Castor waited in the space agreed upon, his fingers twitching with impatience.

"We're here." Altair's voice brought Castor around with another of the original stars. Qi arched her midnight brow, her black eyes fathomless as she nodded to him.

"Castor. It's been too long."

"Qi." Castor nodded curtly at her before turning back to Altair. He'd asked for them to join him, and Castor wanted to know why.

"The Ancient Order," Altair said, not needing Castor to speak his curiosity. "I fear there's a traitor in our midst."

"And you tell the two of us? You must assume we are safe," Qi frowned over at Castor before looking back to Altair. "Or perhaps you believe it to be one of us and you're smoking us out."

"No. You are the two I know it cannot be. Castor is too devoted to his charge, and you, Qi..." Altair trailed off, and Qi dropped her head, her jaw clenching. Altair cleared his throat. "Since the beginning, we've watched over the royal family. Since Tremaine spawned his first son, we've kept our gaze on the immediate heirs. Now, however, things have changed."

Castor's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Is this in regards to Clarice Tremaine's death?" Qi asked. "Who was her watcher?"

"Zenith. And no, though Juno would like us to believe it does. As Bainon is the only remaining Tremaine--"

"There's the son of Clarice. Maverick." Qi folded her arms across her chest. "Finny watches over him."

"Finny lost him."

"But he's safe. He's with Youlden." Qi lifted her chin, and Castor knew she prided herself in knowing what was going on below - even if she had no part in it anymore.

"And while Finny now knows where he is, she cannot go to him. Not in any way that would allow him to trust her. He doesn't know her as she is now. She's been with Adonai too long. She will watch over him from afar, as we have always done."

"Not that it always works," Qi said, averting her gaze.

"Back to this traitor," Castor said, hoping to draw attention away from Qi's failure. "What makes you think there is one among us?"

"Subtle things." Altair clasped his hands behind his back. "There are things that are happening that I don't believe are part of the plan. I consulted with a shapeshifter--"

"A shapeshifter?" Qi jerked back. "Why not ask Adonai himself?"

"You know he won't answer what he deems ours to discern." Altair sighed. "The shapeshifter sensed something dangerous in the stars. It said one of the Ancient Order is interfering." 

"That isn't saying much," Castor said. "I interfere on a regular basis."

"This was different. What you do is in the best interest of your royal charge. The shapeshifter insinuated that someone is dabbling outside of the royal family."

"Are you sure it wasn't just sensing Phoenix? She's not royal, but Adonai selected Watchers for both her and Ares." Castor couldn't help himself. He glanced at Qi and saw her wince as he said Ares' name. 

"I tell you that isn't it!" Altair threw his hands in the air. "This is a mortal of no royal heritage, and yet there is someone dabbling, causing trouble. They are betraying our work and our plans. Such negligence could bring harm to Phoenix, not to mention Maverick or Eric - mortals." 

"Juno? Bainon isn't favored among many. Perhaps she's hoping to find him favor by causing trouble?" Castor asked.

"It could be Zenith," Qi suggested. "Losing a charge can drive one to madness if one isn't careful. Trust me, I know."

"What happened to Ares wasn't your fault," Castor said, softening his tone. "No one blames you."

"You don't know what it's like," Qi said in a whisper. "Losing your charge rips at your soul. Like a piece of you is taken. I know that's why you are fighting so hard for Phoenix to protect Eric. You fear she'll be the end of him."

"I fear many things for him. His road is...difficult." Castor rubbed his temples. "But if there's someone betraying us, how do we find them out? You trust us, but I don't see Finny here. Nor even Selene nor Elyo."

"Selene and Elyo struggle in my presence," Qi said. "They'd never do anything to bring harm upon their daughter. It won't be them."

"Finny is far too stubborn to go against the rules," Altair added. "But she also has a tendency to force her way into things. If I told her my beliefs, she would likely go straight to the others and ask them outright."

"Any reason she shouldn't?" Castor asked.

