Warning:

This is important! If you've made this far than I can't thank you enough. But beyond this point, I really need you to trust me. We're almost there. Thirteen more Chapters! Also, for future reference: I'm sorry.

Also, TWO Song Suggestions!

I also couldn't decide on a title.

Queue: Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift

CAL

We have to leave before anyone else. I don't get to speak to Mare, to try and warn her to watch her back. Although most of Nanabel's forces are in the Rift now. Some followed Ptolemus into Archeon.

But although I wasn't able to speak to Mare I was able to get to Farley. When I told her shedding seem surprised but she took my warning seriously and said she would tell Mare.

But something was off about the encounter. She looked worried more than I've ever seen her. Especially since I never do.

But the end of something awful is coming. So I tell myself that must be it. Walking on the jet that is to carry us to Harbor Bay is another matter entirely. Because it just so happens Mare's brothers are here. I knew they were coming but leave it to my luck that we would be on the same jet. I try to slip by without drawing much attention, but of course, everyone notices. Growing up I had learned to adjust to the stares, but it is the cold glares that Mare's brothers point towards my way that cuts the deepest.

I've screwed up in every way possible and I have no idea how to remedy it. I turn my gaze anywhere but on them, too ashamed to take the heat of their scolding.

I buckle myself in, fiddling with straps is second nature. Pretty soon the jet leaves the ground and we're flying our way to war.

Before I tried to warn Davidson about my grandmother and Volo Samos but I couldn't get remotely close. So when I approached Farley she said she would pass it on. Davidson will be joining them in Archeon.

But I have to shift my focus to the task at hand. Our air support will leave an hour after us. The jet will decrease its altitude and we'll jump out on to the sea. Then mersives, similar to one we took in our escape from Maven after the Bowl of Bones, will be waiting to come pick us up. From then on we'll sneak into Fort Patriot directly under their noses. Most of the tunnels we used to sneak into the city before have been blocked or destroyed.

Given its name, Harbor Bay is a large port city. Fort Patriot itself is surrounded by water and great stone walls. Breaking those down will take ammunition Davidson was right to save. It will take everything we have. Once those are down that's when we'll emerge.

Granted, rising from water was never an image I'd imagine myself experiencing. But then again I'd never imagined experiencing this past year. So if I've learned anything, it's that living in my comfort zone never works. Starting today, that is going to change. I'll make sure Mare knows it, I'll make sure they all know it.

MARE

Big surprise, sneaking into the Archeon is more challenging than I anticipated. Sure, I was able to make it Maven's bedchambers without a hitch but when your slipping in half any army, it becomes a tad bit complex.

We have to jump through numerous hoops. From jets to mersives to trekking along on foot to tunnels and then to sewers. We're rats after all.

It takes us hours before we're finally underneath Caesar Square. Spending more time with Maven has made me even more sensitive to reading people, and by the look of Farley, I can see into her thoughts almost as clearly as any whisper. Farley gives her feelings away by not displaying them at all. She keeps her back straight and facial features in a mask of determination and ferocity. The stance of a true leader. But I see past her fierce demeanor. I spot tension in her shoulders, the way she keeps them drawn back, a form that must be painful to maintain for such a long period of time. But pain is something that Farley has sadly grown used to and it's my fault. And now she bares a new weight on her shoulders and hopefully I can relieve enough of it to get us both through this.

It's an hour and a half until sunrise once we finally make it. I feel the rich hum of electricity above me. It calls to me like a beacon, hypnotizing me. But so does something else, someone else.

I'm here for you, I nearly stop in my tracks.

Alex?

There was no way I was going to let you go in by yourself, she whispers. You need a friend who understands, and I'm here.

I haven't made a decision yet, I tell her.

I know but if you need a crutch…

Thank you, Alex. I don't think I could've made it this far without you.

I could say the same. I can almost see her smile. I can't help but do the same. I know you think all you do is destroy. But you are more than that, Mare. You and your ability. We all have the potential to become monsters but we also have a chance of creating something equally beautiful.

My throat tightens and I blink away the tears.

You're a true friend, I say.

Likewise.

She doesn't say anything after that. But I can feel her presence. It's nothing like Elara or Samson, where every minute is torture. It's more of a gentle warmth. Like the kind you get when you walk into a warm house after spending hours in the cold.

