EDIT 10/9/20: This chapter has been completely rewritten from what I posted seven years ago. Ripped up the original POVs and redrafted all of the material, and then added three new POVs to build on arcs I've introduced in previous chapters.

1/Terreille

"What do you mean 'they're gone'," Meredith demanded angrily. "They can't possibly be gone."

The witch standing in front of her flinched and replied in a meek voice, "I'm afraid they are. After speaking with the rest of the coven, they said the blood males haven't been seen since mid-morning. They've simply vanished."

"All of them?"

"All of the pleasure slaves. Their rooms are empty of any personal possessions. We were able to locate Larkin and Othar, however."

Not a total loss, but not much of a win all the same. Without the pleasure slaves to keep in line, Meredith didn't have much to keep those two occupied. She certainly had no intentions of using them to serve in the bed.

"And what of the controlling rings," Valinna pressed. "What does the coven say regarding them?"

"Useless."

"Define 'useless'."

"They might as well be wearing plain gold rings," Ettia admitted reluctantly. "And if they did work, it wouldn't matter- not even for Larkin and Othar."

"Why?"

"Because they aren't wearing their Rings of Obedience. Said they woke up this morning to find theirs were missing."

Words that only increased her fury. Witches only removed a Ring after it was no longer needed. Namely, because the male wearing it was dead. As for blood males…decades of conditioning had convinced them that they couldn't remove a Ring- not one worn by another male or his own.

And yet those two managed to slip free of theirs.

Beside her, Valinna huffed out a derisive breath, clearly unimpressed by the flimsy excuse. Meredith added one of her own and scoffed haughtily, "A very convenient story. We'll see to them later." She arched a brow. "I expect they have been effectively contained."

Fortunately for Ettia, she answered that question correctly. Which brought them back to the more pressing matter of the missing pleasure slaves. Scouring Draega for them would take resources and time. If it were about the quality of goods lost…well, Meredith could easily round up a dozen more of equal value before the day ended for a fraction of the effort. Looked at that way, recapturing the runaways wasn't worth it. But this wasn't about value, it was about teaching those miscreants a lesson. Teaching every blood male in Hayll what would happen to anyone foolish enough to think of escaping her control.

"What do you have to report where the Prince is concerned?"

An unwelcome question, but one that she knew had to be asked. That Valinna had brought it up herself, though, instead of letting Meredith handle it, scratched at her temper. She threw a hard glare at the woman to let her know she had spoken out of turn; the bitch ignored her completely.

"No sign of him outside his suite. No sign he's left the bedroom, even. Just…" Ettia couldn't completely hide a shudder. "Silence."

Just because the halls aren't echoing with screams doesn't mean he isn't well-occupied with that bitch.

Doesn't mean that he is.

*You told the Prince a few days, but in light of the current circumstances, I strongly recommend that you cut that short*

As much as she hated to agree, the Black Widow was right. Too much uncertainty this morning to leave anything to chance. Especially when it came to DeSade. Meredith had to put eyes on him- and that thieving witch- to be sure that she would have answers to what happened with the damned Rings. And to settle the uneasy misgivings that she'd been having about her decision to give him such a loose rein. But she couldn't let Valinna know that her confidence wasn't as strong as it had been a few days ago.

*Well, then we'd best summon Ettia's dimwit cousin to his suite*

*Why?*

*Consolation for taking away his current amusement before he was properly finished, of course*

After a slight pause, the Black Widow replied, *We agreed that Bethaeny is more valuable to us alive at this point*

We 'agreed' on nothing. You badgered me all day yesterday until I relented just to shut you up. But nothing ever says the Queen can't change her mind.

"Well, I've decided he's had long enough. Send word to Lady Bethaeny that I require her presence outside the Prince's suite." Valinna's lips thinned as she pressed them together in barely contained rage. But now with the words said, she couldn't countermand Meredith having her way. She rose from her seat. "The three of us will meet her there."

Bringing Ettia wasn't necessary when it came to dealing with DeSade. She was merely insurance to hold the Black Widow silent on the subject of Bethaeny. And silent they were. None of them spoke a word on their journey to the corridor outside his suite, where an ominous stillness awaited them. Ettia's cousin arrived a few moments later from the opposite direction. Meredith rapped her knuckles solidly on the wooden door, using Craft to enhance the sound. She took a step backwards and waited for DeSade to obey her summons.

No answer.

To pass the uneasy minutes, she drummed her fingertips against her forearm. To the other witches, she hoped to give a credible impression of annoyance when all she really felt was dread. DeSade had to be there. He just had to be. Meredith held onto that belief with every fiber of her being, erecting a façade over the whispering doubts in the back of her mind. She threw an irate glare at the other three.

