"Gosh I messed up." She groans, rubbing her face. "He looked so... lifeless." She whispers, tears swimming in her eyes.

"Hey...it's not your fault," Puck murmured, sitting next to her.

The door opened and Leanansidhe entered the room, followed by Grim and two brownies bearing a tray with mugs. "I would have a few more regrets than that, darling. Claire, dove, try to drink this. It should help."

She takes a mug, staring at it for a moment before sipping it. "I'm so sorry we didnt get the scepter." She says.

The hot liquid smelled strongly of herbs. It was like drinking potpourri in hot water, but she could feel it working as it slid down her throat--a warm drowsiness stealing through her system.

Leanansidhe swept around the couch, trailing smoke from her cigarette holder. With a flourish, she sat in the opposite chair and crossed her legs, watching Claire over her cigarette. "So, before that kicks in, dove, why dont you tell me what happened in there? Grimalkin told me some of it, but he wasnt there for the whole operation, and I cant get a cohesive story from this pair--" she waved her cigarette at Ironhorse and Puck "--because theyre too busy worrying over you. Why couldnt you get the scepter, darling? What happened in SciCorp?"

"Virus, she was ready for us. Had the scepter in hand and everything. Ash was there, taken over by the bug she made. Basically walked into a trap." She says, glaring at the drink as she thought.

"Hes the one guarding the scepter," Puck added. "Him and about two dozen nasty Thornguards, and a whole building of Viruss little human drones." He shook his head. "Ive fought Ash before, but not like this. Whenever we dueled, there was always a small part of him, deep down, that wasnt serious. I know his royal iciness, and I knew he really didnt want to kill me, no matter how much he boasted otherwise. Thats why our little feud has lasted so long." Puck snorted and crossed his arms, looking grave. "The thing I fought today wasnt the frosty Ice prince we all know and love. Theres nothing there anymore. No anger, no hate, no fear. Hes more dangerous now than he ever was before, because he doesnt care if he lives or dies."

"He hesitated." She says, looking up. "He hesitated, he couldve killed me that second but he didnt. His eyes... Hes in there, I just want to get him back..." she whispers.

Silence fell. The only sound was the faint sound of Grimalkin sharpening his claws on the sofa. "So," Leanansidhe ventured at last, "what will you do now?"

She thought for a moment, "I feel like the scepter should be top priority but itd be easier if we had Ash back on our side." He says, running a hand through her hair.

"At least we know what were up against now."

"And the Winter prince?" Leanansidhe asked softly. "What will you do with him?"

"We have to kill him."