Rahn's POV. 12 hours earlier.

"Why can't you tell me what's going on?" Rahnn asked Butok.

"Because you don't need to know."

"How do I not need to know? You guys specifically made me accept this invitation, one that I would have gladly accepted anyway, but yet you also only let me send one short sentence and didn't want me to send anything else. That doesn't make any sense."

He just shrugged.

"And now here I am, on the day of the event and I'm just supposed to go on this date like normal? Why did you even get involved in the letter between us anyway if you weren't gonna give me any instructions or anything?"

"Like I said, you don't need to know."

"You don't need to know either." Rahn sighed.

He shrugged again. "Maybe. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that they wanted you to go, so you go."

"I would have gone anyway! Now, instead of going and enjoying myself, I'll be all anxious and wondering what in the world is going on. Don't you think that will be noticeable and will hinder whatever objective they have?"

At that, he chuckled. "Maybe just get there early then and spend a little time with your boy toy. I'm sure he can relax you."

She scoffed. "Men."

She sighed and made sure her voice spoke more calmly this time. "Seriously, Butok. Is there anything you think that I should know? We are friends, right? Am I in danger? Or anything like that?"

"Friends?" He raised a brow muscle at her. "I'm sure you will be fine. Now, go get home and get ready. You don't wanna be late for your big date."

Three hours later, Rahn was dressed and had a light amount of makeup on her face and a simple necklace on. She rarely got the opportunity to dress in anything extravagant. As she looked at herself in the mirror she decided maybe it wasn't such a terrible thing to do on occasion. Sometimes she wished she had the opportunity to do it more often. Not every day, but just special occasions. Maybe one day she would go on an actual date. When a certain male popped into her mind at the idea, she quickly squashed it down.

As she went to leave her dwelling, Huko was there waiting on her doorstep. "What now?" Rahn asked.

"We couldn't let you go without your jewelry." Huko held up the ornate earpiece Rahn had worn previously.

"It doesn't exactly match." Rahn countered and Hutok just shrugged. "Fine." Rahn took the earpiece from her and placed it in her ear before removing the necklace she had put on, since they didn't go together.

When she arrived at the Grand Hall, she let out a sigh as she spotted Thuq. The sigh was mixed with relief at finding him alone, but also anxiety that now the game would begin, and she wasn't holding all the cards. She wasn't holding any cards, in fact. She hated going in completely blind.

When Thuq saw her, she immediately put her hand up to her ear. Making sure he noted that the same earpiece, disguised as jewelry, was being worn. When Huko had showed up outside of her house as she was leaving, demanding she wear it, it took all within her not to pummel her for answers. But Lana wasn't supposed to be able to pummel anyone. She did make sure to give her a piece of her mind though, before the female took off. Of course, she didn't seem to care.

She was relieved when Thuq made it a point to lower his voice, sounding more like Kahal. She had to hand it to the man, he was able to match the way he spoke almost perfectly. She guessed that had to do with years of working directly with him.

She kept an eye out around her surroundings but made sure her face remained pleasant as he escorted her to their seats.

"We've been invited to sit in the Royal box." Thuq informed her.

"Oh?" She asked in surprise.

He nodded. "Yes, they did some rearranging, which provided more room in the box. We've been given quite the honor."

"Yes, that is quite an honor." Is what she said on the outside. Meanwhile she was inwardly cursing him for divulging potential harmful information to whoever was listening on the other side. Hopefully this wouldn't give them too much time to adjust any plans they had.

The guards opened the door to the Royal box for them and she stepped inside, immediately greeted by Kahal's eyes seemingly staring straight into her soul. She had expected him to immediately begin questioning her, in a discreet way of course, but to her surprise he simply sat there staring at her with a look she couldn't quite place.

She felt frozen in place as she watched his eyes roam up and down her body. Her confidence in her appearance wavering under his intense scrutiny. Her dress was different from all the others, but it wasn't any less refined and beautiful. Or so she had thought. Maybe pants were a poor choice. Even if it allowed her better movement, it wouldn't do her any favors to stand out. She didn't often feel a lack of confidence in herself. She didn't like it. And when his gaze returned to hers she couldn't quite place what she was feeling, further adding to her anxiety.

