I cannot let the Protector reside in me any longer. Not if she will take me over and force me to kill. We should part ways now. But I might need another helper. Is there anyone I can rely on? The Devourer is not an option, not after she threatened Mummy. But she and the Protector are the only helpers I met. Could I easily find another?

There must be a way of expelling the Protector from my body. I fear what the consequences could be if there isn't a way. I cannot let her control me any longer.

I walk into the gardens and sit by the plants that begin to bloom. How had everything fallen apart so fast? I never wanted to kill anyone else, especially when it wasn't a kill-or-be-killed situation. I hadn't even given Culpeper a warning. I bury my head in my hands. The Protector must pay for what she did. There must be a way to make her suffer. But there is little I can do. The contract I signed with her lasts ten years unless I wish to make another soon. There is no way I will ever sign another contract with the Protector.

The sun hangs low in the sky when Mummy finds me. "Can I sit with you?" I nod, and she sits beside me. "You shouldn't have to go through this."
"It doesn't matter how often you say it; I still went through it." I look at her. "I can't let this happen again."
"Of course not." Mummy pulls me into a hug. "We will ensure that."
"We? How can you ensure that? The Protector is part of me! Unless you know of a way to expel helpers that violate their contract, you can't help."
Mummy sighs and closes her eyes. "Maybe you don't need a helper. The Devourer said you left Earth because you couldn't save Katheryn. You saved her and more. She's still alive. You're still here."

I loathe to admit it, but the Devourer was right about some things. But Mummy could also be right. Maybe I don't need another helper. What if she's wrong? What if I break free of the Protector and discover I need a helper? I sigh and close my eyes. Everything has become an absolute mess. How can I fix this?

The Protector can't hide in my body forever. The moment she leaves, I will inform the guards. It's the least I can do to ensure the Protector doesn't remain free. I cannot let her hurt anyone else.

I stand up. "Can we force the Protector to leave my body?"
"It's worth a shot." Mummy stands up with me. "I can visit Hybrid Palace and see if anyone heard of something similar happening."
"Great." I beam at her. It's not much, but it's a start. The sooner the Protector leaves my body, the better. "I will inform the King of your plans."
Mummy nods and hurries off to pack some of her belongings. I hope her journey is successful.

I dash inside and run towards the Council Chamber. King Henry spends most of his time there these days. The Council chamber is the best place to start if I want to find him. I open the door and walk inside.

King Henry and Charles Brandon are the only two people there. King Henry looks over at me, and his eyebrows raise. "Emma."
"Your Majesty." I curtsey.
"Is something troubling you?"
I rise and slowly walk towards the two men. "Mummy has left for Hybrid Palace. She thinks I can live without a helper, and there could be a way to force her out of my body."
King Henry smiles. "That will be a relief."
I nod. I'll be glad to get rid of the Protector. Would I want another helper after this mess? She killed someone! How can I trust another helper again? Had I just had bad luck with the Devourer and the Protector?

"If I may?" Charles asks, and King Henry nods. "It could be best to only accept another helper if your life depends on it."

It's not a bad idea. If I can get rid of the Protector and not need another helper, that will be great. But the helpers rely on hybrids to survive. How many will suffer if I reject the Protector and refuse to take on another helper?

"You seem lost in thought," King Henry says, "care to enlighten us?"
"The helpers need Qetesh and hybrids to survive."
"But do you need them to help you survive?"
I shrug. "I don't think so, but I only took a helper on because I'd fail to protect someone I care about."
Charles smiles. "That is an honourable intention, but was it worth it?"
I nod. "She's still alive, and I haven't left Earth. I don't want to know what would have happened if I did."
"Why?"
I sigh and look at the floor. "I would have left Mummy behind."
"But you would have returned to her."
I shake my head. "The Devourer was pretty certain I wouldn't."

King Henry sighs. "You cannot trust what that woman said. You said she threatened Sarah Jane! You cannot trust what any helper says."
I guess he is right. I hate it when that happens! Why does he apply logic to this situation? I want to be furious with him. I want to hate King Henry with everything I have. I am staring at the murderer of one of my friends! How could I forget that so easily? Is it because I work with him on the Privy Council? Is it because he rarely directs his anger at Mummy and me?

"I guess you are right, Your Majesty."
"If I am wrong, you can say 'I told you so' later."
I give him a brief smile. I would love the opportunity to do that!

It is several days before Mummy returns. She smiles when she sees me waiting for her in the courtyard. "Have you been here every day?"
I pull a face. "Maybe?"
Mummy laughs. "You don't have to wait to do things without me."
I beam at her. "I know. But I prefer doing things with you. Do you have any news?"

