Nerezza stood contemplating it sitting at an office desk Sweetie keeping the two guards hypnotized as she went through papers pulling out the ones that would help her get rid of the next round of Blue Roses. Four. They popped up like weeds.

  She should be focused on the dangerous organization and here she was fretting over a guy.

  Showl wasn’t avoiding her. They’d had breakfast everyday but two this week and dinner every day without fault. He’d talked to her about the plan to removed a large dose of Reem’s shadows. She was guiding bits of his own magic to supplement what she had to take. He had no problem talking to her about that but she’d step close and he’d get flustered again and run away. She’d bring it up and the same. It was really quite frustrating.

  Was it bad? She’d thought they’d both enjoyed what they did and she thought they communicated that enough in the moment. A blast of energy left one of the hypnotized individuals as they broke free. Without much effort she stopped the magic and she turned to him and spoke a sweet syllabled curse in her original language. It curled around him and he fell immobile. It was temporary. She didn’t have a need to destroy these pawns when she had bigger things to hunt.

  “Sweetie.” She called gathering her things into her arms. Sweetie appeared on her shoulder and she stepped into a puff of shadow appearing before a camp. A figure ducked out of a house and ran throwing her arms around Nerezza.

  “Hello Nessa.” She breathed. “Let’s head inside.” She directed her. Nessa nodded.

  “We’ve been managing the beasts along the eastern boarder but we’ve heard some whispers that the southern boarder is getting worse.” Nessa explained. It was almost time for Showl’s first in person appearance in the book. It seemed that the explosion of beast rampages was inevitable. Or she couldn’t just find the answer to stop it.

  She sighed.

  “Hey Kid.” Joi called as they ducked in. She walked over and kissed her cheek.

  “Hey Joi. I need to talk to you two.” She admitted dropping into a chair. Both women turned their full attention to her. Nerezza laid down the information to be looked at later.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Nessa, I need you to take on a bit of a longer mission.” Nerezza told her. Nessa’s eyes lit.

  “Of course, what am I going to be doing?” She asked. Joi frowned.

  “Stealing my assistant.” She huffed. Nerezza nodded.

  “You remember how I told you that the heir to your old kingdom was a ghost?” She asked. Nessa nodded.

  “I need you to make her living and I need you to subtly drop hints to your cousin who you are. If you would like to take revenge I won’t stop you but Lodrostonit can’t fall.” Nerezza directed her. Nessa sucked in a breath and her eyes flashed with a dark determination.

  “What will my quick escape plan be?” She asked. It was a rule they always had. The this needs to work but I need out.

  “Eventually when I have enough information. Princess Alsha will enter a political union with Sage Wilabee Caw. It is his attention from the beginning to take over Lodrostonit so we’ll let him have it and Princess Alsha can at any point afterward parish and you can become Nessa again.” She offered. Nessa nodded.

  “Wilabee Caw is the one that I’ve been sending letters to right?” Nessa asked. Nerezza nodded and felt herself brace for Nessa to be mad that since saving her the possibility of this future was in the back of her mind but Nessa nodded.

  “Alright but Nerezza I think I might have a bit of a plan for Lodrostonit if you alright with me keeping it.” Nessa asked. Nerezza leaned back.

  “As I said it just can’t fall and you have to be alright. I’ve already told Bee-bee that if anything happens to you I will destroy him.” Nerezza promised.

  “When should I go?” Nessa asked.

  “When the beasts in the southern boarder break. Then you’ll come into fruition like a defending angel.” She explained. Nessa nodded and turned to Joi.

  “Can we speed up my training?” She asked. Joi looked over them slowly and nodded. Then reached over and looked through the Blue rose files.

  “They are really good at provoking the beasts.” She hissed out a simmering rage in her tone.

  “Are you going to use your connection with your consideration to finally talk to the Guardian’s?” Joi asked.

  “If my consideration lasts that long.” Nerezza grumbled. Joi raised her brows but shifted to list off things she needed sent to her. Nerezza made a list.

  “Would you prefer I deliver it or Dru?” Nerezza asked. Joi hummed.

  “Send him.” She voiced before drowning in her work. She and Dru were scarily a match.

  Nerezza entered the house quietly. She caught sight of Showl who hovered in a shadow. He looked relieved to see her but again he left before she could stop him.