JACE

Back on Ravnica, Jace decided to pay the Living Guildpact a visit. The dragon Niv-Mizzet, known as the Firemind, was resting when Jace entered his lair. The great beast was certainly a great deal smaller than Bolas had been, but he was still a dragon and Jace entered warily. Before the Firemind could become aware of his presence, Jace cast a very small mind probe spell—enough to gain a bit of insight into the state of the dragon's mind, but not enough to be easily detected. Then he cleared his throat and addressed the Living Guildpact.

"Niv-Mizzet, might I have a word with you?"

The dragon opened one large serpentine eye and peered at Jace for a moment, before lifting his head. "Beleren," he said with a stretch. His great wings rose to their full span before he brought them back in to rest on his back. Then he sat with his clawed hands folded neatly before him. "What brings you here? I hope you're not here to get your old job back, because it's not currently available."

The dragon grinned, his many sharp teeth gleaming in the faint torchlight.

"No, definitely not," said Jace. "You can keep that one. I don't ever want it back, thanks."

"Wonderful," boomed the dragon. "Then to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Jace regarded the dragon briefly, as he considered his plan. He didn't think Niv-Mizzet was capable of reading minds—certainly not as well as Bolas could, and not even as well as Jace himself. He was taking a great risk, but it was important for him to know the dragon's mind.

"My…sources in Dominaria have given me reason to believe Liliana Vess is still alive."

The Firemind released a low growl and his massive eyes fell into slits. "That is not possible. She was eliminated years ago. I still have her Chain Veil artifact in my possession. As you confirmed, she would never have given it up if she was still alive. And did you not see for yourself, the proof of her demise?"

Jace straightened his back and swallowed. "I saw a body burning on a pyre and the minds of her servants, who believed without a doubt they had seen her killed. But recently, my sources have identified a woman bearing a striking resemblance to her living in the Caligo morass, and I have been led to believe what her servants saw may have been a clever illusion."

Niv-Mizzet made what Jace took to be a grimace. His mind was racing, but Jace was unable to pick up on anything other than anger and…fear?

"Have you investigated these reports for yourself?"

"N-no," said Jace. "I…wanted to speak with you first."

The dragon thought for a moment. Jace could feel his mind burning with rage, although outwardly the dragon appeared eerily calm. "I want you to go to Dominaria. Find out for sure if the woman in the swamp really is Liliana Vess."

Jace nodded and turned to leave, but then the Firemind's voice boomed again. "And if it is Vess, you are to destroy her on sight and report back to me."

Jace turned back to the Guildpact with a questioning gaze. "Shouldn't I at least speak to her first?"

"Why?" the dragon's voice rumbled. "If she has escaped punishment for her past crimes against Ravnica, then the ruling still stands. She must be eliminated."

"But…Tezzeret and the Phyrexians are a more imminent threat. Hasn't enough time passed? We'll need all the help we can get, and Liliana would be more useful to us alive than dead, considering what we're up against. We need to find out if there's a better approach."

"There is no better approach, Beleren. Vess must die. Justice must be served, one way or another. And if Kaya failed in her mission and was fooled somehow, I want you to be sure it gets done correctly this time."

Reading his mind left Jace with an uneasy feeling. He had never trusted Niv-Mizzet, but now he was certain the dragon could not be trusted. It wasn't a sense of justice that governed him in this case, but fear. He was afraid of Liliana—of her power. With the tiny probe, Jace could not get many details, but what he had was enough to know that Niv-Mizzet was afraid of what a powerful necromancer who is capable of killing demons and an elder dragon could do to him. The Firemind saw Liliana as a threat that needed to be eliminated, but it was not for Ravnica that he feared. Jace had gotten what he came for.

With a nod, he said, "I will find out if these rumors are true. If she is alive and living in Dominaria, I will destroy her and report back to you."

"Good," said the Firemind. "Oh, and Jace? One more thing. If it is her, when you kill her, I want you to bring me her head. Then I can be certain the job has truly been finished."