"Our only suspects are Zenith and Juno. You've counted out the rest of the Ancient Order. Tremaine and Helix are dead." Qi counted them off on her fingers. "The rest of us you trust."

Altair nodded. "It could be either of them. I'm telling you both because I want you to keep an eye out. Castor, warn Eric. I'll alert Phoenix."

"Dreams as always?"

"Of course. They needn't remember us when they wake. Only the warning."

Qi's head bobbed up and down. "And what of me?"

"I want you to keep a close eye on Zenith. You will know the signs if he is stepping out of bounds." Altair placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your loss will now give us a chance to keep our charges alive. I thank you."

Castor clapped his hands together. "Off we go."

# 

Eric turned on the spot, ready for an attack, but none came. He stood in a valley surrounded by scorched hills. It wasn't familiar, yet he felt he'd been there before.

"Eric Lee."

Eric spun around. A being stood not ten feet away, his face obscured by light. "Who are you?"

"You know me."

Eric's gaze narrowed, but he nodded. "Castor." His shoulders relaxed. "I'm dreaming."

"You are. Does this bring you comfort?"

With a sigh, Eric took another look around. "Not exactly. It's been some time since I've seen you last - or not seen you. What brings you now?"

"I have a warning."

"Of course you do."

"There's a Watcher creating mayhem in Braskey. Interacting with and encouraging mortals into dangerous alliances, from what we understand."

"What does that matter to me?"

"Whoever they are, they are likely antagonistic toward you and your family. They will come after you."

No fear sparked in Eric's heart. "They won't succeed. And if they do? I suppose it doesn't really matter."

Even though he couldn't see the other being's face, Eric sensed Castor's frown. "Is there something troubling you?"

"No." Yes. Castor's head cocked to the side and Eric ground his teeth together. "I'm forgetting."

"Forgetting what?"

"Things. I can't remember last month. I'm not always sure where I'm going. I feel like...like something is wrong with my mind."

Castor stepped closer, stretched out his hand, and placed it on Eric's head. "Yes, I feel it. Your mind has been altered." A moment of silence passed as Eric tried to process this. "Would you like it restored?"

"You can do that?"

"I can do whatever you need me to do. I don't have magic - and magic is what affected you - but I can help."

"Please."

Eric felt a tingle spread from his forehead to his toes. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, be careful."

#

Phoenix sat awake by a fire she'd created out of shear boredom. Roman and Noelle slept peacefully, their thoughts untroubled by the news of her brother, Ares. A blood brother. One like her.

My mirror?

Phoenix rested back on her elbows, staring up at the sky. Finny had told her about the mirror image. She'd told her about her family and the Knights. Did she know about Ares? Did she, too, keep the truth from Phoenix? She'd never even told Phoenix about Elyo and Selene being original Ancients.

Shooting upright, Phoenix let out a gasp.

"Elyo? Can you come?"

Her father appeared, his red hair pulled back in a leather tie, his emerald eyes squinted with pain.

"Do you wish to verbally punish me? I will accept it." His gaze darted to his right as Selene appeared as well. The sky above them darkened without the moon, but Phoenix ignored her mother.

"Is Finny one of the original eight stars?"

"One of the Ancient Order? Yes." Elyo cocked his head to the side. "Why?"

"She's Mav's Watcher. She told me so. Are only the Ancient Order Watchers?"

"Of the royal family, yes. On occasion, Adonai will choose another Ancient to watch over a mortal, but it is rare."

"But I have a Watcher too. Don't I?" 

Elyo hesitated. "Yes. Adonai considered our children a special case, much like the royal family."

"His name is Altair." Phoenix bit down on her lip, trying to remember. "I didn't know it - didn't even realize it until I realized after you'd said his name." She gestured to Selene. "I knew the name already. Altair. He comes to me in my dreams."

"That is a common way to communicate with a charge, yes." Selene nodded. "If Altair chose not to tell you, that was his right."