But soon another voice echoes in mind. You will lose something no matter what.

Keeping secrets has never been simple. And keeping them from my family, from Kilorn, from Farley, I can barely stand it. I wonder if this is how Jon feels. To carry the weight of someone's future, knowing that a simple decision could make or raize their life. How does he decide what to say and what not to say? When does he decide to let the future happen and when to intervene? There is no telling what future he sees when he studies me. Something great, something awful, both or nothing at all?

In a way, it makes me understand Cal a bit more. It's terrifying not knowing what will become of your actions, the petrifying fear of the consequences.

But doing something is better than doing nothing at all. I will always make the decisions I made.

At least that's what I tell myself.

Queue: Breath of Life by Florence and the Machine

Emerging in the tunnels that hold Maven's personal Undertrain settles some of the butterflies in my stomach as well as ignites them. I felt it before I could see it myself. Letting the electricity guide me. And once we step out, I see him, in that ridiculous armor, his only weapon. And instantly the nerves are gone, replaced by a burning white flare of anger. It takes everything for me not smite him down right. I certainly could. My control has advanced from months of training. But unfortunately, we need Ptolemus alive.

I applaud Farley each time each time she is forced into a room with him. Any anger she feels is well hidden and she doesn't disappoint this time. When we all fall into the tunnel there are thirty of us. The rest of the Newblood soldiers are across the square.

"The poison was delivered hours ago," Ptolemus remarks. "Any guards on duty now will be unconscious or close to."

Davidson gives a curt nod. Neither I or Farley give him more than a glance. "Good," Davidson says. "The rest of our team has spread across the square, it'll be us four going into Whitefire and placing the rest of the bombs. But once we're in, we'll have to split up into two groups to cover more ground, minimizing our chances of being seen. General Farley, you'll be with me. Mare, you'll be with the prince."

This doesn't surprise me, I expected, actually requested it be this way. Ptolemus and I need to have a talk. Farley nods and I do the same, pretending to be slightly caught off guard and hesitant to go in with the man that murdered my brother. I put tension in my shoulders, leading Ptolemus to believe I don't want to be partnered with him any more than he does. I'm certain he feels the same way. But of course, he's his father's son, and he won't let his pride show. At least not now.

"Let's go," I say.

Once we're above ground I can I finally breathe. I know I have to face Maven soon. And after all the things he's made me feel these past two months, I can't deny what he's done to me before then. To not be able to so much as a sleep by myself anymore. Tunnels and mersives and even locked doors put me on edge.

But I won't be facing him for a while. So I push the thought aside, like I seem to do for everything, and focus on the sociopath that treads along beside me.

We split up a few minutes ago. Both Ptolemus and I carry bags of bombs. Each explosive device is held in individual wooden boxes. Small enough to conceal. But they pack enough punch to do some real damage. We take turns placing the devices across our designated spots.

"So this is how it's going to be," Ptolemus speaks up, breaking the blissful silence. "We're just going to work like this together and not say a word."

"I prefer it actually. We're not friends by any means. And we're barely allies."

"Meaning?"

"Your family may have the Guard and Monfort fooled but not me."

It isn't lost on me that based on what Larentia said, someone else knows my past deeds. If I do it just right, I will be able to detect if Ptolemus is one of them. Last I checked Ptolemus and his sister had difficulty keeping a lid on their temper. If I see a hint of it now then I will know that he knows I killed his sister. But if not, then that leaves me with a little less to stress over.

Or perhaps more.

"And just what do you think we're trying to do?"

"I may not know the details but I know this can't last. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for some things. Corvium... the wedding."

As to which wedding, Ptolemus knows.

"I am sorry about your sister, she didn't deserve what they did to her," I say, meaning every word. Though I know I'm a hypocrite for saying it, I'm counting on this fact to tell me if Ptolemus knows. If he does he won't be able to resist. If not, all's clear.

"And why would care? You hated her and I'm certain the feeling was mutual."

"True, but she freed me from that hell hole."

"And in doing so you made her a promise."

We come to a sitting area, with walls adorned with ridiculous art pieces. I remember this place. It's where Cal told me I was to being erased from the blood base. And I realized Maven had fulfilled his promise and saved me. So soon after he tried to kill me that I briefly wonder it was ever done.

