Aster took a deep breath before entering his mother's room. Amaryllis was sitting at her dresser, with Amber brushing Amaryllis's blonde waves.

"Aster," Amaryllis addressed when she saw her son in the reflection. They exchanged knowing glances in the mirror. Amaryllis then snapped her fingers at Amber. "Leave us."

Amber instantly bowed and hurriedly left, not wishing to do anything to anger the bold Amaryllis.

"Mother," Aster said after Amber closed the door behind her.

Amaryllis stood up and turned around. "Did you interrogate the Red Phoenix boy?"

Aster nodded. "Yes."

There was a moment of tense silence. Aster's green eyes wandered around the room to look anywhere but his mother.

"Well?" Amaryllis finally asked.

"His name is Devin Hilton. He's fourteen years old. He was trying to sneak into the castle because he wanted to steal weapons from the armory," Aster replied.

"And the Red Phoenix leader?" Amaryllis prompted.

Aster looked at his mother, trying to push away the thoughts of what had happened in the dungeons. "The leader's name is Reese Henessey."

"Henessey?"

Aster nodded. "Must be a relative of Raymond Henessey, Mother."

Amaryllis smiled, but it looked almost sly. "Did you get the location of the hideout as well?"

Aster gulped, but it was so small that Amaryllis didn't hear it. Aster then shook his head. "He wouldn't tell me."

Amaryllis pressed her lips together, furrowing her eyebrows. "Didn't you use your magic on him?" When Aster didn't answer her, she asked, "Why not?"

"He said that he wasn't going to jeopardize his family. It was clearly obvious that he wouldn't betray his family even if I used my magic, so I didn't waste my time." That was part of the reason. Back in the dungeons, when Devin stated his resolve, Aster knew that if their positions were switched, Aster wouldn't give out the location either if it meant it would endanger his family.

Amaryllis frowned and groaned in frustration. "This was our chance to get a lot of information, Aster." She turned and looked at Aster in what looked like a mixture of discipline and concern for his well being. "You can't be weak, Aster. Sometimes you must do whatever it takes to get what you want." Aster darted his eyes to the ground, his face not revealing much of his thoughts. Amaryllis finally sighed. "No matter. I'll take care of it."

"Yes, Mother," Aster bowed his head.

Amaryllis started to walk towards the door, grabbing a parchment from her dresser. "I need to get these new laws to the lower town patrol. I'll see you at dinner."

Aster nodded as Amaryllis opened the door for him. He left just as hurriedly as Amber did, not wanting to anger his mother.

That wasn't so bad... it could have been worse, Aster thought to himself.

--

The following week, Amaryllis rallied the citizens together. She made the usual bold speech about the Red Phoenixes and how they are a threat to the kingdom.

She then clapped her hands, allowing two guards to drag Devin onto a scaffold. The guards tied him to the pole for all to see. He still had some bruise marks from his time in the dungeons.

"This boy tried to sneak into the castle last week!" Amaryllis shouted, pointing a sharp finger at Devin. "He is a Red Phoenix, just like Raymond Henessey!"

Uproars from the crowd grew louder at the mention of Raymond's name, the dreaded man who killed the late Basil Azalea.

"Reese Henessey, new Leader of the Red Phoenixes, hear me now!" Amaryllis declared. "This fourteen year old boy will die tomorrow morning at dawn! However, I am willing to spare him from the flames if you surrender! I will be waiting in the throne room tonight! My guards will escort you to me if you decide to show!"

Devin widened his eyes when he heard his fate. He desperately hoped that Reese wouldn't come forward to take his place. Devin clenched his fists in anger, already blaming himself if he would be the cause of Reese's death.

Amaryllis did another demonstration of power by setting her crown ablaze before walking back inside. The guards also dragged Devin back inside.

Reese and Chase, who had been watching from their usual place, could only look at the scene in horror. Amaryllis had just challenged them to come forward by using Devin's life.

"They must have forced your name out of him," Chase remarked.

Reese exhaled a breath through his nose. He felt a little betrayed, but the fact that the Azaleas managed to drag it out of him was more proof to him that the Azaleas needed to die.

"He didn't reveal the hideout, though. If he did, Amaryllis would have stormed the hideout by now instead of making a scene."

