Banksy quickly found himself in a very disconcerting position. Lexi loomed over him; a knife held loosely in each hand. He stared back at her with a slightly concerned smile.

“Uh... Lexi?”

"Are you alright, Nathanial?" Lexi asked. Her shoulders tensed slightly and her stance dropped. The knife in her left hand angled somewhere near Banksy’s heart.

"Nathanial?" Banksy made a face. "Urgh, don't call me that. It's creepy."

Lexi let out a sigh and her postured immediately relaxed. The knives were quickly returned to her hips and she extended her hand. Banksy eyed it warily for a moment before allowing Lexi to pull him back up to his feet.

“What was that about?”

"Had to be sure you were… You. A keyhole appeared on your chest."

"Eh?" Banksy reached up and touched his chest. The once fine fabric had been burned through and now hung in tatters, but there was keyhole to be found. "Ah…"

"But you are fine?"

Banksy nodded, still poking experimentally at his chest. "Yup. No more problems. Lilith… The Widow Black, she will be okay now too. You can untie her."

Lexi looked down at the unconscious Lilith who was still firmly secured to the ground with thick bonds of shadow.

"Are you sure?"

Banksy held up the eternity lock and flashed a cocky smile. "Yup."

Lexi blinked. "You realize that means absolutely nothing to me, don't you?"

Banksy's smile faded away and he nearly dropped the cube. "Oh, right. Well do you want the long version or the short version?"

"Let's just do the short version for now.”

"Alright, short version. Uh…" Banksy rubbed at the side of his head before wincing and pulling his hand away as he upset the still fresh wound on the side of his head. It was strange, it felt like he had gotten that such a long time ago. Actually, all his injuries felt like they were from so long ago…. Or they had until he looked at the fresh blood on his fingertips. The adrenaline that had been keeping his system running abruptly ran out and he let out a pathetic sound before slipping to the side and curling up into a tight ball.

"Banksy?" Lexi ventured gingerly.

"I'm okay," Banksy grunted. "Kind of. Not really. I think I'm dying. Get me a doctor."

"You're not dying. I think," Lexi said before looking up as Makina came sprinting towards them, her tiny chest heaving with effort as she came to a stop.

She opened her mouth to speak before collapsing down to the ground next to Banksy. After a few minutes of heavy breathing she finally found her voice.

"How dare you leave me alone in that horrible forest," Makina gasped. "I'm very sure I was almost attacked by some kind of animal!"

"I assumed a Goddess could handle herself." Lexi smiled slightly. "Especially after you saved Banksy. Thank you, Makina. I am in your debt."

"Oh well…" Makina's cheek went slightly pink and she coughed. "Well of course you are all in my debt. Just being in my divine presence is a gift you could never hope to repay. But yes, you are welcome. Especially you, Banksy."

"Ice, please." Banksy grunted in response, thrusting out his hand. Makina rolled her eyes before acquiescing and forming a ball of ice in Banksy's outstretched hand.

"Better?" Lexi asked as Banksy put the ice to his head and slowly sat back up.

"I guess." Banksy let out a long groan. "Alright, so short version. Lilith was being possessed by some kind of magical spider named Aranhi. Aranhi has been using the manor as her breeding grounds and planned to feed all the suitors with magical power to her children. After I figured out what was going on, I tricked Aranhi into trying to take over my body. Instead, I trapped Aranhi in my mind and pushed her out into the physical world and now she is stuck in this thing, forever."

Lexi and Makina both blinked before sharing a short glance.

"How… How exactly did you do that?" Lexi said.

"Yes, that seems rather… difficult," Makina added.

"It was an educated guess," Banksy said as he moved the ice down to his ribs. "The keyhole on Lilith's chest proved that while this was magic in nature, it also had a physical manifestation. So, I figured if I could understand it, I could find a way to manipulate it. Most magic locks work like that."

"That plan seems to have a considerable amount of risk," Makina said. "I would not have pegged you as the type to attempt it."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Banksy was pretty sure he had just been insulted but he was too tired to really think about it. "I told you, it was an educated guess. Besides, if anyone could do it, it would be me. I'm not the best Cracker in all of Voy for nothing."

"Very true. You did a good job, Banksy" Lexi reached out and clapped him on the shoulder. It was the wrong move and Banksy instantly let out a whimper and fell back over.

"Please, don't touch me right now," Banksy hissed between clenched teeth as he curled into a tight ball.

"Weakling." Makina clicked her tongue in disapproval. "I do have a question though."

"What?"

"Where is the loud idiot?"

Banksy lazily reached up his arm and pointed at the manor. "Passed out inside. He over did it with his magic."

"I will go retrieve him. I've already sent word to Servilia. The Voy Military will be here soon. No doubt Dumas will show up as well. You two stay here." Lexi gave them both a nod before heading towards the manor, waving her hand and dispelling the magic binding Lilith as she did so.

"I will do no such thing," Makina said as she scampered off after Lexi. "I have spent more than enough time outside. This had been an absolutely horrid night. I need a warm meal and a bath!"

Makina's voice quickly faded as the two entered into the manor and Banksy was left alone with his thoughts. Most of them were pain and those that were not pain were regret. Mostly regret about being in pain.