"I'm not mad," Phoenix said, getting to her feet, excitement bubbling. "But if I have a Watcher, so does Ares, doesn't he? Couldn't his Watcher find him?"

Selene closed her eyes and Elyo turned his face away from her. "His Watcher, Qi, spent many years searching for him. It is because of her that I believe he is dead. If she can't find him, there must be nothing to be found."

"You can't know that. I won't believe it," Selene said, shaking her head. "There has to be a chance."

Though her excitement had been dampened, Phoenix didn't let it stop her. "But each royal family member has a Watcher?"

"Each heir." Elyo nodded.

"So if Tarvril did have a child, wouldn't he have a Watcher?"

"It's possible, but none of the Ancient Order is watching over - "

Phoenix sucked in a loud breathy gasp. "Oh holy hells. Castor."

Selene's brows arched and Elyo's mouth popped open. "What?"

"Castor. I've met him."

Selene glanced at Elyo. "He shouldn't be interacting with you. You aren't his charge."

"No. He has his own charge. How did I forget?" Phoenix spun on her heel, starting to pace. "If he has a charge, then his charge must be a royal heir."

"That is true," Elyo said and Selene smacked his arm. He winced and added, 
"but there's no way of knowing who his charge is."

"I already know. It has to be Eric." Phoenix didn't even bother to acknowledge their shock. "Which means Eric is an heir." She rounded on Elyo. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"I can't."

Phoenix let out a bark of laughter. "I can't believe it. That's why they didn't kill him like they said they did. That's how he ended up as the Commander even after deserting. He's Bainon's son!" She grabbed fistfuls of hair, eyes wide as she let it all sink in. "He's next in line for the throne. I have to go against him to put Maverick in his place."

The elation faded, and she dropped down to her knees. This was what Castor had fought against. He wanted her to save Eric, but in order to get Maverick on the throne, he'd likely have to die. Eric wouldn't stand aside as another took his birth right. 

"You said Maverick is the one who belongs on the throne," Phoenix said to Selene. "You said this knowing Eric was the one standing in his way."

Selene nodded. "Your path has never been easy."

"Why didn't either of you tell me? Why all these secrets and lies?" 

"This was neither a secret nor a lie," Elyo said. "It simply wasn't ours to tell. Castor told you, but he made you forget. I doubt he'll be pleased when he realizes you remember."

"That's his fault," Selene said with a sniff. "It's not Phoenix's fault she's too clever for him."

"You said there were eight - eight stars and the two of you in the Ancient Order. Who are the others? Who are their charges?"

"We cannot divulge their charges, but their names we can. Selene and myself, Finny, Castor, Altair, Juno, Qi, Zenith, Helix and Tremaine. The latter two have left us."

"And you always know who their charges are?"

"No." Elyo shook his head. "If they were to keep it secret, we might never know. As one of the Ancient Order, we do not often keep secrets."

"But it has happened," Selene said. "At first, Altair and Qi told no one about you or Ares. It wasn't until Ares went missing that Qi came forward in hopes of having help finding you."

"I must go," Elyo said. "The other half of the world cannot remain in darkness." He stepped forward and cupped Phoenix's face in his hands, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. "I love you, my child. I'm sorry for the pain we've caused you."

He vanished, and Selene kept her distance. "I should also go. Be safe, my daughter. I am truly sorry."

"Wait." Phoenix reached her in two strides, throwing her arms around her mother. "I forgive you."

Selene held on tight for several long moments, and when she spoke, Phoenix heard tears thick in her voice. "Thank you, Phoenix."

Awww, the family is all back together! And Phoenix figured it out - boom. You've now met Qi. I like her. She's...different. She's also pretty broken, even after all these years, about what happened.

Who do you think is the traitor? Juno, Bainon's Watcher, or Zenith (Claire's)? 

Also who is excited for Eric to be back to normal. At least...a little. Castor can't fix everything.