The sun burst through the window, awakening Jenna in her room. Splitting her eyes open, Jenna groaned as she gently sat up in her bed.

Jenna turned to her right, looking at her messy bed. But it wasn't the blanket sprewn carelessly that troubled her. From the looks of what she saw, it looked as if someone had flipped back the blanket and got up from the bed.

Jenna frowned, thinking about what happened the night before. Septimus had dinner with Jenna and their parents. He had seem a little off and he didn't really look like he wanted to be there, Jenna remembered. It was not until after dinner that Jenna was finally able to talk with Septimus as they walked together in the cool air of the night.

"Is everything ok, Sep?" Jenna asked, holding Septimus's hand.

The two were walking down the Long Walk in the Palace. They had just finished dinner and were now enjoying the night for themselves. Septimus looked around at all the artifacts around him-prizes Milo had obtained in his voyages and brought for the Palace.

"Marcellus wants to see me tonight," Septimus responded.

Jenna looked at him, concerned. Marcellus wasn't always good news.

"Again?" Jenna asked. "What does he need this time?"

Septimus shrugged. "I don't know. But he said he's made some discovery and he's going to need me to see it."

Jenna's eyebrows scrunched in worry. "He's telling you but not me?"

Septimus did not meet Jenna's gaze. "I'm sure it's nothing that should worry you."

"This is Marcellus," Jenna countered.

Septimus stopped walking and looked at Jenna.

"Listen," he said. "I trust Marcellus. I don't think it's anything that should worry you. And even if it is, I'll tell you. I promise." Septimus smiled at Jenna.

Jenna allowed a smile to reach her face. She missed these days with Septimus and wished there were more of them.

"Promise?" Jenna asked, her eyes looking at Septimus.

Septimus returned her smile.

"Promise." He whispered. Then, quietly, Septimus leaned down and placed his lips over Jenna's, kissing her. She kissed him back softly, showing him her love.

That night, a promise was broken.

Septimus pressed his fingers on his lips, remembering that kiss. He sighed, also remembering his promise.

The young Wizard looked to his right. He was sleeping on a rough bed in a small shelter house. Groaning, Septimus made himself to get off his bed and stand up on the hard wooden floor. As he did, he distinctly heard the sounds of movement in the kitchen. Sighing, Septimus made his way inside.

"It's proper manners to stay quiet when someone is sleeping," Septimus walking in.

Merrin looked over to his new roommate. "Good morning to you too, Heap." He said, placing a plate with what looked to be scrambled eggs on the table.

"Breakfast's ready," Merrin said.

Septimus looked over to what was on the table and sat down. "Thanks," he grumbled, using a fork and knife to start his breakfast.

"So," Merrin spoke through a mouthful of food. "What are we looking to accomplish today?"

Septimus cleared his throat and set his knife down on his now empty plate. "We need to find out who's making this weapon first and then stop them."

Merrin chuckled. "You make it sound a lot easier than it would be."

Septimus looked up at the boy across from him. He eyed him carefully, trying to understand who he was, but found it terribly difficult instead. Since the moment that Marcellus had tasked the two of them to find out what the weapon being built was, Merrin had acted aloof and kept on a facade that separated him from everyone else. Septimus had found it immensely annoying, considering the two had to work together for the sake of the Castle. But then again, Merrin would be the last person he would expect to have the interests of the Castle in mind.

"Well, it is supposed to be simple," Septimus responded. "Get the weapon, destroy it, get out."

Merrin met Septimus' gaze and gave him a wry smile. "You're an innocent one aren't ya? Something like this is never simple."

Septimus looked curiously at Merrin. "And why's that?"

Merrin stopped chewing his food and set his fork down. "Someone with a weapon will definitely have an agenda. He won't just hide it away in the back of his house or somethin', so we can just, I don't know, run in and destroy it. You wanna find that weapon? You gotta find the man." Merrin pointed a knowing finger at Septimus. "And that-that's the hard part."

Septimus met Merrin's gaze. "You sure seem to know a lot about this."

Merrin smiled, taking in another piece of scrambled egg. "Oh yes. A whole lot."

Septimus stared blankly at the man across the table. So much had changed over the years and Merrin seemed like a much different person. He had grown older, yes, but he also seemed much...darker.

"Merrin," Septimus began. He knew Merrin didn't liked being called by his real name but he nonetheless went along with it anyway. He looked down at Merrin's hand as he ate his breakfast. A thumb was missing.

Septimus sighed inwardly. For some odd reason, he felt bad for his old enemy.

"What?" Merrin grunted, leaning back against his chair, his plate now empty.

