"You idiots! Fools! Cowards! How could you let them go?" Charles cried in exasperation. He couldn't believe it! They'd spent months holed off in this decrepit place. Planning, waiting for another chance at the pearls. And now that they had it, they'd let it go! Charles knew if he'd gone with them, if they'd only let him, this wouldn't have happened.

"Don't blame us, blame her—" Michael's retort was cut short, ending in a timid puff as Althea stepped into the room.

There was a new crack in her beak. She was bleeding. She shot them all a glaring look of disgust. Daring them to finish their accusations. Though her glare glowed with anger, Charles didn't miss it. There was a glimmer of trepidation in her red eyes.

Michael and John scattered out of the room leaving Charles to whatever he was going on about. Neither were willing to be at the front of her rage.

"Why didn't you kill them? You could've ended it."

"Killing them wouldn't have ended anything. She wasn't there."

"It would have made things easier!"

"It wasn't part of the plan."

Charles stared straight at her. "You're afraid of her."

Althea stopped. Her feathers stuttered around her body.

"No—"

"—Liar, you don't want to confront her—ugh!" Charles' back crashed against the wall. The impact left him breathless and heaving for air.

Althea flexed her talons. Digging the tips of her nails into his exposed flesh above his collar. "I could destroy you."

"So then why don't you destroy her." Charles challenged.

"Now, now, what do I see here?" A low voice came from the doorway and drew their attention. Althea immediately released Charles. Stiffening beside him. Even Charles' hands grew clammy.

"Nothing, Sir. We were just discussing what happened," Charles responded.

His dark eyes matched his cold smile in feinted mirth. "Is this true, Althea?"

"Yes," was her raspy reply.

"Very well. Follow me, I want to hear what happened."

Althea fell in line behind him. Charles released a breath of relief, only to cringe when he heard, "You too Charles, I want to know what is your matter of discontent."

Maria stirred awake and sat up. She rubbed her head and winced. Looking down at her hands, she realized why. Her palms were red and tender from weeks of practicing magic. At least she was getting better. Maria cupped her hands and a ball of white light began to grow. She bounced it up into the air where it stayed, shining a soft glow onto the darkened circles around her eyes and pale face. Maria smiled. A small smile that didn't quite reach her bloodshot eyes. She touched her pearls; Lizzy's lessons were working. Henry would be proud.

Despite her weariness, Maria concentrated and guided the ball of light around the dim room with her mind, illuminating her friends who were still asleep. She wondered why she was up so early. It was Sunday. There was no need for her to get up and rush to class. No need for her to hurriedly prepare the day's lesson. No need for her to be awake… or was there?
A nagging feeling at the pit of her stomach clawed for attention. Her years at Moonacre taught her to trust her instinct. Her instinct told her something was wrong. She needed to be up, alert. Maria sat against her headboard and rubbed her head with the back of her hand. She tried to remember her dream, or was it a nightmare? She wasn't sure, but at this point did it really mattered? Whether a nightmare or not, her sleep felt superficial. Maria remembered running. She remembered hiding, but by now her bad dreams had become so commonplace she no longer felt scared. In fact, she couldn't remember feeling anything, except for exhaustion upon awakening.
Maria bit her cheek and inspected her surroundings, reluctant to leave the safety of her bed. Maria sent her glowing orb of light to the window. Thank goodness it's still closed; the morning sun was just beginning to rise and melt the spring frost on the glass.

Her thoughts wandered to Robin. I wish he were here with me, she thought, recalling the night before Albert's kidnapping when Robin had stayed with her. It felt like ages since she'd been able to sleep, ages since she saw Robin. Her smile returned, this time with a brightness in her eye. Along with her magic, she spent time practicing defense as well, teaching Lizzy and Cat what Robin had taught her. I wonder if he's remembered much else.

Her fingers fell lightly upon her lips. Biting her smile she tried to contain a small giggle. The girls continued to pester about Robin, but she had yet to tell them. She wasn't sure she wanted to. Though she was sure they would be the last to judge her for any impropriety, Maria rolled her eyes at the thought, she just wanted to keep it her secret. It was as if by keeping it a secret, she could believe in her heart it was more than just an attempt to break the curse. That there was a meaning behind it. Though she probably wouldn't admit that to herself. Not yet.