"The thanks I get for offering him anything." She broke the Red shield lock on his door, and then turned to her backup plan. In a more solicitous tone she cooed, "Bethaeny, would you be a dear and see what's keeping the Prince?"

"Me," the witch squeaked. "Go in the Prince's suite?"

"Of course you."

"But I don't even have a ring. What if he-"

"He won't even notice you," Meredith lied breezily. "DeSade is likely still occupied with that servant witch. I only wish to confirm that he is following my instructions, so you need only take a quick look and come right out again."

Bethaeny looked dubious, but understood that she had no choice. She reached for the handle and pushed the door open enough to edge her way inside. Two- maybe three- minutes passed before the witch flew out again and slammed the door shut behind her. At first, she merely stared at them, wide-eyed and terrified. Then she doubled over and retched violently. The rest of them jumped back to avoid being splashed as Bethaeny's stomach heaved a second time. She collapsed against the door and slid to the ground, shaking all over and rocking herself as she sobbed hysterically. Meredith shot Ettia a pointed look, and the witch knelt in front of her cousin.

"Bethaeny? Cousin, what's wrong? What did you see?"

"Pieces. She's-" Bethaeny gulped in a shaky breath and swallowed before she could finish "-in pieces."

So much for the idea of letting DeSade impregnate the bitch. He couldn't even follow order to keep her alive. Unable to contain her frustrated anger, Meredith railed, "No doubt the Prince was pleased to show you his handiwork. Rest assured, he'll pay for-"

"He wasn't in there."

"What did you just say?"

"DeSade wasn't in the suite."

Valinna glanced over at Meredith before she pressed the witch, "Are you sure? Could he have been in another part of the suite that you didn't check?"

"You can't make me go in there again," Bethaeny screeched shrilly, clinging to Ettia. "I won't go in there again."

The girl had no spine at all. Meredith regarded her with pure disgust. DeSade was still in there. Playing games with them as he always did. She might as well go in and see the damage he'd done to the bitch. And once she had, she'd devise a punishment befitting having disobeyed her orders. DeSade would suffer for this. Suffer for a long time.

But then Meredith crossed the threshold. Once inside the suite, freezing remnants of cold temper knocked her own rage aside. Meredith's step faltered a moment, unprepared for the onslaught against her barriers. She forced herself to keep walking. Down the short hallway and into the Prince's bedroom. With each step, the rage grew stronger- the air around her so chilled that her breath created plumes of frosted ice crystals. And then she gazed upon the room itself.

Mother Night.

A whisper of movement told her that Valinna stood at her side, surveying the carnage with grim dismay. They remained silent for a full minute before the witch told her in a low undertone, "If we don't find the Prince and figure out how to cage him for good, this is a taste of what destruction he will unleash across Hayll."

"He could still be here somewhere."

"I doubt it."

"And his Ring- what do you say of that, Valinna?"

A beat passed, and then two.

"If he's still wearing it, I'd say the Prince is no longer controlled by it."

2/Terreille

Twelve pair of eyes bored into her in a solid wall of stubbornness. Lilith tried not to sigh, but she really was looking forward to getting back to days where she wasn't the constant focal point of male attention. Far easier when she could foist most of it onto Queens more suited to the duty. Which was what Lilith was trying to do now…if Paeter, Dahlen and the others would let her. The meeting in the blue room had gone well enough- as had collecting their Rings- but then they'd set their heels down and wouldn't budge.

And so here we are, squaring off in a fetid alleyway only blocks away from Meredith's hall when we could be halfway to Gwynn's district already.

"I don't need to rest," she protested for the umpteenth time. "I'm fine."

Are you? Are you really?

Yes.

Because you didn't sound all that 'fine' when you ran into Dahlen.

That was just-

Just what?

A disaster, that's what it was. All of it. This whole morning had been one disaster after another. She'd failed to convince Alex to go with her- not because he didn't want to go, but because he didn't want to go with her. He'd tried to claim it was a matter of needing 'time' to decide, but they'd both known it was a lie. Perhaps a well-meaning one on his part, but a lie all the same.

Hurts, doesn't it?

Yes.

It hurt so much that Lilith fled his suite to escape the pain. Ran away so fast that she'd forgotten about the Ebon-Black shield until it was too late. Worse yet, she hadn't regained her self-control before crossing paths with Dahlen. Unfortunate timing, to say the least, as her erratic behavior had given him an impression that Alex had been at fault. Lilith had done her best to correct the Warlord's assumption, she knew his suspicions were far from allayed. But while she may have closed the debate on discussing that subject, Dahlen had only redirected his efforts along an equally obstinate path.

