Author's Note:

Happy New Year!

The one good thing I can promise for this new year is that this story will be completed roughly the second week in February.

Thanks for reading!  :)

* * * * *

Anya found herself back once again in the heather surrounded clearing. Jim shot spell after spell at her, and her defensive shield held up. He taught her how to use the shield in other ways, such as to hold someone immobile as he had with Lord Wildwood, or to protect something, or even to move the shield to hit something like a blunt force object.

When they were finished, Anya sat down in the middle of the clearing with Jim and tried not to think about how the next time she would return to the clearing was drawing nearer. It was not so difficult. She felt tired but satisfied. She had not expected it to be so easy to learn. Perhaps she had an affinity for using her inherent magic.

"How long have you been a wizardress?" asked Jim.

Anya smiled a bit and decided reinterpret the question as how long she had been using magic. "Since I was a child, my father taught me."

"I'm surprised that he did not teach you any of this."

"He was not exactly a conventional wizard." Or a wizard at all. They were in that dangerous territory again where he was asking about her past. He was probably just making conversation, but it made her uneasy. She studied the red flowers around the clearing and tried to think of a way to turn the conversation.

"They're heather," Jim told her conversationally. He must have been following her gaze.

She already knew that, but she did not enlighten him. "They're very beautiful," she commented.

Jim stood up and walked over and pulled a few of the smallest bushes from the ground. He shoved them together roughly into a bunch and handed them to her. "Here. I think that the patch can spare a few."

"Thanks," Anya said awkwardly, not looking at him. It was sweet of him. The twins had given her flowers they picked when they were little. Kallie still did once in a while. But this was different. It made her feel warm.

Or hot. He had just handed her the main ingredient for killing Lord Wildwood in a fiery explosion. Anya felt like she would throw up at the thought. She held the flowers tightly.

"Are you tired?"

He always seemed to notice when she was not feeling quite right. He watched her too closely. He was dangerous. How long before he realized what she was plotting? Anya felt a shiver of fear. Jim might be her downfall.

"Yes, I am," she said, trying to keep her voice even. She watched his face, and saw nothing but gentle concern. It made her feel even sicker. She did not know who she was any longer.

"I'll walk you back to the castle," Jim offered.

Anya shook her head. "No thanks. I think I'll just rest here and then take a short walk."

His gaze was on her. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, of course. Sometimes I just need to be alone in the forest."

He nodded his understanding. She forced a shaky smile to her face to reassure him that everything was fine. She hoped that he did not think that her behavior was odd.

"I'll see you back at the castle," he told her with a slight smile.

Anya wondered if she had hurt his feelings. She hoped that she had not but it would be better if she had. Anya curled herself into a little ball and clutched the plants in her hands.

When she was certain that Jim was safely gone, she stood up and walked though the trails she was becoming so familiar with. She found the other plants she needed easily and added them to her bouquet. If anyone asked, she would tell them that Jim gave it to her. It was the truth... Mostly. She hated using Jim like that.

But it was almost too easy. She wished that Thorne had sent her to a more suspicious household, full of contemptible people who she would feel disdain for. A place where she would not feel like such a base traitor. At least she would not feel guilty for as long.

Anya carried the plants back to her bedroom. She passed only two servants in the halls, and they seemed completely disinterested in what she carried. It looked like an innocent bouquet of flowers.

Anya locked the door to her room, and put up the shield that would keep even a trace of magic from showing that she had read about in the library. It was almost exactly like the defensive shield that Jim had taught her and she was able to maintain it without effort.

Anya began to use her meticulous and well practiced skills. She pulled the magic from the red heather and other plants and tied them together to create her desired effect. It was sickeningly easy. She had made the potion many times before. A single drop would start a fire, as it had on so many cold mornings in her old home.

An entire vial, when thrown on a target, would likely quickly reduce the target to ashes.

But she would not think about that. She would carry the potion upon her person until she managed to get Wildwood alone. And then she would be free to save the twins and flee the country. They would find somewhere safe. She would leave behind his grieving widow. She would get far out of the reach of even the cruel Thorne. She would never see Jim again.

It was for the best. She just had to find the right opportunity and all her current problems would be solved.

