Twisted Ignorance

By N.M. Lambert

Constant turmoil and hatred breeds destruction.

The aftermath of the ICW massacre has left each side in shambles. As Jason struggles to hold onto his crown in the wake of learning about his own son’s enthrallment to Henri Anderson, the mortals have split between those loyal to the crown and those who wish to overthrow it. Likewise, the immortals are facing a similar predicament with the rise of the Rebel Coven—a group led by Melissa Young that seeks to put an end to Henri’s rule.

Now fourteen, Rebekah Jensen no longer seeks to distance herself from the supernatural world. Such a feat was proven impossible at the ICW, after all. With the division of the immortals, she begins to believe her group finally has a fighting chance, at least until she starts to dream of the Rebel Coven leader and a dystopian world where the humans are enslaved and the mortal magic users are dead.

Enter Andre Robinson, the half-immortal witch whose Spy father tried to kill her many years ago. She has made peace with her past as best as she can. However, when she finds out the Rebel Coven has formed an alliance with her father and that they kidnapped her cousin, Holly, she embarks on a journey with Rebekah and Mandy that forces her to confront her painful past and the man who was at the center of it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.M. Lambert
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887220970

N.M. Lambert

I am the author of the Threatening Souls series, the Days of Darkness series, and the upcoming Beasts of Shadow trilogy. I am also a freelance editor, singer, gamer, and metalhead.

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TWISTEDIGNORANCE

Book THREE

#1 Amazon KINDLE Bestselling Author

N. M. Lambert

Green Tree Press Edition, 2022

TWISTED IGNORANCE

Text copyright © 2022 by Nicole Lambert

Cover and interior design © 2022 by Nicole Lambert

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Green Tree Press, LLC

522 N. Central Ave #831 SMB #11019

Phoenix, AZ 85004

www.greentreepublications.org

Published in the United States of America

ISBN: 9798887220970

ASIN: B09K4KR8PB

BOOKS BY N. M. LAMBERT

THE THREATENING SOULS SERIES

THREATENING SOULS (BOOK ONE)

BLEEDING MISERY (BOOK TWO)

TWISTED IGNORANCE (BOOK THREE)

To those who have inspired and will continue to inspire others.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

Please note this book covers topics such as the sexual exploitation of minors, human trafficking, trauma, mention of child abuse, child abandonment, imprisonment, psychological torture, anxiety and panic attacks, and fantasy violence. There is also slavery mentioned in the book, but it is not racial-based. I tried to approach these topics with sensitivity, but if you feel like this content may be triggering, please be aware.

Prologue

Kat: Greenwich, England

I

t was raining in Greenwich, an endless downpour that pummeled the city streets in unrelenting torrents. Mostly everyone was inside, and those who weren’t were rushing to their destinations, weighed down by soggy clothes.

Katherine Reid quietly glided through the streets with a hood pulled over her head, hiding her brown hair and the most alarming characteristic she possessed, her yellow eyes. Humans scampered around her, occasionally bumping into her, and at times, she would let out a low hiss whenever one of them lingered, a warning. She hated humans. She always had, finding their reckless nature more annoying than anything else, and if she could, she would teach them all a lesson. She would raze their precious city to the ground.

Yet, that wasn’t why she was here. In fact, what she needed to do was much more important than destruction that would only provide her mere moments of satisfaction. She needed to see Henri Anderson, the immortal warlock who served as the ruler to her and others like her. And to Kat, he was much more than that. She remembered him saving her when she was on her death bed due to tuberculosis in the early nineteenth century, and at her insistence, he changed her brother as well. Since then, she had quickly risen the ranks and became his own personal spy, since she always exceeded with illusion magic, and over the years, their relationship became a lot more intimate. But then, Kat betrayed him—though not by choice. A group of immortal rebels led by Melissa Young recruited her, and though she had always been loyal to Henri and did whatever he wished, she let them humor her. She had no intention of letting the situation get as far as it did, and now, she had to make things right.

Kat turned onto a very narrow and deserted street as she continuously moved towards the Greenwich castle. She knew Henri might have her arrested or killed on the spot, but she had to try to get back within his good graces. She needed to get through to him, and she would start by endangering herself.