Eventually they were seated and the show began. She had a hard time sitting still. She needed to be up and moving, investigating. Yet she couldn't.

When an intermission came, she jumped at the opportunity to get up and move. She almost darted straight out the door but then she remembered the delicate looking female sitting next to Kahal. Surely a guard would escort her if she left to use the facilities. But of course there were no female guards posted here. She wanted to roll her eyes at the lack of thought. So she offered for the two of them to go together. It's not like she had anything else to do specifically. And this way she could find out who Kahal's love interest, and her potential future Queen, was.

She kept an eye out while they walked and then waited in line to use the facilities but she didn't see anything of note. In speaking with Lady Biechta, however, it quickly became apparent that she was a gentle wallflower with little to no real life experience. This was someone Kahal was considering to be their queen? Rahn thought in disbelief. She was adorable and sweet though, and Rahn immediately felt protective of the girl.

The rest of the production continued with no mishaps and Rahn actually found herself struggling to not be completely engrossed in the performance. She forced herself to stay on alert though, although she did allow herself the indulgence of paying attention to the scenes "she" was in. The performer did well, but Rahn couldn't help but cringe in embarrassment at her life being portrayed for all to see, even if hers was such a small part and the play didn't divulge any personal information about her, even her real name.

The production ended and Rahn found herself mixed in with the four princes' entourage, heading backstage. When Kahal and Kietnan pulled back to have a private discussion, it took everything within her not to pull back and join them. But she was Lana right now, Thuq's date. Not Rahn, the dutiful guard. At least an excuse to stay nearby to some of the Premier fell into her lap without her having to weasel her way in. She just hoped no one said anything that would allow those listening via her earpiece insight they didn't need to know.

She was sure that was her sole duty for the group tonight, but she couldn't help but wonder what it was they hoped to gain from what someone like Lana could overhear. There's no way they could have known she would be moved into the royal box at the last moment and then be invited to join them backstage by the most innocent female on the entirety of planet Domu. She guessed this was their lucky night, she groaned inwardly.

When the guards were sent to investigate the noise down the hall and didn't return, followed by a group of Qarthans banging down the door, she knew. She had allowed them to know exactly where the Prince's group had gathered. To know when they were in a more vulnerable position. And they were vulnerable. They were nowhere near reinforcements and had no way of calling out for help.

Of course Halan didn't have a tablet or anything else to communicate with in her office. She was the most eccentric Qarthan Rahn had ever met. When Halan explained she didn't want anything distracting her, that she only brought the tablet to work with her when she knew she had to use it, Rahn wanted to roll her eyes at the woman.

She struggled with leaving with the other females when Kahal insisted on staying behind. She was the guard, he was the Royal. But she would hold onto her secret identity until the very last possible moment. And she knew there was no way Kahal would budge on staying behind. She would have to trust that he could take care of himself.

Feeling the need to protect the untrained females gave her the push she needed to force herself to flee with them. Not long after they entered the underbelly of the stage, she heard the faint sound of the door crashing through in the distance.

"We have to keep moving. Kahal knows what he's doing." Kietnan urged them all on.

"This way." Othen said when they reached the northern wall, just under the front of the stage.

"Sorry, this is a dead end." An unknown male voice rang out. He stepped out from behind a support pillar, just in front of Othen.

"I need you all to go that way, instead." He pointed in the opposite direction.

"No, I don't think so." Othen responded.

"Don't make this hard on everyone." The male glared at him.

"Othen." Joreth got his brother's attention. They turned to see they were surrounded by a dozen male and female Qarthans.

"There's no way out."

As Othen kept the man's attention, Kietnan had quietly stepped beside Rahn and whispered to her. "You have to get the females out of here, brother."

She turned her head just slightly so he knew she was listening. He was obviously talking to her... somehow he must know about her earpiece. Anyone listening would think he was whispering to one of his brothers close by. But she knew he was speaking to her.

