The Lady's Secret (School for Good and Evil)

Free the Witch

Agatha gaped at her, but the Lady of the Lake was already disappearing back into the darkness of the theater. What was with the glass? How was that supposed to help her find 'the truth in secrets'? WHAT SECRETS? And she had a son? Who was it?

If Agatha was going to see him soon, did that mean he was an Ever? Or did she mean that Agatha would be leaving this reality soon and she would see him after the whirlwind of the crystal ball? Did he work at the school as a nymph? Was he part of the Ever army marching towards Evil Hall right now?

A headache started to pound at her temples, and Agatha had to take a deep breath, clearing her thoughts of all the questions that would never be answered before she could think of a plan.

The Lady was right, Agatha had to keep going or else she would miss her chance of being able to confront Sophie before the Ever army- and possibly the Lady of the Lake's son- got there.

Agatha took the creaky stairs two at a time, knowing all the Nevers would be in Evil Hall, enjoying what little happiness they would have before the Evers ruined it with a war. She flung open the doors and was stunned just as she was the first time.

Evil Hall had been transformed. It was now a ballroom, glittering with green tinsel, black balloons, and thousands upon thousands of green-flamed candles. A spinning chandelier threw green light across an ice sculpture of two entwined snakes. The evil couples stumbled through a waltz, desperately trying not to step on each other's toes. Everything stopped when Agatha walked in. Silence.

"What is she doing here?" Vex spat.

"She'll tell the Evers!" Mona said.

Arachne's eye widened. "Get her-"

"I'll handle this," said a voice. Everyone swiveled around to face Hester, stomping up to Agatha. "This is a villains' party, Agatha," Hester took another step forward. "And you're not a villain."

Agatha tried to play along, though she knew what was going to happen already. "Wait- don't-"

"I'm afraid there's only one thing to do," said Hester, only feet away.

"Die?" Agatha asked, though she could barely contain herself. Hester, the same Hester she had seen stabbed to death, was standing in front of her, alive. She squeezed the Lady's glass into her hand to keep from hugging the witch in front of her.

"Stay."

The Nevers stared at her. "B- but- she's," Vex began.

"Welcome as my guest," Hester said, demon swelling. "Unlike Snow Balls, No Balls have no rules."

Agatha contorted her face into surprise and astonishment, trying to recreate the moment as it first happened.

Hester turned towards her. "This is how we found the Hall," she said- Agatha almost heard her voice break. "We think she wanted us to have what she couldn't. Maybe it's her way of saying sorry," Hester paused for a moment and then added: "I'm sorry too. For, you know, throwing you in a sewer earlier."

Agatha felt a tear- a real tear- roll down her cheek. "I tried. I tried to stop them."

Hester wrinkled her nose. "Stop who-"

"KILL THE VILLS! NEVERS DIE!"

Slowly, the witch turned around.

"KILL THE VILLS! NEVERS DIE!"

Everyone ran to the windows of Evil Hall, eyes glued to the sight of the Good army marching around the moat, weapons glinting in torchlight. Agatha could see some of the hope drain from the Nevers' faces. They knew they would never get their happy endings.

"So you come to warn us. And your prince comes to kill us," said Hester, gazing at the ferocious mob. "So much for love."

"You don't have to fight them," Agatha insisted. "Let them see what I have," she said, gesturing to the decorated Evil Hall.

"And let them laugh at us?" Hester's eyes were on fire. "Let them remind us what we are? Ugly. Unworthy. Losers."

"That's not what you are!"

But Hester had already turned back to the dangerous girl she once was. "You know nothing about us," she snarled.

"We're all the same, Hester!" Agatha fought, pressing the Lady's glass harder against her palm. "Let them see the truth. It's the only way!"

"Yes. There is only one way," Hester's mouth contorted into a wicked grin. "Free the witch!"

Agatha's mind went crazy, "No! That's what she wants!"

If it was possible, Hester's grin deepened. "And remind our princess what happens when fair maidens go where they don't belong."

Agatha's vision went blurry as the shadows of villains closed in on her. That's when she blacked out.

♠ ♠ ♠

In a tower across the moat of sludge, a girl woke from her stun spell. She knew she had to stop the army. She knew they were headed for Evil Hall.

Past Agatha climbed out the window.