𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟎// 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬

The council table was divided accordingly: Aureoles on the left, Shades on the right. Hands clasped in laps or folded on the table, eyes scanning the room, fine clothes gleaming in the torchlight.

Throughout the negotiations and senseless bickering of the two courts, King Apollo and King Abaddon stared each other down, gazes guarded. Nico didn't know what to make of it, only that it could only mean trouble. Meanwhile, he made sure to study each Aureole and their demeanor, his dark eyes flicking about the room.

At last, Apollo spoke. "Several days ago, we dispatched a messenger to your palace with questions concerning the kidnapping of our prince and general."

The chatter hushed. Silence pervaded the council room; not even a rustle of papers could be heard.

"The messenger inquired if you had any information that could help us, but you refused to answer," the Aureole King continued. "And I would like to ask you now: Have you heard or seen anything that could aid us in our search for them?"

In that moment, Nico wondered what King Apollo would have done if he knew that his general was in this palace, if he knew that his son was just floors away from him.

For a moment, King Abaddon did not answer. Then, as calm and collected as ever, he replied, "Only through your messenger's questions did I actually find out about the kidnapping. I do not know where Prince William and General Yew are. I extend my condolences to you; having your son kidnapped during a masquerade that was to celebrate the kingdom must have been tragic." Those clever eyes didn't reveal a thing.

Upon seeing King Apollo's carefully neutral expression, di Angelo wanted to scream, Your son is here! Your general is here! They are in the dungeons! Instead, he grit his teeth and took a steadying breath.

☀️☀️☀️

Michael Yew, former general of the Aureole kingdom, stared out the window of his cell, squinting as he tried to see in the dim torchlight.

His interrogators hadn't been kind to him; his body was still throbbing from the last interrogation session. He leaned against the cell door, hissing through his teeth as his wounds protested.

His thoughts turned to Will. No doubt the prince had caved under the pressure by now, as Michael had. He wondered where Will resided, how severely injured he was. Was he even alive? He shook the thoughts away. No. The Shades wouldn't dare kill the Aureole prince.

Footsteps from his right, and he sucked in a breath. Were his captors back again? What information would they be seeking this time? What methods would they use to obtain that information? He had to be prepared for anything.

But nothing would have prepared him for the sight of Kayla Knowles and Lee Fletcher, stepping into the pool of torchlight.

☀️☀️☀️

The second Lee had stepped into the dungeons, he stumbled in surprise-- the raw pain and terror that he sensed pulsing from the prisoners inside threatened to overpower him. He steeled himself before taking a step, another, and at last reaching the bottom of the stairs. The emotions vibrated along his skin, but he blocked them out til he only felt them in passing.

Kayla materialized beside him, her green hair a beacon in the flickering light. She gave him a look, and he nodded, closing his eyes. He sent his power out like a net, sorting through every emotion he sensed, seeing flashes of their owners' faces. His heart leapt when he at last saw Will's and Michael's; it was for the briefest of moments, but Lee was able to track their pain to the source.

He opened his eyes, the green irises gleaming. "Michael is to the left of the hall, Will is to the right. Michael is closer."

"Then let's go." Kayla jogged down the left hall, Lee hot on her heels, their boots silent on the concrete. Lee followed the pain and fear he sensed radiating off of the general, and found himself in front of the cell.