Zara winced as she tried to open her eyes. She was met with darkness, and it took a moment to realize she was blindfolded, and couldn't move. Something was around her neck, and she couldn't feel her mana well. In fact, her magic senses were down. She tried to reach out with her gift, but it seemed almost sluggish, and after a minute, she was forced to let go. Every moment she tired, it became slower and slower.

She had no idea where she was, and couldn't move to do anything. It was probably some spell or maybe whatever was around her neck. She knew of anti-magic collars, but they weren't used by DOSA anymore. Gave off the wrong look, which she agreed with, more so now that she was in one.

Zara tried to rack her mind for what had happened before she’d passed out, but her mind was hazy at best. Her thoughts were slow, and her senses duller than they’d ever been before. Time passed, and slowly the haze began to fade, though that sluggish feeling remained. Memories of Annalee came to mind, and suddenly it all came rushing in.

She’d been lured out, and then… what? She didn't remember anything after being stabbed in the neck by some sort of needle. She’d activated a stress signal to call the orcs who’d come with her, but clearly, they hadn't come soon enough or had been dealt with by whoever had taken her.

Fear surged up within her, but she calmed herself and forced her mind into a meditative state. She focused inward and took deep breaths. As she did, she remembered the necklace Rick had given her and the tracker on it. Hope blossomed. Whatever happened, Brooke and Rick would soon know something was wrong, and come for her.

Suddenly she was sent slamming into something hard, her head rocking back from the force. She rolled around and strained to hear anything, but wherever they’d done, had muted her hearing.

Nothing happened for long minutes, then she felt hands grab her, lifting her up. She was carried for long minutes and placed down somewhere. She felt a hand touch her head and a soothing feeling passed through her. She only had time to sigh before sleep took her once more.

****

Han’s eyes snapped open and immediately she knew something was wrong. It smelled too fresh, and the bed was far too soft. She turned her head and saw she was in a wide, nicely decorated room. A magical light floated at the center of the ceiling, and there was a bookshelf nearby, and next to her bed, a stand with drawers.

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There was a door opposite her, and as she tried and failed to sit up, it opened, and in walked Glenn.

“Glenn?”

“Hello, Han,” He bowed low, his smile growing. “Let me welcome you to my not-so-humble abode.” When he straightened, Han felt a shiver pass down her spine at the look in his eyes. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

****

Sivelle looked down at the hotel receptionist and considered freezing her mind. The woman typed away merrily on her keyboard as she had for the past five minutes. She’d said she was searching to see if they had someone by the name of Richard Halls staying. Maybe she was, but Sivelle was getting impatient. She’d already lost the witch, and now sirens were barling in the distance. There were dozens of them.

“Here we are,” the receptionist said. “We do have someone by that name. Are you a friend?”

Sivelle had a fake smile on her face and was using some of her natural fae charm. “Of course, which room is he staying in?”

“Third floor, premium suite. End of the hall.” The women smiled. “Anything else I can help you with?”

Sivelle had already walked away and towards the elevator. This would be it. She’d find out now if this had all been for nothing, or if she was going to be lucky this time. When she arrived on the third floor, she quickly made her way to the last door in the hall. She considered just unlocking the door and entering but decided against it. Richard Halls was just a minor sorcerer, or so it said on his DOSA file. She knocked thrice and waited for a minute before knocking again.

There came no answer so Sivelle tapped a finger against the door. It unlocked, and she let herself in a moment later. The room was empty, and plain save for a messy computer setup, and a few empty and discarded boxes. She sighed and closed the door before walking over to take a seat at the computer setup. She’d wait here if she had to, but while she did she could see if she could find anything out about him.

A wave of cold washed through her followed by a feeling of weakness. She tried to shoot up, but instead just toppled to the side.

“Well, well, well, a fae of winter. Don’t you know it's illegal to break in?”

Sivelle tried to reach for her magic, but it wasn't there. She couldn't feel it or anything. All she could feel was burning pain. The mocking voice laughed. “You’ve made a grave error, little faerie. Now you and I are going to have a talk.” That was the last thing she heard before she fell unconscious.