Jace swallowed and then forced himself to nod. Then he returned to his house, where Liliana waited anxiously in his quarters. She was pacing when he entered but stopped and gave him an imploring gaze. "Well?"

With a sigh, Jace admitted, "You were right. He still harbors a strong hatred for you and wants you dead. But it gets worse."

"Worse?"

"He fears you. Not because he sees you as a threat to Ravnica, but because he sees you as a threat to himself. A threat to his own growing power."

"I knew he couldn't be trusted. I told you."

"I know. And I agreed, even before I went to see him. He may not be as bad as Bolas was—he's certainly not as powerful and he's not a 'walker—but he's still dangerous. And he still has a vendetta against you. Even the mere possibility that you might still be alive had him fuming. I've never seen someone so capable of appearing indifferent while filled with rage. It was unnerving."

"Do you think he's working with Tezzeret?"

Jace shook his head. "No, he wanted Tezzeret dead, too."

"Not because of his sense of justice, I'm sure."

"Correct. He sees Tezzeret as a rival, as he sees you as a threat. I picked up on that very distinct difference."

"Any idea what he's planning?"

"Not a clue," said Jace. "That was all I could get. I couldn't risk probing deeper into his mind, or he might have realized what I was doing."

"He's not a 'walker," said Liliana. "So, at least, there's that…"

"But he's still dangerous. Especially to you. He wants me to go to Dominaria, to investigate these 'rumors'…and to kill you if it's true—Tezzeret and the Phyrexians be damned! That confirmed what I had long suspected—he doesn't give a damn about protecting Ravnica. He only cares about himself. He wants you dead and he wants your head as proof, this time."

"Well then, we'll go to Dominaria and we'll bring him a head. Use one of your illusions to make it appear to be mine, and he won't know the difference. It's an easy solution."

"I don't think he trusts me fully, though. I mean, he knows what I can do. He may find a way to uncover whether or not the head I bring is true. It would be easier for me to just say that I investigated the claims and they proved to be false."

"Either way, we need him to be convinced again that I'm dead. He cannot suspect I'm here, or anywhere else for that matter." She sighed heavily, and mumbled, "I knew it was a mistake to come here."

Jace slid his arms around her, and said, "Shh. Relax. He doesn't know you're here. You're safe with me."

"But you can't marry me, or he'll find out."

"Well, not publicly, no. But we can still be married in front of a few witnesses. That's all it takes."

"But are you sure that's a risk you're willing to take? If he finds out, he'll have us both killed."

He made eye-contact with her and then he was inside her mind.

My love, I have already seen life without you. I don't care for it. Loving you is worth the risk. I-.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked away. "No, Jace. Don't say you'll die for me. I can't bear another person dying for me."

"Then…let me live for you."

She stifled a laugh. "You did not just say that."

"I did, and I meant it."

"I love you, Cloak Boy."

"I love you, Fugitive of Ravnica."

"Nice one."She narrowed her eyes. "Don't ever call me that again."

He kissed her. Then he pulled away, and said, "Are you ready?"

A faint smile touched upon her lips, and Jace thought he saw the hint of a blush on her cheeks. Then she met his gaze, and said, "Let's go get this over with."

"You make it sound like something awful."

LILIANA

Teferi, Ajani, Nissa, Chandra, and Kaya sat around the long table where they held their tactical meetings and planning sessions. No one else was there, as Liliana had asked that it be only the five of them, besides her and Jace. When the pair of them entered, Teferi offered Liliana a reassuring smile and Ajani gave her a short nod of respect. Chandra smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Kaya's smile was more like something of a smirk. Nissa looked away, but at least she wasn't glaring.