Chase gritted his teeth before saying. "Change of plans. Amaryllis will die tonight."

Reese nodded eagerly. "She better die tonight."

--

"Do you have a plan?" Reese asked anxiously.

Chase nodded. They were in a private room in the Red Phoenix hideout. The walls looked like caves, the light casting small shadows on the walls. Chase said reassuringly, "Amaryllis will die tonight and Devin will be freed."

Reese bit his lip nervously. "You sure you can do it? That's two big tasks in one night."

Chase smirked. "Don't underestimate me." He then saw a bucket of salt water. "Check this out. I was sitting by a lake yesterday and I discovered something."

Chase dipped his hand in the bucket. He then grabbed a nearby towel and dried his hand. Reese watched curiously to see what the big deal was. Chase extended his hand and flashed out his claws, salt water shooting out of his nails.

Reese widened his eyes in surprise. "That's so cool. You can neutralize the Azaleas easier."

Chase grinned and nodded his head. "It only works twice, though. Once the water escapes I can't use it again until I refill."

Reese shrugged. "So, what's your plan?"

Chase explained. "I'm going to threaten her son. That's probably the only way I can get her to release Devin."

"Aster?" Reese asked. He thought for a long moment before he said, "He's not very showy even though he's a prince. Flora and Basil's children are more well known. I don't know. There's not much I know about him. I know water is his element, though."

Chase nodded. "Okay. Amaryllis will be waiting for you, but I will confront her tonight."

Reese held out his hand. "Thanks a lot. I don't know how else I can repay you for your help. I just have money but..."

Chase waved his hand in a dismissing motion. "Don't worry about it. We're friends." He then said, "I have to go, but we'll be touch."

Before Chase left, Reese called. "Be careful!"

--

Amaryllis was waiting in the throne room, hungrily watching the clock as the seconds tick by. Thierry was leaning against the window. He had been ordered to protect Amaryllis in case something went wrong.

"It's almost midnight, your Majesty," Thierry commented. "Are you really planning on executing the boy if the Red Phoenix leader doesn't show?"

Amaryllis said firmly, "I don't make empty threats."

A few moments later, the doors banged open. Chase strode in, dragging Aster in as well, his claws pointed towards Aster's throat. He wore his regular assassin outfit and the crow mask was fitted over his face.

Thierry immediately straightened and went to unsheathe his sword, but hesitated when Crow's claws moved dangerously close to Aster's throat. Thierry narrowed his eyes to see salt water dripping from Aster's chin.

He's neutralized, Amaryllis and Thierry both thought.

"Nobody move!" Chase shouted.

Amaryllis was confused for a moment. Something about the infiltrator didn't settle with her.

Those claws... he's from the Nissisa family! But they're all dead! Flora and I killed all of them! Amaryllis widened her eyes.

"You are not Reese Henessey," Amaryllis spoke cautiously.

Red amaryllises started to bloom, but a spray of salt water smacked her. Amaryllis clenched her fists as she saw the flowers disappear. Chase had used his free hand to neutralize Amaryllis.

There will be no fire tonight. Chase thought coldly, cursing that assassins were weak against fire. "The Red Phoenix leader sent me in his place," Chase said coldly. "Release the boy, or else your son will die."

So the Nissisa assassin is affiliated with the Red Phoenixes. I should have known, Amaryllis thought wryly.

Aster gritted his teeth in frustration, afraid to move. He got a feeling that if he tried to fight back things wouldn't end well.

"Majesty," Thierry called. Everyone looked at Thierry, who had a hand resting on his sheathed sword. "Your orders?"

Amaryllis opened her mouth to speak, but Chase cut in. "Send your knight to release the boy, or I slash your son's throat. I'll release your son when I see the Red Phoenix boy walk free from these windows." Chase gestured his head towards the glass windows. He smirked and said, "Your choice, your Majesty."

Aster called weakly, "Mother..."

Amaryllis's fists began to shake in frustration. After a few more tense moments, she finally relented. "Sir Thierry, go to the dungeons and release the Red Phoenix boy," she ordered.

"Yes, your Majesty," Thierry said. He rushed out and towards the dungeons.

