“What could they possibly want with me?” Saelina asked in disbelief.

“It's not you, yourself, it's what you carry,” Tiyala explained, in a hushed voice.

“The essence? But it's not like they can reclaim it!”

“They don't care,” Ezeas growled, quietly.

“What matters to them is making sure no non-nyx has it.”

He started maneuvering them towards a side room, away from a distinct group of guests who seemed to be interrogating the other attendees; though the words seemed innocuous, the way they carried themselves seemed threatening. All the while, Ezeas nudged her to stay as far behind him as possible. She realized her blazing curls would quickly alert them to her presence if they caught a glimpse of them. The few other humans had mainly dark hair. She did her best to follow Ezeas' silent directions.

“Ezeas Sethaernan!” a voice boomed from the newcomers' direction.

Ezeas froze and let out a curse, under his breath before turning his attention to the broad-shouldered man who quickly strode towards them. Knowing the escape had failed, Saelina resigned herself to at least play the part of a nobleman's daughter for as long as she could.

Just because someone thinks you to be commoner, does not mean you give them the satisfaction of being right, her mother's voice echoed in her mind.

She had been raised to keep her manners and her appearance to the last. It would have been unhelpful, to say the least, if she fell apart now.

“What's the meaning of this? Has the role of 'heir' rotted away your manners to the point you won't even acknowledge an old friend?”

Ezeas kept his countenance but Saelina could clearly sense the anger flowing beneath the surface.

“Good evening, Beren. I wasn't aware you were among the newly arrived party.”

The nyx grinned but there was nothing jovial about the expression and his small, dark eyes quickly zeroed in on her. She had seen phu'rias when they were poised for attack and that image came to mind as the man observed her.

“And who might your companion be? Certainly doesn't look nyxan, does she?”

Saelina stepped out from behind Ezeas and curtsied. She kept a polite smile on her face and waited patiently for her partner to introduce her. When he made no hint of doing so, she decided to take the initiative.

“My name's Lacille Lavenna, sir,” she declared in a calm but clear voice.

“I'm visiting from Lissón, a special guest of Ezeas cousin, Laelith.”

“Miss Lavenna, the man before you is Beren Cappolla, my former officer,” Ezeas added, stiffly.

She looked at Beren with open curiosity and allowed a glimmer of confusion to show on her face when he did not answer. Then his grin turned lopsided but his gaze remained leery.

“And where are the two of you off to in such a hurry? Surely, you're not bored with the festivities, already?”

Saelina made a big show of looking away and allowing a slight blush to creep over her face.

“Mr. Sethaernan simply wanted to...show me around the gallery.”

She could feel Ezeas' eyes on her but she was committed to the lie and quickly wrapped her arm around his in an affectionate manner. Beren stared at the pair until Ezeas cleared his throat.

“Yes, Miss Lavenna has expressed a keen interest in Ivál's art collection. I figured there would be enough privacy for her to enjoy the full scope of the exhibition.”

Though his voice remained neutral, there were subtle signs in his expression, to corroborate her suggestion. At least, Saelina hoped they were there and not simply a figment of her own panic-fueled imagination.

Beren's skepticism seemed to increase.

“Since when have your tastes become so...”

His eyes darted to her and then back to Ezeas.

“Exotic.”

A shadow darted across her companion's face and she could feel the stares of the people around her, as the tension rose throughout the room. Though there were quiet conversations still going on, it was impossible to ignore the display between the three of them.

“Since when do my tastes concern you?” Ezeas bit back.

Beren seemed put off by the curt response and his face tensed up.

“Don't tell me you've gone soft in the head? That you'd sneak off to screw a human?”

“Sir!” Saelina exclaimed, her voice filled with horror but he just slid his gaze up and down her form.

“And one who's clearly past her prime.”

“Please show some discretion, I beg you. I'm not accustomed to people being so...forward.”

The last word was mumbled as she looked away. The hurt embarrassment was only lightly exaggerated. Saelina was fully aware that by human standards, she was well past any hope of marrying well; to nyxis who seemed to retain their youthful appearance for centuries, the lines on her face, the beginning wrinkles and hardened skin on her hands and feet surely gave off a far more weathered quality.

