Hello, lovely readers, I'm back with an update! As always, thank you so much for your awesome comments. I'm so thrilled you're still on this journey with me. This is a pivotal chapter, so let's get to it!

Chapter 24: The Fall

A tremor coursed through Felicity as she entered the dungeon. She hadn't been down there since Tommy's imprisonment and her attack at the hands of Al Torr. As if he could sense her unease, Al Sah-him squeezed her hand. At least she wasn't alone this time. Tommy also trailed behind them, seeming just as on edge.

Whatever discomfort Felicity felt, she'd suck it up if it meant seeing Sara. A couple of days had passed since her friend and bodyguard had been imprisoned. Felicity would've visited sooner, but she and Al Sah-him had their own troubles to deal with after the termination of the alliance. It didn't take long for the news to spread throughout the League about H.I.V.E.'s demise or her pregnancy. She was still trying to wrap her head around the latter herself. She hated to admit it, but Al Sah-him had been right. Saying she was with child, carrying the future Heir to the Demon, kept a kind of reverence in place that would've otherwise been gone along with the alliance.

Wherever Felicity went, a pair of curious eyes always followed. For just one day she wished she could disappear into the shadows with no one the wiser—though it still wasn't as bad as Sara's punishment. She'd not only been stuck in the dirty, creepy dungeons for days on end but she'd also suffered a few rounds of lashings for her disobedience. Nyssa was furious when she'd been barred from interfering. Felicity couldn't imagine listening to the person she loved undergoing torture behind closed doors and being unable to stop it. She felt sick thinking about what condition Sara might be in now.

Silently, Al Sah-him led them down the corridor. He stopped in front of a closed cell with a guard on each side. He issued orders dismissing them for the time being, then moved to open the outer door. The chains clinked and screeched as it ascended. In the shadowed cell, Sara lay completely silent and face down.

"If you think another round of lashes will get anything out of me, you can go to hell," she muttered without sparing them a look.

"Sara," Felicity said, her voice cracking.

Her friend's head whipped around. "Felicity." She sat up quickly and winced.

Felicity sucked in a breath when Sara's back came into the light. There was dried blood on the back of Sara's torn shirt. "Nyssa told me what they did but I never—" She couldn't finish, overcome with sadness and regret for her friend.

"Those bastards," Tommy mumbled under his breath.

"Has a physician been down to see you?" Al Sah-him questioned.

Sara, slowly but surely, made her way over to the bars. "Not yet. I've washed the wounds as best I could with the little water they've given me."

"Someone will be down to see you within the hour." A muscle in Al Sah-him's jaw ticked. "I'm so sorry, Sara. I tried to plead your case and get Ra's to change his mind."

"I appreciate the effort."

"This is all my fault," Felicity lamented. "It should be me in there and not you."

"Don't even think that."

"I was the one who devised the plan to take down Armitage. And now you're being punished because they think you're an accomplice."

"You were doing me a favor. I'm the one who owes you."

"But I wanted to take down my father, too. Somehow Al Hassoub got into my system and saw that message I sent to Dig. I should've known my encryption had been breached. If I'd been more careful, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Hey, I've been through much worse than this," Sara said, holding her gaze. "The real torture is knowing the man who murdered my family is still out there. I'm glad he's finally been exposed, and I'll make sure he gets his the minute I'm out of here. I have no regrets, and neither should you." She reached through the bars to pat Felicity's hand. "Have you been able to figure out how the security was breached?"

"No. I'm banned from using any kind of technology. I'm not even allowed in the same corridor as the war room." Felicity heaved a frustrated sigh. "I could have cleared up this whole mess if Ra's let me on the computer."

"Unless he doesn't want it resolved," Tommy spoke up. "With the alliance gone, you no longer serve a purpose—no offense. Ra's wanted to annul your marriage because he probably wants his evil spawn to marry Al Sah-him now and carry on his legacy."

"Like hell that will happen," Al Sah-him grumbled, clutching Felicity a little tighter.

"Not really an option anymore, though, if Felicity is pregnant," Sara said with an inquiring look.

"Al Sah-him only said that to buy us time and keep me out of a cell." Felicity stared at her friend in curiosity. "Did you actually think it was true?"

"Considering all the sex you guys have, I thought it was definitely possible," she joked.

"Sara!" Felicity's cheeks reddened. Tommy snorted next to her while her husband just smirked. She smacked him on the shoulder. "Don't look so pleased with yourself."

Al Sah-him rested his hand against her lower back. Much to Felicity's chagrin, she felt tingles radiate up her spine. There was no controlling the way her body reacted to him, and he knew it. His smirk mostly disappeared except for the little quirk at the corner of his mouth—the smug, handsome jerk.

Returning to the matter at hand, Al Sah-him said, "I've been taking Felicity with me while I conduct League business. I thought it best that the League and Ra's see that Felicity and I are still united despite whatever happened to the alliance."

"Smart idea," Sara agreed.

In spite of the strained circumstances, Felicity enjoyed being more included in her husband's duties as Warith al Ghul. She didn't think she could take being locked in their room another whole day. She finally got to see firsthand how he interacted with other League members and conducted his affairs. Al Sah-him had a strong presence but was fair in his decisions. Felicity had no doubt that he would be a great ruler someday—assuming they decided to stay in the League. Right now, she wasn't exactly sold on it considering that she was in trouble yet again because of a set of archaic rules set by one stubborn, evil man.

Throughout the day, Al Sah-him also doted on her like a protective and eager father-to-be. It was unnerving to randomly feel his hand on her stomach, but she realized they both had a part to play. In addition to accompanying Al Sah-him around the compound, Felicity got to go outside in the evening. They took sunset strolls together when the day cooled. Such a privilege, no matter how small, was welcomed. The fresh air and change of scenery gave her some reprieve from the dangers lurking in the compound.

"What's up with Merlyn?" Sara questioned. "Nyssa told me nobody is allowed to see him. He's not even down in these dungeons."

Tommy stiffened next to Felicity.

Al Sah-him spared him a concerned glance before answering, "He's in a special holding area. Ra's is handling his interrogation as he decides his punishment."

"Where is Nyssa?" Felicity asked, trying to change the subject. They all knew that Ra's idea of an interrogation was nothing more than torture. He wanted Merlyn to suffer before he ended his miserable life. The Demon's Head had a sadistic view of justice. The lashes on Sara's back were further proof. "I thought she was staying down here with you."

"If I know her, and I do, she's probably in the throne room arguing with Ra's for the hundredth time over my release."

Al Sah-him turned to face the guards before Felicity even heard their approaching footsteps; his acute senses were uncanny. "We're not done here," he told them, annoyance coloring his tone.

"Warith al Ghul, forgive the intrusion, but Ra's would like you to join him and his council for dinner."

"Tell him we'll be there shortly."

"He wants only you," the guard specified.

Al Sah-him looked to Felicity, and she saw that he was about to put up a fight. Not wanting to cause further tension, she said, "It's all right. I'm tired anyway. I think I'll retire early." She turned back to Sara and quietly said, "Hang in there, okay? We're going to get you out of here as soon as possible."

The blonde nodded back. "You be careful." She looked between her and Tommy. "The both of you."

Felicity was honestly relieved not to attend the dinner. Watching as the gate closed over her friend's cell, sealing her in, wound her stomach in knots.

With her hands covering her eyes, Felicity loudly counted to ten before declaring, "Ready or not, here I come."

She heard a soft giggle from near the balcony and smiled. Every time it was Amina's turn to hide, the six-year-old couldn't help giving herself away. Felicity couldn't remember the last time she'd played hide-and-seek. Then again, could running away from her father for most of her life, only to be found and dragged back to H.I.V.E., be considered the same game? If it did, then her record of winning certainly didn't bode well.

Nevertheless, Felicity gratefully accepted the distraction and the company. Amina had accompanied her mother when she'd brought Felicity's dinner up and begged to stay. Felicity assured Sahar it was fine. She'd much rather spend time with little bubbly Amina than Ra's and his pompous advisors. The girl had such an innocent and untroubled view of the world. It felt nice to pretend for a while that finding a good hiding spot was their greatest challenge.

Felicity walked around the room with exaggerated steps. She made a show of looking under the bed and in her wardrobe before walking toward the curtains near the balcony doors, which were closed. Felicity worried about Amina playing out on the balcony, since she was so small. She wasn't entirely sure Amina's small form couldn't slip between the railings.

"I think I'm getting warmer," she announced.

The curtain swayed with a muffled giggle.

Felicity waited a few seconds and then pulled back the curtain. "I found you!"

Amina squealed. "You're good at this game."

"You're better."

"It's your turn to hide, Abad-eshams."

"How about we take a break and have some dinner?" Felicity suggested.

"I don't have a plate."

"We can share mine." Felicity guided Amina over to the couch and got her settled before grabbing the tray of food.

"But Momma said the food is for you and the baby."

Felicity froze for a second, taken aback at the mention of her "condition." She hated lying, especially to Sahar and Amina. She hoped the current mess she and Al Sah-him found themselves in got cleared up soon. She didn't know how much longer she could keep up the charade, especially since the midwife kept hounding her about an examination. Felicity had said she'd already been checked out in Starling City, but the woman persisted. Felicity had a feeling Ra's put her up to it.

"There is plenty here for all of us," Felicity reassured.

