My desk, to put it lightly, was an absolute clutter of random things, at best. At worst, it was a dumpster fire of books and papers and old documents I had dredged from the corners of the library. In each thing that lay scattered, I invested all of my time in, praying it would yield me the answers I needed. But as the mess dwindled and dwindled by the day, so did any hope of saving Thomas. But I kept working, pushing aside my self-pity and just working for the sake of working. It was a puzzle, a riddle, but it was solvable. I knew deep down that it was, and I wasn't going to give up until I had every last single piece in place.

The scattered papers and books on my desk would bug me before, but now I didn't care so much. If they were my key to finding and saving Thomas, then such a simple thing didn't matter.

A knock on my door shook me out of my trance of flipping through pages. Stifling a sigh, I called out, "Who is it?"

"It's James," he said from the other side of the door. "I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" I returned, grabbing a document and comparing it with the book.

"The things I said and the way I didn't believe you."

I looked up from the book and at the door, taking my time in responding. "If I were you, I would've thought the same thing. You don't have to apologize, James."

"Yes. But I want to." He paused, waiting for my response. "I won't come in unless you let me, but Philip's really worried about you and I thought that you should know that."

I sighed, rose, and went to the door. "Tell Philip I'm fine," I said, though it was still closed. "And I appreciate his concern. I've got work I need to be taking care of."

"You're shutting us out, Alexander."

"Yeah?"

"Thomas did the same thing."

"Well, I'm not Thomas."

"Yeah, but look at what happened to him. He was hurting, and we didn't know. You remember how awful you felt when you found out he was a Tenebrie."

Something inside of me caved. I reached for the doorknob. "Fine. You want to apologize? Is that all?"

"I want to help."

"I don't need help."

"I know," James said, blinking up at me. "But it would be nice, wouldn't it?" I opened my mouth to speak, but he continued before I had the chance. "I can help you take everything downstairs."

"Now everyone's helping?"

James nodded. He snapped his fingers, and one by one, the books flew into the air and began to chase after him as he started down the hallway. One of the books flew in front of him so he could read the cover.

"The True Meaning of Death?" he read with a frown. "Damn. I remember reading that."

"Oh?" I asked, glad that this didn't have to be as awkward as I thought it was going to be. "Was it any good?"

"No. It was quite possibly the worst thing I've ever read. The only reason I did in the first place was because Thomas practically forced me to."

He didn't have to mention his name, but he did, and I didn't understand why. How can he be so relaxed? How can he still see Thomas as a friend, after what he's done?

Or maybe I'm the one who's being irrational.

"Great. Can't wait to read it," I said dryly, eager to prevent myself from lingering on the thought of him for too long.

"Oh, you'd like it, Alexander. It's long, drawn-out, and convoluted."

"I like writing convoluted things!" I returned. "Not reading them!"

James laughed, and I couldn't help but smile. "Fair enough. We'll make Aaron read it."

I snickered at that, but my shoulders fell. "I guess I should apologize, too."

"It's okay, Alexander. You don't have to."

"But I do."

"We don't have to talk about this now," he said carefully, and all I could do was nod in agreement. "So you're actually putting research into this?" Another couple of books and documents flew past, and he examined each one with interest.

"Well, yeah. What else would we do?"

"I don't know. These things tend to just...work themselves out in the end. Thomas has been in far worse scraps before, and he's been fine. A little damaged in the head, perhaps. But fine." And there he was, talking so openly about him again. As if he hadn't hurt us. As if he hadn't— Oh, stars.

I couldn't even think about her without wanting to break down into sobs.

"Sorry," James said. He must have noticed how I froze at his name. "You didn't want to talk about him, and I—"

"Like what?"

"Hmm?"

"What has he gotten out of before?" I asked.

James rolled his eyes. "There was one time where he got caught by some Feather Traders. He needed me to save his pathetic ass." He glanced at me apprehensively, and when I shrugged, he continued with the story. It painted Thomas as a dumbass, but in fairness, Thomas was a dumbass.

Is, I reminded myself silently. Thomas is a dumbass. And once again, he needs our help to save him.

