As soon as they arrived at the palace their troubles began. As per the rules, no one was allowed admittance to the palace before the specified time when the ball started. The two guards who were posted sentry at the gate were no friends of Kol's so he couldn't talk his way past them. The front gate stayed locked tight as Andrew, Kol, and Ebony walked away.

"Now what, Nikolaus?" Andrew asked mockingly. Kol had made it sound like getting into the palace would be simple.

Kol pointed off to their right. "There is a door in the wall on that side of the palace that is mostly covered by vines. Christian showed it to me annuals ago. Hopefully there are no guards patrolling the inner courtyard."

Andrew reached out a hand and pulled Kol to a stop. "Hopefully? I don't want our only plan to be based on hope. What are we going to do if there are guards in there and we're caught? They will think Ebony is the mockery and likely kill her. Is that really what you want?"

Kol pulled his arm away sharply from Andrew's grasp. "Of course not! If there are guards in there then we will deal with it, but for now we are running out of time. If we do not make it to the garden and alert what guards we can then everything is lost."

"Andrew," Ebony said in an attempt to calm her brother. "Kol is right we need to move as fast as we can. There isn't time for coming up with another plan."

Begrudgingly, Andrew heeded his sister's words and followed Kol around to the side of the palace. Just as he said, there was a door partly covered with creeping vines. Kol was able to unlock the door by using some bits of cut metal he kept exactly for such a purpose. Andrew muttered about the dubious places he could have learned such a skill. On the other side of the door there were no guards and the courtyard was empty. Once inside, the three of them walked purposefully as if they were meant to be there. Creeping around would look much more suspicious.

"Come on, I know where one of my friends is posted. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him that you are not the mockery." Kol whispered as they passed under the flowered archway that led to the gardens.

Ebony spotted a familiar figure standing by a large fountain outside the entrance to the ballroom. "Marc," She gasped in surprise.

When the knight turned to face them, he immediately drew his sword. "Kol, what are you doing here? Don't you know that there is an escaped mockery running around wearing that girl's face? How do you know that she is not the beast and is tricking you? Step away from her."

"Marc, calm down. This is the real Ebony. We came because we are going to stop the real mockery before it can cause havoc. I need your help though. The plan is to get the mockery away from everyone at the ball and into the gardens alone." Kol tried to explain.

Marc shook his head, his sword still in hand. "I have orders directly from your father, Kol. She may be your friend but I think this time you should leave this up to the real soldiers."

Kol looked ready to argue when Andrew stepped forward. "I am one of those real soldiers and a commanding officer. Now listen here, you don't know what you are up against. The mockery could arrive as anyone and if you are not careful it will murder you and all the people who are going to be in that ballroom. That includes the king. Shall I tell his majesty that you endangered his family because you were afraid?"

"But what can you three do that we are not already doing?" Marc countered. "There are guards at every entrance and there will be many in the ballroom and the gardens. Surely if the mockery does show itself we will be prepared. We are even equipped with silver weapons to kill the beast. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to dispatch of the monster."

"If the mockery dies while the connection between it and Ebb still stands, she will die as well. We are here to prevent that from happening."

"Then how is the link severed? We don't even know what the object is. Shall we take a moment to politely ask the mockery what it took so we can destroy it? Perhaps that is the sacrifice that has to be made to save the hundreds of people in the city."

Kol almost lunged to attack Marc. Ebony's life was not going to end today; he would make sure of it. "Listen here," He growled. His black eyes looked dangerously evil as he glared at the knight. "We are going to sever the link. You are going to tell the other guards to watch the back gardens by the footbridge and they are going to be there when we lure the mockery out. We are going to defeat the mockery and Ebb is not going to be sacrificed. You are going to do this because I am telling you to do it and I am Captain Rydell's son. Now go and spread the word."

Ebony didn't know if it was the threat in his voice or the fearsome darkness in Kol's eyes, but something made Marc do as he was ordered. Kol's words ad sent chills down her spine when he talked about her. This must have been the demon she had heard about – the one that kept the lower city streets safe. Ebony loved even this side of him, even though it frightened her. She had looked and the ring was gone from his left hand. She wished that there was time to ask him about it, but there was the matter of the mockery to deal with. Now was not the time for such questions. Later, she promised herself. Now that Marc was alerting other guards of where to wait for the mockery, the three of them were going to make sure that the mockery could not easily escape once they had it cornered.