She could deal with all the new ones afterwards when they arose.

* * * * *

Anya spent the day full of nervous tension, waiting for her meeting with Thorne. She tried not to think about it as much as possible, and she tried to plan for the opportunity when Lord Wildwood finally lowered his guard around her. His private rooms in the tower were too well guarded by all sorts of magic when he was well. He remained rather defenseless while his magic remained repressed and it would be a good opportunity to move against him if he was not so well guarded.

Because Anya was in no hurry for the night to arrive, the day passed alarmingly quickly. Hanna kept Anya busy until it was nearly time to go to sleep. Anya lay in her bed and waited for the appointed hour.

It arrived long before Anya was ready. She reluctantly rose from her bed. She did not put her cloak on, because she thought it might look suspicious. Of course, going into the woods at such a late hour would look suspicious no matter what she was wearing. But at least she would not be as conspicuous while in the castle.

Instead of taking the servant's entrance, Anya made her way to the kitchen. She opened the door quietly, and slipped inside the dark room. She felt through the darkness to the small door that led to the outer yard. It opened silently, and the cold night air hit her face. There was a damp in the air, and it made the night much colder than it needed to be.

Anya knew the way well, thanks to her many outings with Jim. The slight moon was shrouded in clouds, and Anya had to make her way in the dark. She did not dare to light a lamp, so she stumbled through the tangled forest.

She felt a slight relief when she reached the clearing, until she remembered her purpose. Anya squinted through the dark, but could see nothing.

"Thorne?" she asked hesitantly. There was no response. She wondered if she was early. She hoped that she was not late.

There was no response but for the noise of nocturnal animals in the forest around her. Thorne would not have left so quickly. Making her wait was probably another calculated action to make her feel uneasy. He would come. He was the one who had wanted to talk to her.

"Thorne?" she said again. She could hear nothing but the normal sounds of forest.

Then the sound of something stirring the heather reached her ears. She hoped that it wasn't a dangerous animal. "Thorne?"

"Anya," came the sardonic voice as he moved closer. He carried no light. She could not see him against the darkness of the trees. Even seeing him would be less unnerving than the near blindness before her eyes.

Anya cleared her throat, and tried to make her voice sound calm. "What did you wish to speak to me about?"

"Normally, I would not have met you here, as Wildwood would no doubt be aware of my presence. He has the power of a monster. However, you have incapacitated him nicely, and his estate lies virtually unprotected."

Anya gasped. "This was all so that you could attack the castle?"

He chuckled condescendingly. "What would I want with his castle? It's quite defensible, but there are many other such structures around the kingdom. Far greater things are in the works than someone like you could understand."

Anya glanced at the darkness where his voice arose with narrowed eyes. Thorne seemed to have no problem with telling her the grandiose nature of his plots. Perhaps, because he believed her to be nothing but a peasant, incapable of understanding the simplest matters of state. She felt a bit annoyed at his arrogance, yet it was a wonderful change from the unease he normally inspired in her.

Far greater things were in the works. As a marquise, Lord Wildwood was a high ranking noble, although not the highest in the land. Thorne was after someone higher. A duke?

The king?

Was Thorne truly plotting treason against their sovereign? It was not impossible and even though it had crossed her mind, it still seemed too ostentatious for even one such as him.

She doubted he would even want the crown. Thorne seemed a dark creature who liked to manipulate from the shadows. Sitting on the seat of power did not suit him.

Thorne had implied that he was representing third parties when she had first met him. They were probably the ones trying to replace the king. Even though she did not want to believe it, it made sense. Had not another lord who was a strong ally to the king been murdered quite recently?

Perhaps Anya was not the only person who Thorne was manipulating, or paying as he had her brother. Lord Wildwood was a powerful wizard who was close to the king, like the late Lord Reid.

It was unbelievable that a nobody like Anya had managed to get caught up in such enormous and terrible plots. She had no real love for their king, but he not a terrible ruler. He would surely be better than whoever was willing to snatch power in such a scheming way, than someone who would commit treason with no conscience or fear. Anya had never been more aware of how far she was in over her head. If only Gage had not been so desperate as to get involved with such people.