Septimus pondered what he was going to say next. Was it worth talking to him about their past? Would Merrin be able to look past the clashes they've had before? Finally, Septimus decided to give it a go.

"Whatever's happened in the past," Septimus said nervously. "Let's just forget about it for this time ok?"

Merrin stared back at Septimus quietly. He did not blink and he did not respond. Then suddenly, a smile stretched onto his face and he laughed. Merrin got up and put his plate into the sink.

"We can't run from our past, Septimus." Merrin said. And with that, he walked out of the room, leaving Septimus all alone.

Septimus put his head into his hands, exasperated. What in the world was Marcellus thinking?

Approximately 50 miles from where Septimus was now, Jenna was now making her way to the Manuscriptorium. Walking down Wizard Way, the Queen was greeted by the many citizens of the Castle. Jenna walked with unconventional grace, her head held high, and her long red robes flowing behind her. She smiled warmly at the men and women stopping to say hello. If there was anything she liked about being Queen, it was this.

The door of the Manuscriptorium swung open as Jenna walked in. She took in the musty smell of old books and rotten paper. Over the years, the Manuscriptorium had stood strong but was now slowly deteriorating. Jenna looked over at the walls, noticing the paint peeling off and the cracks that lined them. Jenna decided the building would need a renovation as soon as possible.

After taking in her surroundings, Jenna walked up to the person who was busy doing paperwork at the desk.

"Hey Foxy," she said.

Foxy stopped his paperwork and looked up, delighted to see the Queen. "Hello, your Majesty. How can I help you today?"

Jenna ignored the fact that Foxy called her "your Majesty". In other times she would've said something but today called for more important matters.

"Is Beetle around anywhere?" Jenna asked. "I wanted to talk to him about something."

"Ummm," Foxy mumbled. "I think he might be in the back."

"Thanks, Foxy," Jenna said. She walked past him and into another door in the Manuscriptorium. Walking down a long hall, Jenna noticed all the papers and the books lying about. It seemed like a complete mess and just went on to show how much renovation the old place actually needed.

Making her way through the dark hall, Jenna reached a door at the end of the hall. Without knocking, she turned the knob and walked in.

What she found was a small room whose only source of light was a small candle on a table in the middle of the room. In front of the table sat a man on a chair with his back turned to Jenna. He did not turn to greet her. All Jenna heard was the scribbling of pencil on paper.

"Hello Beetle," Jenna said.

The scribbling stopped.

"Why are you here," Beetle asked, an edge in his voice.

Jenna did not answer immediately but took her time to formulate her response.

"I think there's something up with Marcellus again." Jenna said. "I need your help."

Again silence filled the room until Beetle spoke again. Finally he did.

"Ask Sep." He said. "You've been sleeping with him anyway, haven't you?"

Jenna did not respond. Her eyes widened anxiously. She took a large gulp of empty air as nervousness crept inside her belly. She felt droplets of sweat form on the palm of her hands as her hands began to quiver with fear. Finally, Beetle turned around to look at her. Their eyes met.

"Didn't think I knew?" Beetle said, knowingly.

Jenna looked back at Beetle.

"How?"

Beetle got out of his chair and walked toward Jenna. The Queen found herself back up against the wall as Beetle walked intimidatingly close to her.

Beetle leaned down next to Jenna's cheek.

"I can smell him on you." Beetle growled.

Jenna's breath grew heavy. She did not meet Beetle's gaze and did not want to. Beetle tried to walk out the door, but Jenna held his hand.

"Please, Beetle." Jenna said. Beetle looked at her holding his hand then up into her purple eyes. His anger melted soon as he remembered the days they had once spent together.

"The Castle may be in danger," Jenna said. "Can you please help me?"

Beetle drew himself closer to Jenna. "And what will you give me?" He said to her quietly.

Jenna placed her hand on Beetle's cheek. "The one thing you want from me."

Beetle looked down at her. Here was the Queen but here also was Jenna, his love. He wanted her but she didn't seem to want him. And yet here she was offering herself to him. He wanted this so much. Quietly he shut the door.

"Then give it all," Beetle said, leaning down to kiss Jenna.

Jenna would soon walk out the Manuscriptorium a few hours later with her plan now in full swing. She only now wondered where Septimus was and what he was up to. She hoped that he was safe and staying out of trouble.

But she also worried about Beetle. Jenna may have just slept with him but it was not he she wanted but rather Septimus. Jenna sighed as she walked down Wizard Way. She had to do what she did to get Beetle to help her. Even if it meant given up everything that was important for her.

Jenna kept these thoughts at bay however. She had another person to visit.

The Castle was going to need all the help it could get.