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After another moment, she spoke. “We won’t be getting involved.

Penelope will be removed as portal keeper and as a member of the Crystal Court.

Duran, you as well. Your work hasn’t been up to our standards.

Therefore, you may assist Kyann in her rescue efforts, if you like.

We will protect the portal from Brim Fire, should the need arise.

So you need no longer concern yourselves about it. ”

Duran’s jaw dropped. “But…Your Majesty?—”

“Thank you, Duran, but the Crystal Court no longer requires your services,” she said, steely-eyed. He shrank back.

I stared at her, a wave of anger rising up. “What? You aren’t going to help Penn? She’s one of your own!”

“Witches are born. Witches die. We cannot control the fortunes of every member of the Crystal Court. Penelope, even should she break under their questioning, won’t reveal any important secrets since we are already changing the wards and keys on the portal.” Queen Elsabetha sounded bored.

“ Are you serious? What if they torture her or kill her? How cruel are you?” I started to shake. “Well, if you won’t help her, I will. I love her—she’s the sister I never had, and I’d put my life on the line for her. Which is more than I can say of any of you .”

“Take care, young demon. Tend to your emotions or they will trip you up,” the Queen said.

I gave her a startled look. “You know I’m part demon?”

“I know more about you than you know about yourself,” she said.

“How?” I asked, feeling poised on the edge between blowing up again, or stomping out without a word.

“We investigate the backgrounds of all those who are an important part of our portal keeper’s lives,” Lynwel said. “Penelope was a poor choice for the job. Her Fae blood makes her a liability. And Duran, you follow her rogue nature.”

Duran let out a low growl. “I’ve never disobeyed an order?—”

“Don’t push us, Duran,” one of the women sitting at the table said. “You didn’t tell us when this demon visited the portal yesterday.”

“Penelope assured me it was all right—Kyann won’t say anything!”

“As I said, a rogue nature is unfit for work within the Crystal Court,” she said.

Duran looked like he wanted to argue, but then turned to me. “Let’s go.”

“Good Eve to both of you,” Queen Elsabeth said.

I ignored her, wanting to lash out again, but it wouldn’t do any good.

“Come on, Duran.” I stomped toward the door, stopping to look back.

“You’re a fool. All of you are fools. Penn’s the most valuable and loyal witch you could ever hope to have on your side.

One day, you’ll realize it, and then it will be too late. ”

Duran said nothing but followed me out of the room. One of the guards, waiting outside, immediately escorted us back to the elevator and down to the parking garage, where he manhandled us into the car.

Once there, we sat there, speechless.

Finally, Duran reached out and gently rested his hand on my arm.

“We’ll rescue her. We’ll find her and they can go fuck themselves.

I hated the job anyway, so I’m glad I’m free.

” He paused, then said, “Let’s go. We have to figure out where they’re keeping Penn, before they figure out she’s of no use to them anymore. ”

I fastened my seatbelt as he pulled out of the parking garage. On the way home, I wrote up a group text to Sophia, Dante, Orik, and Carson.

the crystal court fucked us over. they’re not going to lift a finger to save penn. we’re going to have to do this ourselves, and quickly, because they’ve cut off her access to the portals. if brim fire figures that out, they’ll kill her.

I waited. A moment later a flurry of messages came rolling in.

what the hell? should we meet tonight? Dante’s was the first to appear.

what do you want us to do? just say the word, Orik texted.

Carson’s response was more direct. i hope they rot in the depths. how do we save penn?

And Sophia texted, where should i start?

I thought for a moment, then texted, carson, can you start hunting for anything you can find on the dark web that might involve this—any mention of something big going down with brim fire?

the rest of you, get some sleep. we’ll meet early, say seven?

we also have to go take care of the coxigans tomorrow afternoon.

brainstorm, think of any ideas you can, regardless of how oddball they might sound.

i’m heading home. i don’t think i’ll sleep tonight.

As Duran dropped me off, I asked him to come down to the office the next morning at seven.

He promised to be there. I closed the door and locked it.

Then, facing the mess left after Penn had been abducted, I dropped on the sofa.

With Jangles and Murdoch cuddling me, I burst into tears, feeling alone and frightened.

Finally, I pulled myself together and, after feeding the cats, I stripped off my clothes and put on a sleep shirt.

Pulling a blanket over me. I turned on the TV, trying to distract myself, as Jangles and Murdoch finished eating and came in to curl up with me.

As I tried to focus on the mind numbing reality show, I yawned, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep.