Lise shivered. This most likely wasn't going to end well.

Isiea takes her chance. She hurries out the door.

Oberon looked pained, but Queen Titania leaped to her feet. "You dare?" she cried, as lightning crackled overhead. "You dare accuse us of summoning this creature? This is obviously the work of the Unseelie Court to weaken us in our own home!"

Fey began to mutter among themselves, casting suspicious glances at those from another court, though seconds ago they'd fought side by side. A redcap, its mouth dripping black chimera blood, hopped down from the stage to leer at Lise, beady eyes bright with hunger.

"I smell a human," it cackled, running a purple tongue over its fangs. "I smell young girl blood, and sweeter flesh than a monsters. Come to me, little girl," it crooned. "Monster flesh is bitter, not like sweet young humans. I just want a nibble. Maybe just a finger."

Isiea doesn't even look back. She's leaving. She gets her satchel from her room, then heads towards where Ares is.

Lise stared at the redcap, backing away. She ttied to show as little fear as possible; which was surprisingly easy.

Ares is out in the stables with the horses

"Back off." Ash appeared out of nowhere, looking dangerous with dark blood speckling his face. "We're in enough trouble without you eating Oberon's daughter. Get out of here."

The redcap sneered and scurried off. The fey boy sighed and turned to Lise, his gaze scanning the length of her dress. "Are you hurt?"

"You ready to go, Ares?" She's still partially covered in blood, and still wearing the now bloodstained dress.

" im fine. " She answered calmly.

Ares' nostrils flared as he smelled the blood.


Ash glanced back at the arguing rulers. Oberon was trying to silence Titania, but she would have none of it, turning her anger on him as well as Mab. "Id say any contracts they made are officially broken now. This will probably mean war."

Something cold touched Lise's cheek, and if she looked up, she could see snowflakes swirling in a lightning-riddled sky. It was eerily beautiful.

"Yeah, I know. Big monster attacked. C'mon, we still have to find Ethan." She hops onto his back.