A soft moan reminded Banksy that he was not alone and he turned just as Lilith pushed herself up. Gingerly she rubbed at her head before frantically shaking her head back and forth, her eyes wide and fearful before they landed on him.

"Mr. Bank!"

Banksy gave her a weak wave. "Call me Banksy."

"How…?" Lilith said, her hand moving down to her chest, her fingers running softly along the unblemished skin.

"The Sleeping Dragon guild has dealt with your problem. Everything will be okay now," Banksy said as he forced himself to his feet. Bowing slightly, he extended his hand down to Lilith. She gracefully accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her up to her feet.

"I can't believe this," Lilith breathed out. "This doesn't seem possible."

"I've been telling myself the same thing for a long time now," Banksy said as he released Lilith's hand and allowed his heavy shoulders to slump down. “But It doesn’t seem to matter if I believe or not, this stuff just keeps happening.”

“I see.” Lilith was still rubbing at her chest.

“She can’t get you.” Banksy said quietly. Lilith looked up at him and he gave her a firm nod. “I swear. She’ll never hurt you again. She won’t hurt anyone.”

“I…Lilith swallowed hard, her hand coming up to wipe away the mist forming on her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

"But why… Why risk so much?” Lilith breathed out. "Why didn't you just kill me? No one would have blamed you. Why risk your life for mine? "

"Would you believe me if said because it was the right thing to do?"

"I would."

"Honestly I'm not the heroic kind of a guy, though." Banksy took in a deep breath and craned his head up to look at the night sky. He liked stars. There was something… magical about them. A treasure no one could steal, one the whole world could share. "I did it because I know what it's like to feel like your life is no longer in your own control. To feel like you've been trapped in this tiny little box and to have your hope slowly slip away." Banksy slowly brought his eyes down to Lilith and a smile formed on his mouth. "A long time ago someone saved me. I don't think I could bear to look her in the eye if I wouldn't be willing to do the same if given even the smallest chance. I wouldn't even deserve to."

"I believe I understand," Lilith said with a tiny smile. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a bit jealous."

Banksy's brow furrowed. "Eh?"

"It's nothing, Mr. Bank." Lilith shook her head, her smile growing as she moved a step closer to him. "I do believe, however, that I owe you more than an apology could ever cover."

"Honestly, don't wor-"

Banksy's words abruptly cut off as Lilith’s lips met his, her smile dazzling as she pulled back.

"I do, however, hope that can be a good start." Lilith cupped his cheek. "And I want you to know, you are my hero."

Blushing deeply Banksy could only mumble something unintelligible as the sounds of the approaching Voy military filled the night air.

xXx

Mary moved with near silent footsteps through the darkened castle ruins, her feet gliding effortlessly over the endless rows of thorn-adorned vines that had crept through the hallways. A cold permeated the castle and settled over her skin as she made her way deeper into the ruins until she came to a large, rusted iron door. It opened for her with a loud creak and she made her way into a dimly lit room.

It had been luxurious once, with large tapestries hanging from the ceiling and thick, plush rugs covering the floor, but with time it had fallen into decay. The tapestries, those that remained, were nothing more than tatters, and the rugs were all but bare threads beneath her boots.

Only one piece of furniture decorated the room and in it sat the only occupant. A large book hung suspended in front of him, the pages turning at a lethargic pace as he leaned his chin against his fist. He did not acknowledge Mary's presence as she moved to stand in front of him, instead continuing to read.

Mary waited silently, reaching up and pulling her hood back to allow her long, black hair to tumble down around her pace face.

"So, things are not going well, I take it?" he said finally as the book closed and dropped down to the floor. The sound echoed through the room.

"Aranhi has lost control of the Widow Black.”

"I see. And Dal?"

"Aranhi killed him."

"Most unfortunate." He sighed. "Who was responsible?"

"The Sleeping Dragon Guild."

"Interesting." He reached up and ran long, slender fingers through his dark hair. "Which members?"

"Nathanial Bank."

"Ah, the genius thief. I assume he was the one to break the enchantment on the Widow Black?"

"Yes."

"Quite clever. Not many alive who could do that.” He nodded appreciatively. "Who else?"

"Romeo Lovejoy."

"The Noble who became a thug who became a Lightning Mage. Amusing."

"The Spirit Goddess Makina."

"Hmmm, so she is still playing at being human? I wonder how long that can last… No matter, I suppose. And?”

“Cross Drachen."

"The Clairvoyant Courier?" He tilted his head. "Quite a few. Is that all?"

"No." Mary shook her head and paused for a moment. "Alexis Shadowhart. She led the operation. They are all members of her team.”

"I see. She was the one who dealt with Atlas, if I remember correctly? That would make it the second time she has interfered with my plans, has it not? I wonder if I should have her dealt with?"

Mary remained silent.

"No, I suppose not just yet. It would just cause more trouble than it is worth," he said after a moment of thought. "But do keep an eye on them. I’m sure they will continue to be of interest.”

"Yes, my King," Mary said with a deep bow, her black eyes dropping submissively to the floor.

The King of Thorns leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Very well. You may go."

Mary stepped back into the darkness and melted away.