Maria gestured for her ball of light and it floated down towards her, seeping into her hands and spreading warmth down her arms. The light went out, she was once again in the dark. Much like how she felt.
Seven months…Seven months since we fought Althea. My goodness has it really been that long? Maria couldn't believe it! She had been so busy with school, with practicing magic and defense. Her thoughts preoccupied on Robin's missing memories, their kiss, that time just slipped by as though it were mere sand through an hour-glass. She just simply couldn't understand. Despite the rising sun, the darkness deepened around her.
How did seven months pass without a word of her—or Charles? That wasn't right. Maria was sure of it. In fact, the more she thought of it, the more she realized it wasn't like Sir Benjamin or the De Noirs to just sit around and wait for something to happen. Did something happen? Could they be hiding something—no, that can't be! Maria admonished herself for thinking such thoughts. But the gnawing feeling only grew stronger. Easter break was only a few weeks away. She needed to talk to Robin. She needed to see Althea. It had been long enough.

Jane finished braiding her hair and styled it into a side low chignon. Checking her clock, she put on her bonnet and tied a bow under her chin. Right on time, she thought to herself with a smile. She opened her wardrobe and looked through her coats. The weather was warming, green buds eager to bloom decorated the city. Jane picked a light coat, grabbed her purse and envelopes, and then made her way out of her room and into the parlor.

Jane reached the door, but it swung open before she could reach it.
She swallowed her groan. "James, you're home," Jane forced a pleasant smile.

"Is that any way to greet your beloved brother?" James said walking past his sister. He ruffled her head, skewing her bonnet and messing her hairdo.

"James don't," Jane whined pushing her brother away. "It took me ages to get ready."

"Really? You still look like a pale toad to me," James said laughing.

"Bugger off," Jane scowled.

"That language! And here I thought you were a proper lady. Where are you going?" James' voice was light, a smirk was on his lips.

"To the post office. I'll be back in a quick second!"

"Ey George!—Is George home yet?—George! Seems Jane is finally sending Richard a letter, told you she would give in first!"

"I am not!" Jane stomped her foot and her cheeks turned into an angry red. "And George's not home! He won't be for another hour just like you were supposed to be!"

The yelling lured in their twin brothers. They were giddy with excitement. "Then show us!"
"Yeah Jane, what do you have there?" They shouted one after another, trying to grab the letters from Jane's hand.

"You all are such buffoons!" Jane squeezed her letters to her chest and ran out of the parlor. Shouting their battle cries, her brothers ran after her. They chased her around the lawn, trying to stop her from reaching the street.
Passerby's stopped to laugh at the scene. Surely gossip would spread around town, as if there weren't already enough rumors about Jane. No wonder she couldn't find a proper suitor. Not while her brothers continued to make fools of themselves and drag her down with them.

Jane lost her footing and her twin brothers tackled her onto to the lawn.

"Oh, you scoundrels!" She shouted angrily. "You two are lucky I am wearing a dark dress. If I get any grass stains on it, I'll skin you all alive!"

Arnold and Arthur pinned her arms while James pried the letters from her hand.

"Aha!" James shouted triumphantly. "Tsk-tsk-tsk. Jane, you've become quite the liar, haven't you? What is this then?" He brought a letter to her face. It was addressed to Richard.

"It's not what it looks like!" She defended herself. "I'm helping Cat, she needs me to seek some information from him!"

"What is all this hullabaloo? Boys, release your sister this instant!" Mrs. William's shrill voice was like an alarm that sent the boys scrambling off Jane.
"I have told you more than once, you can't be doing this to Jane! Especially not out here for all to see! We're not a circus!"

James helped Jane stand up and sheepishly handed back her letters. She snatched them from his hand with a glare.

Mrs. Williams finished scolding her sons, especially James who had no business behaving himself like a child, then sent her sons off to help their father. She helped Jane clean herself off, remarking that at this rate, none of her children would ever marry.

Jane simply sighed. Without another word, Jane thanked her mother and began her walk to the post office.

"I hope you've written my regards to Richard!" Mrs. Williams called out after her daughter, earning another groan.

"Good Afternoon Ms. Williams! I expect you're here to send your usual letters?" The postman greeted Jane.

Jane nodded and handed him her parcels. He took her letters and began to stamp them one by one. Jane waited patiently to the side, inspecting the posters and announcements pinned up to the wall. One poster announced the new train connecting Bristol and London. She and her family were planning on riding it this summer to visit Maria. Her parents were eager to see Moonacre and all its splendor as Jane so often described it. Other posters announced the city's monthly events, news, and real estate.

"Jane, forgive my prying, but is this Mr. Richard Turner your suitor?"

"Excuse me, no!" Jane squawked.

