"You knew?"Julian breathed.

Cassandra gasped as she bumped into Nickolas's bicep, and she realized Julian must have stopped suddenly.

"Of course I knew." Nickolas pushed forward.

"And you didn't tell me? You didn't think that would have been the right thing to do after all we'd been through?" Julian sounded offended.

"Did you expect me to?" Nickolas said.

"You let me think you were dead." There was a slight tremor in Julian's voice.

"You said you had something interesting to tell me. So far, none of this has been new to me." Nickolas's voice was hard.

There was a brief moment of silence. In the dark, there footsteps were thunderous, but the noise was dim compared to the erratic beating of Cassandra's heart. She didn't know what was affecting her so, but she suddenly felt encaged.

"Granger's planning to meet with someone tonight." Julian finally continued. "At a pub on the outskirts of town. There was to be some sort of exchange."

"Who's the someone?" Nickolas's voice was hard.

"I'm not sure I should tell you any more. I'm not sure I can trust you. You obviously didn't trust me enough to tell me what was really going on. I mourned you for months, and you didn't think it was proper to give me some sort of sign? After all our time together?"

"Julian, I trust no one. You're nothing special. Now, tell me."

"It's the Lord Chancellor's assistant." Julian breathed. Nickolas cursed heavily. "What is it?"

"I know what they're planning." Nickolas said bitterly. "We have to move. Now."

"What?" Julian seemed almost as confused as Cassandra.

"We have to get to that pub before Granger." Nickolas said shortly.

"I thought it was only a meeting to exchange information." Julian sputtered, but they were moving again. She seemed to know the urgency even if she didn't understand the reason behind it.

"Exactly. Granger means to bring the nation to its knees before swooping in as its savior. The Lord Chancellor's assistant is bringing him everything he needs to know. He's going to assassinate the queen and everyone close to her." Nickolas's grip tightened almost imperceptibly on Cassandra's hand.

"I don't understand. The queen has guards around her wherever she goes." Julian protested.

"And the Lord Chancellor would know when they change positions."

Silence fell over them, and the close air of the basement was suddenly stifling. Cassandra tried to breathe through her mouth but found no relief there. Whatever mad path this Granger had been on for revenge, it was obviously taking second plate to his bigger plans.

She tried not to think about what would happen if such a man as Granger sat on the British throne. A monster like that would stain the streets red with innocent blood. All the running and injury she and Nickolas had endured over the past several days would be for nothing. They would die, too.

Barely noticing the ragged breath pumping through her lungs, she tried to see Nickolas in the darkness. Even with his skills, there was no way he could save her from something so big. Not this time. She had to show him that she was strong now. He needed her to be that for him.

She was jerked to a halt for half a second before fresh air found her nostrils. They pressed out into the open beneath a broken board. The night air refreshed her, and she drew it in deeply.

Nickolas released her hand and took hold of Julian's shoulders. "Where next?"

"This way." Julian's voice was strong, and it was obvious that whatever doubts she'd had a moment ago were gone.

The two of them tore off down a nearby street, and Cassandra had no choice but to follow. In her corset and long dress, she was hard pressed to keep ten steps behind them, and as they continued, their pace never slackening, she gradually fell further and further behind. Tight pain sprouted in her sides, and her legs felt like lead.

"Keep up!" Julian's voice called, and Cassandra heard a heavy sigh.

Her temper reared up inside her. "Next time you feel up to running in a corset, send me a note, and I'll be happy to scrutinize you!" Her voice was ragged but dangerously sweet.

She looked down at her useless feet, plodding along so slowly beneath her. Willing them to move faster had long since stopped working. Every muscle in her body ached, and looking at Nickolas and Julian moving so effortlessly was frustrating her to no end.

She was about to give up altogether and just lie down and die on her own—it would have been better than this endless running—and then an arm cut her off mid-step. The next thing she knew, she was slung upside down over a broad shoulder.

"Lead the way, Julian." She could feel the rumble of Nickolas's voice, and though it was a comforting sound, it almost made her want to cry.

In his arms, she felt little and delicate. Like a little child. She wanted to feel strong and brave like Julian, because Julian was the sort of woman that would attract Nickolas's attention.

"Put me down." She ground out, clutching the material of his shirt even as she spoke. "You don't have the right to throw me around like a pet!"

"Go ahead and tell yourself that." He chuckled.

Her anger broiled inside her like a volcano, and she struck him in the back as hard as she could. She hadn't been so infuriated with him in a while, and the familiar emotion threatened to choke her. How could he be so. . .so incredibly. . .attractive while being such a complete ass?

"Don't try to fool yourself—you know you like being so close to me." She could almost visualize the arrogant smirk on his face, and despite her anger, she found herself wishing she could actually see him. It seemed like such a long time since he'd made that expression.

