We danced. The music swelled as prince Soren lead me around the square. I’d tried to decline his offer, but he had insisted. Denying the crown prince wasn’t something any court lady would do and if it weren’t for this ridiculous persona I had to uphold, I’d have done exactly that. But like a demure noble daughter I’d forced my cheeks to flush and obliged, taking his hand. My eyes remained on the edges of the party looking for anything out of place. If Erebus’ assassin was here I needed to be ready, I needed to focus on every minute detail. Anything that seemed out of place could mean courtier’s end. I wouldn’t let him infiltrate this court. Soren pinched the skin of my hand yanking my attention from the edges and dark corners of the garden. “Quite distracted for young lady.” “Apologies your highness, I’m not feeling entirely well.” “I’d be happy to escort you back to your rooms if you’d like? It would put quite a damper on my birthday festivities, but I’d rather see you returned safely than accept the congratulations of my upcoming coronation from each and every dignitary in attendance.” Soren smirked, but I was already looking around again. We made the turn in front of the orchestra and as Soren spun me I could have sworn I’d seen someone step past a dark opening in the hedge that lead further from the palace. The music settled giving way to a round of applause as the clock struck midnight, and the screech of fireworks taking off before they erupted above the castle. If I hadn’t been looking for it I would have missed the sharp scream that was barely audible under the chorus of laughter and clapping that roared through the garden. Attendees stared up at the sky whilst I made for the hedge maze. “Eve!” Soren called after me, but I was gone. The maze was black beyond the light of the party. I did my best in the heels I’d been forced into and the weight of the flowing gown that seemed to catch on every little point. I hiked up my skirt, pulling the dagger from the sheath at my thigh. Slowing near the final turn that would deliver me from the maze I held the dagger ready and listened. Garbled sounds we’re all that came from the stone steps that lead from the maze to the rest of grounds. I peaked beyond the foliage, Baron Cadmium’s body lay at the top of the steps, no other person in sight. I stepped toward the man gasping for air. My guard remained up as I knelt next to him. I sheathed the dagger once more as he grabbed my hand. “The others… he has the others.” “What others? Do you mean Lord Erebus?” He barely nodded and swallowed, his blood pooling beneath his chest. “The King. He’ll have him—“ He stilled, the light in his eyes fading. Soren darted around the corner and stopped abruptly “Evelyn, is he—?” I nodded forcing up tears, ever the damsel in distress. “I though I heard a scream under the fireworks. He was dying when I found him but he’s gone now.” Soren knelt beside me pulling my hand from the Baron’s. “Did he tell you who did this?” I shook my head gasping for air “He only asked me to stay with him, so I did.” Soren pulled me into his arms and I shook playing the part of a terrified girl. “Let’s get you away from here.” Soren stood pulling me along with him. I looked back at Cadmium’s body his skin already appearing to shrink around his bones. I shivered for real this time knowing exactly what had kill him and pitied him for the pain he must have been in. For him to utter those scraps of information was a feat. The shade stone should have drained him completely, but what others did Erebus have? And how would he have the King?