A/N:

Thanks for reading and reviewing! I am enjoying your comments and I hope you are enjoying the story, still. There might even be a new post for you tomorrow. -SJ :)

prnamber3909: Thanks for reading and reviewing and adding in some frightening humor. ;)

waterpolo3: Awww...thanks. I'm glad you like the story, and what a compliment. So exciting! Now, regarding Maxerica death-I don't think they'll be any reason to try and find my undisclosed location. :)

Flam3nco: So sweet. Thanks. :)

jthornestudent: Thank you for always reviewing! I appreciate it, and I hope it lives up to expectations. :)

Totalbooknerd13: It looks like you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review. :)

Guest: I really try. My big project is finally done, so I will be able to write for fun. :)

theoneforever: I love that moment between Marlee and America, too. (I guess that's obvious, huh?:) Thanks for reading!

sushi: Good to see your back! Thank you so much for the compliments. They mean a lot to me. :)

MyWorldMyWords: I try to update regularly. Now it is summer, and I can. I really appreciate the repeated reviews and the excitement. Thanks! :)

The Devil Wears Westwood: I know. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think you'll like the newest chapter! :)

"America?" Maxon asks, "Did you see the last line of the condolences? Did you get a chance to see the Newsomes when you were in Clermont?" He isn't making eye contact as he pages through the reports for the meeting. Stavros and Aspen are discussing something having to do a lapse in security and last night's attack. When I don't answer right away, Maxon looks up from his paper.

It's as if I am not really in my body, instead I am hovering somewhere in the room watching the events unfold. All except for my head. My head is completely underwater. I am using all my concentration to hear Maxon, and I can't form the sentences I need to say. I press my palms against the table to steady myself. "Yes," I manage to croak. Last night's casualties actually add up to five. Five. "Five," I mutter audibly.

I have Maxon's attention now. He reaches for the hand closest to him, concern reflecting on his face, "America. America, look at me." Stavros and Aspen abandon their conversation, and look at me with apprehension.

I turn my head with what feels like a colossal effort. "How did they die?"

Stavros answers, "A car accident after the Clermont reception. The toxicology report will take a few weeks, but alcohol is likely a factor."

"It wasn't an accident."

"What do you mean, Mer?" Aspen presses, interested.

"I danced with Mr. Newsome, with Robert, right before they left the party last night," I look at the men sitting at the table with me. They all lean forward, focusing on my every word. "He was worried, but he was definitely not drunk. He told me," I took a breath. "He told me that Celeste's death wasn't an accident; that it was a punishment for something he refused to do. And he tried to warn me. He knew that they would kill him, but he warned me anyway." I look at Maxon, and take a steadying breath. Now is truly not the time to break down. "He said that this is bigger than I ever could imagine, and that 'Allies may seem like bitter enemies.' He didn't have time to explain what he meant."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Aspen seems offended and Maxon and Stavros have furrows deep between their brows.

"Would someone like to share when I would have had time? I didn't want to draw attention, and then…" I trail off, and close my eyes, pressing the tips of my fingers into the bone of my brow. Mr. Newsome's words and subsequent death prove to me that we are missing essential pieces to this merciless puzzle. It seems to be just out of reach and a wisp on an idea finally turns corporeal and appears in my mind's eye. I open my eyes, and focus on Maxon. "Remember when I told you there are missing pieces." He cocks his head at me, and nods for me to continue, so I do. "When we were in Sota, we're sure that Bariel just returned from Bonita?"

Aspen speaks up, "Yes. We have confirmation she was there the day before."

"And Bonita is always a little edgy, because of the Northern Alliance members and former Southern Rebels living in the same province. We know for sure that Bariel and her husband are Loyalists and they destroyed the Northern Alliance training center. And then, the Newsomes are killed after they warn me about danger-the same night the palace is attacked by Southern Rebels?"

Stavros sees where I am going with my train of thought, "The Loyalists have hired the remaining fringe of Southern Rebels to both create chaos and to distract us from their goal of taking over the new government."

"Not to mention undermine our current rule and the alternative information centers," Maxon adds, looking at me approvingly. "I think we've made a breakthrough."

"We're just beginning to chip away at the surface," I insist. "But we are closer than we were."

We sit in silence for a moment, and then Stavros begins to muse, "Newsome said Celeste's death was a warning?"

"Yes, but she was shot by a Southern Rebel," I shiver at the memory. "That's something I'll never forget."

Aspen, "This isn't their typical work—they're pulling off assassinations and highly technical espionage."

"They still seem to be cut from the same cloth," Stavros persists. "High amounts of destruction and death."

"Maybe more strategic after fifteen years," Maxon relents, "but they're still using fear as their main weapon. They just have more funding."

Aspen throws his hands up in the air and links them on top of his head, "I can't believe I missed it." Frustration pours out in his words. "They're working together. They always have been. Loyalists and Southern Rebels are two arms of the same group." He pushes back from the table, shaking his head. "It makes so much sense—where would these strung-out street people get modern weapons and training good enough to make them mercenaries. And, they always knew when we were most vulnerable."

"Sometimes we're so worried about the rattle we forget about the fangs" consoles Stavros.

Maxon stands, pulling off his jacket, "Let's go for the head, then. Who are we sending to Sota?"

It's after 10:00 PM before we find ourselves back in front of our common room door. Dinner and bedtimes have long since come and gone, but this is the first unscheduled time I had in the last four weeks. Avery looks discretely away as Maxon pulls me to his chest and plants a kiss on the top of my head.

"You're not quite ready to come in are you, love?"

I shake my head, "I have been stuck inside a plane or an office or at a conference table all week."

Maxon takes my right hand with his left and guides me away from our rooms, "Would you like some time in the gardens?"

I squeeze his hand, smiling, "You always seem to know what I need. Walk with me?"

"For a bit," he smiles back. "So, other than worrying about foiling the plot against the kingdom, how was your trip?"

Sighing, I respond, "It really isn't finished, is it? After things settle, I have to go back out. But, the systems seem to be working. The prejudices are still there for some former members of the higher castes. We'll have to wait for generations before that fades." And, it may never truly be a thing of the past. Kriss has been a great help in sustaining the education vision. Maybe I can convince her to become an official education advisor yet.

We nod to the guards stationed at the door, and they pull the heavy doors inward. He walks me just as far as our bench, "I'll let you have some time to yourself." His kiss ends with intensity that renders me breathless.

I barely have a moment to stare up at the stars and appreciate the breeze on my face before I notice Kota at the far side of the garden. He is wandering slowly seeming to take in every inch of the design. I know exactly how far I am from the door, and it won't be possible for me to escape unseen. I resign myself to having company.

Kota smiles hesitantly as he notices me in my favorite spot. "May I join you?"

I almost say no, but reprimand myself as Mom surely would. "Of course, please sit."

He takes a seat beside me and clears his throat softly, "I know this isn't what you planned, Sis. Having me here at the palace when your attention needs to be elsewhere."

Unsure of what he expects me to say, I agree with him. "This isn't the best time, and I only remember you are here when you appear in front of me and I am trying to do something else. So, let's have an agreement, Kota. Let's come to an understanding that you will be unseen around me. Do nothing to draw attention, and there will be nothing to discuss. Mom wants you here, and I don't want any additional drama." I stand and don't look back as I head inside to bed.