Suddenly, a thick, black cloud of smoke appeared in front of her, and Kat froze as she watched it spin counter-clockwise. Of course Henri would find her before she found him. Somehow, he knew she would try to seek him out, and instead of staying secluded in the castle, he went to meet her personally. Realizing this gave Kat hope, and when the smoke finally cleared and she gazed at the immortal warlock for the first time since the failed Massacre, Kat felt nothing but pride. Slowly, she removed her hood.

Henri began to stride towards her, his hair already soaked from the rain. Somehow, I knew you would come, he said coldly. It’s not in your nature to stay away.

Kat stayed rooted to her spot. I wanted to see you. The thing with Melissa—it got completely out of hand.

Henri stopped mere centimeters away from her as he studied her. You betrayed me, Kat, he said as he reached out and snagged a few strands of her hair with his fingers. I should kill you where you stand.

You won’t, Kat said. A bold statement.

An amused glint lit up Henri’s features. How can you be so sure?

Because you would have done so by now, Kat said as she boldly reached out to stroke Henri’s face with the pad of her thumb. But you held back. Why?

Perhaps I see more in you than just the girl who betrayed me, Henri replied as he closed the gap between them. Perhaps I have invested too much into you to waste it all by mercilessly killing you.

You still want me, Kat breathed. And then, his lips were upon hers, and the two of them were hungry, tasting each other, longing for the two of them, as their bodies merged together, separated only by a thin layer of wet clothing. Kat pulled him closer to her so she could feel every inch of him, so she could feel him harden against her, begging her to satisfy him.

Yet soon, Henri broke away and stilled a finger on her lips. Not now. Soon, he promised, widening the gap between them. For now, I will give you a task.

Whatever you need done, I will do it, Kat promised, still relishing in how he felt against her.

Good, Henri said as he continuously studied her. I want you to remain with the Rebel Coven.

This shocked Kat. Why? They’re your enemies!

And they’re enemies I can’t dedicate much time to hunting down and eradicating, not when I’m planning on focusing the bulk of my time slaughtering the mortals. Henri paused. But you, Kat, can take care of them for me.

You want me to kill them, Kat said. A statement, not a question.

But Henri shook his head. I want you to undermine Melissa Young, he explained. And perhaps if you can manipulate them into doing my bidding for me, that would be even better.

You want me to take over her group? Kat questioned. Why?

Because, Kat, even I have doubts about living forever, Henri said as a grin spread across his lips. Whether I am somehow slain by either Melissa’s hand or the mortals, I need to set certain precautions in place to make sure my legacy continues on long after my demise.

You want me to carry on your legacy, Kat said, and Henri nodded.

I name you my successor, Henri explained before his expression grew hard. And that is why you must take over the Rebel Coven.

Chapter

One

Rebekah: Marywood, Florida

A

t first, there was nothing but blobs of color and an endless stream of unintelligible voices. Rebekah felt like she was falling through space as she fought to solidify the vision in front of her, and yet at first, nothing happened. The voices grew louder and louder until they became almost deafening, and the colors blurred together to form a circular blob.

And then, a face appeared with glowing, yellow eyes and skin as white as snow. Long, coal-black hair framed her face, and her lips were pulled back into a snarl, showing slightly yellowed teeth. She was Melissa Ivory Young, and she was the Queen.

Rebekah then flew backwards until she found herself in a dark throne room. She was barefoot in brown rags with metal handcuffs that encased both her very white wrists and ankles. Someone else was at her side, an immortal warlock she didn’t recognize, and her Queen gazed at her with such pure malice that she nearly shuddered under the witch’s gaze.

Do you not bow before your Queen? Melissa spat, clearly irritated.

The immortal warlock suddenly pushed her, and she fell to her knees in submission.

Good, Melissa said. You may rise.

Rebekah fought to stand, which was made more difficult because of the handcuffs. At last, she managed to do so, and the warlock yanked her back to her side.

Melissa leaned forward in her seat as a wicked smile played on her lips. Jessica Marie Taylor, you have been accused of stealing from the Dark Rulers. Do you refute these claims?

And that was when Rebekah realized she was not in her own body. She was in the body of another, watching and feeling the scene play out through the random human’s eyes. No, Your Majesty. Rebekah felt her mouth move as words that were not hers tumbled out of it.

Melissa leaned forward even more. So, you admit you stole from me.

Jessica—and by extension, Rebekah—then met Melissa’s gaze. Please, it was just one loaf of bread. We were all so hungry, and—

Silence! Melissa yelled, her voice reverberating throughout the room. Then, her voice became dangerously low. You and the other interns eat only when I tell you to, and only what you are given. You know this.

