“He’s gone, Your Grace.”

The words lingered heavy in the air.

“What?”

With a shuddering breath, Ludo repeated the message.

“Chastin has gone, Your Grace,” he breathed out in a rush. “Last seen in the early hours of this morning, preparing a horse. We have reason to believe he was heading towards Medica. He’s gone to the girl.”

Queen Briseis burned with uncontrolled rage, green eyes wild and bright with anger. Her gaze roved over the myriad of faces staring up at her, watching with bated breath, their expressions a mixture of awe, curiosity and fear. She clenched her hands into fists, nails digging deep into her palms and drawing blood.

“Leave us,” she hissed, beckoning to her guards to clear the hall. “I wish to speak with my advisors alone.”

She waited for the chamber to clear, the frown marring her head growing deeper. The great oak doors closed with a resounding thud, echoing through the silent hall.

Now alone with her advisors, the Queen leapt to her feet, robes billowing behind her as she marched up to Ludo. He swallowed as she approached, but stood his ground.

“How did this happen?” she demanded. “I thought I had made myself clear: No one allowed in or out of the castle unless by my decree.”

Ludo glanced down at the Queen’s hands, where a faint light was emanating from her fingertips. He looked to his left, catching sight of Borislav and Ines, who were determinedly avoiding his gaze, and instead watching the Queen with weary eyes. They too had noticed the powerful magic starting to emanate off of her in waves.

“I believe the guards who let Chastin through thought that he may be an exception,” he replied. “Clearly they were mistaken. Rest assured, Your Grace,” Ludo continued hastily as Briseis’ face twisted into an ugly purple colour, “Lord Borislav has seen to it that they will be most severely punished.”

Borislav flinched as the Queen turned her gaze on him, his rotund belly bouncing. “They will rue their mistake, my Lady,” he said, as she towered over him. “I will see to their penance personally.”

“Make sure you do, Borislav. I want to hear their screams ringing through this castle as they are Purged.”

“Purged, my Lady?” Borislav looked aghast. “You wish me to strip them of their powers?”

“Yes,” she hissed. “They have shamed the House of Infernum, they have shamed their Queen. They do not deserve the honour of our House.”

“But - but Your Grace —“

“Purge them, Borislav,” she ordered, tone final, “or I will Purge you.”

The advisor paled at the Queen’s threat. Unable to get any words out, he nodded and bowed low in acquiescence.

“That’s - that’s not all, Your Grace,” Ludo stammered, cowering as Briseis turned and narrowed her eyes towards him again, lips pursed into a thin line. “He managed to take something as well.”

Briseis’ flesh broke out into a cold sweat, a lump forming in her throat. She closed her eyes and let out a rattling breath.

“What was it?” she hissed, dread roiling in her stomach. “What did Chastin take?”

The silence stretched as Ludo hesitated, well aware of what was about to unfold.

“The Codex,” Ludo finally breathed, bracing himself. “He took the Codex.”

A dark shadow swept across the hall, the temperature dropping as the Queen’s fury nucleated, ready to explode.

Her scream of rage rang through the castle, shattering the windows. Ludo ducked just in time as Briseis’ hands flew wild, sending a streaming ball of fire over his head, which exploded against a marble pillar and crumbled into dust with a shuddering thud.

“Hunt down the traitor,” the Queen spat, spittle flying everywhere, chest heaving. “and bring them back to me alive. I want to deal with my son myself.”