"And as disappointing as it is, I intend to honor that promise. So you can lose the death grip you have on that needle in your left hand."

Ptolemus raises an eyebrow and wills the needle back to its place on his wrist. It should scare me that he has it with him, the very kind of weapon he used to kill Shade. Even more, so that he is prepared to use it against me, but it doesn't.

"Besides I know what it is to lose a sibling. I know that pain. I'm sure it hasn't been easy." I place another bomb behind a potted plant. Ptolemus remains silent and leads us to the next location. He knows this palace better than I, but I still retain limited knowledge of where we are. If I'm right then we're a level beneath Maven's chambers. Meaning time is steadily decreasing.

Minutes pass and Ptolemus stoops down the place the last box, setting it near the door of a council room. He moves to stand, acting quickly, my dagger smoothly sheaths from behind my back. My aim is perfect this time around. It lodges into his lower back and into his spine.

He crumples to the ground with a grunt. He tries helplessly to stand, but I know he won't, the shot really was perfect. The best he can manage is to prop himself up by his elbows. Then I see him blink, but before the needles he wears can come for me, I send a small shock his way. The purple sparks fly from my fingertips and jump into between his shoulder blades.

It's not enough to kill him, but it gives me times to run to him and wrapping my hand around his thick, pale neck, I send another wave through his body. He jolts from the current, much like a fish out of water. His eyes nearly role behind his lids.

Then I feel a different kind of energy apart from my lightning, but this time I am more cautious. I give it enough freedom to leach a small amount of life from his body.

His face begins to gray and I send one last shock through him before he collapses.

FARLEY

It's only a few minutes to sunrise, and it's a struggle to stay calm.

Fifteen minutes until sunrise, fifteen minutes until the bombs go off.

Then I see her.

Mare's head pokes around a corner and I allow myself to take a breath of relief. But it lasts for only an instant. My chest tightens with what will come next. I move my hand to take out the long, thin box I kept in the bottom my backpack. I'm the only one who can even touch it, being it's made of Silent Stone. I continue my path towards Mare, but I have to slow my pace to open the box. I breath hitches as I briefly study it, even though it's not the first time I've held it in my hands, it still sickens me.

I pull out the long metal needle that pierced Shade's heart, still stained with his blood.

As I walk around the corner I see Ptolemus and he seems near death himself. Mare sits him up by his throat.

She leans down until she can whisper in his ear. "How, does it feel, to lose the person you love most? To lose both of them."

His breaths come in quick pants. There is no sure way of telling if he can understand, but Mare continues anyway.

"I didn't want to but it had to be done. If I can't kill your body than I had to choose a different route and kill everything that drives you. Your sister, your crown, even your mother is dead."

I jerk my head up, confused by this. As far I know, no plans were made to take her out just yet. I try to meet Mare's eyes, but she doesn't waver.

"Your father will soon be dead," Mare goes on. "And the best part is your girlfriend, that healer your so fond of, is gone too."

Ptolemus's breath catches in understanding. But it's the deep loathing in Mare's voice and the anger in her eyes that affects me a way I can fathom.

Mare finally meets my gaze, "end this Farley."

I crouch to a knee and forget everything but one memory. I remember, that night in Summerton, when I had tried to assassinate him. I've cursed myself so many times for not succeeding. Because if I had, Shade would still be alive, Clara would have her father, and Mare wouldn't be this way. her family wouldn't be broken like mine. It's my fault, and I can't go back and fix it but I can avenge all that has happened.

I hold the needle firmly in a fist and without hesitation, I plunge it into the monster's chest.

Mare let's go and he falls back. But it's not enough. I stab him three more times before I will myself to stop. I'm panting when I step back. I look down at the carnage. Silver blood and tissue surround the wounds, all made to the heart.

I feel a wet sensation on my cheeks and I swipe the tears away with my free hand, but I end up getting blood on my face anyway. As my vision clears I look around. I'm covered in blood, but this is the first time I don't mind. But my stomach drops with a new realization.

"Oh no," I do a full three-sixty but come up empty. I check down the hallway, I even risk calling for her. But it's no use, she's gone. And I have a good idea as to where she's going.

"Mare," I whisper to myself. "Come back."

VERY QUICK ANALYSIS

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