The spot Kol had chosen from his knowledge of the palace gardens was not far away from the entrance to the ballroom. It could not be too far away or the mockery would notice something was wrong before it was time. There was a wooden bridge across a pond that had orange fish swimming just beneath the surface under lily pads. It was a peaceful spot and once the mockery was on the bridge both sides would be blocked off by the soldiers. Kol was busy putting dragon snaps in between the planks. If all went as planned they would explode when the mockery stepped on them thus destroying the glass slippers. Then it was just one sword swipe to end the beast. Ebony was feeling confident in their plan.

Andrew pulled his sister to the side away from where Kol was crouched down on the bridge. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.

"Of course I am."

"This is going to be dangerous. There will be casualties and I do not want you to be one. You have to stay away from the mockery. Battle is worse than you can imagine. I don't want you near it when the mockery starts fighting back."

"It will all be fine. The plan will work, I'm sure of it. All you have to do is pretend to be the unsuspecting big brother that wants to show his little sister her favorite flower in the garden. The mockery will surely follow you out here where Kol and the soldiers will be waiting."

Andrew glanced at the blonde man that was crouching a few feet away. "I do not trust him, Ebony. He is reckless and headstrong. I don't know what you see in him, but I do not think that he is a good match for you. He will put you in danger with whatever he is keeping a secret. He knew that strange woman in the lower town, I'm sure of it. How can you trust someone who deals with such back alley people?"

"You don't know him, but when this is all over you can get to know him better. For now know that I trust him with my life and I know that he won't put me in harm's way." Ebony firmly defended. She knew that if given the chance, Kol could overcome any reservations Andrew had about him. He was the best man she had ever met.

Andrew shook his head. Ebony was not being reasonable. He wanted to get her as far away from the mockery as possible, but since that Nikolaus agreed that she should come, she was now directly in danger. If anything happened to Ebony, Andrew would make sure Nikolaus paid for it.

Kol stood up and joined Andrew and Ebony where they were standing. "That's done. Now there is just a few more minutes until the ball starts. Are you ready?"

The guests began arriving right on time in their lines of regal carriages. No one paid any attention to the extra guards that hung around the fringes of the crowd. This was a celebration of the princess's marriage: her first ball with her husband. Everyone was dressed in their finest gowns and suits. The garden ballroom was filling up with the people while outside in the garden fireflies twinkled as they flew over the flowers. There was laughter and music as more and more people arrived. After almost half an hour, the royal couple joined the party. All eyes turned toward the great double doors where Joslynn and Reginald stood arm in arm. Everyone clapped as they entered even the two women that stood near the back of the crowd.

Giselle was not looking at the princess as she entered; instead she was looking for Christian. He had to be here somewhere. Victoria was getting married to the prince and would one day be queen. Christian must be looking for a bride now that his two older siblings were married. Giselle would be his bride. She knew that he would ask her. He had to after all the work she put into getting him all to herself. She was willing to do anything to be his bride because of how much she loved him. She saw him at the other end of the ballroom with Hector and Victoria. Giselle scowled. Her sister had betrayed her completely and would not be forgiven easily, but maybe when they both had their princes they could be a family again. That misfit Ebony was gone after all. She looked at the woman standing next to her and smiled before walking off to speak to Christian.

The mockery had dressed its stolen shape in a long black gown that clung to the form tightly. The dress matched Ebony's raven black hair and looked dismal compared to the shimmering green of Giselle's dress. That was how the fool wanted it to be. Giselle wanted to stand next to Ebony and outshine her in every way. She was most assuredly doing that. Giselle looked to be some sort of fairy princess while the mockery looked like a villain. How aptly the contrast was presented. No one knew that the real Ebony was not attending the ball. The mockery had gone to visit the prisoner and found the cell to be empty. The slight hiccup in the plan did not upset the mockery unduly and was not mentioned to Giselle. Even with the real Ebony on the loose, there was little she could do before the mockery fulfilled its side of the bargain. Tonight's ball marked the end of the celebration and the agreement. A vicious smile crept onto the mockery's stolen face. These foolish humans would pay for locking such a majestic creature away in a cage.

There was a sudden shift in the emotions of the room. Something was off and the mockery intended to find out. Turning to look at the edges of the room, it saw that more guards had appeared and were encircling the ballroom. Guests were slowly being ushered back out through where they had entered. More than one of the guards was looking directly at where the mockery stood. The end of the ball was too late to exact its revenge on its captors the mockery decided. Retribution would have to come a few hours early.