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Just thinking."

"I'm sorry all of this happened to you, Alexander. It isn't fair. I know you probably don't want to, but if you ever need to talk to somebody, I'm always here."

He meant it, and I appreciated every word, but what good would talking do? It doesn't save him. It doesn't make anything better. "Hey, could I ask you a favor?"

"Anything."

"Could you take over the research with the others? I need to get a breath of fresh air."

"Go ahead. Just be careful." He paused, thinking. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but take the Venandi with you. It's dangerous out there, especially now that the King knows where we are."

"Thanks, I'll see you in a bit."

He didn't have any time to get another word in before I was off, running down the hallway as fast as I could. I threw myself down the staircase and continued running as soon as I hit the bottom. And I kept running. Running just for the sake of running. Running even after the breath had left my lugs and my legs began to ache. But the wind caught my hair and the world rushed by in a blur, and it was easy to forget everything troubling you when you were running. And I ran and I ran until my chest ached. Eventually, I slowed and soon stopped all together.

A rustle sounded in the bushes, but I knew exactly who was waiting for me even before they stepped out of the dense foliage. The massive creature stalked up to me as I slid to the ground, shoving its head against my leg. "Hey, pretty," I said, running my hands through her thick fur. Ira made a noise similar to purring. I don't know how she knew where to find me, or where she had been waiting, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't relax in her company.

I was about to continue gushing over her when a sudden noise hit the air, making me freeze up. It sounded like a cross between an animalistic growl and a harsh scream. I lingered for a moment before dashing forward, pushing past the exhaustion that seeped into my legs. I leapt over a fallen tree and ducked under low-hanging branches, not faltering even when one of the limbs hit my back. Another one of the strange noises, and then another. The last one turned into a subdued groan about halfway through, and I forced myself onwards. Without looking back, I knew Ira was hot on my trail.

Finally, the forest tapered away, and I heard more noises. I could pick out a few voices, though I didn't recognize them, but there was something else too. Something deeper, a bit more sinister. It was almost like the ongoing echoing of a gong long after it had been struck. I focused in on it, trying to track its source, but there a wall blocked me from peering into the mind of whoever—or whatever—it was coming from.

I ducked behind a patch of trees as a whole battalion of Kingsmen came into sight. I suppressed the urge to run out of the forest and kill as many of them as I could, but there had to be about four hundred of them. And there was nothing I could do alone, no matter how much energy I had.

Ira was at my side, her bright eyes shining in the darkness. I watched her carefully, judging her reaction, but she seemed unfazed. Either she couldn't hear the low undertone of the gong, or it didn't bother her. Should I be so scared then?

Just as I had questioned myself, a sudden gust of wind answered me with a simple yes.

I froze, reaching for a dagger, only to find that I didn't have any on me. I hissed a quick curse under my breath. Did I have enough energy to covertly summon one, or would they detect me the instant I reached out my mind?

Ira shared a glance with me, as if able to hear what I was thinking. I shook my head and watched through the gap at the bottom of the bush as a pair of boots approached a creature that had been wounded and thrown to the ground.

"Finally decided to show up, eh?" said a wry voice, gruff and low.

"I was here the entire time, General Cornwallis. I saw your cowardice, if that's what you were wondering," drew out the steady reply of Thomas. My heart skipped a beat in my chest. The droning got louder, as though it was coming from him. I pressed myself closer to the forest floor, hoping he wouldn't sense my presence.

"What cowardice?"

"You ran from the Tenebrie. Don't think I didn't see it. Tell me, General. Do me and my brethren frighten you?"

I bit down on my lip to stop myself from gasping. The word brethren played over and over in my mind. Did he really acquaint himself with the Tenebrie?

I heard the sharp inhale of who must have been General Cornwallis. A moment passed, before he finally responded with, "No."

"No...?"

"No, sir."

"Good. I will let George know of your insolence, and he will deal with you however he sees fit."

"As you say, sir."

