Erador burst into the door to the Paradin sleeping quarters tower in the quart yard; what it used to be in Lucrethia’s glory days. The followers backed away and craned their necks toward him.

  “Where’s Miraline?” Erador said, with irritation.

  The people separated and allowed a path to the bed at the far wall where Miraline sat on the edge of her mattress. Erador charged toward her and she whimpered scampering further back on the bed. He grabbed her ankles and ripped her back to the edge. She kicked and tried to fight him off, but he pushed down, stilling her.

  “You’re a liar,” Erador spat. “I know what you’ve done.”

  Miraline’s eyes widened as her lips moved but she could only utter a whimper. She knew she’d been caught.

  A hand gripped Erador’s shoulder. Fedra catched her breath as she had finally caught up to him, after chasing him here. She told him to take it easy and not let his emotions get the best of him or he might make a fool of himself. He didn’t care. His skin felt like it was on fire. Dozens of eyes watched him, more people had cramped into the room, since he came. They stood on beds, others were pushed against the walls, standing on toes, or jumping to see.

  Erador didn’t care that these people would judge him for his actions because this time the attention would be on her.

  “Why not?” he said, through his teeth as he leaned toward Miraline who flinched. “Everyone will finally see she is nothing but a fraud.”

  Fedra leaned toward his ear. “They already think it.”

  Erador took in the little corner Miraline’s bed was cramped in. Boxes and barrels were stacked beside her bed to block her from the rest. The people licked their lips and watched vindictively for answers to condemn her further. Fedra was right. They already hated her. Could it be because of him? After he’d made a fool of her, the revolts ended and Yuni’s food helped keep them away.

  Miraline didn’t stand a chance against them. He wasn’t going to let them beat her like Taurin allowed them do to Gillian. Even if he felt with all his being that she deserved it.

  Erador let go of Miraline’s ankles. “Get in the manor.”

  She scooted off the bed and moved ahead. The people shifted out of the room and the rest parted to make a narrow path. He ignored the whispers of disappointment, and negative remarks about him that should’ve stung. Fedra patted his back lightly, as if to remind him to keep himself from lashing out. The touch sent uncomfortable ripples down his back and he shot her a glare when they made it out the door.

  Erador pressed Miraline to move faster up the manor steps and into a side door. The commotion was gone when Fedra shut the door. Silvers of light peeked through the chipped black paint on the windows and dust coated the floor. It was an unused room, and felt lifeless since everyone had left.

  The light was enough for him to see Miraline holding herself. He was glad his sight hadn’t adjusted because he couldn’t bear to look in her eyes. The anger had twisted to disappointment.

  “I know you let the Raven out.” Erador said, quietly but his voice echoed off the high ceilings.

  Miraline gripped her dress with orange patterned flowers, eyes widening. “Who… who told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter who,” Erador snapped. “You betrayed all of us by letting him out.”

  “I… I wanted to help.”

  “Help?” Erador barked out a laugh. “Letting out a vindictive killer was helping? You were just trying to get revenge for your father.”

  “That isn’t true!”

  “You got close to me in hopes of finding some way to kill him and, when that didn’t work out, you run to the Raven.” He leaned closer. “You’ve proven to be everything I thought you were.”

  “You’re wrong.” Miraline’s fists tensed by her sides as her voice echoed off the ceiling. “I hate my father!”

  “You think I believe that? You think I can believe anything you say? Who is killing us?”

  “I don’t know.

  “You’re a fucking liar.” Erador ignored Fedra telling him to calm down as he reached toward Miraline.

  Fedra snatched his arm, digging her nails in. “Stop.

  He pushed into the pain. “No. She wants my father dead. She could be involved in the killings.”

  “At least, let her speak.”

  Erador glimpsed at Miraline. “One chance. That’s all she gets.”

  Flecks of dust kicked up as Fedra stepped past him. “Miraline,” she said in a sweet tone she didn’t deserve. “Is there a reason you didn’t tell us?”