"Are you having a boy or a girl?" Amina asked.

"I don't know yet. It's too early to tell."

"Which one do you want?" she continued. Children asked entirely too many questions.

"All that matters is the baby is healthy," Felicity patiently answered. "Although, a little girl just like you would be nice, too." She tapped Amina's nose affectionately.

A beaming smile lit up her face. Felicity smiled, too, finding that she meant what she said.

After tucking an extra napkin inside the neckline of Amina's dress—she tended to be a messy eater—Felicity divvied up the food.

"Your mom is such a good cook," the blonde said after swallowing the first bite. As much as she missed Big Belly Burger, Sahar's cooking was filled with wondrous exotic flavors.

As they ate, Amina prattled on about a new friend she'd made. It was imaginary, of course, but that didn't quell her excitement. Felicity was just about to ask this new invisible friend's name when a funny feeling overtook her. Her heart oddly felt like it was beating faster, and her head spun from a wave of dizziness. What was wrong with her?

She looked to Amina, who seemed perfectly fine as she took another bite of food and chatted on.

Felicity dropped the fork and placed a hand on her throat. It felt constricted as she tried to take a calming breath. Oh God, she thought in panic, finally realizing what was happening. The last time she felt like this, she was in college and had unknowingly eaten a brownie with nuts in it. She needed her EpiPen. Now.

Fighting another wave of vertigo, Felicity quickly stood and rushed to her nightstand. She kept her stash of EpiPens in there. The entire drawer came flying out and almost crashed to the ground as she frantically looked inside.

"Abad-eshams, are you okay?" Amina questioned, finally noticing that something was wrong.

Felicity could barely breathe, let alone speak to answer her. She would've cursed if she could upon finding them all missing. She'd made sure to stock up on extras while in Starling City, just in case, and now they were gone. It couldn't be a coincidence.

Amina stood, her delicate face scrunched in worry. "What's wrong?"

Everything was wrong, Felicity wanted to say. She wished Al Sah-him was here. He'd know what to do. Wheezing, Felicity ran to the door. She tried to open it but found it locked from the other side. She yanked as hard as she could despite her body rioting against her. She banged her fists, but no one answered. Where were her guards?

Her panic transformed into full on fear. She was going into anaphylactic shock, and there was no one to help her.

"Abad-eshams!" Amina cried when Felicity fell to the floor.

Felicity's throat closed even tighter. She was going to pass out, and then she was going to die. Think, Felicity, think!

She curled into herself and felt something digging into her stomach. The vial of Pit water! If it could heal mortal wounds, then surely it could counteract an allergic reaction. With one last burst of determination, she forced her hand into her dress pocket and grabbed hold of the vial.

What if her throat was fully closed now, and the Pit water couldn't be ingested? Would pouring it in her mouth be enough? Would it recognize the reaction as a threat and not just a natural state brought on by her own body's defenses? She had to try.

"Abad-eshams," Amina crouched next to her. "Tell me what is wrong! I'll get Momma!"

Felicity poured the liquid from the vial into her mouth and threw her head back. With her eyes closed, she prayed that it worked. She prayed for healing. She prayed that she'd be able to see her husband again. She prayed that Amina, who was so good and pure and innocent, wouldn't have to witness her untimely death.

"Open your eyes, Abad-eshams!" the little girl cried, tugging on her dress. "Open your eyes!"

What must've been mere seconds felt like long, terrifying minutes.

Then, a prickling sensation started in her mouth. Felicity felt the slightest twitch of her throat muscles, and a small stream of water slid further down. Her throat muscles widened again at the contact, and she let more of the liquid trickle back. The water warmed as she managed to swallow. Felicity gasped for breath as, slowly but surely, her throat reopened and her heartbeat returned to normal. Though the nausea remained, she focused on her breathing and sucked in as much air as she could through her coughing fit.

Amina held Felicity's face in her tiny, shaking hands. "Abad-eshams, you're awake!" She helped Felicity sit up. "Are you better now?"

"I'm okay," Felicity croaked, hugging her. The hug was as much for Felicity as it was for Amina. Although her body still felt off, the worst seemed to be over for now.

Sniffling, the little girl replied, "I'll go get Momma. She'll make it better."

"The door is locked." Why couldn't their bedroom have a secret door? That would've come in handy. Felicity made a mental note to immediately suggest it to Al Sah-him.

She was barely on her feet when a soft, ominous thud sounded from the balcony.

"What was that?" Amina asked, clinging to Felicity.

The doors shuddered on their hinges. Someone was trying to get in.

Thinking quick, Felicity pulled Amina toward the wardrobe and threw open the doors. "Amina, you have to get inside and stay quiet. I mean it. Not a peep."