Please, Jessica rasped. Have mercy.

Isaiah! Melissa barked, and the warlock at Rebekah’s side stiffened at the mention of his name. Kill her and leave her hanging as an example to the other interns.

Yes, my Queen, Isaiah said. And then, he yanked Jessica back as he summoned a ball of electricity in his hand and fried her with it. She screamed, and so did Rebekah as the pain became overwhelming. And then, it was over, and the girl who was Jessica fell to the ground, deceased.

And Rebekah continued to scream.

Rebekah woke up in a cold sweat at four in the morning on the eighth of February as the last of her nightmare faded away. She could still feel the electricity infiltrate her system, could still see Melissa show a look of indifference as Isaiah killed the girl Rebekah had inhabited. But most of all, a feeling of dread overtook her as she recalled how the dream felt and how much trouble it underwent to manifest. It wasn’t a dream but a vision.

And Rebekah was a diluted Foreseer.

Rebekah blinked as she fought to see in the darkness of her room. Across from her bed were the bunk beds where her twin brothers slept, and next to the bedframe was the door that led to the rest of the apartment. The walls were bare of any wall hangings, and the room only had one small closet she and her brothers were forced to share. Compared to the house her family used to own before moving to Roseway, she knew the apartment would never feel like home. She even felt like a stranger within her own family.

Quietly, Rebekah slipped out of her bed and padded over to the closet. She was still wearing her pink, plaid pajama pants and white tank top as she slipped on a pair of worn flip flops. And then, she was out the door as she walked silently across the rest of the apartment. She could faintly hear the soft snoring of her father and the deep breaths of her mother as she moved towards the front door.

Holly and Andre were still in Ivanestible, and since Rebekah had returned from Munich, not a day went by when she didn’t feel their absence. She grabbed her phone off the high counter and turned it on, instantly being met with the current ongoing text stream between her and the two mortal witches. Since Holly didn’t have a phone of her own, she shared Andre’s phone, and though there were a few checking-up messages from Andre, most were from Holly as she detailed her mini vacation.

Before Rebekah realized it, she was already outside her apartment complex and halfway down the street. She knew it was dangerous for her to be alone outside, and she didn’t know where she was going. She just knew she had to be somewhere other than her apartment in the wake of her disturbing vision.

And then, an idea struck her. Though Holly and Andre were still not in town, her other best friend, Mandy, was. And Mandy was a full Foreseer; if anyone could make anything out of Rebekah’s vision, it would be her.

After powering off her phone, Rebekah broke out into a jog as she began her journey across town to Mandy’s house. Mandy lived in Marywood’s wealthy area, which meant Rebekah had a ways to go before she reached that area. She just hoped none of the immortal magic users found her before she reached her destination.

And much to her delight, there were no splotches of black smoke during her journey, no glowing, yellow eyes peering at her with pure malice. And there was no Henri, with his chin-length, brown hair that spilled into his face as he sunk his thumb deep into her wound, scraping, pressing, scratching—

Rebekah let out a gasp as she recalled the unbearable pain as he broke her. She didn’t even know one person could be capable of causing so much pain, both body and mind, until he came along. Until he destroyed the life she used to know.

Lost in thought, Rebekah almost ran smack into Mandy’s door, and like that, her memories vanished. All that mattered now was the present, and the present told her she needed to consult the only Foreseer she knew.

Rebekah was just about to knock when the door violently flew open. Suddenly, a knife was pointed at her throat, and she froze.

Rebekah, Mandy breathed in relief as she lowered the knife. And then, she quickly yanked Rebekah inside and shut the door behind her.

Rebekah stumbled before regaining her footing. What the hell?

Mandy shrugged apologetically. I thought you were someone else.

Rebekah didn’t need elaboration to know what Mandy meant. She wasn’t the only one who bore the scars of the ICW. Mandy also had plenty, especially since Henri blocked her visions and then proceeded to bewitch and manipulate her.

Anyway, Mandy said as she moved past Rebekah and deposited the knife on the lone coffee table in the room, what brings you here at almost five in the morning?

Rebekah could sense a hint of accusation in Mandy’s voice, but she ignored it. "How do your visions, well…feel?"

Mandy’s facial expression fell. They feel like dreams, she said slowly. "Well, not exactly like dreams, but… Her eyes narrowed. Why do you want to know?"

Rebekah gulped. You heard what Andre said at the ICW.

That you’re some sort of diluted Foreseer? Mandy questioned. Yeah, I know.

Then, help me! Rebekah pleaded. Please.

Mandy opened her mouth as if to protest but then instantly closed it. Alright, she finally said before motioning Rebekah forward. Follow me.

Mandy led Rebekah into an adjoining room, which turned out to be a huge kitchen. In the middle was a small dining table complete with three chairs, and Mandy slid into one while Rebekah took the one opposite her.

A thought suddenly came to Rebekah. Your parents won’t hear us, will they?

My parents aren’t here, Mandy deadpanned. Now, about your dream—

Wait, Rebekah said, stopping mid-sentence. What do you mean they’re not here?

Mandy sighed. Your parents haven’t been acting…strange, have they? Like the spell that was supposed to make them forget didn’t quite work or wasn’t strong enough?

Rebekah opened her mouth to refute such a claim, but then, she recalled how her parents acted towards her since her return from Munich. They didn’t outright ground her, but they did implement a whole new set of rules they claimed was for her protection.

Mandy took Rebekah’s silence as answer enough, and she said, They sat me down, straight-up told me they shouldn’t have taken me in, and then, they left.

What do you mean they said they shouldn’t have taken you in? Rebekah inquired.

I’m adopted, Rebekah, Mandy said. You know this.

And Rebekah did know this. It was one of the first things Mandy disclosed of herself when she, Rebekah, and Holly became friends. "But that doesn’t explain why they just up and left!"

Mandy shrugged, and then, she sighed. Either way, they didn’t sell the house. She paused, and her expression suddenly looked forlorn. They’ll be back. Though Rebekah could tell she didn’t entirely believe it.

Mandy, Rebekah said calmly, you can’t stay here by yourself.

Mandy glanced at Rebekah, and a thin coating of tears shimmered in her eyes. What do you suggest I do? she said. I can’t call anyone on the chance they’d take me far away from here, and being separated from you and Holly isn’t an option!

I can talk to my parents—

"They especially can’t know, Rebekah! Mandy snapped, which caused Rebekah to flinch. Please. I can’t risk it."

But—

You didn’t come here to discuss my situation, Mandy said in a tone that oozed finality. You came to discuss this vision of yours. So, talk.

I— Rebekah began before realizing she was at a loss for words. Anything she was about to say seemed so trivial compared to Mandy’s current situation and the fact that her adoptive parent may have abandoned her.

Mandy sighed. At first, before I knew…what I was, my visions just felt like any other dream, she began. But over time, I’ve come to realize my visions feel slightly different than normal dreams.

How do they feel different? Rebekah questioned, finally finding her voice.

They feel more finite, like I’m actually living through them, Mandy said. My senses come alive, and I can feel everything and smell everything and—

I felt the pain of being electrocuted to death, Rebekah said solemnly, "but I don’t think I smelled anything."

You’re a diluted Foreseer, Mandy said as if that were answer enough.

Rebekah shook her head. But what does that even mean?

Mandy shrugged. Your visions may not be as finite as mine, if they even materialize at all.

Rebekah thought for a moment. And then, she said, It took a while before the vision manifested.

Whereas mine come right away, Mandy said matter-of-factly. And then, she narrowed her eyes. What was your vision about?

Melissa Young, Rebekah said, and Mandy tensed. It was not lost on Rebekah that for days, Melissa Young and her band of rebels had kidnapped Mandy straight from the ICW facility and held her hostage. She was the immortal ruler, and she had a warlock named Isaiah kill the human whose body I inhabited.

Mandy’s mouth hung open for a moment before she regained her composure. You know what’s great about the future? she said. "It can change, Rebekah. Our visions only show us what can happen. They’re meant to guide us into making the correct choices for the desired outcome. In your case, an outcome that does not involve…that."

Rebekah scoffed. So what, we kill Melissa Young? She already had enough on her plate with Henri ruthlessly hunting her. She didn’t need to add Melissa on top of that.

Maybe, Mandy said by way of explanation. We already know Melissa’s rule would be worse than Henri’s.

Rebekah gulped as she remembered how Henri tortured her. She still had a hard time believing anyone could be worse than him, but then again—

I met Andre’s father, Mandy said suddenly. When Melissa and her rebels kidnapped me, that’s where they took me.

Rebekah froze. She had only heard stories about the Spy from Andre, but those stories were enough to convince her she never wanted to cross paths with him.

Mandy leaned forward in her seat. If Melissa is capable of recruiting Spies to her side, who knows what else she’s capable of?

Rebekah gulped, knowing Mandy had a point.

But Mandy wasn’t done. We’re now fighting a war on both sides, Rebekah. A war neither of us wanted. She paused as she allowed her previous words to sink in. When the witches return, we need to reconvene and discuss strategy. Melissa promised Cody Robinson his daughter in exchange for him helping her, and I fear what lengths the rebels will go through in order to deliver on that promise.

Chapter

Two

Holly: Rhineshardt, Ivanestible

H

olly stared blankly into Natasha Alekseev’s casket the day of the funeral procession, feeling nothing but a pang of sadness and strange emptiness. She never knew the girl, but she had met the leader of the Russian clique, Tatiana Andreivich, and she knew enough to know that Tatiana and Natasha had been close, and for a moment, she felt connected to Tatiana in a way no one else would understand. After all, Tatiana had lost her best friend, and Holly had lost both of her parents.

Holly dried her tears with the back of her hand as she placed a single, red rose she had summoned earlier next to Natasha’s body. Since Tatiana couldn’t attend the funeral herself, Holly placed it there for her as a sign of respect. It was the least she could do, since Rebekah and Mandy were still alive. Then, she turned her back on the casket and searched the area for her cousin, Andre.

The marketplace of a small town called Rhineshardt was where the current mortal king, Jason Speirs, chose to host the funeral. The closest town to the Ivanestible castle, Esherdwin, would have been too vulnerable to an attack following the mortal unrest caused by Jason’s son, Jeffery’s, forced enthrallment to the current immortal ruler, Henri Anderson. Yet, Rhineshardt was also where Andre grew up before her mother’s passing, and as such, being here again, in the heart of the town that killed her mother, couldn’t have been easy for Andre.

After a few more moments of searching, Holly soon found Andre near the caskets of the mortal magic users who died during the ICW Massacre. Aaron Hansen and Reilly Sims, two mortal warlocks, sandwiched her, and standing next to Reilly was someone Holly didn’t expect to see: Courtney Case, who had been Andre’s partner at the ICW.

Slowly, Holly approached them, at first not understanding why she was so hesitant. It wasn’t as though Arizona Bleu, Andre’s former best friend, was also with them, the witch whose strange dislike for Holly ultimately ended her friendship with Andre. In fact, Arizona didn’t even seem to be in attendance. And she knew Aaron, and she even seemed to be on friendly terms with Reilly.

And then, it hit her, why everything felt strange to her. At the beginning of the ICW, Courtney and Andre were anything but civil to each other, but somehow that had blossomed into what Holly could only deem as an uneasy friendship. The two of them, in a weird sort of way, understood each other, despite coming from completely different backgrounds.

Courtney was the one who spotted Holly first, and as a huge grin spread across her lips, she motioned with her arms for Holly to come forth. Holly, hey! she said as if she and Holly were friends as well, which was weird, considering Holly barely knew her.

The other three magic users turned to stare at her as well, starting with Reilly and Aaron and eventually ending with Andre, the latter fighting to conceal the hint of a smile.

Hey, Holly said shyly as she slid uncomfortably into the group. And then, she realized with a pang, she didn’t truly know any of them, not even Andre, whom she had only reconnected with last June.

Andre briefly glanced at the other three, her smile vanishing. If you’ll excuse us, she said solemnly, only widening the pit Holly felt in her stomach.

Holly didn’t protest when Andre suddenly dragged her away from the group and towards a lone table in the back of the funeral procession. In fact, neither of them said anything as they took seats across from each other, and Holly stared at Andre, waiting for her cousin to explain what was going on.

After a few more seconds of silence, Holly was tired of waiting. The dragging silence was doing nothing to quell her burning anxiety, and the more the silence stretched onwards, the more Holly couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong. What happened? she questioned, wondering if there was some unseen threat at the funeral. Perhaps the Royal Guard got intel that mortal rebels had breached the funeral after all and were currently lying in wait before they struck.

At first, Andre said nothing as she scanned the dwindling funeral procession. After a moment, however, she leaned forward in her seat and said, As soon as we return to Marywood, I’m taking you out of that human school.

Holly blanched as if her cousin had physically struck her. Why?

