Important: Read the AN at the end!

Chapter 13:

France's POV:

Last chapter…

Just then a loud sound filled the halls. Terrified, we held onto each other. Hearing footsteps, we saw Rowe running towards us. Lyssa was with her.

"Follow me," she said and we got up and ran with her.

"What's happening?" Lyssa asked as Rowe stopped in front of a wall.

At least I thought it was a wall, but Rowe quickly put her hand on something and a door opened.

Pushing us in, she said, "Run and go to the saferoom, a guard is sure to be there."

"Rowe, what's going on?" I asked.

"Rebels!" was her reply as she shoved us in and closed the door. We could hear her running away from the door, presumably to get the others.

Now:

"Let's go down," Cassidy suggested, turning towards the stairs that we could see going downwards.

Panic filled us so suddenly that we fled down. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest and adrenaline flowing in my veins. Carlie, who was in the lead, stopped so suddenly that we nearly collided. A door was right in front of us. Lyssa tried the handle, but in vain.

"There's no one here," she said after she had looked around. "Rowe did say that a guard ought to be here."

"True," Belle said.

Footsteps from a corner attracted our attention and we saw Adara come down another flight of steps.

"Any idea what's going on?" she questioned, panting. "Rowe didn't say anything to me when she literally pushed me in."

"She said rebels when she shoved us in," I replied. "Where are we?"

"The royal safe room," another voice greeted us and we turned to see the two Bells coming in.

"Don't just stand here, get in," Bell said.

"The door's locked and there is no guard here," we all jumped at the sound of another voice. It was Jo, who we hadn't seen earlier.

"All the more reason why you should get in quickly," Bell said and walked towards the door.

Typing in something on the keypad, she stepped back and the door swung open. We ran in to see Rosita rush towards us. She was already inside with the royal family. We curtsied to them and looked around. Multiple cots lined one side with some chairs where the royal family was seated. We turned upon hearing footsteps and saw the others rush in. Rosita counted us as soon as the door automatically closed a while later. Frowning, she re-counted us and walked towards the royal family.

"Your Majesty," she addressed the queen. "Lady Rowena seems to be missing and the doors have closed. I remember seeing no guards around either."

"Don't worry about her, Rosita," the queen calmly replied. "She can access any safe room at any time, including this one. And she can defend herself too."

"Very well, Your Majesty," Rosita replied. Turning to us, she said, "Alright ladies, time to sleep."

Groaning, all of us went towards the cots. I was still worried about Rowe, but Tess seemed to be relaxed.

"I wonder if Rowe is alright," Cassidy said as we walked towards our cots together.

"She'll be fine," Tess said.

"How do you know that?" Jo asked.

"I was with her in the last attack, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Zora said, joining us with Ev.

Meanwhile:

Rowe's POV:

"Stop right there," a familiar stentorian voice called out.

Surprised, I stopped, but as I turned around – or should I say 'tried to' – I felt a revolver on my back.

"Stay as you are," the familiarity was still present. A hand gripped my shoulder and I knew instantly who it was.

"Let go of the Night Queen, or face the consequences of her wrath," I hissed.

Feeling the grip relax and the revolver being removed, I turned to see Carlos. I was right!

"Night Queen!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't recognize you at all."

"Evidently," I replied coolly. "What's going on?"

"The Head wanted to test you and some others," he replied and I struggled to hide the fact that I already knew that.

"Oh, but you better leave now. These un-planned attacks will ensure our end."

"Right," Carlos said as he turned and ran away.

I was downright glad that Sara had managed to warn me about this so-called 'test' that the Head had planned. Good thing that she was another one of the spies sent by Queen Eadlyn to infiltrate the ranks of the Southern Rebels. Stoning my window, she had attracted my attention and woken me up. Hearing the plan, I had immediately communicated with Robin and then ran off to drag the others to the safe room, while the rebel alarm started ringing.

As soon as Carlos had gone, I resumed my path to a saferoom and quickly ran into one. Once safe inside, I signaled Robin to find out he was still fighting some extreme rebels. A few worrisome hours later, Robin sent the all clear message and I quietly left the saferoom, hurrying towards the main one, to find it unguarded. Scared, I sent an alert to Robin who immediately came down with a few other guards who quickly looked around and said that all was clear. Dialing in the code known only to the royal family, advisors, guards and staff, I opened the safe room to hear shouts of panic. As soon as I peeked in, they turned to one of joy and I saw Rosita heave a sigh of relief.

"I knew you would be fine," Tess announced happily as she enveloped me in a hug. The others followed suit.

"Okay dears, stop," I said. "It's okay for you all to get out."

As the others left, I sneaked a glance at the Queen and knew immediately that she was wondering about what had happened. I knew I would soon be questioned regarding that and I sighed and walked towards her. No need of delaying the inevitable.

"What was this all about, Rowe?" she asked as soon as everyone had left.

"A test for their spies," I replied. Seeing her confused face, I couldn't help chuckling.

"The Southern Rebels wanted to test me," I explained. "If it hadn't been for Sara, I would truly have been in the dark myself. I'll be talking to them soon regarding this, though."

"Oh," understanding dawned over the Queen's face. "I suppose you'll leave at night and alone?"

"Yes, but Robin will be with me," I said and she nodded.

"Great, now all of you must rest," she said.

She got up and left the safe room, the rest of the family following her. I left too and went to my room, exhausted with the events of the night.

Isabella's POV:

Rosita had hustled us to our rooms. Penelope and Zoey were inside my room and they quickly started preparing me for the day ahead. As soon as I was ready, they sent me outside to the garden where all of us were supposed to meet.

"Hey, Bell," I turned to see Jo walking towards me. Lyssa and Bella were with her.

"We were wondering how you managed to open the saferoom," Lyssa questioned me.

"I used to work here as a vet and so all the staff know the code," I replied.

"Oh," Carlie joined us.

We started walking towards the entrance together and as soon as we reached the grounds, we heard a stifling sound. Turning around, we saw Rowe stifle a yawn. Tess was trying to control her laughter and we all burst into laughter. Rowe glared at us and then herself succumbed to the contagious laughter floating around her.

"What's so funny?" a new voice joined our conversation. We turned to see Prince Edward standing right behind us.

"Nothing, Your Highness," Rowe quickly replied and then turned to leave.

Tess and Lyssa followed her, while Bella and Jo walked away in another direction, leaving me alone with the prince.

"Lady Isabella," he addressed me. "How has your stay been here?"

"Quite fine, Your Highness," I replied. "Please call me Bell."

"Very well, Bell. Then you must call me Edward. Would you like to go on a date with me?"

"I would love to, Edward. When and where?"

"Why don't you decide?"

"Hmm, I'll let you know about my plan."

"Very well. I'll see you later Bell," with that, the prince turned and left to meet some other selected.

So, you must be wondering how I am posting again...

Well, I'll be busy in the next 2 weeks due to family functions, so I probably won't be able to write (or update) at all. So a bonus chapter for all my readers.

Please leave a review. What do you think Isabella will plan? And how will the others take the rebel attack?

Follow the story to get the alert for next update and please review, for I love to hear what you all think.

Shout out to Abi for beta-reading so quickly.

Veronicaiscool, where ever you are and I hope you are reading this, I didn't see your review till after I posted the previous chapter. I hope you can soon access your account. Do leave a review, even if as a guest.

Anyways, signing out now and see you all next chapter

And an advanced HAPPY NEW YEAR

Rowe