I readjusted my grasp around one of the many ropes of Portia’s sloop. My heart was pounding. The thought of seeing Celestia and not knowing what would happen next made me more anxious than I wanted to admit.

Keke, Cannoli, and Ravyn had taken to playing some cards on deck, occasionally glancing toward the ever-looming island ahead. Tristan, Ara, and Ceres stood at the end facing Shi Island—the starboard side. Barely a word had come out of any of their mouths.

Can’t say I blamed them. A lot was going on, and trying to focus on anything else felt impossible. Tristan occasionally bowed his head, mumbling something that only Ara and Ceres caught. They’d say something back, and, as curious as I was to hear it, I shook my head and allowed them their privacy. It was none of my business, nor was it my place to poke my nose. If it was something important, then they’d let me know.

All I could do for the time being was offer support when asked.

“We’re gettin’ close. Keep your wits about you!” cried Portia. She kept a weather eye on the horizon the entire time she manned the ship. We’d warned her of a potential ambush, just in case. She bore the same fierce look of attention that I’d seen from soldiers in war movies. It helped bring me some ease. I wondered if she’d ever experienced something similar.

Cannoli collected the cards as Keke, Ravyn, and I stood behind Tristan and the others.

“Do you think we should stay in [Combat Mode]?” I was glad that Keke asked. I’m sure it was on everyone’s minds.

“No,” Tristan said quickly. “I refuse to let this come to blows. I want to handle this amicably.”

Ara furrowed her brow. “You are certain, young Master?”

Tristan turned to Ara. “Yes. Hostility builds mistrust. We need to start this peacefully.”

Ravyn folded her arms, apparently unconvinced. “And if the bitch attacks us?”

“She won’t.” Tristan didn’t look back at any of us. His voice was firm and confident.

“You weren’t so sure about that before,” Ravyn growled.

“I’ve had time to think about it. We have the edge here. By attacking any of us, she declares war on two men.” He glanced in Ara’s direction. “If what you said is true, Ara, and if she truly desires the best for Shi Island, then she wouldn’t dare harm a hair on any of our heads. Her goal will be to return to the status quo. For better or for worse.”

“That would mean you’re locked up in the school again, wouldn’t it?” Keke tilted her head in thought.

“That won’t be part of the bargain. We’ll find another way,” Tristan replied.

I didn’t know if I should offer my input. We’d talked this over a few times, but I’m sure the same questions continued to plague all of us.

I’d played plenty of games and read… a fair share of stories. I’d started to understand how easy it was to make these decisions and play them out from the comfort of a couch. With a dozen save files at the ready and a cold soda next to you as NPCs and fictional characters acted out their roles. When there was no risk, there was no fear of defeat, death, ruining relationships, no irreparable mistakes which could change the course of those lives forever.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Sweat was collecting around my forehead, and it had nothing to do with the sun overhead. No matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the wild imagination of this going terribly wrong. The price of a mistake this far into the game could have dire consequences. I pictured dozens of arrows striking the sloop, poisoned food, an [Assassin] like Naeemah showing up to shank us one by one.

We’re going to be fine, right?

I caught Ravyn’s eye, and she held my stare. I wanted to know what this woman was made of that made her so strong and dauntless in these kinds of situations. I wish I knew what was going to happen so we could just get this over with. The anticipation was killing me.

A disturbing silence welcomed us when Portia pulled the sloop near the dock. While she worked to anchor the sloop, dark clouds moved in, blanketing the entire town in an eerie daytime darkness. A single catgirl stood about a dozen meters away. Right where the planks met the road. The maid kept her eyes glued to me the entire time.

“Watch her,” Portia muttered to Keke.

“Right.”

Surely no catgirl would ever attempt to kill a man. Right?

“You gonna keep hanging out there, or are you going to welcome us?” Ravyn snapped. Ball had taken to the air, keeping a watchful eye over us—well, probably just Ravyn. But a guy could hope. “What happened to your sense of Service, Grace, and Urgency? We are left wanting of these luxuries.”

The catgirl remained expressionless. Her blonde hair was cropped evenly just above her shoulders, and I felt as if at any moment she could fire laser beams from those deadly ruby eyes.

Ravyn clicked her tongue. “Creepy bitch.”

“Please. Allow me.” Ara gestured with her hand, offering a gentle smile when Tristan caught her shoulder. “I will be fine, young Master.”

Of that, I have no doubt.

If anyone could match the cold gaze of the catgirl that was staring at us, it was Ara. Without a hint of hesitation, Ara strode the length of the dock, ascended the small series of stairs, and stood a few feet before the catgirl.

“Hey, are you almost done?” I asked without looking back. For the first time since we’d traveled together, we’d requested Portia to come on land with us. If a fight did break out, we wanted every able body at our sides.

“Workin’ on it, Matt. Just a sec,” Portia stressed.

Just calm down. If everyone else catches on to your uneasiness, you’re just going to drag them down with you.

I drew a deep breath, then watched as Ara beckoned the other catgirl to follow. Before I knew it, both of them stood before me.

Ara stood to one side and gestured. “This is Misery. She and I were often on cleaning duty together.”

