"Why are two figures on a broom approaching our hideout?!" Nessarose screeched. "I thought the note was supposed to trick them!" The Raven sighed.

"It did trick them," she explained. "Glinda and Elphaba are coming to rescue the Cubs. I've practically gift wrapped them for you."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" the witch of the east demanded.

"I wasn't sure you would approve," the Raven shrugged guiltily. "And being secretive is part of my nature."

"Elphaba is mine," Nessarose bargained.

"Then I will handle Glinda," the cloaked figure hissed, her voice thrilling with some kind of anticipation. "This foolishness ends tonight."

***

"I want to have Nessa to myself," Glinda told her friend as they landed on the roof of the manor house. "Get me alone with her and then leave."

"If you really want to risk that…"

"I do."

"Alright then," Elphaba sighed. "I want to face the Raven alone."

"What do you mean?"

"She's not the mysterious hero we've all pictured her as," the green witch explained. "My past has given me enough insight to figure that out. However her help has been useful and, whichever side she's working for, I can guarantee that Cat is around here somewhere."

***

Curyn slammed her shoulder against the door but it refused to budge. She jiggled the ancient looking doorknob. Nothing gave. She groaned and sagged against the wall. After giving herself a moment to wallow the strawberry blonde removed Selky's sword from its sheath and stabbed the blade into the lock. Using all her strength she twisted until the bolt was no more than a hunk of warped metal. Another shove and the door was open. Curyn took off down the dark hallway, unsure where to go. There were likely to be guards at the conventional entrances, but perhaps such an old manor house had a cellar where she could hide and collect her thoughts.

***

"I checked the cellar. Shay and Izo are safe down there for now," Elphaba whispered. The two witches were crouched outside the door of Nessarose's new study. "Go on in; I'll stand guard outside."

"Thank you for letting me do this Elphie!" the blonde breathed, capturing her friend in a hug. She pulled the door open and marched in, slamming it behind her.

"Hello Fabala." Nessarose appeared from behind one of the elegant curtains lining the hallway.

"Oh Shiz," the green girl cursed, realizing that they'd been tricked. She turned to yank open the study door but it was locked. The witch prepared to blow it open.

"Leaving so soon?" the brunette wondered. "Don't you want to see your daughter?" Elphaba stiffened and turned, though she wasn't sure if the motion was voluntary or subconscious.

"Selky's dead."

"Are you sure?" Nessarose queried, examining her nails. "After all, you didn't find a body."

"She landed in an area full of brush and large rocks. We didn't have much time to spare searching, what with your invasion of Munchkin Land."

"What a shame," the brunette sighed. "Because I conducted my own search, and I found her."

"You're lying," Elphaba sighed, though she could feel her defenses weakening. Could it be true? Was she alive? But no, she couldn't dare to hope. Hoping was dangerous.

What if I'm not? Nessa's voice echoed through her tormented thoughts. What if she's right behind this curtain waiting for you?

No, the green witch reminded herself. She's not behind the curtain, she's not behind the curtain, Selky is dead, Selky is dead, SELKY IS DEAD. "Really?"

Yes, Nessa assured her. I've been holding her hostage. She's right here. The brunette placed her hand on a fold of decorative velvet fabric, ready to pull it back. Elphaba's heart soared with foolish hope. The witch of the east yanked away the cloth to reveal…nothing. Pain exploded in the green girl's chest. Of course there was nothing. In that moment of agonizing weakness Nessarose dug deep into her sister's mind. Do you want to know what my men really found?

"No," Elphaba cried. "No I don't."

They found her impaled on a sharp piece of rock, her heart sliced open. The brunette shoved a gory image into her sister's mind.

No, no, no, no, no. Elphaba dropped to her knees and clamped hands over her ears in an effort to block out the words. Her eyes burned with fierce anguish. Nessarose pulled memories of Selky from her sister's mind and twisted them. You're not my mother and you never will be! Just stop trying! You horrible, murderous inhuman frog! I don't care if you kill me; I just want you to die! You're just dying for an excuse to murder me. That's what you are; a murderer…The memories trailed into horrible visions conjured by the witch of the east. You killed me, you let me die! Elphaba watched in horror as Selky plunged over the rim of the cliff before her eyes once again. Help me please. Help me! Nessarose cackled as her sister's heart was torn to pieces.

***

"Hello Glinda." The blonde jumped when she was faced with the Raven instead of Nessarose.

"Wh…what are you doing here?"

"I'm making sure that Nessa's orders are fulfilled." She fingered an elegant throwing knife.

"Elphie suspected your motives weren't totally pure," Glinda gasped. "But she never thought you'd be working for her enemy."

"Elphaba's not as strong as you think," the Raven scoffed, though her voice sounded oddly strained.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that she's not strong enough to save you, or herself."

"You would kill an unborn baby?" Glinda's lips trembled.

"I will kill whoever I need to." The Raven's tone wasn't as harsh as before, and it shook with uncertainty.

"Please," the blonde begged. "Please don't." At that moment she felt something clench within her. A little coil of pain wrapped itself around her heart and squeezed. She knew with every fiber of her being that Elphaba was in serious pain at that very moment. Without really thinking she ran to the door and tried to yank it open, only to find the bolt locked tightly.

"I don't appreciate you turning your back on me," the Raven droned and Glinda turned to face her. The cloaked figure raised a knife.

Don't you just love cliffies?

MUHUAHAHAHA!