Jace took his seat at the head of the table and Liliana stood at the opposite end. Everyone (except Nissa) stared at her, waiting for her to begin. She took a deep breath and raised her head in false confidence. Then she began:

"As you all know, when I first swore an oath as a member of the Gatewatch, I was not…entirely sincere. For over two centuries, I have led a life of dishonesty and self-indulgence of the worst kind. I have hurt those who are innocent. I have betrayed those who gave me their trust. I have…put the needs of myself before the needs of others more times than I can count. And for that I am truly sorry. I could recite a thousand excuses for my behavior, but none of it truly matters, because the fact is that I have always had a choice. And even if the right choice was not the one that I wanted, the choice was always there, and I blew it more often than not.

"But being with all of you…living with you, working with you, and getting know you better than I've known anyone else since the day my spark ignited…I have learned many valuable lessons. You have shown me a different way of being. A way of relating to people and…caring about them. Wanting what is best for them. Being willing to sacrifice what is best for me, for the sake of others. Gideon, especially, has shown me that lesson. And I have spent the past few years wondering why he saved me that day, when I was the last person who deserved what he gave.

"But because of him—because of his selflessness, I have finally learned what had evaded me for two centuries. And I am here now, asking you to forgive the unforgiveable. Asking you to accept me once again into your ranks, trusting one who has repeatedly broken your trust. I know I have a long way to go before you will trust me again. And I have no right to ask anything from you. But I come to you asking only to be given the chance to offer myself for the good of all the people and planes of the Multiverse."

She paused and let her eyes scan the room. Everyone was listening closely. Even Nissa had stopped looking away and was listening with uneasy curiosity. Jace gave her a nod, and then stood up, and said, "Thank you, Liliana, for your sincerity and openness." Then, raising his hand, he said, "All those who are willing to accept her back into the Gatewatch, raise your hands and say you accept."

Teferi was the first to raise his hand, calmly, and said, "I accept."

Chandra was quick to follow. "Of course, I accept!"

Then Kaya and Ajani came next, until only Nissa was left. Everyone looked at her and Liliana noticed her cheeks and the tip of her nose flush. Her eyes widened like a petrified doe. Finally, she met Liliana's gaze—coldly—and raised her hand. "I…accept."

A wave of relief passed over Liliana, as Jace looked to her, and said, "Then, Liliana, we accept your apology and offer once again for you to pledge your oath in service to the Multiverse. Will you accept our invitation to join the Gatewatch?"

Liliana took another deep breath. "I will." Then she held up her right hand, and said, "To honor Gideon's noble sacrifice, I will keep watch. To right the wrongs of myself and others…I will keep watch." She looked around to all the faces, and her eyes stung with tears. "To protect those I love, who have shown me a better way of being, I will keep watch. And if I must lay down my life in the service of this oath, I will gladly give all that I am to keep watch."

"Then Liliana Vess," said Jace, "we accept your oath. Welcome back."

A single tear slipped down Liliana's cheek before she could stifle it. She quickly wiped it away and smiled. "It's good to be back."

"Now," said Ajani, "what was that other thing you said you wanted us here for? Let's make it quick. I'm so hungry I could eat a hippopotamus."

"Oh, me too!" said Chandra, raising her hand in agreement.

"The two of you," said Teferi with a laugh. "All you ever think about is food."

"And cards," added Ajani, giving Teferi a wry look. "I still need to win the next round, so you can pay for my drink this time."

"All in good time, my friend."

"Easy for you to say," Ajani quipped.

While the others broke into conversation, Jace met Liliana's gaze. You ready for this next step?

She took a deep breath and slowly released it. You know, in more than two centuries, you're the only man I would even consider…

I know, his response came swiftly. So, we better get on with it, before you change your mind.

With a smile, she walked around the table to stand beside him, and then he took her hand. "All right, everyone, may I have another moment of your time? I promise this will be quick—I know you guys are getting hungry."