Why doesn’t that make me feel better? “Oh. So you know her?”

Ara nodded. “Yes.”

Misery curtsied and bowed her head. “Madame Celestia awaits.”

Each of us passed looks between one another.

“She’s expecting us?” Tristan asked.

For the first time since our arrival, Misery looked away from me, finding a new target in Tristan. Misery’s lips curled into a sadistic smile. “She is.”

Tristan frowned. “Are these under peaceful pretenses?”

Misery smoothed out her apron. “Possibly.”

Each word Misery spoke came out like the hissing of some character out of a horror story. Every bone in my body was giving me the cue to get the hell off of this island. Instead, I steeled myself, balling my hands and waiting for a sign to act. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come.

Tristan stepped forward and took Misery’s hands. They shared a moment of locked eyes. “I wish for peace. Misery, please take us to where Celestia is. I wish to speak with her. Candidly.”

A gentle hue of pink colored Misery’s cheeks as she looked away, her face as emotionless as before. “Understood.”

Damn, dude. I’m impressed.

Misery guided us around the outskirts of Venicia, and, as it had been the first time, we were surrounded by silence. But, somehow, it was heavier. The town was devoid of the slight movements in shop windows or girls peeking behind curtains. No ice cream day at Felsi’s. Notch’s shop had its blinds drawn. Not a single person was wandering the streets. The trees were missing the familiar chirps of birds, and there wasn’t a hint of civilization.

It was as if the town’s residents were plucked out of existence.

“Where is everyone?” I asked while we walked.

Misery stopped and turned around, her hands clasped one over the other in front of her. Tristan, Ara, and Ceres stopped ahead of me. “Hiding.”

“From what?” Keke asked from behind me.

“Defiled.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Tristan glanced behind him at us. “A Defiled has appeared?”

Misery shook her head. “No.”

Was this girl capable of more than single-word sentences? Felt like I was talking to a machine. At least Ai gives me complete sentences. Well, most of the time.

Tristan cocked his head. “Then why?”

“Madame Celestia,” said Misery.

Ara sighed. “Misery, you need to be more clear. They aren’t going to understand you if you don’t explain.”

Misery paused and stared at Ara. If looks could kill, we’d all be dead. “They are not aware of Tristan’s absence.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Ceres beat me to the punch. “You cannot be serious. The townspeople were not informed? Pray tell, how have you convinced them of his inability to perform?”

“Sickness,” Misery said simply. “Ill.”

I wonder if they all think he’s dying. He’s been gone for a while. This lie can’t hold up for much longer.

“I see,” said Ara.

“Finished?” asked Misery.

I had a hundred questions I wanted to ask but reminded myself that this was Tristan’s task. I kept my mouth shut, shaking my head at Ravyn when she opened her mouth to speak next.

Misery scanned her eyes over us, then turned on her heel. “Onward.”

After a few more minutes of exploring the alleyways and thickets, we came upon a small house situated at the edge of a cliff. The paint was chipping away at the corners, and the wood looked like it hadn’t been treated in a long time. A small swingset was anchored to the ground about a dozen meters away from the house. It was old as dirt, barely clinging onto one of the ropes while spinning in slow circles.

The image of jumping off the swing and landing in the ocean crossed my mind for a brief moment. I was snapped out of the thought by Misery’s monotone voice.

“Here.” She gestured to the entrance.

Before us was a raised patio made of wood, it reminded me of those old Victorian homes.

“Thank you,” said Tristan.

As he led the way, we followed close behind. I brought up the rear. I wasn’t about to have any of the girls’ lives held hostage if the worst were to come. The floorboards creaked as we ascended the steps. Tristan drew a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” came a cold voice. Even after all the time that’d passed, I could never forget Celestia’s unnerving tone.

Tristan pushed the door open and let himself in. The apprehension I felt was beginning to dissipate. The door shut behind me when I was the last to enter. Misery walked past us to take her position beside Celestia.

Celestia stood at the far end of an ornate dining table, her clasped hands resting on the decorated wood. The white curtains behind her had been left open. Red carpet embroidered with complex golden threads rested beneath our feet. A flash of lightning washed the room in white as if the storm itself was on her side.

Cannoli yelped and grasped my arm. When the lightning passed, she muttered, “I’m sorry.”

I didn’t look at her. I felt for her hand and squeezed it. “It’s okay.”

Two unfamiliar catgirls flanked Celestia’s sides while Misery and Felsi stood at opposite ends of the curtains.

“Celestia,” said Tristan.

At first, Celestia said nothing. Then she motioned for the chair on the opposite end of where she sat. “Please. Sit.”

Tristan took his seat while Ceres and Ara took the two nearest chairs, each of them sitting on opposite sides.

Celestia raised a brow to the rest of us. “Your seats, please?”

I shook my head. “We’ll stand. Thanks.”

I was glad to see Ravyn and I had the same thought when she took to my side with Keke and Cannoli. Portia leaned against the wall next to the front door, her arms crossed.

“Have it your way.” Celestia straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her eyes narrowed, and her words struck like the lashes of a whip. “You may have the floor. Now, before I have you arrested for treason, explain yourselves.”