The nyx smirked and stepped closer to her.

“I forgot how uptight humans are.”

Another step closer, while he stared at her.

“Well, how uptight they act. It's no surprise that in the shadows they're just as filth-”

“That's enough!” Ezeas exclaimed, stepping in front of her.

“I will thank you to treat my guest with some respect, Beren!”

Laelith stepped up, next to her cousin, with her feet apart; her upper body was turned slightly, while she kept her eyes firmly trained on the larger man, in front of them. Her hands were kept at chest level under guise of adjusting her neckline.

“Your tastes were always odd, Laelith. And now you've dragged your cousin along?”

“Your insinuation that Laelith would have such influence over me is both laughable and insulting.”

The measured tone, with which Ezeas spoke, carried a frosty edge, sharp enough to make even Saelina shrink back. The effect was not as noticeable with Beren but his gaze did flicker uncertainly, and he seemed unsure what to say in return. However, the stubborn set of his jaw made her worried he was not about to give up his query.

“Perhaps, you could refrain from harassing my other esteemed guests, or should I report your conduct to your commander?” Ivál said in a calm manner.

If Beren's demeanor was unsure, before, that was suddenly gone. He glared at the master of the house and a sneer quickly spread across his face as the latter made his way towards the group in a stately fashion.

“Whatever conduct you refer to is merely an extension of protection our country from outside influences. If you had the decency to keep lesser races out of your home, I wouldn't have to act.”

“In that case, perhaps you should consider yourself lucky that you were not, in fact, extended an invitation. I can hardly be held responsible for your taking offense, considering your attendance is wholly unwanted.”

He seemed about to rebut, then noticed the guards which had silently surrounded him and his companions. Ivál's expression was one of quiet anticipation, as if he was almost waiting for an excuse to sic the guards on the intruders. He shot a final glare at the two nyxis hiding the human, then turned on his heel and retreated back to his people.

Before Saelina could heave a breath of relief, she was dragged off to the gallery room. The brisk pace and stony silence from Ezeas suggested the danger had not yet passed. She stumbled as she tried to keep up with him and he finally caught on to her struggles and slowed down, though only just.

“I'm not sure I agree with what you did.”

“I had to think of something fast, and that's the best I could do,” she explained, irritably.

“You might have brought more attention to us than necessary.”

He did not look at her during their exchange, and she was starting to become annoyed with his reprimands.

“Perhaps you should supply me with a script, next time.”

He did not answer, but she could sense the scowl of disapproval on his face. He continued past the many paintings, heading straight for an unassuming door in the corner. He only hesitated for a moment, casting a cautious glance around before opening and dragging her through it. The staff gave them sideways glances but otherwise carried on as normal. It seemed they had some notion of the situation going on within the manor.

The hallway was well lit as it sloped gently downward and twisted around, the pale stone having been carved smooth with etchings of various animals, displayed in chest height along both walls. Oil lamps sat above the decorative images at frequent enough intervals to leave no part of the path in shadow. They reached the kitchen, located somewhere beneath the main body of the house. It was relatively empty, since all the food had already been served and the evening was dwindling down. What little staff remained was busy arranging beverages and cleaning up the room.

“We can make our way to the courtyard from here, my parents have no doubt called for the carriage already.”

They walked past several large fireplaces with massive chimneys rising through the ceiling. Someone was busy cleaning out the ashes of the last one, his face covered in soot. He was much too occupied to pay any heed to the finely dressed pair, making their way through.

“So these new guests have something to do with what you told me in the garden?” she asked, quietly.

“Yes.”

“I see. That might have been helpful to know before tonight.”

“Do you have a point?”

“Just for future reference. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for me to do something stupid because you're too stubborn to tell me why I shouldn't.”

He did not respond but she saw the shadow of a smile on his lips and the tension was no longer as oppressive. The eating hall for the staff was connected to the kitchen and in the corner across from the opening was yet another plain door, through which Saelina was promptly led. Another narrow hallway followed and the few people they ran into quickly made room for them to pass.