"You said yourself that it's been a long few days," he argued, right on cue. "We've a decent head start and the element of surprise on our side, so there's time enough for you to take a half-hour for yourself, Raenel."

"No, there's not. Meredith will comb this entire district looking for you all before sundown. We have to keep moving and get you to a place where her spies won't be able to track you down."

A few of the men traded uncomfortable looks and glanced at the crumbling buildings around them. Even if they wouldn't admit it aloud, they knew she was right. Every minute they stood here increased the chances that they would be discovered and hauled back to that bitch. Lilith didn't have to tell them what they could expect by way of punishment for their defection. Meredith certainly wouldn't be merciful enough to simply execute them. Lilith cast a look over her shoulder to Paeter, hoping that he could make the younger Warlord see reason.

He stepped forward and held up a hand to silence Dahlen mid-protest, "She's right. We can't stay here." And then he turned back to her. "Trouble is, Raenel, we're not sure where else we can go. Meredith controls Draega, and we'll never make it far enough to get out of the city before she sets after us."

"She doesn't control as much as you'd think."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I know of several places in Draega where we could stay- places that aren't beholden to her or any of her pet Queens."

More skeptical looks. Lilith didn't take it personally, since all these men had ever known had been pain and torture at the hands of those bitches. Conditioned to believe that their power in Hayll was absolute and inescapable. Even getting them to trust her this much had taken her several weeks. Hopefully, she could ask for a little bit more. Enough to get them safely out of Meredith's reach.

"Where might that be," one of them asked.

"Northeast of here- maybe another dozen blocks or so away. It's the closest one and would be our best chance."

Paeter surveyed the group, looking for a consensus. No one else wanted the responsibility of making a decision, leaving him to carry on himself. Just as he'd been doing for decades. Lilith already knew what question he would pose next; she wasn't looking forward to having to answer it.

"What sort of place is this, Raenel? An abandoned building or secret hideaway, or…?"

"A five by five block section of the city where others like yourself have gathered into a community. When I'm not there they follow the guidance of Lady Gwynn."

As expected, the mention of a witch- a Queen no less- sent a rumble of disquieted murmurs through the group. Even Paeter appeared less than comfortable, unequal to the task of voicing his concern. Jaeren, on the other hand, had no such trouble.

"Lady Gwynn?" He crossed his arms, eyes narrowed, and challenged, "You're talking about a Queen, unless I miss my guess. So I have to wonder why we should expect her to be any different from Meredith's bitches."

"I won't lie to any of you. Gwynn is a Queen." The mutterings grew louder, and so Lilith projected her next words to be heard over the din. "As to why she's different- you will have to take me at my word that she genuinely cares about the people under her protection. If she didn't, I wouldn't recommend going there. But," she paused. "I won't force anyone to go who isn't willing. So if you'd rather strike out on your own from here, that's your choice."

She'd said all she could say. Judging from the expressions on the faces of several Warlords, they would not be joining her. Too many bad memories and not enough trust left to give. If they could get out of Draega, leaving the city altogether would be their best hope in finding a new life. In the end, half of the men stepped backward. The darkest-jeweled member of the group tipped a respectful nod to Lilith.

"My brothers and I appreciate what you've done for us, Lady. But putting our fate back in the hands of another Queen- even a good one- just isn't something we can do."

"I understand, and may the Darkness embrace you on the next phase of your journey. You're welcome to travel with us until we reach Gwynn's territory."

He shook his head, saying, "Appreciate the offer, but this many in a group is bound to attract attention. We're thinking that it might be best to part ways here."

"All right, then," she agreed with a slight nod. After sweeping a long look over them, she said, "I'll offer you all what I can for advice, and hope it serves you well. If you plan to stay in Draega, the further away you are from the central districts the better. When leaving the city, southwest and northeast routes will be the safest. The other Hayllian provinces will offer some opportunities, but it's still a risk. Get to Dhemlan or Askavi if you can; they'll have resources to help you if you survive long enough to make it that far."

"Thank you, Lady."

She watched solemnly as the men melted into the shadows, leaving only six warlords behind. No guarantee any of the ones who'd chosen their own path would see the end of the day, but she'd done what she could for them. Now to focus on what she could do for those determined to stay. But first, she wanted to be sure they wanted to see this through.

"Were the rest of you all coming with me, then?"

Dahlen and Paeter would, despite their uneasiness about coming to the attention of a Queen. As would Cassel. Lilith admired their courage and faith in her. As for the other three- Jemal, Vaughn and Jaeren- they weren't quite as committed. The last of those looked as though he might have tried arguing for a different plan, but ultimately chose to keep his reservations to himself. She'd have to keep an eye on him once they arrived at Gwynn's district. For now, though, she took silence as assent.