Chase breathed a small sigh of relief. There was something about the knight that made Chase uncomfortable. If he wanted this to work, the knight had to go.

Amaryllis spoke up. "I see now, those marks on Flora's throat were from claws." Amaryllis eyed Chase from top to bottom, examining him. "I never would have guessed an assassin would side with the Red Phoenixes. A Nissisa assassin, I may add. You all go by the name 'Crow', correct?"

Chase nodded. "Yes."

"Crow," Amaryllis tested again. "If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure all the Nissisa assassins died."

"I survived." Chase gritted his teeth. He was tempted to clenched his fists, but then he remembered that his claws were at Aster's throat.

Chase saw Devin dart off from the castle entrance and into the woods from the glass window.

She did it, Chase thought.

In a flash, Chase shoved Aster to the ground, lunging towards Amaryllis. Before Amaryllis could react, Chase had slashed her throat.

Amaryllis's widened in shock, unable to process that she had lost. "Y-You tricked me..." she choked.

"I said I would release your son. I never said anything about you," Chase snarled. "That was for my family, murderer."

Amaryllis glared at Chase as she collapsed onto the red carpet, blood flooding the room.

Aster screamed when he saw his mother dead on the floor. Emotions of anger and frustration flooded through him. This wouldn't have happened if he had just been more alert walking in the castle.

"You killed her! Y-You..." Aster fumbled for words. He was just so mad, but he felt frozen in place. He was still neutralized, and his mother had just died right in front of him. His feet wouldn't move to run at the assassin in front of him. "You will pay for this!" he yelled.

All of a sudden, the doors burst open again. Marguerite had been walking nearby and had heard Aster's screams. She took in the sight, her mouth wide open.

She then saw Chase and his claws. Her eyes widened and she accidentally blurted out, "N-Nissisa! You're supposed to be dead!"

Chase widened his eyes at Marguerite's outburst. What? Chase thought she misheard her, but convinced himself that his hearing was fine. She knows that I'm a Nissisa assassin... does she know something about how my family died?

He bit his lip and hurriedly opened the window. He had no more salt water. He couldn't confront Marguerite about what she had said even if he wanted to.

"Wait!" Aster desperately called, vengeance and grief in his voice. Before Aster could react, Chase jumped out of the window.

--

Lily was taking a midnight stroll in the gardens. She felt more peace at night, but she didn't know that that night would give her more stress than peace.

She heard a loud thud on the ground not far from where she was walking, like someone landing from a fall. She then heard Aster's voice from the high windows.

"Lily!" Aster screamed. "Get the assassin!"

Lily widened her eyes and turned to see a dark figure attempt to dart away into the shadows. Lily shrieked in alarm, and instinctively lilies started to bloom as shards of sharp icicles materialized and flew in every direction.

There was a small grunt of pain and another thud. Lily ran over to where she heard the thud. Her eyes darted around worriedly and she gasped when she saw someone splayed on the ground. The crow mask sent shivers down Lily's back.

Her eyes widened even more when she saw one of her icicles impaled into the assassin's right shoulder.

H-He's still breathing... Lily thought.

The assassin must have seen her coming closer towards him, because Lily heard him say in a threatening tone, "Take off my mask and I'll kill you. You have my word on that."

Lily flinched but then relaxed slightly when she saw the assassin pass out.

"Lily!" Aster called from the window.

As though shocked by Violet's lightning, Lily straightened. She called back, "I'm here!"

"Did you get him? I can't see that far!" Lily heard Aster ask.

I got him. I should turn him in. H-He's an assassin after all, Lily thought. But... why does Aster seem so... angry? Shouldn't he be worried that an assassin got into the castle? I've never heard Aster sound so dangerous.

"He killed Mother! Did you get him?" Aster asked again.

Lily's widened her eyes. Aunt Amaryllis is dead. Her eyes darted to the assassin on the ground. I-I should turn him in. He's hurt, though. Aster won't show him any mercy... I feel it...

"No!" Lily found herself saying, her heart racing. What am I saying? He's right here! "He got away! I'm sorry!"

A tense silence, for a moment there were only crickets chirping in the night air. Lily flinched when she heard the window slam shut with a loud bang.

What did I just do?