Andrew had not even entered the ballroom when he heard the screams. Kol and Ebony had also heard the commotion and come running. On the other side of the glass wall they could see a darker version of Ebony ripping into ball guests and soldiers alike. The mockery's hands had turned into sharp claws that were tearing at anyone within reach. At the same moment Kol and Andrew drew their swords. "Stay here, Ebony." Andrew said as he turned to face the ballroom.

"No, I can help. If I am near the mockery…" Ebony protested, but was quickly cut off by Kol.

"Stay here," He commanded sharply. Ebony was taken aback by his stern tone. Kol had turned to face her. With a glance at the mockery and then at Andrew, Kol stepped directly in front of Ebony. "I can't lose you."

Kol saw the damage the mockery was creating and knew it might be his last chance. "Dearest Ebony," He sighed before cupping his hand on her cheek and kissing her with all the anger and passion that he had been holding back ever since he saw her with Andrew. He didn't care if Andrew was watching. Ebony had to know how he felt. "I love you." He whispered as their lips parted.

Ebony was left in shock. She couldn't believe what she had heard or how perfect it felt when Kol kissed her. Her brain simply could not process those three words until she saw him turn and enter the ballroom with Andrew. Even when the meaning of Kol's words hit her, she found she was still frozen. He loved her. Kol loved her, and now he was running off to fight a fearsome monster for her sake. Ebony would not let him fight alone. She drew her small dagger from its sheath. If she was near the mockery it would be weakened. Before she could take a step, a horrible pain stabbed through her arm. She looked up to see the mockery's black gown was ripped where its arm was slashed by a sword.

Inside the ballroom chaos reigned. Bodies of partygoers and soldiers alike littered the once sparkling ballroom. The mockery was powerful enough to fling bodies across the room and fast enough to dodge the sluggish swords of the soldiers. This was what the mockery lived for. These foolish mortals thought they could win and would pay dearly for their arrogance. One managed to land a hit on the mockery's arm, but was not living long enough to raise his sword again. The mockery watched as the people in their pretty costumes fled the ballroom. The oldest prince was brave enough to wait until the last person was out before going himself. It was almost enough to make the mockery consider sparing that one. Two other men that the mockery recognized had entered from the garden. That was sweet, the brother and the lover come to save the day. The soldiers were becoming wary now and not attacking outright which made the mockery also watch them more carefully. They were afraid; the mockery could taste their fear and it was delicious. They were wise to be afraid.

"Brock!" Hector called frantically over the heads of the frightened crowd. "Brockton!"

"Hector, what is it?" Victoria asked. As soon as the doors were closed, she had latched onto her love's hand tightly.

Hector was panicked as he searched for the face he desperately needed to see. "Brockton isn't here. I didn't see him leave the ballroom. What if he is still in there with that thing?"

Victoria's voice joined Hector's as they called for their friend, but he did not answer. There were others calling for loved ones who did not make it out of the ballroom – John, Amanda, Delan, Catherine, David, Pandia…

Hector heard the name of his close friend and almost collapsed. Victoria held him while he slumped against the wall in defeat. His eyes were closed and tears were leaking out through his lashes. "I can't, Victoria, I just can't. What if they didn't make it out? Brock and Pandia are two of my oldest friends. I don't…I can't…"

Seeing Hector cry made Victoria want to break down right next to him. She was friends with both Brockton and Pandia. The ball had quickly turned into a nightmare and Victoria wanted to run and get out, but she had to stay for Hector's sake. He needed her right now and she needed to be strong for him. Wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to put on a brave face, she called out over the crowd. "Everyone needs to get away from the ballroom right now. Follow me! Once we are to safety, we will find out who is here."

With someone giving firm, clear orders, the crowd followed Victoria as she led them away from the ballroom and the gut wrenching sounds coming from inside.

Ebony was doubled over on the ground outside the ballroom. She had dropped her dagger when the mockery was slashed in the leg by another sword. Kol caught a glimpse of Ebony outside and called for everyone to start attacking the monster's feet. That was where the glass slippers were; once they were gone, Ebony wouldn't be in pain anymore. He countered the mockery's moves until his back was to the gardens and Ebony. Somehow the beast was managing to defend against attacks from all sides. On the other side of the mockery, Kol saw Andrew's was trying to get past the mockery's defenses. "You will pay for what you have done to my little sister!" He shouted as his sword clashed against the claws.