"Just do it and don't look back." He whispered as he took slow steps and brought Ashima into his arms, caressing her and whispering into her ear.

Rahn watched as horror filled Ashima's already worried features and she began shaking her head furiously. Kietnan pet her hair as if she was a pet and continued whispering into her ear.

Rahn saw Joreth mirroring Kietnan's actions with his own life partner, but then she noticed Othen turn and look at Biechta, his hands clenching at his sides. "Stay close to the other females, Biechta. We will try to give you time." He whispered and Biechta just shook her head in confusion.

Rahn felt awkward, huddled so close to all of these couples whispering sweet moments as if it might be their last. Hearing words that should have been private. As the others spoke, she turned and kept an eye on the Qarthans around them. She recognized a few, but didn't see anyone she had had any real interaction with.

They were all just standing there waiting. Why were they waiting? All of these heartfelt hugs and whispers, it was obvious what the males were planning to do. Maybe they were all inexperienced in fighting an actual foe and didn't want to make the first move.

In just the split of a second, the three brothers lunged outward all at once, plowing through the Qarthans along on the west side of the circle they'd made. "Go! Now!" Kietnan yelled.

She grabbed Biechta's hand and pulled. Ashima and Halan followed them closely behind. They ran through the opening the brothers had created and sprinted toward the western corner exit. Maybe they could make it to the hatch. But they could only fit through the hatch one at a time, there's no way they wouldn't be followed. If she could at least just get Biechta out, since she was in front, before the rest got grabbed. Then Biechta could run for help.

"Othen!" Biechta yelled when she heard a male yell in pain. Weird. Wasn't Biechta Kahal's date? Rahn shook her head, no time for straight thoughts. She pulled on Biehta's arm so she couldn't fall behind.

"Oh, there's a hatch!" Ashima yelled. "See it?"

"I see it!" Rahn yelled.

A female jumped in front of them, blocking the final steps they needed to get to the hatch. Rahn's body tensed, ready to jump into action. Was this the moment? Should she give away where her true alliances were? Or perhaps the rebel group wouldn't want her to give away her alliance with them either at this point.

She turned to see others surrounding them. Her split second of hesitation had cost her the opportunity to push the lone female out of the way and get Biechta up and out of the hatch. She inwardly cursed. There was no use to fight back and reveal herself now, she would never have a chance against this many.

"Does... does this mean Joreth..." Halan struggled to finish her words.

"We don't know that." Ashima assured her.

"Come on, ladies. Let's go." A female commanded, pointing back in the direction they wanted to go.

"We're not going anywhere with you." Ashima practically growled.

"We'll carry you out if we have to."

"There's too many of them. Maybe we should just do what they say?" Rahn asked, making sure to put just a slight amount of noticeable fear in her voice.

Ashima looked at her in surprise. "Are you serious?!"

"I'm with Lana. We can't possibly fight all of them." Biechta spoke timidly.

"We can sure try!" Halan scowled at Biechta and Rahn.

Rahn inwardly cursed. She didn't want to steer these ladies wrong, but she also felt like she needed to protect them from themselves. Perhaps if they could just make their way back to where the men were? They could fight together?

When the group in front of them began inching towards them, she slowly began taking steps back towards where they came from, making sure she stayed between them and Biechta.

She noticed Ashima glaring at her before releasing a breath and following her lead. Bile rose up in her throat at the responsibility. If this proved to be a mistake and these females got hurt because of her...

"Get your hands off of me!" Halan yelled as one of the males grabbed her.

"Stop fighting or I will pick you up and carry you out."

"That's the only way you're getting me out of here!"

"We don't have time for this." A female walked up and shoved a needle in Halan's neck, filling her with something that knocked her out immediately. The male caught her as she fell and began carrying her. The rest of them were pushed forward by the other Qarthans in the group.

Rahn's mind raced with possibilities, coming up short when she tried to think of any outcomes that turned out in their favor. One positive was that they obviously didn't plan to kill them. But as she looked at the females with her she was painfully aware that there were sometimes worse fates than death. Had she doomed them all?