“We're getting close to the exit,” he noted.

“Please don't say stuff like that.”

He gave her a curious look, before they entered an open foyer; the light went out, and Saelina saw the barest glimpse of something round and glowing fly towards her. Before it reached her, something seemed to intercept it and send it shooting in the opposite direction. The lamps hanging along the wall lit up again, as well as a metal chandelier, hanging in the middle of the room, all to reveal several nyxis standing in front of them with malicious expressions.

“See?” she said with a mix of triumph and dread.

Beren stepped forward with a disappointed frown on his face.

“Of all the people to support this human nonsense, I expected better from you, Ezeas.”

She gathered flames in her hand behind her back, ready to unleash it but Ezeas hand squeezed around her other wrist, causing her to glance at him and see his head move slightly to shake 'no'.

Dhíanvhúr?

I suppose I should commend you for taking this long to call for me.

She rolled her eyes, earning her glares from several of the people in front of them.

“Your expectations are not my concern, Beren. Your fanatical views on humans and our superiority are just that: fanatical.”

Are you going to help me?

“Your grandmother would see us hide and cower in darkness, rather than stand and fight. That kind of weakness made it easy for her kind to drive us from Nyxal!”

Beren's made a gesture towards Saelina, though she barely registered it, still busy listening for Dhíanvhúr.

“Now, we face yet another war, caused by these inferior creatures who believe they're owed the world, simply for existing. We've had enough!”

Are you prepared for the cost of what you ask?

Ezeas' grip on her wrist tightened, though this time his entire body seemed to tense up.

I wouldn't have asked, if I wasn't.

“Surely, you don't expect to get away with killing us both? During a function you weren't even invited to?”

Ezeas voice seemed far away and Saelina only barely registered that he spoke.

You never fully understood and yet you charge in with reckless abandon.

The sadness in the dragon's voice would have made her pause if not for the precarious situation in which she found herself. Warring the wave of melancholy against her rising panic made it hard to concentrate.

I didn't live through Callum's torture and a pirate attack, just to give up my life, now.

“The human will be the only one to die. I've already laid the groundwork for this.”

We will need to join again. Make sure you don't regret it.

“A decorated war hero, trying to protect his country from the human threat among us. The people agrees with me, I am an icon for their wish. The falosines are on our doorstep, and the high councilor will do almost anything to avoid a civil war. You know what that means, don't you?”

Ezeas said nothing. Or if he did, Saelina could no longer hear it as the magic started coursing through her veins once again; a wintry chill spread through her entire body, cooling every part down, below what she thought was possible. Ezeas dropped her hand, looking at her in alarm for a moment before readying himself for a fight. Without any prompting she knelt down and put her hands on the floor; against her icy skin, the stones were warm, almost burning. Her intent poured forth through her palms and into the ground.

“What do you think you're doing?” Beren hissed at her.

Before her eyes, the floor turned white as a layer of ice coated it; before she had even finalized the thought, the ice spread, rapidly shooting towards the group of nyxis in front of her. She could see their surprise and alarm as the ice reached them and they quickly tried to jump out of the way. One man was too slow and fell to the ground as his feet were enveloped in an icy layer, too thick to break. He was quickly incapacitated, and only his head was still free.

Another landed on the covered stones and somehow managed to keep his footing; he readied a ball of flames in his hand but Saelina had prepared her own sphere made of solid ice and sent it flying before he could fire off his; it met its mark between the man's legs and he groaned as he fell to the ground, barely reacting to the ice as it swallowed him whole.

Beren initially jumped away and was running towards her but Ezeas quickly stepped in front, blocking his path with a dagger in each hand. He jumped towards her but Ezeas once again intercepted him; they threw themselves against each other.