The others stopped all their chatter and turned to focus, likely wondering what Jace had up his sleeve. Liliana wondered how they were going to take it—I mean, they had only just accepted her back into the Gatewatch. And that, after only just recently finding out she was still alive. Would they accept that she and Jace were more to each other than just a pair of ex-lovers who happened to work together toward a common goal? Or would they think she had just dug her claws in him again and was using him to further some means to an end?

Determined to prove herself to them—and to herself—she straightened her back and waited for Jace to explain. They had agreed it was not going to be anything long and drawn out—just a brief declaration before a small circle of close friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

She felt Jace squeeze her hand.

Ugh, why am I trembling?

"You're all our closest friends," Jace began.

Liliana wondered if her corset was too tight. No, that's not why she was having difficulty breathing. Her stomach tightened and her heart was pounding behind her ears, so she could barely hear as Jace went on.

"While the level of detail you're aware of varies, you all know Lili and I have…a long and complicated history."

Chandra snorted. "That's an understatement."

"Thanks, Chandra," said Jace. He took a deep breath. "As I was saying, we've…known each other a long time and we…care about one another a great deal."

"Yeah, yeah," purred Ajani. "So, you want to tell us you're mated to each other now, yes?"

Liliana stifled a laugh as Jace's mouth hung open with the words he had not gotten to say. Then he cleared his throat, and said, "You…took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you, Ajani."

"Great, so can we go eat?" asked the leonin, flexing his muscular arms with a stretch.

"Ah…sure," said Jace. "Go. Eat. Return at the time upon which we agreed, to begin our first planning session."

Everyone jumped from their seats with varying degrees of haste. Before racing out the door, Chandra paused to give them both a hug, and said, "I'm glad that's out in the open now, so we don't have to pretend not to know anything! Also, congrats! Love you guys!" Then she rushed off and soon the room was emptied of everyone except Nissa and Teferi. Nissa had remained seated, unmoving as Teferi approached Jace and Liliana to shake their hands.

"Well, I for one, am happy for you both," he congratulated them. "I always knew there was something between you, even before the others filled me in with some of the details—Jace's mistrust and bitterness seemed to bear the resemblance of a repressed emotional attachment."

Liliana laughed aloud, while Jace seemed at a loss for words. She hooked her arm around his, and said, "There's a lot of that going on with this one."

"Wait a minute," said Jace, "I thought I was the mind-reader here?"

"Is that an admission of guilt?" Liliana teased.

"It's definitely a confession," Teferi answered with a wink.

"Ha, ha," said Jace. "Let's all have a laugh at my expense."

"I should think you'd be used to it by now, love."

Jace's expression took on his typical brooding manner. She laughed and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she turned, and said, "Thank you, Teferi. You have always struck me as a fair and reasonable man."

"Well," he answered with a bow of his head. "I'll leave you two now. I should eat something, at least, before the meeting."

He walked away and that's when Liliana noticed Nissa still sitting at the table. Staring with her arms crossed. At least she wasn't glaring, but this was not much better. Jace saw her, too, and he cleared his throat.

"Nissa, is there something I can do for you?"

She rose from her chair then and leaned her hands on the table. "I may have been mistaken about you, Jace. But I am not wrong about her." Now, she glared at Liliana as she continued addressing Jace. "You should not be so quick to forgive the past. Trust is not easily earned, and some people will do anything to help themselves."

With that, she walked away, leaving a cloud of tension in the air. Nissa was so convinced of her own ideas that, for a moment, Liliana even questioned her own motives. Was she just using Jace? No, that was ridiculous. She loved him and that was why she wanted this. But Nissa's distrust was understandable; such that Liliana began to wonder if she could even trust herself.

Jace immediately picked up on her concerns, though, and gently pulled her into his arms. "Stop it. You know that's nonsense."

"Hey," she protested, "I didn't give you permission to read my thoughts."

"You didn't have to—you left them out in the open this time," he said with a smirk. Then he kissed her cheek and took her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Come on. Let's go grab something to eat. This meeting could go on for hours and who knows when we'll get the next chance."