"Why?" She started crying again.

"Someone very bad is after me. I don't want them to find you," she forced out in a scratchy voice. "You hide in here until Al Sah-him comes back, okay? You stay in here no matter what you hear. Do you understand?"

"I don't want the bad person to hurt you again. I want to help."

"You can help me by telling Al Sah-him what happened when he comes. He will save me. Promise me you'll stay put. Your momma needs you to be safe, too."

At the mention of her mother, something clicked for Amina. She nodded and said, "I promise."

Felicity lifted her inside and pushed her to the very back before shifting the pile of dresses to cover her. She closed the doors and ran to grab a fire poker. Too bad she never recovered her dagger from Al Torr; she could've used it right about now.

A moment later, the balcony doors burst open to reveal a hooded, masked assassin. Felicity was surprised by the person's size—or lack thereof. They were pretty close in height.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded, holding the poker like a baseball bat.

"I knew you wouldn't be dead," replied the muffled voice. "Cockroaches are so hard to kill." It sounded higher than Felicity expected. Definitely female.

"Are you the one who sabotaged my food?"

"If you want something done right, then you have to do it yourself." Although the woman's face was covered, her sharp, predatory eyes gleamed with blood-thirsty venom.

"If you hurt me, my husband will hunt you down and kill you," she warned, circling around the fire pit. The assassin mirrored her movements. "There will be no mercy."

"Shaytana, I am freeing him of you and the impure spawn you carry. Your time is finally at an end." Then she lunged.

Felicity swung the fire poker in defense but missed, no match for the assassin's speed. The force of impact caused them both to fall backward into the vanity. It broke in half, with the masked woman on top of Felicity. In her weakened state, Felicity attempted to execute the self-defense maneuvers Sara had been teaching her. She got in a few good hits and scrambled away, but found herself lacking the assassin's skill. With each bruising blow, Felicity became aware that the assassin was toying with her. The woman did not want it to be a quick death.

Felicity grabbed anything she could to toss at her attacker. The woman deftly dodged each item—her moves far more graceful and precise than Al Torr's had been. Already Felicity could tell that she'd received top-notch training. The woman, never looking away, slowly drew a dagger from her boot. Its jewel-encrusted hilt caught Felicity's attention. The stones sparkled in the light, surrounding an engraved M. In a last attempt to slow her pursuit, Felicity grabbed the full-length mirror and held it like a shield. The woman drew closer, her measured steps forcing Felicity back. The blonde, bruised and dripping with blood from various cuts, realized she was being herded backward toward the balcony.

"I told you before you were not the first ahhba to get in my way, but you would be the last," the woman declared. "You should have listened."

"Talia," Felicity uttered in realization.

Talia's hate-filled voice mixed with the dark, frenzied look in her eyes sent a disturbing chill up Felicity's spine. She was completely trapped and, unlike Al Torr, Talia did not intend to let her live for much longer. This wasn't another abduction; it was an assassination.

Talia let out what sounded like a war cry, raised the dagger, and launched herself at Felicity. The blonde clung to the mirror and swung it at her. Talia didn't even bother to swat it away. She punched right through it, whipping it aside with her arm and drove the other forward. Felicity cried out at the searing pain. Not quite believing what had happened, she looked down to see the dagger lodged in her abdomen. Blood pooled around the dagger, staining her yellow dress.

The young brunette ripped off her hood and mask, staring at Felicity in triumph. With a smirk, she twisted the knife. Felicity sobbed, taken aback by the inhuman sound that tore from her throat as her body began to falter. She was cold. So very cold. She felt nothing but the blade until her back hit something hard. She was at the edge of the balcony.

Felicity's agony was more than just physical. It felt like her very soul was draining out of her along with the blood. This was it. This was her end. Talia and Ra's had won. Her life was over.

Oliver, Felicity thought, her heart breaking. She couldn't leave him. Not like this. And yet, she had absolutely no choice in the matter.

"You won't get away with this." Her words ended in a gurgle. She tasted blood.

"I already have once." Talia's lips turned up in a sinister smile. "Say hi to Shado for me."

And with that, the ground beneath her disappeared completely. Felicity was cast off into the night, surrounded by darkness with nothing and no one to catch her fall. Down, down, down she went with one thought in her mind and one feeling in her heart: Oliver, I love you…Oliver, I love you…Oliver, I love you…Oliver, I—

Translations:

shaytana = female devil

ahhba = whore (street)

A/N: Okay, so I can imagine this chapter is quite a shock. Before you come after me with pitch forks, keep in mind I've always got something up my sleeve. Next chapter is told from Al Sah-him/Oliver's POV, which I'm super excited to write. Let me know your thoughts (I'm guessing you'll have a lot of them)!