Elphaba led them to the lower gates, but Gadsden grabbed her shoulder. "What are you doing? The city's closed at night. We'll have to wait for morning."

She shook him off. A sharp knock brought a scowling keeper to the window. She tugged up her hood and slipped a coin into the keeper's palm. "We were never here."

He eyed the coin and grunted. He disappeared. The gate swung open. Gadsden flashed her a look, but said nothing.

"We should dismount," Avaric said, following his own advice. "Blend in better."

He took the horses out of sight, and Elphaba turned to the others. "We can collect the rest of our group. I think Viir was especially skilled at getting into the Palace."

Mira scoffed. "Right, because we're idiots. They certainly won't help you overpower us."

"Anyone tell you that you're terribly distrusting?"

"Sue me." She snapped her hands to her hips. "At least I didn't 'accidently' join the wrong cause."

Elphaba narrowed her eyes, but Avaric caught her arm. "Focus on the Wizard. He's the only one that needs to die tonight."

"For now."

They traced through the streets in silence. The palace loomed over the whole city, but its flowers and bright entrance were only for the yellow brick road. Here, its thick walls butted against tiny inns, overcrowded saloons and nondescript houses of ill repute.

Mira led them around one to the back.

"Should be…here." A small gate, oiled but meager, tucked behind a column. For the grounds staff, maybe? She bent to the lock, but Elphaba reached it first.

"Let me. I'm good with locks." She picked it with a little more flash than necessary. To prove their usefulness, of course. Not at all to see that snide little smile drip off the girl's face.

But Mira pushed forward with a key. "Move."

She forced a deep breath. "What's the plan?"

"I thought this was your show."

"If so, we'd have the others with us."

"Right. And you'd have our throat's cut."

Avaric slipped behind her. "Any chance you girls can stop gabbing? Just, you know, until we aren't caught and executed?"

"Bite me."

He winked, and she shoved him hard.

Gadsden took the lead. "We'd better split up. Meet in the west hall lobby. If you find the Wizard, wait for the others. We only get one shot at this."

Elphaba took a step toward Avaric, but Mira latched onto her arm. "Oh, no. You're not leaving my sight." She shook her off.

"If you can keep up."

Her partner frowned. "So long as you both make it back to the lobby."

"I can't control what she does."

"Mira," Gadsden warned, and she held up a palm.

"I'll try not to kill her. That's my best offer."

Avaric swallowed a smile. "No offense, but I think you'd find killing her a lot harder than it sounds."

The boys turned west and disappeared around the corner. Their path wound east between the gardens and the green stone walls. Elphaba skated a hand along the marble, and felt a recess.

"Hey. Door."

Mira toed closer, eying the grounds. But no guards appeared. Honestly, for the seat of power in Oz, the castle seemed woefully unguarded.

"Got another key handy?"

"You're the one who works here."

Elphaba pressed her lips tightly together and twisted the pin in the lock. "Are you always this insufferable?"

"No, you're special."

"Lucky me." She swung the door open. "Any chance you can-"

"Who are you?"

She jerked back, away from the guards propped against the frame. Idiot. She was an idiot. But who puts guards on the inside?

"Where did you come from? And how did you get in this door?"

She eyed them, her fingers twitching toward the dagger hidden by her thigh. She could run, but Mira probably wouldn't make it. As tempting as it was to leave her, Elphaba strode forward.

"We're here for the Wizard. Move."

The look on Mira's face was priceless.

The guard smirked. "And you think you'll just waltz right in to invite him to tea?"

She let them share their chuckle, and then shoved up her sleeve.

"Kansas Sky?"

She fought a wave of revulsion. "I think I will waltz right in. And you'll get out of my way, if you don't want to guard some shack in the Great Waste."

"How do I know it's genuine?" She drew herself to her full height with her most intimidating stare. The man quailed. "It's just…I mean, there were these imposters yesterday that Falcon had to deal with."

"Falcon is here? In the castle?"

He leaned back at her expression. "Y-yes. You know Falcon?"

She narrowed her eyes. "You certainly know a lot about this. Are you cleared for that?" He paled.