"Now, for the matter at hand." I heard the clack of boots against stone and peered through the gap to see Thomas circling the felled Tenebrie. My mouth went dry as I took in the sight of his wings, demon-like as they usually were, but what stood out were the fresh tears in the webbing. My fingers curled around the branches I was holding onto. And he just didn't look right wearing all black.

Though I have to hand it to him, as inappropriate as it, and as much as I hate myself for thinking it, he's extremely hot.

Thomas kneeled down so that he was eye-level with the creature, which was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It had a huge, snake-like body, but long black vines stuck out from its face, almost like whiskers. With six legs and a long, sweeping tail, it took the prize for weirdest thing I have ever seen in my life.

"What do you think you are doing?" asked General Cornwallis as he stepped closer to Thomas.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Thomas snapped, placing his hand on the creature's neck. It flinched away from him at first, struggling against him, but all at once, it relaxed. "I'm communicating with her."

"Her?"

"She was once a young woman. Barely over three million when she Changed permanently." He paused for a moment, then sighed. "I know how you feel." Thomas reached for the ropes that were binding the creature, and at the protest of Cornwallis, undid them. The creature rose to its six long legs and peered down at Thomas through insect-like eyes.

"What in Divinity's name are you doing?!" cried the General opposite Thomas. I leaned further against the bush, trying to get a good look for myself.

"Get out of here," Thomas said as the creature rose into the air despite its lack of wings. It blinked down at him and disappeared without a trace, leaving him in the middle of a shocked battalion armed with weapons that could kill him easily.

"How could you—?!" shouted Cornwallis, marching up to Thomas, who didn't so much as flinch. "What were you thinking? We have—"

"Oh, relax, would you? I'm simply following orders. Orders you wouldn't begin to understand. But then again, it isn't your fault that the King trusts somebody who had just been fighting against him more than he trusts his best general."

Cornwallis bristled.

I eyed Thomas carefully. I knew exactly what sort of game he was playing, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand why. The stakes were far too high, and was the reward truly worth it? I leaned forward, trying my best to get a good look, when Ira let out a growl that silenced all hushed murmuring and Cornwallis's shouting.

I froze, dropping down to the ground in hopes they wouldn't see me.

"We're being watched," Thomas hissed, his tone like ice. "Get out of here, now."

"And leave you to deal with this by yourself? I don't think so."

"Get out, you idiot!"

A moment passed, a moment of pure silence. I waited, my heart pounding in my ears, and gathered the courage to pear through the bushes. Thomas was standing alone in the clearing, the only evidence of the struggle being the cut ropes laying abandoned on the ground. I swallowed as he slowly stepped over to the bush I was hiding in. I gathered my energy together, hoping I had just enough I get out of here, when his voice stopped me.

The droning grew louder. "You can't take a hint, can you?"

I stayed silent, praying to whatever god watched over us that he would assume he was talking to nothing and leave.

No such luck.

"I know you are there, Alexander. You are not doing yourself any favors hiding in the bushes like a coward. Stand up, and drop any weapons you have." His tone sent chills running down my spine as I wondered what he would do to me.

But what other choice did I have?

I did as asked, rising to my feet and holding my hands wide. He stared at me for a moment, and I tried not to give away Ira by looking down. She might as well be the only thing to protect me from him.

"I told you to run," he said, but to my relief, he slid the scythe away into the holster on his back. The low buzzing grew louder and louder, then all at once, it was silenced.

I swallowed, not daring to respond.

"How much did you hear?" he demanded. "How much have you seen?"

"I saw you release the monste—Tenebrie."

He bristled at my use of the word, and I saw his fists tighten. "Well, fine. You've got two minutes to get out of here before I'm forced to follow you."

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Get out of here." Something familiar flashed in those demon-like eyes of his, some little piece of the Thomas I knew and cared about. He was in there, somewhere. I just had to break more and more pieces from the cage they were being trapped in.

"Thomas," I said softly, holding out my hand for him.

"Leave!"

I paused, watching his frantic breathing, as though he was struggling against some unseen force trying to force him to do something. "I'll come back for you."

"Of course," he returned bitterly. "And if I'm lucky, you'll make my end swift and painless. Now get out of here before I am forced to do something I'll regret."