–Well, that sure was nerve-racking!

Mirror could hear Menace's strained laughter even through the closed door of their quarters. She didn't pay it any mind, changing into her usual uniform.

It probably sounded stupid, but she would miss that faded blue shirt. "Well, when we're free we can wear all the civilian clothes we want," she reminded herself.

Two weeks. Two weeks of pretend training, tiptoeing around the Leader, and secret planning for their escape. Mirror chuckled, wondering how-in-the-holy-hurricane they were going to pull it off. Still, she was glad to have someone to escape with...

She jumped as the door swung open, its hinges creaking like always. Menace and Giant walked in, only noticing her after a few seconds.

–Oh, hey Mirror.- She was surprised Menace was the one to speak to her. Giant was usually the chattering mess of the troupe, but today he hung low, eyes unfocused.

–Hey.- Mirror found herself smiling as Menace plopped down in Giant's bed and sighed.- What's up with Giant?- she added, in a quieter tone.

"Don't know." Menace shrugged. "He's been like that ever since we got back." She lay down in Giant's bed, closing her eyes. A slight yawn escaped from her lips. "But Tempest gave us the day off, so I'm taking a nap."

Mirror chuckled. Menace seemed like a completely different person. Meeting her nephew must have really changed things. She pushed down the pang of envy that almost shook her body. Mirror would reunite with her family in her own time.

Now would be the ideal time to take a nap like Menace – and stop thinking about her family. She would see them soon anyway...

–Really?- a silken voice cooed behind her.- You seem awfully sure about that. What makes you think they're even alive?

She tensed, turning slowly. She'd forgotten to take her potion... It was already starting. She got up, throwing the emergency cloth around the mirror. "They can't see it, they can't..." Suddenly something whisked past her in a blur.

She blinked, catching the bottle in mid-air.

Menace had tossed her her potion. No words, no scolding. Just a casual throw, then back to her nap.

A surprisingly warm feeling welled up inside Mirror, even as she chugged down the bitter concoction. The voice ceased its muttering almost immediately.

–That reminds me, we'll need a stock of your potion.

Mirror perked up. Menace had finally spoken. And she wasn't judging her.

–Of course.- Mirror looked at her and smiled. She liked this new Menace – a person of few words, just like her. She lay down in her bed, ready to finally take that nap.

And saw that Giant was still in the corner.

Mirror frowned. She'd forgotten about him. The earth witch looked ill-at-ease, his eyes darting everywhere. She looked back at Menace, who seemed fast asleep.

Now was her chance to talk to him.

–Hey.- She waved at him, trying to get his attention. He kept staring at everything but her.

–Hey.- he mumbled in response.

This was very odd. No conversation. No ceaseless questions, no annoying laughter. He seemed... duller somehow, like all his focus was poured into something else.

Or someone else.

Mirror gasped, her eyes widening.

Maelstrom had somehow done this to him.

The more she thought about it, the more the pieces fit together. His odd eyes, that seemed impossibly beautiful to anyone staring directly at them. His surprised face when Giant kept staring at him.

Somehow, Giant was especially vulnerable to the Leader's foreign magic. Either that, or Mirror, Menace and Sunbeam has some kind of resistance.

As the reality of the situation hit her, she couldn't help but worry he'd be stuck like this forever. That they'd have to make their escape with a downcast, unfocused Giant that could probably turn on them at any second.

–So- she heard Giant ask carefully- how did you interrogate the criminal?- She looked at him, taking in his cold, calculating gaze.

Oh, no. This was bad.

Mirror thought about waking up Menace. Surely she would know lots of torture methods. But Mirror couldn't just... make one up – it was needless to say she'd deliberately ignored interrogation training. If she hadn't, she'd have gone mad a long time ago.

Still, she kind of wished she'd paid some attention to the class.

She inhaled, deciding not to wake Menace up. She would break him out of Maelstrom's control. Somehow.

–We threatened him with Sunbeam's fire, repeatedly.- She kept her tone as cold as possible, as if daring him to contradict her.

Then she looked him in the eyes.

–Really, now. Sunbeam seemed very unhappy... Almost like you hadn't allowed her to use her fire.- The corners of his mouth turned up. Mirror wasn't giving in anytime soon.

–She wanted to kill the criminal. She was very upset we didn't allow her to.- She held her stare, trying to emulate Menace's irritated voice.- I'm very surprised you're asking, since you were there.

Giant seemed taken aback.

–I was.- He frowned.- Wasn't I?

He blinked rapidly, his eyes now trained on Mirror's.

Mirror stared back – and she could've sworn Giant's cheeks were dusted a light pink. Odd.

He stared around, as if wondering how he got there. Then he looked at Mirror. And then at the door. Then he looked back at her.

–How did I get here?!- he asked, visibly confused.

Mirror smiled. She'd done it. Somehow.

–Thank Aris, you're back.

Author's Note: Thank Aris, I'm back!
School has been keeping me kind of busy, so I'll probably have slower updates. I won't stop working on this book (and my other) though – I already have the next part planned out and everything!
What are your theories for why Giant is especially sensitive to Maelstrom's whole shtick?
Don't forget to vote and comment!
:>