Page 151 of Traitor Witch

"No."

I don't often give Opal orders, and she doesn't usually listen to me when I do. She must sense I'll abandon the mission for Rysen, because she gives me an eye roll but does as I ask.

"Stay safe,"she calls after me."I'd rather not perish while hungry."

Typical cat. Everything is always about food.

I would snort if the situation wasn't so dire.

Alone again, I keep going, ignoring the rest of the rooms until I come to the first door I've seen.

The vent on this one is covered up, but I can still hear the voices drifting through.

"Auntie Catherine?"

Shit. A child.

The queen is right there, but I can't kill her in front of children.

"Yes, Ruby?"

"When will Mama be back?"

There's a long pause. "Your mother was very naughty," the words seem forced, the way they often do when an adult tries to explain death to someone too young to comprehend a true end. "That's why she's gone away for a long time."

"Is that why Auntie Amelia is so sad?" A boy's voice this time. "Because her twin went away?"

"Yes, Kyle, she'll be happy again soon. Now, our Alchemist has brought our medicine. Once we've drunk that, we can go and find your governess."

"It's in your favourite cup, Prince Kyle." The second woman's voice is closer and I recognise it from the secret laboratory. "Drink up, it'll keep you strong."

"Tastes icky, Lady Lily," the girlish voice complains, but then goes silent.

Lily. She's here.

Shit.

"Good, go on now, go with Governess Imelda." The queen commands.

The door snicks shut, just as the one beside me clicks open.

I jump into the spirit plane.

Only to slam into a wall.

I try harder, only to be rebounded with twice the force. It leaves my ears ringing and I see double for a second.

"Your Majesty!" The shout sounds muffled and the woman in white and black robes sways in my vision.

I still manage to grab her with my free hand, my blade arcing down, aiming for her neck.

"Auntie, I forgot—"

Time stills. All of us frozen in the strangest tableau.

Me, about to stab this traitor of a witch who looks at me with such shock and horror. Beyond her, the Queen is half-risen from her fireside chair, eyes burning with fury and blade already in hand. In the corner, a mage I didn't hear pushes to his feet, his eyes glowing golden with power.

But all my focus is on the tiny prince, standing in the doorway, toy train slipping from his grasp. Little eyes widening in horror.