"Well, we best be on our way, then."

Lilith turned on her heel and head off before anyone could renew the topic of 'resting'. Didn't stop Dahlen from catching up to her within a few strides. Hadn't even gone more than a half-block when he started on the subject again.

"Raenel, are you sure-"

"Dahlen, for the last time- I'm okay. It's an hour's walk at the most. I'll rest once we get to Gwynn's district."

"What about a Healer?"

Not this again. He and Paeter had voiced their insistence that she be seen by a Healer several times. Never mind that I am a fully qualified Healer and can look after myself.

"I already told you that I don't need one."

"I know you think you're okay, but wouldn't it be wise to get a second opinion? Based on the circumstances?"

The circumstances being she'd spent three days battling a large dose of safframate- two of them with a Warlord Prince who specialized in torturing witches. It wasn't so much her skills the Warlord mistrusted, but Alex'. No amount of assurances had cured him of that mistrust. So perhaps it'd be easier to just give in and prove that nothing happened.

"If I go see one, will you be satisfied that I am fine?"

He paused to think and then answered, "I'd agree that he didn't physically hurt you as you as you say. But something did happen with DeSade, Raenel, whether you want to admit it or not. You can keep insisting that you're 'fine'; I know better than to believe you."

"You don't…"

"I'm not asking you to tell me. None of us is. We're just saying that you don't have to pretend."

"I know," Lilith told him after a minute, keeping her eyes fixed ahead. "But it's best to just let this go. Move on and put it all behind."

3/Terreille

"What do you mean 'if'? DeSade has to be wearing that Ring. The damned thing can't be removed by anyone other than an Ebon-gray witch."

"We never tested it," Valinna pointed out. "We merely assumed when the Prince couldn't break free that it was working as the records told us it would."

A mistake. A very costly mistake, considering how little they would have lost if they'd tested it on someone expendable first. Now the bastard had slipped the one and only control they had. Valinna didn't like it one bit. Didn't like any of this. Hadn't she tried to warn Meredith that the Prince was too dangerous? But the bitch hadn't listened, and now that vicious killer was loose in Draega.

"He's gone, then."

Gone? Valinna doubted that very much. For all they knew, he was still in this very room, hidden by a sight shield neither one of them could detect. Just waiting for the opportune moment to strike. And since Meredith hadn't considered that scenario herself, Valinna accepted the burden of enlightening her.

"I wouldn't put it on those terms. DeSade wouldn't leave Draega with unfinished business, and I'm sure you can agree that leaving any of us alive would top that list. With the Ebon-gray to back him, he has more than enough power to take both of us down- and most of the coven besides. The question is: Why didn't he?"

"Maybe because he wanted us to see this first," Meredith suggested with unexpected insight. "A preview meant to seed the imaginations of the coven."

She couldn't deny the effectiveness of such a strategy. Once word spread, they'd soon have full-blown panic on their hands. The coven would flee in hopes of escaping, and their control over Hayll would crumble in a matter of weeks. Centuries of work undone with no hope of regaining it- even if Valinna managed to survive the nightmare. Death would be preferable to seeing the territory fall, however excruciating that death may be.

That son of a bitch knows it, too.

Don't let him take Hayll away, then. Keep fighting. As long as you're still alive, keep fighting. That's what she'd told herself about Tekel, and that's what Valinna aimed to do now. Starting with this attempt to intimidate us. He thinks he can scatter the coven? Well, I can do something to prevent that.

"We should convince the coven he's still in here," she proposed.

"What?"

"Until the Prince tips his hand about where he's gone, we should stall for time. Make up a story and keep the others believing they're safe."

Meredith stared at the mangled corpse on the bed for a second or two. Anger smoldered there, but Valinna doubted the Queen's temper was focused on what truly mattered. Far more likely she was preoccupied with thoughts of how DeSade's escape had spoiled any fantasies of bedding him. Irritating on one hand; useful on the other. If she wasn't going to approach the situation from a logical perspective, better to have her too distracted to care what Valinna wanted to do.

"For all the good that will do."

"And if we recapture him-" unlikely- "you need not ever admit he escaped your control."

"Yes," Meredith agreed slowly. "Yes, I can see the advantage in your idea. But I suppose something will have to be done about Ettia and her cousin."

"Leave that to me. Hourglass Craft can be used to fog any memories of what Bethaeny saw in this room. After that, it's a simple matter to influence their understanding of what happened. You'll want to dispose of the body, though, just to be sure no one else sees it."