The postman laughed, "Pardon my inquiry. We got a letter from him this morning addressed to you and I didn't recognize the name—and well with word going around regarding your courtship, I reckoned you two were courting."

Jane furrowed her brow, her face burning with embarrassment. The town had no business talking about her courtship—or lack of. It was to her credit the talk wasn't all bad, mostly to say pitying things. A shame that such a lovely girl, with a good name and background, would grow to be a spinster simply because of her brothers.

Did Richard really send her a letter? She wondered to herself as she paid for her postage and rushed home.

Hidden amongst the garden, she sat down to read the letter. Jane frowned, what an interestingly colored parchment. It was brown but crimson splotches stained the edges and corner. Jane squinted her eyes, surprised by the messy scrawl. Though Richard wasn't the image of pristine and properness, she never imagined his writing would be this messy. He just seemed, so, put together.

Dearest most beautiful Jane,

I am sure this is not the belated Valentine's Day gift you were expecting—

—Jane snorted and quickly covered her mouth. As if she were ever expecting anything from him—

—or deserve, but I couldn't find a large enough envelope or a postman willing to deliver me—

Jane couldn't help her laughter. Her heart grew light as she read the words, imagining his voice speaking them. She resumed reading her letter, feeling a lightness grab a hold of her heart. Before her heart could fill with glee, her smile began to fade. She paused.
Shaking her head, she reread his words.
Her eyes widened with fear and her face twisted with horror as she read the rest of the letter.

..oOo..

"Where are you going?" A quiet voice asked behind her.

Jane jumped and slammed her luggage shut. She cringed, hoping the noise didn't wake anyone else up. Turning around she found James just standing outside her room in the darkness of the hall. She didn't know when he had opened her door, or how long he had been inspecting her with a keen eye.

"None of your business," Jane's whisper snapped back. "And keep your voice down, you'll wake everyone up."

James shuffled inside the dimly lit room. "You've been crying. Why are you packing your luggage—hang on, are you running away?"

"No," Jane huffed rubbing her eyes. "I'm going to visit a friend. Now go back to bed."

"At this hour? Without telling our parents?" His eyes trailed to her desk where an assortment of letters and crumpled papers were scattered around. One, in particular, caught his attention and he reached for it, only for Jane to snatch it from his fingertips.

"Hand that over."

"No."

"Jane, I'll make a commotion."

"You wouldn't dare!" Jane angrily whispered.

James breathed in a lungful of air and opened his mouth wide. "Ja—" was all he managed to yell before Jane clamped his mouth shut.

"James stop it! Please! I need to go!"

"Why?"

Jane appeared torn as tears began to once more fill her eyes. "I—I can't," she whimpered. "You'll have to trust me."

"You've got to be daft if you think I'll let you out this room. What happened?" Jane vigorously shook her head, pressing her lips and eyes tightly shut.

"What. Happened."

Jane sniffed and shakily handed him the letter.

"What in the world, is this blood?" James asked warily eying the crimson stains that now appeared to be bloody fingerprints.

Jane nodded her head. "Richard's hurt, for all I know he could be dead. This was postmarked three weeks ago. Three!"

James sat down to read the letter. The first half was hardest to understand and was written by Richard himself. The rest was finished by Henry. His friends were taking him back to Moonacre but weren't sure if Richard would survive the trip.

"Who's this Althea?"

"You won't believe me."

"Try me."

Jane recalled the summer's events and told James about the monster and Charles.
"She got me too." Jane twisted her nightgown to the side, so that the buttons through the middle were now trailing her thigh. She unbuttoned two of them, and pulled the fabric apart, showing her brother the scar that ran from her hip to her thigh.
"She cut through my dress. It wasn't deep, but her claws are poisoned and it eats away at you. I was bedridden for a whole week from just this measly scratch. Imagine what Richard's going through?"

James ran his hand through his face, still in disbelief that his little sister was off fighting monsters. He did not like it one bit.

"I warned you wouldn't believe me."

"That's not it. Are you telling me you spent your summer fighting off a monster with your friends? I knew those boys were bad news. I don't want you going back there—"

"Well, you can't stop me!" Jane angrily interrupted him. "All I've ever done is follow the rules and look what good that's done. Right now my friends need me. I will do whatever I need to help them."

"No need to get fussy and there's no need to break the rules, especially not now, not for this." James handed Jane back her letter. "Go to sleep, we're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Excuse me, what?"

