difficult to breathe. She couldn't think. Calm down, think!

Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. It was clear that Angus was here, following them, and had recognized her. His presence sent a jolt of fear through her. It was almost certain he would continue to follow them, and eventually, he would discover their destination. He would see her touch the crates, using her curse.

Angus would find out what William was doing, and it would lead back to Silas. Her brother's reputation would be ruined. Worse, Angus would eventually uncover the truth about her curse. The entire city of Quimath would learn that Lord Daltroy had a cursed daughter. The thought of it sent chills down her spine. She could envision the scandal, the whispers, the inevitable execution. She would be killed.

Sadie's breathing became more ragged as the walls seemed to close in around her. She had to find a way to warn Will without alerting Angus. But how? If she acted too hastily, it could draw even more attention. Her thoughts spiraled, each scenario darker and more hopeless than the last.

She forced herself to take slow, deep breaths, trying to calm the rising tide of panic. She leaned slightly towards Will, hoping to catch his attention without drawing Angus's notice, and whispered, "We must turn back! The residing Nova is here, following us!"

Will didn't react right away but his eyes eventually began lazily scanning the train. Sadie watched as his eyes brushed over Angus but no sense of recognition passed his face.

Will then leaned down and said, "Where? Is he in the Shade?" Sadie looked up at him in confusion.

"No, he is right there–in the corner." She hissed, wondering how Will, who was known for his observation, was so incapable of seeing Angus. Will took another, quick hard look at him and then shook his head.

"I do not see how that is him. He looks nothing like him–is he using a kind of alteration magic?" Sadie shook her head. Angus was covered in black magic but she was familiar with alteration magic and knew what to look for. He was using nothing.

Will frowned, and looked down at Sadie, now a look of annoyance crossing his stern face.

"Do not mess with me, Sadie." Sadie looked at him in horror. How could he not recognize him? Sadie glanced once more at Angus, thinking that maybe in her agitation she had misidentified him, but it was undeniable. It was Angus.

Will turned away, but Sadie was sure he was wrong. Sadie turned to Everand and hissed into his ear, "What does that man in the corner look like to you?" Everand smiled at Sadie's proximity and said, "What? Do you find him handsome? You should know better–William will be unhappy."

Sadie ignored his hand that had come out to reach for her and said, "Tell me what you see!" Everand's anger flickered back for a second but realizing her distress he said, "He's young–from my view, it seems he has blonde hair. I can't see much else. Why?"

So they see the same person as her? Then why did they not recognize him? Had he placed some kind of potion on them? But Sadie would have noticed the magic on Everand by now. He had been touching her ever since they had picked her up from the docks. She would have seen it on him. The realization that she was unable to discern the nature of the magic being employed filled Sadie with dread. In a final attempt, Sadie clutched Will's sleeve, drawing upon every ounce of William's supposed love for her in that pivotal moment.

"Let us turn around–something is not right. That is Angus, and I do not know why you do not recognize him. I see no magic on you, and yet you and Everand do not see him."

Will simply stared at her, giving no sign that he was considering her opinion.

"We cannot," Everand hissed beside her, having guessed her pleas by how she held on to Will, "These goods are one of the biggest hauls we have received in a while. We cannot turn around simply because she is scared." They remained silent, waiting for Will's words before he said, "We will assume it is Angus." Sadie physically relaxed, and Everand cursed beside her, but Will did not finish. "But we will not turn around."

Sadie froze beside him as Will continued, "You are worried that he will find out, but he is here to find rebels. He will see what we are doing and be forced to turn a blind eye because of the Creed. He can do nothing on that front. But he can deal with curses, and he will see you touch the artifacts and wonder why we brought you, and he will find out what you are, which will invariably bring up this event. It will take out both you and me at once. It is what Novas do." Everand paled at the thought, and Sadie frowned, wondering what Will was getting at.

"But the one thing Novas care more about than their hate for our kind is their protection of their own—no matter how they disagree with each other," Will said. His face was just as passive as before as if he was simply conversing with them. "We will use that to our advantage—and if we are lucky, we can kill Angus as well."

A wicked grin passed over Everand's face at Will's words, but Sadie remained completely frozen. Kill a residing Nova? A Nova that was hand-picked by the Novanoid? A Nova that was nominated to be a Hero? They wished to kill him? Why? Fear crawled up Sadie's throat, and she stared up into Will's cold eyes and saw the same seething hate that her brother had. She had just sentenced a Nova to his death, and it was completely her fault.