Author's note: I was asked about the 'question that would have caused everything to fall apart'. I thought about it, and decided that I could as well tell you it. So please, read the author's note in the end :)

After proper introductions, Amer had a chance to explain some other things, like the explosion in the office: planned. The reason Faragonda didn't show up to the fight when the soldiers attacked: she was talking with Amer, going through their plan. And even the photo that was stuck to the staff room's wall: he took it to avoid the tiniest possibility of Faragonda's death looking like a suicide.

The girls' suspicion started to wear off when they realized Amer knew things he couldn't just make up. Even though Bloom was still somewhat reluctant to shake Amer's hand. Noticing that, Flora gave her a pointed look.

"I'll introduce you as my cousins, for your information. That way you have a secure stay here until you figure out what you exactly want to do," Amer told them, faint hint of amusement in his voice. The girls were powerful and brave, but as they had admitted, they didn't exactly know what they were going to do.

"But first," Amer started preparing a spell, "I must tell her."

Musa raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Amer noticed his slip of the tongue and tried his best to sound casual. "No one. I'll be back in a minute, don't wander off." He then disappeared in black flames.

Bloom snorted angrily and threw her hands in the air. "'No one', yeah right. I bet that he's going to report about us to that Mortuus or something!"

"Bloom, don't be so distrustful." Flora held the redhead from the shoulders and looked at her sternly. "In a place like this, in a situation like this, we can't suspect our only ally."

Bloom sighed. "Right. He's an ally. Got it." She could be nice just because of Flora. But she couldn't trust him completely. After what happened with the Wizards of the Black Circle... She had started to be more careful.

Tecna briefly looked into the other corridor. "I still don't think it was smart to leave us here. What if someone—?" She paused when she heard footsteps coming from distance.

"Damn it!"

"Everyone, hide!"

"No, no, we're Amer's cousins, remember? Just. Act. Natural."

After few deep, calming breaths, the group fell silent, standing there as if it was a mall they were at and not a mountain. The steps got closer with light and swift clicking, and then they finally saw who it was.

A woman in a robe like theirs, with blond hair peeking from under the hood and blue eyes filled with determination. Suddenly those were wide, staring at the group of girls in shock. The woman blinked rapidly and spun around whilst tugging her hood to cover her face better. She ran to the direction she had come from.

"Wait!" Bloom didn't stop to hesitate before sprinting after her. "Why are you escaping?"

Stella groaned. "Here we go again." Nonetheless, rest of the Winx followed the redhead, being just as curious and confused.

The group hardly managed to keep up with the woman in all those similar corridors, which had absolutely no doors, windows or anything that helped to tell then apart from caves. They were ready to give up, but luck was on their side. The woman ran into a dead end.

Bloom stepped up, though kept a safe distance. After all, they had seen female soldiers, who certainly shouldn't be underestimated. "Who are you?"

The woman didn't answer. Her back was already facing them, yet she still pulled her hood and buried her face in her hands.

Bloom reached out her hand and began slowly approaching her. Before the hand could touch the woman's shoulder, they heard shouting.

"There you are! I feared the worst when you weren't in the same corridor!" Amer dashed to them, stopping dead on his tracks when he noted the woman. "Oh, and... You're here too."

"You know her?" Stella tilted her head.

Amer forced a grin on his face. "Of course I do! My dearest, I was looking for you too." He made his way to the woman and put his arm around her tense shoulders.

"Who is she?" Bloom demanded.

He glanced over his shoulder. "Girls, this is my wife, Valerie." He lowered his head to her level. "Dear, these are the Winx, you know them, right? They came to help us. We just need to pretend they're my cousins. Okay?"

Valerie relaxed a bit and nodded silently.

Amer smiled, squeezing her arm in a comforting manner. "Please, excuse her. She's a bit shy," he told the girls.

Bloom studied the now whispering couple with narrow eyes. She felt someone tug her arm lightly.

"I know what you're thinking," Layla whispered. "I don't still understand why she ran. But she's his wife. I think we can trust her."

Bloom caught a glimpse of the two farther away and let out a soft sigh. "Yeah." She thought about apologizing of her overly suspicious behavior, but Layla flashed her a smile that indicated the redhead was already forgiven.

Amer turned to face the girls, his arm still around his wife. "Everything's settled now. We only have to—"

Black magic flashed between the couple and the fairies, causing some of them to back away. A man, who looked somewhat older than Amer, swept his shirt and turned to the couple, his long black hair swinging.

"Brother," he greeted with a smirk. "Valerie." He bowed slightly.

"Aegon," Amer stated dryly. "What are you doing here?"

"Delivering a message. Montgomery wants to see you and Valerie." Aegon glanced at the group of girls with a hint of amusement. "And our 'cousins'."

Saying Amer was shocked was an understatement, but he kept his voice stable. "Good. I was just about to go meet him." He threw his brother a glare as he passed him. "Let's go, girls."

Bloom could sense the uneasiness in the air and when she saw Aegon shaking his head with a smirk, she bit back her teeth in worry. This wasn't going to end well.

A/N: As for the question: Imagine some of the girls asking, "How did Faragonda help you?". I think I'll leave you to think about that one until next week :)