Without another word, Meredith lobbed a ball of witchfire at the bed and threw a shield over it. Then she turned to Valinna with an arch look. "I believe that ought to do it," she retorted, and stalked out of the room.

Valinna stared at the charred piece of furniture that was quickly reduced to ash, mildly annoyed. As expedient as Meredith's solution was, it would have been far less conspicuous and wasteful to have vanished the soiled bedcovers and the body. But she could hardly be surprised; she'd had years of experience combating the Queen's impulsive nature. Tallying this one up as a loss, she returned to the hallway.

Meredith was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, Bethaeny hadn't risen from the floor, clinging to her cousin and shaking all over. The latter was doing her best at pretending to comfort her, but Ettia wasn't known for being the sympathizing kind. Who among us is? It had made her a valuable asset to the First Circle, but wasn't going to help with what Valinna hoped to accomplish.

Wrapping a soothing spell around her voice she stooped down next to the two witches. Valinna gently petted Bethaeny on the shoulder and strove for the most convincing performance she could muster. "It must have been quite a shock, my dear, to have walked in on the Prince. But do realize that men like him can be fiercely temperamental."

Bethany made no reply. Ettia, however, tilted a quizzical look in Valinna's direction. The spells hadn't quite hooked into her yet, and so her reaction reflected a touch of disbelief. "Temperamental? This went way beyond 'temperamental', from what I heard."

"I assure you that it was all a misunderstanding."

"But all the blood," Bethaeny protested.

"Your imagination," Valinna insisted with a touch more persuasion laced into her words. "Only your imagination. Something you invented because that's what you expected to see."

"So…she's not really dead?"

The spells were beginning to take hold, and gradually, the witches calmed down. She slipped into Bethaeny's mind and carefully obscured the details of what she'd seen in the Prince's suite. The witch put up little resistance, preferring to believe the comforting lie over recalling the horrific truth. And Ettia, well, she was inclined to discount anything her cousin claimed. The naïve farm girl was known for having 'flights of fancy'.

"Not at all. The Prince would never disobey the Queen's command," Valinna lied. "She just finished negotiating with him regarding his request for more time with the witch." And that will explain why I'm not calling the coven back to witness an interrogation that will never take place. "Now, why don't we join the rest of the coven? I need to convey this change in plans."

She watched as Ettia assisted her cousin to stand. They trailed a half-step behind her during the long walk to the dining hall. Upon entering the space, Valinna noticed that Meredith was conspicuously absent. She had likely gone back to her suite to sulk. Or to vent her frustration on the two remaining blood males left in the residence. Either way, Valinna was glad to have her elsewhere so that she could address the coven herself.

The rest of the witches were all gathered around the long table, grumbling amongst themselves. If she had to guess, they were lamenting the loss of the pleasure slaves. Yet another topic she was keen to address without Meredith here to undermine her. Valinna left Ettia and Bethaeny to take their seats and strode to the head of the table. Wasn't too long before she had the attention of every witch in the room.

"Good day, Ladies. I'm sure you're all aware that it has been an eventful morning here in the Hall." Hushed murmurs. "The Queen has asked me to convey a few announcements to you all regarding recent events."

They waited expectantly.

"One: The sudden disappearance of the pleasure slaves. As you all know, Zirah's controlling ring failed several days ago. And now this morning, the rest of you have discovered that your rings no longer work. I have been researching Craft texts for the past few days, and discovered a potential cause."

A blatant lie. She'd gotten no help from any of the Craft texts available. Not from standard Craft books, not any of her Hourglass texts, and even less than nothing from the texts locked away from the coven for security reasons. And so Valinna had spent the past few days coming up with a plausible cause in the event something like this happened.

"The binding spells between the controlling ring and its corresponding Ring of Obedience is dependent upon maintaining a stable primary owner. Shifting the wearer of the primary ring weakens its efficacy over time. If weakened too much, the spells imbued into the Ring fade altogether."

Outrage threatened to turn the assembly to chaos, but Valinna quickly silenced any lingering complaints.

"Yes, I know it's an upsetting and…regrettable…discovery to have made when the error is too late to correct. But our Sisters from before the Purge kept crucial details about these Rings hidden so as to prevent blood males from discovering a means of escape. They hadn't anticipated that a purge would wipe out their ability to pass on their knowledge orally to future generations."

4/Terreille

Bethaeny sat between Ettia and Kirsten, eyes downcast. Despite Valinna's assurances that she'd only imagined the gruesome scene in DeSade's suite, she couldn't completely shake the feeling that she had seen something in there. Something that filled her with dread and terror. Something she suspected the Black Widow didn't want her to recall.

Do I really want to recall it?

