Returning to consciousness was slow. The effects of the drug receded bit by bit leaving a lingering lethargy in their wake. Smacking my lips loudly to remove the cottony taste in my mouth, I forced open my eyes. I was greeted with nothing but darkness. The only sound was the near constant drip and splash of water hitting the already sodden floor.

As I lifted my head, pain shot up my neck. Groaning quietly, I lifted my hand to rub at the knotted muscles. Everything hurt. Water had seeped into my clothing causing the fabric to chafe with every movement. It rubbed uncomfortably against my earlier injuries.

Reaching my hand out to the side, I willed my sword into corporeal form. The hilt appeared within the palm of my hand, its white light instantly chasing away the shadows around me.

I blinked to clear my vision, the light stabbing against my retinas. The room started to spin as my body struggled under the onslaught of uncomfortable sensations.

"Oh god, I feel sick." I grumbled, leaning my head back and closing my eyes as I fought back the nausea.

Though everything throbbed in protest, I opened my eyes once more. Most of the gas had dissipated however there were some lingering vapours which drifted along the floor. It almost looked as if they were alive, the fingers of smoke reaching out towards me.

I shook my head to clear the thought. My stomach lurched in protest. I turned to the side and heaved, my head throbbing painfully. After several long seconds of cramping stomach muscles in an attempt to purge my empty stomach, I slumped back against the wall.

Even though my body was tired and I felt as if I had a raging hangover, relief flooded through my body. I had lived. I had been outnumbered and at the mercy of Terran and his men and yet I had been spared.

I knew I could fight if I was pushed to. And yet I had entered a situation where I was outnumbered. It was a risk I took willingly. I should have waited. And now I was alive at Terran's mercy. He was toying with me. Playing a game that he thought he would win no matter what. It didn't take a genius to know there was something more happening here. He had to have leverage to have so much confidence in his odds.

Blinking, I remained slumped against the wall as I fought through the mental fog.

I bolted upright. Everything came into focus with startling clarity as if the clouds had parted. My head and stomach protested at the sharp movements but I fought against the sensation.

"Danny," I gasped, scrabbling up on to my feet as quickly as my body would allow.

Lethargy continued to drag at my limbs. I placed a steadying hand against the wall as I shuffled along, placing one shaky step in front on the other. My sword light lead the way. Every part of me fought to move faster and get there sooner.

In my heart, I knew that Terran wasn't lying. He could have said anything to hurt or terrify me. He could have just killed me. I knew within my gut that there really was a spy in the palace. Terran was a demon who liked to boast when he had power over someone else.

He had managed to corrupt everything with doubt and uncertainty. I had trusted the staff in the palace. Naively I had assumed they could all be trusted. Many had worked for Lucius and Hades for hundreds of years. They were treated well and with respect. What could make them turn against him? What could make someone turn into a traitor?

Drawing in a steadying breath, with my sword still clasped into my hands, I hurried through the darkened tunnels. My legs didn't work as they should. I gave them instructions but they had a mind of their own. Staggering from left to right, my body bounced off the walls as I fought to remain upright. Every few steps I would trip over thin air, my stomach making another lurch as I regained my balance.

The path back to the cellar felt unending but finally as I was back into the underground room. I glanced up at the hatch in the ceiling. After a quick scan of the room, I grabbed the back of one of the rickety chairs placed around the table and dragged it across the floor. Once directly beneath the hatch, I braced my hand on the back of the chair. It wobbled under my touch but I was all out of options.

Placing one foot on to the chair, I allowed my sword to disappear. Then, after taking in deep breath, I pushed up through my knee allowing the chair to take my weight. The wood groaned in protest. I paused, my muscles locked as I waited to see if the chair would hold.

It creaked but after a few seconds it settled. I stood up slowly, releasing the back of the chair at the last moment. Stretching my hands above my head, I caught the edge of the hatch with both hands, one on either side. My grip was weak and awkward. The positioning was wrong and there was no way I could just pull myself up.

There was only one option. Even though I couldn't see much without the light of my sword, I closed my eyes in preparation. Bending my knees, I focused all of my attention on the task at hand.

"One. Two. Two and a half." I chanted before my body uncoiled and I pushed myself upwards, a loud crack issuing beneath me.

The chair crashed to the floor as it finally gave way. Heart pumping frantically within my chest, I used my momentum to pull upwards. And then came the fall. I managed to get my head just above the top of the hatch before gravity started to take effect.

Scrabbling, I used the last of my strength to change my hold on the hatch and pull the top half of my body into the room when the young woman had died. Muscles burned under the strain. Yet, with my feet still dangling through the hole, I managed to find enough purchase to prevent me from sliding back down the hole. I laid my forehead on the folded over rug, the rough underside abrading against my skin as I fought to calm my breathing.

Several hours must have passed since I last entered the room. The lantern had been extinguished and weak light filtered through the hole where the window user to be. The giant red lettering painted on the wall were just as vivid as when they had been drawn.