Andre shot Holly a look, one that suggested she should already know the answer. "Because that school’s a waste of your time and mine, she stated matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I don’t know why your parents enrolled you to a human school in the first place, but—"

I begged them to send me, Holly said suddenly.

Andre raised an eyebrow, skeptical. You begged your parents to send you to school at five years old or however old humans are when they start school?

Holly flinched. "I…I wanted the socialization. I wanted friends, she hissed. My parents wouldn’t let me hang with the neighborhood kids, and I was so goddamn lonely—"

Andre held up a hand to silence Holly. Okay, I get it, she said before sighing. "But you don’t need that now."

Would you just abandon Rebekah and Mandy that easily? Holly huffed.

Of course not! Andre looked wounded. "But, Holly, you fail to realize that while they have a future there, you do not!"

Holly let out a bitter laugh. Seems like I don’t have much of a future to begin with.

Holly… Andre shook her head. God, you sound just like I did when I was your age.

Seems like it runs in the family, Holly spat. And I assume I don’t have a choice?

It’ll be better this way, Andre said. "Especially when I start mentoring you."

Holly instantly perked up. Mentoring me?

Andre nodded. You may have more power than anyone else your age, but you lack the mind to control it.

Holly scoffed. "How do you know what I and others my age have?"

"Because I’ve seen it!"

Holly shook her head. You’re wrong. And even if you weren’t, how would you manage to pull me out of school? It’s pretty obvious you’re not my mom. The school doesn’t even know my parents are dead! And, though painfully, Holly realized no one but the magic users and the humans allowed to retain their memories would even know of her parents’ passing.

"You seem to forget I have magic, just like you, Andre said. They can be bewitched."

Holly wanted to argue Andre’s point. She wanted to fight tooth and nail to remain at that school, where she could see Rebekah and Mandy every day. Yet right as she opened her mouth to speak, Reilly chose that moment to plop himself in the empty seat next to Andre.

What are the two cousins discussing now? Reilly said in an awfully cheerful manner.

Andre, who wasn’t at all amused by Reilly’s cheerful demeanor, said, "For God’s sake, we’re at a funeral, Reilly!"

Reilly met her stare. I didn’t think you believed in God. Or any deity, for that matter.

Andre rolled her eyes. One would think you’d show some sort of respect for the dead.

Reilly’s expression suddenly grew dark, and Holly knew Andre struck a nerve. I paid my respects. I even prayed to the Triple Goddess for those souls’ protection! Reilly shut his eyes, and Holly could hear the tremble in his labored breathing. I still have nightmares about that night, the fire and the charred remains of our kind, of what was done to Rebekah and Jeffery, and then nearly losing you… He then trailed off, and his body shook as if he were reliving those experiences.

Andre’s expression softened into one of remorse. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—

"We’re all somewhat tense after what happened. I can sense it in you and Holly. But we also handle our tension differently, Reilly said as he finally opened his eyes. I joke and try to lighten moods. It’s how I deal with all this."

For the first time since the two cousins reunited, Holly noted how truly flustered her cousin looked. It was almost comical, and she would have laughed if the circumstances were different.

Andre’s taking me out of school, Holly said suddenly, and it was almost worth it to see the look of shock plastered on Reilly’s face. Andre, however, shot Holly a murderous look, which caused her to shrink back in her seat.

You’re taking her out of Witchcraft Academy? Reilly questioned.

"No, I’m taking her out of her human school, Andre explained, still staring daggers at Holly. And she’s fighting me on this."

It might as well be Witchcraft Academy! Holly hissed before shooting Reilly a pleading look. If anyone could talk Andre out of this decision, she was sure Reilly could in Aaron’s absence.

Yet much to her chagrin, Reilly gave Andre an approving nod and said, That’s probably for the best. We need all the able bodies we can get.

Andre sighed in a tone that suggested she’s had this conversation before. She’s not joining the Royal Guard, Reilly.

Yet, Reilly stated, and just like that, his playful demeanor was back. "She’s not joining yet."

She’s fourteen, Reilly! Andre snapped.

"What is it you told Aaron at age thirteen? Reilly teased. Ah, yes. That you wanted to join the Royal Guard."

Andre shook her head. That was different.

Was it? Reilly questioned. "Seems like Holly here has even more of a reason to join the Royal Guard than you did at that age, considering Henri’s tried to kill her and her friends."

When the time comes, that’ll be her decision, Andre said. But that time isn’t now.

