I stared down at the letter in my hands, trembling slightly. I read through it for the millionth time that day.

Hello Kate.

I think that was your name. I never really talked to you. Anyway. Moving on. I need your help. To make this short, I’m stuck with a group of bandits who think I’m on their team and who currently want me to kill Perryn because he is, of course, the heir to the throne. I have included the coordinates to my current location, give this paper to Robin. He knows what to do. The bandits think I am contacting an inside source, so that’s why I’ve had the misfortune of having to turn to your help instead of Serah’s, Henry’s, Tanner’s and even our special little hustler, Elizabeth’s. Nevertheless, I would very much appreciate it if you warned Serah of this little incident, seeing as none of them know where I am and haven’t known for the past few months. Well. I’m running out of ink. Goodbye and hurry because I’m getting hungry. They don’t have nearly enough food here.

Lydia Forrester.

“Robin!” I called as I turned out of my bedroom and began stomping down the long, palace hallway, still clutching the letter. The two twins, Leo and Robin, stuck their heads out of their workshop, as they liked to call their room. But when I entered, it was really more like a workshop rather than a room. Racks of tools and weapons lined the walls, desks were stacked with unfinished projects and the two twin beds were both littered with papers; “ideas for future projects” as Leo called them.

“What’s up, HoneyCake?” Leo asked. I absolutely hated his nicknames for me, but I never complained. There was something sentimental to being called by a nickname.

I turned to Robin, the quieter one of the twins and waved the letter in his face, “Your girlfriend has contacted us. She needs help.”

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“Lydia?” Leo instantly asked, his face lighting up.

“Yes. Lydia. She’s being held captive apparently and cannot contact the pirates to help her. We need to contact them and then go get her. But I think she’s here in Persia, so the pirates will take a while to get here from the Forgotten Isle.”

“Very well then.” Leo said, “Onward my friends! To rescue our blonde pirate friend!”

“She doesn’t like being called that.” Robin grumbled.

“How do you know?” Leo rolled his eyes.

“Because Serah was blonde too, dummy.”

The door pushed open and Perryn, William and Rachel entered.

“We’re going back to the Isle?” William asked excitedly, but I shook my head.

“We’re going to help Lydia, who is here in Persia.”

“The Isle is in Persia.” Perryn noted.

I scowled, “I mean here, on the mainland. As in, if we travel a few nights worth on horseback…” I gazed down at the letter, inspecting the coordinates that Lydia had sent, “north. We should go north, and then we’ll find her. Somewhere in the woods, surrounded by bandits. She didn’t give too much information, but I guess she couldn’t really because of her…current situation.”

“What is her current situation?” Amber and Philip now entered the room, having been roaming the halls and searching for us.

“Um…I’m not sure if she’s there willingly, but I think she would be, considering she’s Lydia Forrester and can kick anyone’s—“

“—Her situation, Kate.” Amber interrupted, “What is she doing?”

“She’s, and I quote, stuck with a group of bandits who think she’s on their side. But none of the pirates know, they just think she’s been missing for weeks.”

“They’re probably scouring the world, looking for her.” Robin muttered.

“Tanner’s probably burned down about ten cities.” Rachel added.

“They’re probably too far away to help.” Perryn noted, “That’s why she came to us for help?”

“Uh…no…” I said quietly.

Perryn stared at me but I avoided his gaze, “Why did she ask for us?”

“Because these bandits kind of…want to…kill you? So she’s warning us but also asking for our help?”

Perryn groaned, “Can someone for once in my life not want to kill me?”

“I’m afraid that didn’t come with the job description of being prince.” A delicate, familiar British voice echoed through the room. A shadow fell across the large open window across the room, and Serafina Sherbourne, Captain of the Predator, gracefully stepped down from the windowsill and into the room. Her blonde hair was now cut ruggedly short, starting short in the back and reaching her shoulders in the front in a jagged cut that caressed her sharp jawline. Her turquoise eyes flashing with a determined look.