Lise glanced at Isiea. She had the weapons. " What do you want from us, Machina? " She asked.

Machina continued to regard them silently, having heard Lise's question. "Leave," he told the knights without taking his eyes from them. Several of them jerked their heads up in surprise.

"My king?" stammered one. It was Quintus, one of the knights who'd been with Ironhorse in the mines.

"The ladies are uncomfortable with your presence," Machina went on, not looking away from the girls. "I do not wish them to be uncomfortable. Go. I will take care of the ladies and the Winter prince."

"But, sire--"

Machina didn't move. Silvery cables unraveled with lightning speed, springing from his shoulders and spine. They spread around Machina like a halo of metal wings, wickedly barbed on one end, needle points glinting in the light. One of his cables whipped out, almost too fast to see, punching through the knight's armor and out his back. The cable lifted Quintus high in the air and threw him into the wall. Quintus clanged against the metal and slumped motionless to the ground, a jagged hole through his breastplate. Dark, oily blood pooled beneath him.

"Leave," Machina repeated softly, and the knights scrambled to obey. They filed out through the door and slammed it shut, and they were alone with the Iron King.

Isiea simply blinks, not otherwise reacting and not taking her eyes off the Iron King.

She stared up at him, waiting for an answer.

Machina regarded them silently, then gestured behind him. A loud clanking began, and something rose out of the ground beside his throne, as if it was borne on an elevator. A large, wrought-iron birdcage came into view. Inside

Ethan gripped the bars of the cage, peering out with frightened blue eyes.

" Ethan! " Lise ran towards the cage.

Isiea glances at Ethan. She doesnt show any emotion, which makes it clear to Lise shes most definitely acting. She only spares her brother a single glance before immediately looking back at Machina.

Machina's cables whipped out, blocking her path. Behind them, Ash growled a curse and tried to stand.

Isiea doesn't take her eyes off of Machina.

She stopped, turning back to Machina.