In all honesty, no. She wanted to forget she'd ever set foot in that room and the close brush she'd just had with certain death. Which was why she didn't fight Valinna's soothing spell. Or that insidious feeling of intrusion at the back of her mind. She should have. Should have pushed back. Because Bethaeny knew the witch was likely up to something. And maybe if she'd held onto her wits she'd know what that was.

To what end? What did you intend to do, even if you did discover what they're trying to hide? Opal against the Red and Gray- what chance do you think you'd have?

Maybe I could've convinced some of the others…

Forget it. Even your own cousin doesn't take you seriously half the time. How do you expect anyone else to believe you, much less stand with you against Meredith and Valinna?

Bethaeny sighed, knowing it was true. Meanwhile, the Black Widow talked on about the loss of their Rings, and the pleasure slaves. For her part, she wasn't all that upset. Meredith's demonstration had cured her of any desire to force a blood male into her bed. Indefinitely. In fact, she was rather glad they'd all escaped and couldn't be used that way by any witch.

Witches like Idrina and Kaeremi, who were far from happy at the latest turn of events. They were among the loudest to complain about the hardship to 'do without'- and among the first to insist on having immediate solution. Valinna assured them that measures would be taken to restore normalcy. To Bethaeny's ear, though, that promise sounded a bit forced.

"We'll speak more on that subject later, Ladies," the witch announced firmly, ending the discussion. "Just know that in the meantime, you are all advised to take extra precautions for your own safety- both here in the Hall and when you're out in the city. The Queen and I have not yet ascertained how widespread the issue is with the Rings."

After a few minutes' hesitation, Seren asked the question foremost on everyone's mind. "What of the Prince's Ring?"

"Fortunately, as the primary controlling ring has always remained with the Queen, DeSade is still firmly under our control." Amid relieved sighs all around, she added, "However, he will be confined to his suite for the next few weeks to ensure no one is at risk."

Let's just hope that confinement is solitary, and that I won't be made to join him.

Finished with all she intended to say, the Black Widow departed amid a flurry of questions. When she'd gone, Seren and Geara took center stage to deliver instructions that provided more details on Valinna's order. The latter focused on members of Bethaeny's circle.

"We can't afford to be careless, and so for the next week, none of you are to leave the mansion in groups less than three. Jewels must be worn at all times when in the city. If approached by a blood male," she leveled a severe look. "Destroy him on sight. Do not hesitate and put yourself at risk. Is that understood?"

Bethaeny nodded along with the others, despite having no intentions of leaving for the foreseeable future. She half-listened as other instructions were passed down about daily activities and various duties the coven was expected to assume in the coming days. Then witches gradually drifted away from the table- off to pursue what entertainments they could find. Until only she and Ettia remained behind.

"Are you all right," her cousin asked.

Bethaeny shrugged. "Alive, which is more than I expected to be when Meredith sent me into the Prince's suite. So I suppose that counts as 'all right'."

"I can have a brew sent up to my room if you want to talk for a while."

"Okay."

They got up from the table and headed for the wing reserved for First Circle witches. She rarely saw this part of the Hall; Ettia had been reluctant to invite her here after she was promoted. Bethaeny got the distinct impression her cousin was embarrassed by her, and hadn't wanted witches like Seren or Idrina to see them together. True, Ettia had shown more interest in her these past few days. But they'd always met in Bethaeny's suite.

She couldn't be bothered to question why the change this time. Just didn't care. And so Bethaeny mutely followed her cousin down the corridor, allowing her to usher them both inside. While Ettia closed the door behind them, Bethaeny glanced around the room. As expected, it was immaculate- everything in order and nothing out of place. No mismatch of random furniture or accents. The perfect showroom, as Bethaeny like to call it.

I don't know how she stands it.

Knowing what was expected of her, she toed off her shoes at the door; wouldn't dare think of keeping them on to track dirt onto the light tan area rug. Seemed a stupid color for a rug to Bethaeny. Why pick something so prone to stains and grime? But that was Ettia. She'd always preferred pastels and such over bolder colors. Living in her bland little bubble.

I suppose I could use a little blandness right now.

Curling up in one of the seafoam armchairs, Bethaeny ignored her cousin's disapproving frown at the thought of feet on her furniture. Didn't even stir when a knock at the door announced the arrival of their requested brew. The witch bringing it carried the tray into the sitting area and set it on the serving table. She looked to Ettia.

"Will there be anything else, Ladies?"

"No, that will be all."

A bob curtsey and then the witch left. Bethaeny waited until her cousin had poured a cup for herself before getting one of her own. Even then, she sat cradling the warm porcelain in her hands for several minutes before taking a sip. Lemongrass. Not one of Ettia's favorites, but one Bethaeny enjoyed. Raising the cup in an appreciative salute, she murmured a polite, "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Ettia?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think Meredith will still hand me over to DeSade?"

