One among these survivors of the Spell was Willoa Paisna, who lived by sheer force of will. She was one of the most talented sorcerers of her day, and this is how she escaped the complete fate of the Spell.

❂❂❂

"Why?" Carmen whispered. "Why'd you do it?"

She shook with pain as she gazed at Beck. No...Beck wasn't their real name. The shapeshifter had refused to give the Horde information, not even their true identity. So many soldiers had died that day, either by Shads' hand or their own. Such a crippling loss that the Fright Zone would take decades to recover.

Beck looked down, the pink scales of their true body shimmering. "I'm sorry, Carmen." Their voice sounded pitched between male and female, not quite one or the other. "I have always been working with the Rebellion."

"But why?" Carmen cried. "You were s'pposed to be my friend! You...I..."

"I am your friend," Beck insisted. "Everything I've done was for you."

"Oh, please. Y'know that was my battalion you attacked, yeah? Shads went down there and murdered 'em. So it's...your...fault."

"So they didn't have a choice?" Beck snapped. "Your lady didn't have a choice? Give me a break, Carmen – stop making excuses for her."

"You lied that she was gettin' cozy with the rebels!" Carmen cried. "Hordak would've killed her!"

Beck said nothing, only tilting their head. Then, a horrible realization crashed around Carmen. "You...ya can't mean..."

"She didn't join them. But she did appeal to them. To Master Nellith, in fact."

"S...Sir Nell? She knew him?"

"Oh, she almost knew him, trust me," Beck growled. "It was a half-lie told so the Fright Zone would be free."

Carmen backed against the wall, her vision growing spotty. Is...no. She has to be lying. Tryin' to get under my skin. "Shads is comin' in soon. Then you'll die."

"I know, Carmen – I have done my job. I can only hope her life will be spared."

Breathing heavily, Carmen exited the room to be alone. She couldn't keep staying here, not after the betrayal of her only other friend.

✧✧✧

"Shifter," a sweet voice called. "It's about time."

Zeka steeled themself for the sweep of dark magic. In their actual body, they were acutely aware of her power – shifters manipulated the trace magic in their systems to change their form. Shadow Weaver's aura was like cold snakes wriggling through their intestines.

"Greetings, Lady Weaver," Zeka said, hands tied around their chair. An electric chair – moons above, at least their death would be quick. Maybe. "I haven't seen your sexy face around here since –"

"Silence!" Shadow Weaver hissed, but Zeka didn't flinch. Instead, pacing around their chair, the tall woman touched Zeka's dark hair with icy hands. "A shifter – how strange. I imagine Micah paid a pretty penny for your services."

Zeka shook their head. "I joined willingly."

Shadow Weaver's eyebrow arched. "How curious. And did you think that your lie would last?"

"I had hidden only as long as I needed to. I've been a star; now, I'll burn like one. You can kill me now."

The Lady Weaver tsked. "Not yet. First, you must endure interrogation under a truth spell. I should warn you," she said, configuring the spell in the air, "that my...condition makes my power painful."

Zeka braced themself, keeping Micah's face in their mind. He loves her, too. Even if I don't.

Shadow Weaver cast the spell. It seized Zeka's power, drawing all the magic except the last trace droplets; their body constricted with painful spasms. Gasping, Zeka gripped the armrests, looking upward till the shooting sensation receded.

There was nothing new Shadow Weaver could discover. Not really. All Zeka had to do was brave their execution and...

Shadow Weaver spoke. "How long have you been in my ranks as a spy?"

"Since you recruited 'Beck' to the Horde." A harsh whine pierced Zeka's ears. They gazed straight at Shadow Weaver. They'd been under a truth spell before; it made Zeka's mind sleepy and groggy, as if they were in a dream and couldn't do anything but comply.

Shadow Weaver tilted her head. "You must have been with me for six years, then. Six years of spying." She seemed...impressed. "Who was responsible for stealing the battery? It wasn't truly Migueleno, was it?"

"It was me. I stole it and returned it to Micah on his orders."

"And did you know what Hordak would do to me?"

"No, although I wouldn't envy your suffering. I don't mourn for traitors, darling."

"I do not ask for sympathy," Shadow Weaver growled. "Tell me, are you aware of our plan to invade the Snows yet?"

"What?" Zeka cried.

"Ah..." The Lady Weaver stepped forward, running her icy fingers along Zeka's cheek. "A shame you will not live to warn the Rebellion. We are due to attack in two weeks' time. And when I go, I will bond the Fractal Flake. Can you imagine?" she whispered. "The power of ice itself, in my grasp?"

Zeka trembled, whipping their head to the side to escape Shadow Weaver's touch. "I hate you," they replied. "If I had my way, you would be dead. I would come into your chambers and slit your throat as you sleep."

"How charming," Shadow Weaver laughed. "The truth spell will not last long, little spy. So tell me, what other information do you have for me?"

Zeka grinned, flashing sharp teeth. "I know about your escapade with Nell," Shadow Weaver flinched; a grim satisfaction filled the shifter at the woman's shocked expression. "Oh, don't look so surprised, darling. We've been talking about you a lot."

"What," Shadow Weaver snapped, "does that mean?"

"Oh, just that I'm in love with him," Zeka said. "He's a hunk, isn't he? Hotter than spiced wine, that one." She tsked. "Too bad you were a bit too naughty for his tastes."

"What are you saying?" Shadow Weaver whispered, her shoulders stiff.

The truth spell wore off, but Zeka was determined to stab the knife deeper. "I'm saying that Nell asked me for a hookup. Seems his advances on you in Mystacor were just a trick. He was paying lip service to you. He fears you. What a shame...I can't say I'm surprised, though."

She savored the look on Shadow Weaver's face. Yes, Nell loved her.

But she would ensure they both faced the consequences of their wicked choices.

❂❂❂

Did you know...

- This is another one of my favorite chapters. Despite Zeka's change of heart in trying to stop the riots, she hasn't forgiven Shadow Weaver or Nell for the drama they dragged her into. Her story is similar to Kelsier's or L's arcs from Mistborn: The Final Empire and Death Note, respectively - she improved but didn't have an official "software update."

- Carmen getting upset at Zeka was very difficult to write. I had to make sure Carmen still felt the betrayal without her being totally domineered.

Tell me what you think...

- What will Zeka's fate be?

- How will Zeka's betrayal and confession impact Carmen from here on out?