The last two nyxis seemed to have gotten over their initial shock and were now running at her. They threw their hand in her direction and she felt the dark restrictive rings encircle her as she stood. The attackers drew their blade as they came but before they could reach her, a wall of blood-red flames shot out of the ground between them and their target. They observed the fire for a few moments and Saelina shot a quick glance at Ezeas who seemed to have no problem concentrating on Beren while using his magic. She took the chance to summon a wall of ice around herself, letting it start as close to her skin as possible, managing to build it underneath the dark rings restricting her.

A look passed between the two attackers, a small nod and then they charged through the flames. Saelina poured as much energy as she could muster into thickening the ice wall, feeling the pressure ease as she slowly pushed it outward form herself, taking the rings with it. The attack came swiftly but the blade slid off the wall, chipping it as it continued to grow.

They readied their magic to blast away the ice and Saelina threw her power outward, shattering the barrier and rings and shooting shards of ice at the nyxis in front of her. Her eyes met that of the closest nyx, a woman; she saw as shock and confusion contorted her face, saw the red blood spilling from the wound in her chest, where an ice spike was embedded. The nyx's partner witnessed her fall to the ground and shrieked with rage.

He jumped at Saelina before she could brace for the attack. The body crashed into her, then slid to the floor, face down; she looked down to find a dagger protruding from between his shoulders. Looking at Ezeas she noticed he was only fighting with one weapon.

It became evident that Beren was attempting to reach her and Ezeas was struggling to keep him at bay. She tried to trap him with ice but he was nimble and predicted her move at every turn, just smirking at her pitiful floundering. The power felt like it was still intensifying within her and she was wondering whether she could keep control.

Don't.

Dhíanvhúr's voice grounded her for the moment.

Last time I gave in, a whole shipload of people died.

Would you rather you had died?

She hesitated. She was happy to be alive but wondering if the cost had been too high.

This is survival, red one. You're allowed to fight for it.

The words seemed to unchain something within Saelina, something she had not realized had been restrained. Power beckoned her and she no longer hesitated to follow it. From the floor and walls where a layer of ice was already present, spikes shot out, aimed at Beren. He only barely escaped the first one but was clearly thrown off by the unexpected assault. Ezeas pressed his advance but his opponent quickly regained his composure and kept his own.

Saelina kept her barrage of icicles going while Ezeas tried to overpower him, but even so, Beren did not waver again. Back and forth they fought but despite Ezeas' best effort he could not get the better of their enemy, and he was losing energy.

He stumbled for the fraction of a second, his foot sliding on the ice Saelina had created, and Beren somehow sidestepped him and broke free of their fight. Before Saelina could make a move, she felt a hard arm wrapped around her and something sharp against her throat.

Ezeas spun towards them.

“Ah-ah!”

The blade pressed harder, and she could feel the sting as it dug into her skin. A cold clarity had settled in her mind; she knew what she had to do to live. She also knew if she hesitated, she would die. The inevitability of her situation kept fear at bay. She lifted a hand, looking at it steadily, as she felt her power flow out and surround her and Beren.

“I told you, I just need the human.”

“You should let me go,” she said, calmly.

He ignored her but she had not expected much better. She clenched her hand and spikes shot out from the walls, the floor and the ceiling; Beren saw it coming and jumped forward. He was standing on the ice now.

“You're certainly deadly. I'll give you that,” he panted.

She focused on the layer beneath his feet, thickened it slowly and methodically. The spikes behind them were slowly lengthening, reaching towards them both.

“But you're still no match for one of us.”

“Say that to your companions,” Ezeas spat, breathing heavily.

He did not look at Saelina, but she had a feeling, he was trying to buy her time.

The ice beneath her feet had thinned and disappeared, so she stood on the stones with her boots. She had tensed her body, hoping her captor would think she was simply scared. Beren was glancing at his people, all of them rendered useless. The bleeding woman was only barely alive and the men, caught in ice, seemed in the throes of shock.

“They'll live. And once she's dead, they won't care about this setback.”

It has to be now, if ever.

Suppressing the urge to vomit, Saelina made no attempt at bracing, as she shoved herself backwards, slamming all the force she could muster against Beren's frame and hoping the ice beneath him would do the rest.