Kol froze and his grip loosened on his sword. Sister? Ebb had never mentioned she had a brother. If Andrew was Ebony's brother then he had been all wrong. She was not in love with him after all. The hope that exploded in Kol's chest was almost painful, but it was a wonderful feeling. Kol turned his head briefly to look behind him. Ebony was bravely struggling to stand. He could not imagine loving anything more than he loved her and knowing that she was not in love with Andrew was a euphoric feeling. The quick turn of his head was not missed by the mockery's sharp eye.

Ebony struggled to her feet despite the pain. She was feeling all the pain instead of the mockery yet she was not close enough to slow the mockery down. That was about to change. Ignoring the pain, Ebony entered the ballroom. She ignored Andrew's shout at her to return outside, her only focus was the beast that stole her face. Its features were covered in red blood and the black dress shimmered from where its own silver blood seeped from its wounds. Two identical sets of eyes locked on each other. The mockery's were filled with malice and Ebony's were filled with determination. Andrew tried to get in between the mockery and his sister, but was brushed aside easily. The soldiers had seen the change that came over the mockery, it was slower but no less effective as it warded off their attacks. It advanced on Ebony.

Upon seeing her brother tossed aside, Ebony reached for the silver dagger in her belt, but it was gone. She had dropped it outside and not picked if back up. Anxiously she scanned the floor for a weapon. Near her feet there was a long thin sword with a basket hilt that she quickly snatched up.

The mockery was advancing slowly upon its prey and a hungry smile slithered across its stolen features. The mortal was wounded already. Those foolish soldiers had sliced at the mockery, but Ebony had gotten the pain. Identical wounds were mirrored on her body and red blood stained her clothes, but she was still standing. The mockery could feel the strong determination coming from the girl before her. Her love for her brother and that other one were impressive indeed. It would only make it that much more fun to destroy her.

With a shout, Ebony ran at the mockery with the sword raised. She was gripping the hilt with both hands and swinging blindly. The mockery was surprised by such a foolish attack from a weak human and was delayed in its own attack by a fraction of a second. One of the long claws swiped out at Ebony's head a moment after she dropped to the floor. Sliding on her knees the last few inches, Ebony came to a stop at the mockery's feet and slammed the hilt of the sword down onto one of the perfectly formed glass slippers. Silver blood bubbled from where the glass dug into the mockery's skin and Ebony's foot also burned with the new pain. The mockery shrieked as Ebony's form flickered and slashed at the real girl before it with razor sharp claws.

Ebony ignored the pain that exploded in her chest when the mockery sliced her from shoulder to shoulder. With one quick thrust, she drove the silver sword directly into the mockery's shifting form. There was a terrible scream and the mockery's muddled shape fell into ash before Ebony. In the center of the cinders lay the silver sword. It was over. They had won and defeated the mockery. Ebony smiled and looked around for Kol and Andrew.

The soldiers had quickly begun searching the bodies around the room to see if anyone was left alive. Ebony saw Andrew first. He was getting to his feet. He bore a few cuts and bruises, but he would be fine. Where was Kol? He should be here somewhere.

Near one of the large stone columns a crumpled figure lay. Ebony saw the blond hair that was now matted with blood and the too familiar leather jerkin. She screamed his name and stumbled over to where he lay. His eyes were closed and he didn't look to be breathing. A deep gash was slashed through his clothes on his side and blood was pooled under him from the deep wound.

Ebony's vision blurred as tears sprang to her eyes. She pressed her hands to his side to try and slow the bleeding, but there was already so much blood. "No, no, no," She chanted. "Please don't be dead. Please, please, I love you, Kol. I love you. Come back to me, please."

Andrew had come over and knelt by his sister. He looked at Kol's body and put a hand on Ebony's shoulder.

"He can't be dead!" She cried heartbrokenly. "We have to save him, Andrew!"

"Ebony, it might already be too late," Andrew gently said.

"Don't say that! Don't say that to me! He isn't dead!"

Andrew couldn't bear to see his little sister like this. He pulled a tiny vial of clear liquid from his pocket. "This is a healing potion. It is very powerful. If it is not already too late it will save him, but you must be prepared if it doesn't work."

Ebony snatched the potion from Andrew and ripped off the cork. It had to work…it would work. She tilted Kol's head back and poured the liquid into his mouth and prayed. Nothing happened. Hands were pulling her away from him. She screamed and fought back, but her own forgotten wounds were making her weak. The healers had arrived and were pulling her away from Kol. She tried to fight, but they poured their own potion into her mouth and the world went black. The last thing she saw was the man she loved lying in a pool of his own blood. There was so much blood.

Two more chapters...