She scoffed. "I wouldn't want to be with you if you were the last man in England." And she punched him again to show him she meant it.

"Keep dreaming, sweetheart." His voice was quieter and had less umph to it.

He was distracted, Cassandra realized. She suddenly felt like a loose end that was just waving in the breeze. He didn't need her here—she was only taking up precious time and energy.

She heard Julian say something, and Nickolas responded quickly, his voice serious and level. He respected Julian, and he enjoyed her company. She was capable and strong—both things that Cassandra would never be, she realized bitterly. She was weak and helpless, nothing but extra weight.

Nickolas set her down quickly, and she realized they were in an alleyway. There was a terrible smell in the air, and when he pushed her back against the wall of one of the buildings, she could feel the damp filth soaking through her clothes.

"What's your idea, Julian?" Nickolas said. His attention was fully on the tall woman next to him.

"I'm not sure. We have to have a way to distract him, something to draw his attention." Julian said quietly. "You could kidnap him; you're experts at that." Cassandra snapped.

Julian scoffed. "That would only draw attention, and Granger would be on us like fleas on a rat. It has to be something more subtle."

"Tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking." Nickolas paid no attention to Cassandra's comment, and she felt a foolish pang shoot into her chest and lodge there.

"You know it's the only way." Julian said, and Cassandra heard her move, reaching out to touch Nickolas's arm no doubt. In the dark, she hadn't noticed how close the two of them were standing until now.

"Seducing him is both dangerous and unlikely to succeed." Nickolas said firmly. "Look, I'm sure he's been paid enough to find a cheap whore if he's looking for. . .comfort."

"You and I both know I'm not cheap." The statement seemed to have layers.

"Maybe not, but I'm not sure it's worth risking." Nickolas said.

"Then what do you suggest?" Julian sounded exasperated.

They continued talking, but Cassandra shut them out. She could never compare to Julian. Bitterness flooded her. She was. . .jealous. She'd never felt such a feeling before, and the realization that she was feeling it now shocked her.

Her annoyance and despair flooded away for half a second, and she looked at herself objectively. Here she was: wallowing and bemoaning her fate. She was trying to prove herself better than a woman who had been caught up in this world for ages.

What was the point of all of it, anyway? All these feelings and internal struggles—what good were they doing? She was an Antrucha. It didn't matter how wonderful this woman was! Maybe she could never compare to that, but in trying to prove herself worth something, she was making herself cheap.

Nickolas didn't love her. He didn't want her. Trying to make herself look more appealing, however, was nothing short of foolish. This was who she was, and trying to change that or make it look like she was someone else would get her nowhere. On the off-chance that her efforts actually succeeded in making him feel something for her, it would all be for the sake of a lie, and in time, he would see the truth.

Determination flooded her veins. While she didn't intend to try to prove herself, she could still do something to help. Right now, she was a deadweight, and their little 'team' was in sore need of help.

Straightening, she took a step away from the wall. It was a small step, but she felt like she'd covered miles. It didn't matter that she was dirty and ragged, she had all the grace of royalty, and she commanded attention. Nickolas and Julian stopped mid-conversation and looked at her.

"Take me to him." She said regally.

"What?" The two said simultaneously.

Cassandra scoffed. "Look, you need someone to seduce him. I think you've just spent the last five minutes arguing that it's the only way, Julian." Both of them stared at her. "And while you may be incredibly skilled, I think we could all agree that this is my area of expertise."

"No." Nickolas's voice was gruff.

"Oh, come on. Don't be dense. We both know this is not only the best way but also the only way. You need those papers from him, and you can't exactly roughhouse him, as Julian so politely pointed out. I'm your only shot."

Nickolas scoffed, his eyes boring holes into her. "I said no."

"I think she might have a point, Nickolas." Julian said almost tentatively.

Nickolas's gaze fixed Julian with a heated glare for a brief moment before returning to Cassandra. In the shadows, it was difficult to make out his expression, but she knew it was fierce. She almost paused and reconsidered, but shaking her head, she squared her shoulders.

"I'm going, so one of you kindly show me which man I'm supposed to seduce."

—––––––––––––––————————–——–

Well, well, well, Cassandra's done, I guess. She's ready to do something instead of just sitting on the sidelines, but at what cost? What do you think is going to happen now that she's actually getting involved? What is Nickolas going to do? Will he even let her go?

I'm working on the next chapter now, so I should be able to have it up soonish. . .I won't make any promises, though. These next few chapters are going to be very important, and I may take some time writing them simply because I want them to be the very best they can be. I hope y'all are as excited as I am, because we are about to see a lot of crazy go down. Until I get the next chapter up, happy reading!!