Holly glanced between the two of them, confused. You guys want me to join the Royal Guard?

Andre shook her head. Reilly does.

Aaron said he wouldn’t be opposed to it either, Andre, Reilly pointed out. He even offered to mentor her like he did you and me.

"I’m mentoring her, Andre snapped. No offense to Aaron, but I’ve seen what Holly’s capable of, and I know what needs to be done."

Reilly nodded thoughtfully, and then, his expression soured. Aaron’s pressing hard for the expansion of the Royal Guard.

Holly’s pulse quickened with this information, and Andre said, Any success with Jason?

Reilly shrugged. He’s getting there.

What do you mean he’s trying to expand the Royal Guard? Holly questioned.

Traditionally, the Royal Guard has only been reserved for the best of the best, and you have to be invited in in order to join. It’s why there are so few of us, Reilly explained. "However, we’ve never had to fight an immortal war on two fronts before and fight a mortal front on our own soil, so Aaron’s trying to get that…changed."

Which isn’t the easiest thing, considering so many mortals are set in their ways, Andre added. I know William would have never agreed to Aaron’s proposition.

Jason’s different, more progressive, Reilly said, as evident by him hosting the ICW.

Hosting the ICW was a stupid decision, Andre protested.

A wry smile spread across Reilly’s lips as he said, Still progressive.

Andre shook her head, and Holly said, What does any of this have to do with me?

Reilly opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a single word, Andre said, Absolutely nothing. She shot Reilly a warning glare. And it will stay that way.

But— Holly began.

But it was evident Andre was done with the conversation, and as she pushed herself out of her seat, she said, We’re leaving. Make sure to send Aaron our regards.

And just like that, Holly was pulled out of her seat, leaving Reilly behind, as Andre led her towards the edge of the Rhineshardt marketplace plaza. Once they were a safe distance away, Andre suddenly stopped, causing Holly to nearly smack into her.

I’m done with this place, Andre said suddenly, and not solely because of the memories being back here digs up.

Holly said nothing. In the past, she had only been to Rhineshardt a handful of times with her parents for Andre’s birthday. She remembered the last time her family came to the city, how her mother and aunt fought, and how they heard her aunt had suddenly died later that night. She remembered the anguish Kiki felt, and for weeks, her household had been in a constant state of mourning.

At last, Andre sighed. "I’m sorry. I’m trying to do better, to be better. It’s just sometimes, being better is so fucking hard."

Holly didn’t know what to say, and so, she said the first thing that popped into her head. "Well, you could start by treating Reilly better."

Andre shook her head. I’m trying to protect myself.

"From Reilly? Holly was baffled. He saved you! I don’t think his niceness is meant to mask some sinister, ulterior motive!"

Andre glanced over her shoulder at the funeral procession, and a flash of pain appeared in her eyes. Jerauld was nice to me too. Once.

Holly shook her head, sure she misheard her cousin. "You mean Jerauld Reid? He’s immortal! He was found out and got banished from Ivanestible years ago!"

Both he and his sister were found out because of me! Andre snapped. "He had some sort of infatuation with me, which eventually led to him and his sister killing a human!"

Holly froze at the mention of Kat. Katherine Reid was also at the ICW, disguised as a mortal chaperone. Suddenly, her curiosity for Andre began to make a lot more sense. Did Jerauld try to…

But at that moment, Andre shot Holly the meanest look she had ever seen, which made Holly suddenly clam up. There was still so much she didn’t know about her cousin, but prodding Andre would only make things worse. We leave now, she said with finality.

Before Holly had time to react, Andre was already halfway through her teleportation spell. Within a moment, the sparks started to consume Holly as well with only one place at the forefront of her mind: her trailer. The void between the two locations soon sucked her in before spitting her back out within the living room area.

Andre was already there, watching her with an unreadable expression. Instinctively, Holly blanched.

Where’s your school? Andre inquired.

"You’re seriously going to take me out of school now?" Even though Andre had already stated she was going to take Holly out of that school as soon as they returned to Marywood, Holly still had secretly hoped she had more time there.

Andre just shook her head, bewildered. The sooner we do this, the sooner I can start training you.

So I can join the Royal Guard, Holly spat as harshly as she could. She doubted she would even survive her first mission if they decided to take her in as a permanent member.

"You’re not joining the Royal Guard, Andre stated flatly. I’ll make sure of that."

"Well, the school’s kind of