When they got back, everyone was sitting downstairs. The television had been switched off, and you could cut the tension. They had been waiting for them. Katroina was sitting beside the fireplace, and Abigail had taken the armchair next to her. Caleb and Mina hadn't moved from where they were sitting earlier, but Mina's phone was lying on the coffee table, and that had moved.

Harriet glanced at Kadriq, but then back at the others.

"So... something's changed." She said, taking a seat on the couch, beside Caleb.

"No shit." Abigail deadpanned, and looked over at Katroina.

"You are going back to the Palace sooner than expected."

Her voice was cold, and it was sharp.

Needles.

Her voice was like needles, stabbing over and over and over.

"How soon?" Harriet asked.

"Tomorrow."

Instead of arguing, she just nodded. Abigail looked greatful, and Katroina just looked away.

--

They had spent most of the night going over the plan, and by two o'clock, Harriet had nodded off. She was awoken by a hand shaking her shoulder, and a low female voice.

"Harriet?"

She spung up, and narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her. Just Abigail. She yawned, and rubbed her eyes, noticing that she was on a bed instead of curled up beside the wall. The hands of the clock were pointing somewhere near six, but she couldn't be bothered to tell the time properly.

"...We have to go, don't we?" Her throat felt like sandpaper.

The mage sighed, but shrugged. Yes, she seemed to say.

"Ah, fuck it." Harriet swung her legs off the bed and got to her feet, stretching her arms. Uncoordinated.

"What did you do?" She stumbled forwards, and gripped onto Abigail's elbows for support.

"It had to look realistic, yeah. Sorry."

Harriet couldn't believe her. "So you just go and fucking poison me?"

Abigail sighed, and pulled her arms away, holding Harriet's shoulders. "No, we drugged you."

"Same difference." She grumbled, and plopped back down onto the bed, her arms folded. The mage sighed, and nodded to the door, so a very distorted Harriet forced herself to get up again, almost falling.

"Whoa, there." Abigail steadied her, and she met her eyes, grinning. The dark mage's eyes were sparkling, and the corner of her lips had twitched upwards.

Harriet glared. "It's not funny."

"Sorry, sorry." The mage said, stifling a grin, and helping her over to the door, pushing it open and leading her into the hallway. They made it down the stairs, sort of shuffling. In the foyer, Katroina was the only one there, tapping something on her phone. If she had felt any emotion at the news of her father's death, she was hiding it well.

—

Hours later, Harriet was being pushed out of a car, her hands bound behind her back and amulets on her wrists. The air felt dry again. They were meant to meet General Laar and a few agents in a field somewhere in... Cornwall? There really was no point going to Aberdeen. But then again, Andrew. She still had no idea how he managed to make the loss of magic physically harm them.

The wind was blustery, and she was being pushed towards the cliffs edge. Two pairs of rough hands held her in check, as if she would do anything. As if she could do anything.

Her trainers crushed the delicate moss underfoot, and she could hear the squawks of seagulls somewhere on the beach. She was chilled to the bone. In front of them, a stern looking woman stood tall, hands behind her back in true military fashion. Her dark tresses were pulled back in a neat bun, and her eyes were adorned with faint dark circles. Lips pressed in a straight line, she stepped forward, strides heavy. Three black jeeps stood behind her, tinted windows giving away little; just dark shapes moving behind the glass. Agents.

Laar.

She forced her lips into a relieved smile, trying to make it look pained. They had broken her ribs 'for authenticity'. Harriet thought they were just pissed. But it didn't.... hurt. As such. She'd had enough broken limbs for them not to pain her. The General looked concerned, her thick brows knitting together.

"Hey, Mum." Abigail called, and gave her a wave, grinning insolently.

General Laar gritted her teeth, but didn't say anything, instead focusing her gaze down on Katroina, who matched it. Laar looked surprised, but didn't look away. "You must be Xavier's."

The younger woman gave her a sharp nod, breaking eye contact. The General seemed relieved, and Harriet inwardly smirked. Served her right. Harriet had suffered her eagle eye more times than she cared to remember, and was sort of comforted by the fact that Laar was getting nervous.

"You have the money, I trust?" Katroina's voice was steely, and Harriet felt shivers run down her spine. If this was how Katroina spoke to her enemies, then Harriet would rather stay on her good side.

"All three million." Laar said resentfully, and waved her hand towards the car. A man fully clad in black emerged with two briefcases, and then went back to get another, dropping them all at Katroina's feet, before returning to stand behind Laar. "Now the hostages."

Harriet cringed at the word.

One of the guards released her arm, leaving the other to pull her over to the General and leaving her, going back for the other three.

And then Laar shot him.

He fell to the ground with a dull thud, in front of Katroina, who looked absolutely livid. Laar didn't seem to care.

"Pleasure doing business with you."