Somehow, staring at those words, I found myself revived. Anger fuelled me as I used my trembling arms to pull myself further away from the hatch, my legs finally lifting free from the coolness of the cellar below. Even though I wanted to just remain on the floor to recuperate, I pushed my body up and I staggered towards the door, my body finding its strength with each step I took. The entrance hall was as I had left it, singed and dilapidated. There were a few footprints in the soot covered floors from the flash fire but otherwise it appeared undisturbed.

Pressing onwards, I stepped out onto the street. A breath of relief. Castiel stood with his back to me, arms folded across his chest as he talked with several of the guards. The injured had been taken away to receive the care they required and the clean-up had begun. There was no fear from those that remained. They didn't even appear concerned about another attack.

With a shake of my head, I hobbled forwards.

One of the guards glanced up. It only took a moment for me to recognise Sonaskshi, her appearance so distinctive. He eyes went wide as they roved up and down the length of my form. From her reaction, it was obvious I looked as bad as I felt.

Cass glanced over his shoulder, a frown forming on his face as he caught sight of me.

"Savannah? What are you doing here? You were supposed to be back at the palace." He asked, coming closer with his hands outstretched. He dropped them before he could grab hold of me, his eyes roving over the many injuries which were had resumed their stinging and throbbing.

"I've been investigating. I went down the hatch I found under the rug." I replied with a slight pant, glancing over my shoulder at the house once more. "Did you know there is a network of tunnels under the city? Terran and his men are using them."

"No, I didn't." Cass replied, his head turned and his purple eyes squinted as he processed the information. "How do you know Terran has been using the tunnels?"

I glanced away as I muttered, "Because I saw him. We had words."

"Lucius is going to be angry about this. Why did you go down there alone? You are Lucius's intended, a great prize for any of his enemies. You should have called someone. You could have-."

I shot him a glare. "I can take care of myself. I am here and I am alive."

It didn't matter that I had the same concerns. It didn't matter that only a few minutes before I had been berating myself for my stupid decision. I was fed up with everyone doubting me and trying to coddle me. Those days were long gone. I needed people to trust that I could cope with the threats that came my way.

"I know you can take care of yourself, Savannah. You are a strong woman. But you are also a target," Cass stated, placing a hand on my shoulder as he did so. "If someone wants to hurt Lucius, they will try and target you. No matter how much training you have had, you will always be seen as the weaker out of the two of you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." I muttered, shrugging to shake off his reassuring hand from my shoulder.

"You know it's the truth. Lucius was an angel. He may have fallen but he still has a long life ahead of him."

I huffed, "I know that. And we need to be done with this discussion."

"But –."

"I need to make sure my family is safe. Terran rubbed it in my face that he has spies within the castle. He threatened Danny's life." I stated, meeting Castiel's eyes.

He didn't look surprised at my news. He just blinked and scratched at the back of his neck. His gaze darted away from mine.

"Castiel," I said firmly, slapping his arm to get his eyes back on me. "What do you know?"

"I've had suspicions for a while that someone in the palace is working with Terran. Or, at the very least, there is someone passing on information. When he came to the castle to confront you, he knew too much information. We had managed to keep Lucius's disappearance hidden from most people. Only those who worked in the palace knew about it. However, we have had to worry about them gossiping. The palace staffs know when to keep things quiet."

"Why didn't you tell me? There was a real enough threat to have you concerned and you didn't tell me." I stated, my voice getting louder as the seconds passed. My hand struck out and I landed a blow on to Cass's shoulder. "You put my son in danger."

"Lucius and I discussed it. We decided it wouldn't be a good idea to worry you unless there was a legitimate reason to. You've already been through so much." Castiel stated, shrugging his trench coat clad shoulders as he did so. "We wanted to protect you."

I released a bitter laugh. "Don't."

"What?"

"Don't try and protect me." I spat out angrily. "Don't coddle me or try to keep me out of harm's way. Every time you do it, you always cause more harm than good. I am not some feinting fancy who is going to have a panic attack every time there is trouble. I can handle it. And I'm telling you now, if something has happened to my son, I will hold you personally responsible. If Danny has been hurt I will never forgive you – either of you."

Cass held out his hands, his eyes pleading as he took a step away from me. He was a smart man after all. "I'm sorry Savannah. We just wanted to keep you safe. We care about you."

I softened but only by a small amount. "I know, but sometimes I wish you all would care a little less." I gave him a soft smile. "Now I'm going to check on my son. I have to see for myself that he is safe."

"Of course," Cass replied quietly, stepping aside to let me pass. "Sonakshi can accompany you while I finish up here."

"Did you just forget the conversation we have just had?"

"No. But you seem to be forgetting everything that has happened. Sonakshi is going with you no matter what so, as the humans like to say, suck it up."

I would have been offended but there were more important things. Sonakshi fell into line beside me as I strode away. I didn't attempt to argue. The longer I argued, the greater the chance someone would gain access to my son and as nice as Greta was, she was no warrior.

"Let's pick up the pace," I ordered without glancing at the woman at my side. "I need to see my son."

A/N: Thank you all for your patience. I know my updates are slow and infrequent but I'll try to do better. I really appreciate all of the kindness and support you have shown me. I couldn't ask for better readers.