"I'm sorry, miss. I mean, sir. I mean, I didn't think-"

"How can you, without a brain?" He stuttered, and she rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. "Shut up, kitten. Tell me where the Wizard is, and get out of the way."

"But…" He swallowed hard. "Apologies. We have to take you ourselves."

"So you want to explain to the Wizard why he doesn't have Calypso?" She waved a hand for him to lead, and he shrunk toward the others. "Then stay here, and try to do your job. Better than this."

He stammered an apology, and they strode past. Her lips pressed tight. She should go. She shouldn't ask.

But she turned back. "The imposters?" Gau and Vir, no doubt.

"Taken care of, sir. Falcon saw to it himself."

"So they're dead?"

The guard frowned. He took a second, more considering look, and she arched an eyebrow. "Yes, sir."

Even expecting it, the news was still a punch to the gut. She nodded, not trusting her voice to lie. "Where is the Wizard?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now, you imbecile."

"I've been here, sir, so-"

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Where would you expect?"

"I don't know."

She slammed a hand to his throat, and the other guards puffed to attention. But they didn't move. She leaned close. "As much of my time as you've wasted, the next words from your lips had better be a room, or so help me, you'll regret it."

"Private suite. Or maybe his office. Sometimes he works late after a long trip."

She flung him back and stalked in what she hoped made a believable path toward one of those. No chance she could ask where. She'd already pushed her credibility farther than she dared.

Mira waited until they turned the corner to glare at her. "That was stupid."

Elphaba felt a headache coming on.

"If you're trying to sabotage us, you'd better find something more believable than that."

She whirled on the girl. "My entire unit was murdered. Because of us. Because he knew we'd turn them on him. So I don't care what you think. Don't like me. Don't trust me. Whatever. But stop whining, and let me work."

Mira glowered at her. "That's a nice speech."

Elphaba stormed off, fists clenched. Mira raced her down the dimmed hallways. Not the most conducive to searching, but this floor most likely held public rooms and parlors anyway.

"It's this way," Mira snapped.

"How would you know?"

"West lobby? Not hard to reason."

She paused at the stairs. The Wizard would be up there. If Mira went to meet the others, she could rid herself of the nuisance and kill the Wizard that much faster.

"Save it." Mira circled in front. "I don't care what pretty lie you're ready with. We're meeting the others. Even if I have to drag you by the hair."

"I don't have time for this." She scrubbed a hand over her face. "Go. Meet the others. Bring them."

"You're not leaving my sight."

"I'm going upstairs. Do what you want."

Mira blocked her path, elbows out and spoiling for a fight. "You're not."

"If I were going to betray you, I would have already."

Mira didn't move.

"Fine," Elphaba seethed. "Let's go." She wanted trust, she'd have to show it. As much as she wanted to kick the other girl's teeth in. They found the boys in the lobby already.

"Come on. We found the Wizard."

"Seriously?"

"Chambers or office, according to the guards."

Gadsden's forehead crumpled, but Avaric barked a laugh. "Let me guess, you just asked them?"

"She did." Mira's mouth crumpled into condescension. "Nearly got us captured."

Gadsden shook his head. "Damn. The balls on her." Avaric sent him a commiserating look, and she stabbed an elbow at his ribs.

"Yes, yes. Now that we're all caught up, can we get moving?"

Gadsden led them toward the stairs. "I vote office. I'd rather not see the Wizard naked."

Mira tugged him close. "I keep telling you, not everyone sleeps naked."

"But shouldn't they?" He winked, and a foreign smile crossed her face. It almost made her seem human. "Office is upstairs."

She let the others get ahead, and leaned in to Avaric. "Zephyr's here."

"Here?"

"He killed the others. Viir, and Gau. Luq, too, now that I think about it."

"Lurline." He took her hand. "You okay?"

She eyed the horizon rather than risk meeting his gaze. "Better once I kill him."

"I may have to fight you for that."

They made it to the second floor, but Gadsden continued on. "Got schematics stashed in his back pocket?"