  “Oh, please,” Erador said, crossing his arms.

  Fedra shushed him. “I know what that’s like. Do you want to hear my story?”

  Sniffling, Miraline gave a faint nod.

  “When I escaped New Akthelia, I had no place to go that wouldn’t surrender me back to them. My only chance to live was Lucrethia, but these people murdered someone who was more than a queen to me.” Fedra paused when her voice cracked and she composed herself with a swallow.

  “She was murdered right before me and I was left nothing but a few scars.” She lifted her arm in the light to show the scar tissue from Gillian’s glass. “I had more reasons to come here then just my safety. I thought when I saw Gillian, I’d want to kill her, but she was just a child. People make mistakes. Gillian never meant it. She didn't know what she did. How can I blame someone who doesn’t know what they caused?”

  Erador took a breath, the lingering fury was tamed by Fedra’s emotions and cries. It reminded him of when they suffered after the riots against New Akthelia. There were so many to bury, so many he cared for. Some were children younger than Gillian. Maybe Lucrethia got what they deserved. But he wouldn’t blame the dead. His father had fault in it, not just those there during the queen’s murder.

  “You loved her?” Miraline said.

  Fedra sniffled as tears ran down her cheeks. Erador didn’t need her answer. The queen of New Akthelia was more than someone she cared for. Erador could only speculate, but seeing Fedra fall to pieces was out of character for her. It made his neck tighten and he tried to rub it away. He wasn’t sure how to console her.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Miraline came up, like she did to those who needed it, in a space Erador couldn’t and she wrapped her arms around Fedra. It was one thing about Miraline he liked and he felt like an idiot for believing the worst of her. And believing her lies were a way to hide her vindictive morals. Maybe Fedra was better at seeing through that then him.

  “You were strong to see people in ways others haven’t.” Miraline consoled her with whispers. “You’ve always been.”

  Miraline knew everyone better then him, because she took the time too. He felt like a wall was in the way preventing him from reaching out, from putting down his defenses to see there was more to people then he thought. He could see why Haven didn’t like him.

  Fedra let go of Miraline. “So… if you hate your father, why did you want revenge?”

  Miraline played with her fingers, scrapping her nail against the other. “I…” She sighed and looked to Erador. “I don’t… want to talk about it.”

  “It’s all right,” Fedra said.

  “No,” Erador blurted, meaner then he intended and it earned him a glare from Fedra. He pushed away the irritation from her not being understanding of him. “Right now we’re in a crisis and I have my finger pointed at every one. We don’t have time for secrets.”

  Fedra placed a hand on her hip and stared him down.

  “Don’t give me that, Fedra,” Erador snapped. “We don’t have time to wait for someone to feel ready to tell us what they’ve been lying about.”

  Fedra’s eyes moved to his scars. “Then tell us how you get those?”

  Erador tensed his jaw and went to touch his face instinctively but stopped.

  “There you go again. You get defensive and uncomfortable when I look at them.”

  “It has nothing to do with this.”

  Miraline didn’t appear elated by his embarrassment. With how her eyebrows drew in and eyes carefully traced his scar, he could almost feel her soft touch as she asked him about them. When he pulled away and told her it was nothing, she respected his wishes not to talk about it. If he did the same for her, maybe she would confide in him.

  Erador sighed, shoulders dropping. “I was attacked by a lurker.”

  “Obviously,” Fedra replied, in an understanding tone, not mocking like he expected.

  Erador couldn’t look at them, trying to keep his monotone voice. He was afraid he would release his emotions if he thought about it too much.

  “It was night, so I thought I would be safe,” Erador whispered.

  “You should’ve been,” Fedra said.

  Erador shook his head. “I know, but it was there… it was in that alley.”

  “What alley?” Miraline asked.

  “The sunflower one.”

  “That’s why you avoided it?” Miraline frowned. “Not because you hated sunflowers?”

  Erador nodded. “I didn’t see it coming. The lurker grabbed me and….” He licked his lips. “It nearly killed me.”