Her cousin sat quietly, not in any hurry to answer the question. And then she set her teacup back on its saucer. "I don't know, Bethaeny. Maybe not in the next few weeks, but if he gets bored with that witch she gave him, I expect she's liable to send you in eventually."

"Do you think there's anything I can do to change her mind?"

"That depends on what you're willing to do," Ettia answered.

Bethaeny wanted to say she'd do anything, but held back the words before they came out. They'd be a lie, and her cousin would know it. She could parrot the words Ettia and everyone else kept using. She could force herself to watch Meredith's demonstrations. But if asked to take action herself…Bethaeny wasn't sure she could. Not sober, anyway.

So what am I willing to do?

"I dunno." She took another long sip of her brew. "What do you think she'd ask of me?"

Ettia sighed.

"That's the trouble with you, Cousin. That's why you don't belong here. It's not about waiting for Meredith to ask, it's about showing her she doesn't have to."

5/Terreille

Paeter exchanged a look with Dahlen. They'd both heard words like that before, but not expressed in that sort of tone. The pain he recognized from warlords who had been forced to serve in the bed. Absent, however, had been the anger that typically came with that pain. Raenel's voice conveyed something else entirely- regret and guilt. A combination that Paeter found truly puzzling.

What happened in that suite, Raenel?

He wouldn't ask. It wasn't his place to ask, and he kept his eye on Dahlen to ensure that he wouldn't, either. But that look wouldn't stop him for long, so Paeter redirected the conversation to a less personal topic.

"What is the plan once we get to Lady Gwynn's district," he queried.

"Well," she hedged. "The most prudent course of action would be to meet with Gwynn directly. She would know what lodgings are available and have ideas where all of you could settle in."

"I see."

"But I can understand why that approach may not be very appealing."

Raenel was right. He wasn't enthusiastic about offering himself up to a Queen after just winning his freedom from that bitch Meredith and her coven. Years of brutality. Humiliation. Outright torture. All done at their hands. But he weighed his loyalty and trust in Raenel. She hadn't let any of them down in any of the promises she'd made them.

If she trusts that we'll come to no harm, then I'm willing to take her word.

"I'll go with you," he told her. "Not sure about the others, but if you think a representative would be helpful, then I'll volunteer."

Dahlen arched an eyebrow, and then added, "Me, too."

"You don't have to."

"We're going with you, Lady." Paeter half-turned to the others. "What about you four? Dahlen and I can meet this Queen and negotiate on everyone's behalf if you'd rather hang back."

Vaughn and Jemal might have done just that, but then Cassel said, "I want to see her. If I'm going to live in this district, I want to know the kind of witch ruling it." He winced and drew in an awkward breath from his still-healing ribs. "And truth be told, she ought to see who she's letting into her territory. Because you can all bet that Meredith will rip it apart if she ever finds us there. Lady Gwynn ought to decide if we're worth that price."

A sentiment the other three could hardly argue against without looking like cowards. And so it was decided the whole group would go. Paeter could only pray that the Darkness would be merciful and the decision wouldn't turn out to be a mistake. At the end of the block, Raenel signaled them all to stop.

"The next few streets aren't the safest, but it's the quickest route to get to Gwynn's district. If you all avoid eye contact and stay close behind me, anyone looking on will assume I'm transporting you to one of Meredith's pet Queens. I can take a longer route through neutral territory, though, if that's what you'd prefer."

Glances all around, but no one was making a decision. Finally, Dahlen must have felt they were wasting too much time and stated, "I don't want to give Meredith or her spies more opportunities to capture us, and taking the long route just feels like a bad choice. Neutral territory or not."

Raenel waited a half-second for anyone to voice an objection. When no one did, she blew out a breath and set forward again. Their careful procession made it across the square and down the next street. More than once, he noted witches direct a curious look in Raenel's direction. But thankfully, not one ever questioned him or the others in her wake. They continued that way for some time, and then she stopped again.

"We're on the edge of Gwynn's district," Raenel told them. "I've given her a head's up so that no one is caught unawares."

The street ahead looked deserted to Paeter. Almost as if no one had lived there in decades. So he wasn't sure who would be surprised. Or the decaying appearances could be intentional- a 'buffer zone' that the community didn't use. And then they crossed to the opposite side. Between one step and the next, the deserted street morphed into a lively row of small shops and businesses.

His feet ground to a halt so fast that Jaeren trod on his heel before he and the others caught sight of the transformation. The six of them just stood, staring in disbelief. Unwilling to credit any of it could be real.