"Actually…" She looked over in surprise, and he shrugged. "Well, not in his pocket, but they'd been working on a strike."

Mira peeked around the curve of the stairs to make sure they followed, and Elphaba tossed back a chipper wave. Avaric fell into her shoulder with a snort.

"Stop it. You're ruining my stealth."

"Be happy to eliminate that problem." That woman would be the death of her.

"Only if you promise to fight in a mud pit. With no clothes. Ooh, I could sell tickets. It'd make a great fundraiser for the Resistance."

She slapped his arm.

"I'm telling you." They froze, halfway to the third floor. Footsteps accompanied the hushed voices. "She was green as sin."

Gadsden toed down the stairs toward the platform they'd passed.

"Yeah, well, you're the one telling him you let her in."

Where to hide?

The next flight of stairs was too long. Every door they checked was all locked. Where was a roomy storage closet when you needed one?

"She's a witch. Read my mind or something, with all she knew."

Mira and Gadsden flattened themselves in an alcove drenched in shadows.

"Whatever. You'd better hope we find her."

Steps came from the other end, now, too. She ducked behind a plant. Avaric flung up a hand, and she shrugged. Green skin had its advantages, though very few of them.

Or maybe he was upset he couldn't kiss his way out of this.

He wedged between cabinets full of trophies the Wizard had awarded himself. Her accidental informant rounded the corner, clutching another guard's arm. "Promise me you won't tell Falcon about this."

"Tell me about what?"

Zephyr. Her fingers crunched into the leafy plant, and barely she held herself still. No. Wait until his back was turned, just like he'd done to them, to the others. His death didn't deserve any honor.

"Nothing, sir. Nothing."

But his companion pried him off. "He's an idiot."

"Clearly." That voice, so dripping with disdain. How had that worked on her?

"He let in some woman. We're searching for her now."

Zephyr frowned. "Green?"

"Told you!" He shrunk at the glares on either side.

"And a man?"

"No. A woman. Said she was Calypso."

Zephyr smirked. "Did she?" He shook his head. "Smart." Then he stuffed the spark of a smile away and glared at the young officer. "She's very dangerous. Make sure the Wizard is well protected. And find her. Now."

They turned the corner, and Elphaba slid out after him.

Avaric looped an arm around her waist. "Fae, no. No time. They'll tell him what they told you. They'll know where we're going." She shoved him off, but he blocked her path again. "Not yet."

"I'll kill him."

The others froze at the seething rage in her voice.

"I know. Oz, I'll hold him down for you with a smile on my face and whistling a tune in my heart."

She didn't laugh.

"But priorities."

She sagged against him. "Fine. One nemesis at a time." He guided them toward the stairs. "It's my own fault. Shouldn't have trusted him. Or anyone."

Avaric frowned. "No. That's paranoia. You can't live your life that way. You have to trust someone."

"I do." Much as she hated to admit it. "One's enough."

He softened and pulled her in for a kiss. "If it's not me, just let me live the lie."

"Hey," Gadsden hissed from the top of the flight. "Make out on your own time."

Avaric held up his palms, in mock apology, but Elphaba swaggered up the steps. "Thought we'd give you two a head start. Maybe you'd actually get to help."

Gadsden led them down a few corridors with confidence. One guard, easily handled by the boys. Woefully inadequate, but she'd caught on to Zephyr's strategy. Guards inside meant less attention, more stealth. It was clever. And frustrating. They wouldn't know until they opened the door how many they faced.

She flung the door back. They streamed in, and met the two inside. Two against four made for a quick fight. A pretty girl dressed in gauzy white flung her hands up. "Please don't hurt me."

She and Mira shared a look. No dignity at all.

The boys swept the suite for lurking reinforcements as Elphaba approached their captive. "Where's the Wizard?"

"I don't know. I swear."

The little doe-eyed creature actually shook with fear. Elphaba stifled a snort of derision. "You don't have to jump at your shadow. We won't hurt you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Mira threatened. "Tell us where the Wizard is, girl, before I lose my patience."

"But I don't know!"

"Why does he have you captive? Surely you know that."