Mummy climbs down from her horse and hands the reins to the stable boy. My smile falls as she looks away. "It's good news," she says when she sees my face. "You can live your life without a helper."
"Then I can get rid of the Protector?"
Mummy nods. "But it's hard. We can either wait the ten years to naturally expel her from your body, or we can try a ritual."
"What ritual?"
Mummy looks around. A couple of people are around, but they do not seem to pay attention to us.

I should know better than to assume that. Given the place and time, anyone can listen in to almost any conversation at Court. The Court is full of gossipers. I should know this better than anyone else, I already lived through the reigns of three, almost four, of Henry VIII's wives. The people here can easily listen to us.
"Inside?" I ask. Mummy nods, and I lead us away.

Mummy pulls a book out of her pocket and opens it. "This is the ritual." She hands it over, and I study the pages. The text is in a language I don't understand. It's not translating. What's going on? Surely the power of the TARDIS should translate almost anything I read? I look at Mummy. "Do you understand it?"
Mummy nods and takes the book from me. "Are you sure that you want to know about this ritual? We can find another way."
I need to know what the ritual is. "Please, just read it."
Mummy scans the page. Her face grows pale, and her eyes wide. "I don't think it's a good idea."
"Why? What is it?" Is it something bad? It must be if Mummy's acting like this. She rarely withholds information from me. "Mummy?"
Mummy looks at me and bursts into tears. She drops the book and throws her arms around me. I hug her back. Why is she acting like this? What does the book say? "All right, we will not use the ritual. There must be another way." I rub her back as her sobs slowly quieten. "We will find another way."

I glance down at the book to see an illustration of a dead human with a hybrid towering over them. I turn away. No one will die for me to get rid of the Protector. I will make sure of that.

"My next plan is to go to the continent," Mummy says, "if I have the King's permission, of course."
"On your own?"
Mummy nods. "You are needed here, but I can go and see if anyone else knows anything."
"But you barely know any French or Spanish! How will you discover anything if you cannot speak the language?"
Mummy frowns. "You do remember that my travels in the TARDIS means I can understand all languages, and people can understand me, right?"
I sigh. "I guess that is true. But I worry about you. I cannot ensure your safety if you leave for the continent and I remain here." I use my foot to flip the book shut. "Besides, we might find something here. Let's not give up yet."
Mummy nods. "I guess you're right."
I smile at her. "Come on, you had a long journey. You should rest."

I accompany Mummy to our chamber and wait for her to settle in before I head back out. I don't want Mummy to leave again. Maybe someone at Court knows something. Maybe Katja knows something. I smile as I hurry towards the queen's chambers.

Katja is sitting by herself, reading a book. She looks up when I hurry in. "You just missed the Queen," she says, "she has gone to meet the King."
"I see, but it was you I want to talk to."
"Me?" Katja raises an eyebrow as I sit beside her. "What about?"
"Do you know anything about helpers?"
Katja slowly nods. "They are cruel creatures. If a hybrid kills someone before they turn twenty, the helpers try to latch onto them."
"But they use contracts, right?"
Katja stares at me. "Have you signed a contract with one of the helpers?" I slowly nod. "Then you must get out of it. Now. When did you sign it?"
"December."
"1539?" I nod. "Thank Aslan!"

Why is Katja acting like this? How much of a mess have I caused for myself? "What must I do to get the Protector out of my body?"
Katja leans forward. "You want to do it early?" I nod. "You must sacrifice someone you care, or will grow to care about."
"No!" I jump to my feet. "I will never hurt anyone I care about! Never!"
Katja sighs and returns to her book. "Then you cannot get the Protector out of your body until the ten years are up. You will be a lost cause by then."

I close my eyes. I cannot let the Protector rule my life. If she gains control, she can do all sorts of damage. I cannot let that happen. "What sort of person will be needed?" I quietly ask.
Katja closes her book. "The sort of person is of no consequence. You can even sacrifice someone that is not born yet."

Do I want to risk someone else's existence so that I will be free of the Protector? "How will it affect the sacrificed person?"
"You are serious about this?"
I shake my head. "It's the only option I have."
Katja puts her book down. "They will live a short, painful life. You cannot change your mind once you decide to sacrifice them."

I take a deep breath. "What if I already know they disappear or have an unknown fate? Will that affect the sacrifice?"
Katja shakily rises to her feet. "Who are you talking about?"

I shake my head and turn away. How can I entertain such an idea? I may not be a mother yet, but I will not sacrifice one of my children to keep myself safe!
"Emma!" Katja's voice cuts through my thoughts. "If you keep the Protector in your body any longer, it will kill us all. You must tell me the name of the person."

Everyone is looking our way. I finally open my mouth and reveal the name.