Thorne spoke again. "I have been keeping careful track of your efforts here at Wildwood. I am slightly disappointed that you have not yet accomplished your goal. I had thought that you understood the need for haste. Your brother and sister do."

Damn him, she thought, always threatening her. "I've tried," she said, and she hated the pleading tone in her voice. But she would plead for the children's sakes if she had to, even before the repulsive man.

"I'm aware of that. I just believe that you need more motivation."

There was a snap
and a magical spot of light appeared before Thorne. It did not illuminate much, but she could see it reflect off his eyes.

"You can come out," he said briskly, and Anya had no idea what Thorne was talking about.

"Anya!"

Anya could not believe the sound that reached her ears. "Kallie? Kallie! You're all right!"

Kallie hurled herself at Anya and nearly knocked her over. Anya did not care. She could feel pressure building in her eyes and she could not help the moisture that welled up in the corners. "Kallie!"

Kallie was shaking, but she looked healthy as far as Anya had been able to tell. She seemed a bit thinner, but at least she was still alive.

"Where is Damani?" Anya asked sharply. Kallie sniffled.

Anya felt fear shoot through her. "Where is he!?" she demanded. "If you have hurt him, so help me—"

Thorne's voice was bitingly sarcastic. "You'll what? What could you possibly do to me?"

Anya glared at Thorne. If Damani was dead, she would kill Thorne then and there. She still had the vial in her pocket that had once only been for self defense. Once Thorne was immobile, she would cut his throat if she had to. Perhaps...

Thorne's voice cut off her bloodthirsty thoughts. "There's no need to look at me with such fury. Damani is safely contained."

"Where is he? What have you done with him?"

"I'd hardly tell you that, Anya. You'll know once you complete what I have asked you to do, as we have already discussed. I would hardly bring that boy along. He is a stubborn and rebellious brat and he will remain locked away until you have succeeded... or not."

There was no mistaking the threat in Thorne's words. Anya closed her eyes, and gripped Kallie tighter.

Thorne walked closer until he was uncomfortably close to the two girls. He laid a hand on Kallie's head. "But this one, she is a good child. She is compliant with my orders, because she understands that her actions have consequences. Sometimes consequences most dire, if one does not do as they are told." He paused. "I have grown rather fond of this one. It would be a shame to have to destroy her due to your failure, Anya. She is so innocent."

Anya kept her arms firmly around her sister. "I will succeed, Thorne. I only failed thus far because of things I could not control or know. It was pure luck on their part that Lady Theresa managed to stop Lord Wildwood from throwing himself down from his tower."

Thorne nodded. "Indeed. But time is running out, and there is little room left for mistakes. Be sure to succeed next time, Anya. You already have a plan?" he asked.

"Yes. Everything is ready. I am only waiting for a chance."

"Don't wait too long," Thorne said with a cold smile. "I should hate for it to be too late. Come along, Kallie."

"No!" Anya said loudly. Kallie did not say anything, but neither did she let go of Anya.

"Use your head, Anya. Don't you think it would rather harm your cover if your younger sister magically showed up over night?" Thorne shrugged when neither girl moved. "Very well. I'll send Damani your regards. He won't much enjoy it, though."

Kallie was crying, but she shook her head. "He'll have Damani beaten. Or worse."

"I'll save you both," Anya whispered and let her little sister go.

Kallie squared her shoulders and walked towards Thorne. The same snap cracked the air and the light disappeared. Anya heard the sound of them walking away.

She slid down to the ground in nearly the same spot that she had sat in the daylight before, feeling overwhelmed and stunned. She did not hear the musical sound of the crickets chirping, or the hooting of owls, or the sounds of wings as bats flew about the forest on their business.

She missed the twins so much, and seeing Kallie had only made the pain sharper. If Thorne had only brought Damani along too, Anya could have killed him and they would have fled. She and the twins could have run until they found somewhere where they would never be found. As she should have done the moment that Thorne stepped into her door, before he took the twins away.

But now Anya was helpless. She could only do what he wanted and hope that he would keep his part of the bargain.

She had to get back to the castle before anyone knew that she was gone. And the next day...the next day she would find some way to end things. She just had to get Wildwood alone, and hope that everything went well.