James sighed, "Really, Jane? I've been doubting Mrs. Watson's praise of your intelligence since you fell for that country twit, but now you must be kidding me. You can't leave tonight. Your horse won't make the ride. Besides, just imagine what people will say? They'll call you a fallen woman—"

"I don't care what people will say! Richard is dying!"

James raised his hands and put a finger to his lips, trying to quiet her. "That may be, but you leaving this instant won't help anyone. Tomorrow, we'll leave on the train, I'll come with you. You may not care, but I won't have the city running amuck with your reputation. You've worked too hard to salvage it from our antics!"

"But what about your navel obligations?"

James shrugged his shoulders, "I'll go speak with my captain. We're docked for a couple of months, I'm sure I can pull in a few favors."

"Lizzy honestly, will you settle down?" Cat chided.

Lizzy and Cat were in their rooms. Cat was finishing her essay on Medieval History. The same essay Lizzy was supposed to be working on, but hadn't touched since receiving the assignment.

"I can't. I haven't heard a word from Henry. It's been almost two months. He hasn't responded to any of my letters."

Cat put down her pen and looked at their calendar. Easter was in a few weeks. She hadn't heard back from Jane either. She was probably busy with her family. "Lizzy, you can't do much else so you may as well not worry yourself to death. You'll only fall behind in school and make matters worse. You said he and the boys were out searching for Charles and Althea, correct?"

Lizzy nodded her head.

"Well, perhaps their mission is running much longer than expected?"

"That's exactly what I'm worried about! What if something went wrong?"

Cat shook her head and sighed. Wishing Lizzy would talk to Maria about it.

The days passed by in eager anticipation. Maria was anxious to return home. Her dreams continued to haunt her nights, even her tea no longer silenced them.
Not only that, but Loveday's letters were much shorter and the gnawing feeling at the pit of her stomach continued to grow. She tried talking to her friends about her dreams but stopped after she noticed Lizzy growing more agitated.

Meanwhile, Cat was growing frustrated.
She was frustrated with Lizzy for refusing to disclose Althea's escape to Maria. It was only causing Lizzy more worry and guilt.
She was frustrated with Jane for not responding to her letters.
She was frustrated with Maria for not talking to her about her dreams, even when she asked about them.
Cat felt alone and in the dark.

Soon, the girls grew distant and hardly spoke to one another, saving any casual conversation for their fighting and magic lessons. Burdened with their own problems and reluctant to talk to one another, the air in the room grew heavy every day. Lizzy soon sought refuge in the library and Maria in the gardens. Cat saw her friends falling apart and felt helpless to do anything about it. It was times like these she wished she had another friend, someone she could talk to. Sometimes, she even wished she could write to David or Bast.

The week before Easter, Cat was alone in her room as always. By this time, Maria and Lizzy only joined her to sleep. She excitedly finished reading a letter from her parents and let out a happy squeal. At least one of her plans was working. Filled with a new sense of hope, she went out in search of Maria.

On their last day before the Easter holiday, Maria and Cat found Lizzy sitting at her usual spot in the empty library. Her book untouched as her eyes stared up at the ceiling. She offered her friends a soft smile, but there was no mistaking the sadness in her eyes. Her friend's arms were interlinked between the two and Lizzy realized it was the first time she had seen either of them smile in a while.

"Lizzy, why aren't you packing?" Cat scolded her sister.

Lizzy shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not sure I want to go home this Easter."

"Well, would you like to go to Moonacre instead?"

Lizzy's mouth fell open and she jumped on to her feet. "Is that true Maria? She's not playing a trick on me?"

Cat mockingly gasped causing Maria to laugh. "Lizzy, give your sister more credit. She's been worried for you, we both have."

"Ready your luggage sister! Our ride to Moonacre arrives in a few hours."

...Hi readers... I'm back... I'm so, so, so, sorry for the super long hiatus. My life sort of took a unique turn that I wasn't expecting and forced me to abandon my writing for a while. I'm so sorry! I am however working on chps 11 and 12 to update so hopefully, I can get you all that out by September!

Thank you for reading, and seriously, thank you for your continuing support. I just logged onto FF after a long while and have been going through all the comments and I am so humbled and blushing and just so grateful for all of you. Like sgjsdlj (im sorry for the wait!), Rahoggy, Hadassah the Bunny, keepitupgirl (wow you binge read this? Oh man I hope youve recovered I know how that feels haha), It's all in my head, dustbinlyd, WhenPigsFly2018, stabatmater, SilverScarlet626, you all are just so sweet and supportive and incredibly encouraging! *Heart*

Thank you for reading,

-gladsss