She shifted. "I think he said something." She swallowed, eyes flickering between them. "Calypso?"

Mira jolted back. "You're Calypso?" Then she sprung forward. "Quick, Fae, grab her arms."

The girl clutched her arms across herself and dodged behind Elphaba. "Help!"

"Shut up," she hissed. "Both of you. You want to be found here?" She spun to the brunette. "And you, do you want us to rescue you or not?"

Wide-eyed, the girl clutched her hand. "Do you mean it?"

Her sigh was heavy. "I suppose we have to."

"Then the Wizard's in the throne room. We can avoid him easily."

"Avoid him?" The boys returned with no bodies in tow. "Not the plan, sweetheart."

Gadsden frowned at them. "Why are you tying her up? What can she do? She's a paper doll."

"She's Calypso."

"Her? She's a weapon?"

The girl's eyes widened, and she shot Elphaba a pleading look. "I'm not. I couldn't be."

Great. The brat had latched on to her.

"That's the truth," Avaric scoffed. "Unless she's a distraction. She'd work for that."

Elphaba arched an eyebrow.

"I mean, that's why he'd want Fae. She's far more beautiful. And this poor girl isn't half…in fact, forget what I said. Obviously that wouldn't work. She's barely even pretty."

Elphaba grimaced. "Please. Shut up."

"Yes, please. Before I lose my dinner." Mira hauled the girl to the door. "Get moving."

Maybe the girl was a tool to muddle men's brains. She certainly worked on Avaric. But what good would Elphaba have been for that? None of it made any sense. Why would the Wizard be in the throne room now? Why leave Calypso in his office? Surely she had her own quarters.

She glanced over at the girl, and Calypso flashed her a broad smile. Elphaba scowled reflexively. How did she pick up these people? "For the record, you may not give me a makeover." Best to be pre-emptive.

"Oh, no. I would never!"

The doors to the throne room seemed unguarded, but by now, she expected no less. They burst in, prepared for those waiting inside. But it was empty. She frowned. She turned back toward the hall as the others swept the room. Were they too late?

"Don't!" Calypso clasped her hand.

"It's safe. There's no one even here." A sharp prickling crawled from the girl's hand. She frowned. "What are you doing?"

Elphaba flung her back, or tried. The girl gripped with strange determination, and the hand she held no longer moved. The prickles spread.

"Let go!"

Avaric pick up on her tone, and swung to them. "Hey!"

He knocked the girl off, and Elphaba gasped. The prickling exploded, and she felt like she'd been dunked underwater. She shook her head, trying to clear it. A disorienting wave of nausea made her close her eyes.

The doors flew open, and a series of guards burst in.

Avaric glanced at them, and Calypso lurched for his arm. He swung it free just in time. He backed up, but she followed. Elphaba's fingers felt thick as they reached for her dagger, like a numbed limb re-awoken and shaky. Mira and Gadsden would have to handle the guards.

She stumbled forward, but beefy arms squeezed around her, pinning her in place. No. She didn't have time for this.

She threw her weight against her assailant, and rocked back. It freed her for a second, but the man smacked a heavy fist into her stomach. She grunted.

"Fae!" Avaric's head swung toward her, and Calypso nearly latched on. Elphaba shook her head, but she hadn't gotten her breath back. He shoved Calypso back and leapt to her aid.

But the girl rolled over, and snatched his pant leg. He toppled to the ground with a smack. Elphaba swung hard to free herself again, at least enough for the dagger, but she couldn't get any traction. He shoved up to his knees. Calypso flung herself on his back. He staggered to his feet. She clutched his neck.

He gasped, head thrown back.

Then he sank to the ground, eyes closed and still.

"Avaric!"

No, damn it. She surged again, nearly breaking free. He had to be alright.

What was that anyway?

Calypso rushed to her. Held immobile by the guard, she couldn't fend off the waif's grasp. Prickles flooded her again. Calypso nodded, and the guard slipped back.

Then the Wizard strolled in, calm as the eye of the storm. "Well, well. Looks like my little birdies flew home."