"Mother Night," Cassel murmured. "Paeter, are you seeing this?"

"Yes, and not quite sure how it's possible."

Raenel had already gone a few yards before she realized she'd lost the rest of her traveling party. She turned and walked back to them.

"I suppose I should have given you all a warning, too. Forgot that you can't see through the illusion spells."

"The…what?"

"Illusion spells. They fool anyone approaching this part of the city into thinking it's an uninhabited dead zone. If you'd been any of the tainted bitches or their pets, you'd have felt an intense repulsion at the mere idea of entering the area."

"And if one of them did enter it?"

"They can't."

The terrifying conviction in those words sent an icy shiver down his spine. Paeter tried to convince himself he'd misheard. "I'm sorry…what?"

"They can't enter this place," Raenel repeated with slightly less intensity, and then she heaved a sigh. "Let's just leave it at that, okay?"

He really didn't want to, but she was already several strides away. And since he'd already come this far, Paeter wasn't going to turn back. He picked up his pace while the others fell in line behind him. A group of silent observers taking in the incredible sights around them. Witches, warlords- Hayllians of all ages and castes going about their ordinary lives. Paeter wasn't sure how to reconcile any of it against the Draega he'd always known.

*How long do you think this place has existed?*

*No idea. Longer than a decade or two.* Longer than I spent in Meredith's clutches, I'm willing to wager. *What I'd like to know is why I've never heard of it*

*Likewise.* A pause. *What do you think Raenel meant when she said witches like Meredith can't enter this place*

Paeter had a working theory, but he wasn't sure he wanted to share it. He shrugged at his friend. *Anyone's guess*

*So what would yours be* Dahlen pressed.

*Meredith and her Black Widow couldn't pry open Raenel's inner web. She survived a mind-shattering dose of safframate- not to mention DeSade.* He gave Dahlen a moment to let all that sink in. *Dahlen, I think it's fair to say that Raenel's Rank Jewels are darker than Sapphire. Much darker.*

His friend did not disagree, and looked as though he was about to pose a theory of his own when the group shuffled to a stop outside an impressive two-story building. The Queen's residence, he suspected. Two warlords flanked the entrance, sharp eyes roving over each of them. Watchful and assessing. But when those eyes came back to Raenel, the men relaxed. One even grinned.

"Raenel- you said you'd be bringing us company, but we expected greater numbers from the task you set out to do." The Tiger-eye's grin faltered. "Did it go badly, then?"

"No, Lord Ellard. In truth, it went well. But half the group decided to split off once we got clear of Meredith. Is Lady Gwynn available?"

"She is, and she's expecting you," answered the Summery Sky beside him, whose dour expression hadn't changed. "Were you meeting alone?"

"Actually, the warlords with me wanted to be introduced straight off."

He didn't break his stare, but must have sent a signal. Within minutes, another three warlords appeared, one of them wearing an Opal Jewel. Message received. Not a threat exactly, but clearly these men were letting their group know Lady Gwynn would be well protected. And yet Paeter noted the lack of menace when compared to the sort of 'protection' Larkin and Othar provided for Meredith. He hoped that would be a good indicator of the difference in temperament.

"We'll be glad to serve as your escorts, then, Lady."

Raenel considered the tone and the men now standing between her and the entrance. He might have thought she'd be annoyed at the show of distrust, but she merely smiled at them and said, "We welcome your hospitality, Lord Nareth."

With that, the Warlord took position on Raenel's left as the other four men took theirs at the front and back of the assembly. The group then entered the building and were led down a long corridor. Paeter didn't have time to take in much of the details, but he could tell that the walls had been recently painted and a carpenter was in the process of replacing baseboard and trim.

Before he knew it, they were ushered into a room at the end of the hall and he found himself standing before the Queen. Paeter wasn't sure what he was expecting, but the petite woman staring back at him with dark gold eyes caught him off-guard. She couldn't have been much more than a few centuries old- far younger than he'd expect for someone ruling a whole district. And one thing more. Something about her gave Paeter a strange sense of…belonging. As if he was meant to be here and couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Lady Gwynn rose to her feet and approached Raenel. She threw her arms around the witch in a fervent embrace before leaning back to give her a teasing smack on the arm. "What took you so long!? You scared me to death, Raenel."

"Things got a little complicated, Gwynn." The witches shared another embrace. Raenel then gestured to him and the others. "I hope you can help me out, my friend. These warlords could use a new start."

Gwynn's gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Paeter before moving on down the line. She smiled. A genuine smile- the kind he'd only seen from Fawne and Raenel.

"I'd be delighted to welcome all of them to our community."