  The room went silent and it felt too cold, but Erador was sweating and his scar felt like it was burning as if Slen was nearby. He didn’t dare look at them. A hand touched his shoulder.

  Miraline smiled at him. “I can’t blame you for not telling me.” She searched his gaze. “Not when I wasn’t open. I do hate my father. I just…. I was so mad at Judgment for how he treated his followers and you.

  In ways he could agree. But it didn’t make it right and he still pissed at her. “You should have come to me. To someone. You don’t just let out a killer.”

  “If it means anything, he isn't interested in killing anyone.” Miraline looked down. “I don’t want to hurt any of you. I’m sorry.”

  “That doesn’t solve our problem,” Erador said. “If it’s not the Raven, then my only thoughts are New Akthelia or the Coven of Rebirth. I think Yuni is involved.”

  “It could be either one,” Fedra said.

  “I don’t know that it is New Akthelia,” Miraline said, quietly. “You probably won’t believe it if I told you but I could show you.”

  Erador looked at Fedra. “Where?”

  “In New Akthelia.”

  The Lorien Lucrethians had seen was the Raven. Maybe Miraline was right. Maybe it was the Coven all along but why would they kill all of them if it was his father who stole their beliefs? It could be a distraction to lead him away from what he should focus on.

  Miraline seemed to notice his uncertainty as she stepped forward. “It… it has to do with my father.”

  “I don't know.”

  “Please.” She grabbed his arm. “I want to help.”

  “I'd go, but...” Fedra said. “I'd be killed.”

  Erador sighed. “I don’t know how to get into New Akthelia.”

  Going back there the same way wouldn’t be easy. He didn’t have money, and he doubted after how he treated Hawth, he would be willing to help him again. Not that he wanted it.

  “I do.” Miraline looked at her feet when Erador looked at her shocked. “I… met some people a while back.”

  “Who?”

  “I used to… know people who did illegal activities.”

  Erador studied her gaze, that was too dark to distinguish the varying colors, but he remembered what they looked like and how the Raven said they were glowing. He had never seen eyes like hers. “You took crystal magic?”

  Miraline winched. “It’s a long story.”

  Not that Erador cared about her substance use. He wanted to know what pushed her that far. Like Fedra said, maybe he should wait. He wanted to know that Miraline wasn’t going to turn him over to New Akthelia.

  “I can’t go with you until you tell me why you won’t hand me over,” Erador said.

  Miraline licked her lip. “I was arrested for crystal abuse in New Akthelia, but I escaped. There is a warrant out for my arrest.”

  Erador cocked his head, eyebrow raised. “And I thought Hawth was addicted.”

  “Keid isn’t addicting like crystals.” Miraline frowned. “I… can’t blame you for not trusting me, but I’m not ready to tell you.”

  “You’re high on my suspect list, especially after knowing you use crystals and have a way into New Akthelia.”

  Miraline swallowed. “I know, but… I can’t get near crystals without feeling like I need to take them. I’ve been dependent on them my entire life.”

  Erador’s lips prated. “You what?”

  Miraline rubbed her neck. “My mother was forced to use them when she was pregnant with me. I was addicted when I was born… and my father continued that use.”

  Fedrda frowned. “He forced you to take the vapor not ween you from it?”

  She nodded. “It’s… it’s more complicated than that.”

  “You didn’t tell me, why?” Erador raised his voice.

  Fedra touched Erador’s arm reminding him to keep calm.

  “My father was abusive too. He just did it more tactfully.”

  Fedra rubbed Miraline’s shoulder. Miraline usually cried without shame, but this time, she was fighting to keep the tears in. She claimed to have a good childhood, just her parents died too soon. He wasn’t going to force that out now, because she might be reluctant to go.

  “Will you still go to New Akthelia?” Erador said.

  Miraline nodded.

  He wasn’t sure he could trust going with Miraline after she lied to him but he had to see and he wasn’t going alone.