Zella fixed her hair in the powder room mirror, admiring the lovely job Althea had done applying her cosmetics. With one last crimson smile, she walked from the powder room, back out into the quiet corridor. She picked up the length of her ombré gown, so she didn't trip over it as she strutted back towards the ballroom. The booming sound of layered instruments floated over her, getting louder with each step she took.

Suddenly Zella jumped, startled by a loud noise from behind her. She camouflaged herself in with her surroundings, a second skin to her, and a reflex she sometimes involuntarily used when her body sensed she could be in danger. Zella turned towards the sound and breathed out a sigh, seeing Jasper and Monique walking towards the desolate area where Layana's boutique and the other, now closed, shops were located. She was about to allow herself to be seen again when Jasper peaked around the corner in such a way that made it appear as though he were checking to make sure nobody was watching them.

Zella raised a brow and couldn't help her own curiosity as she followed behind them, at a far enough pace that she could still hear them, but not be directly on top of them.

They stopped just outside of the goldsmiths shop before Monique turned to Jasper, speaking in a tone she'd never heard her use… a stark contrast to that normally light, eased French accent, as she said, "it has to be tonight."

Zella furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what she'd meant.

"What? I can't do it tonight! She's barely even drank any wine since dinner, how am I to—"

Monique cut him off with a hissed shushing. "Would you keep it down," she growled lowly, looking around them, "it must be tonight," she spoke so quietly, Zella took another step towards them just so she could make out her words. "He made contact with me tonight and declared that we must bring her to him before midnight, and it has to be tonight as it's the longest night of the year."

Zellas mouth gaped as she wondered who they were referring to. Only one person came to mind... Althea. But she needed to be certain before she ran to tell her.

Jasper ran his fingers through his hair tensely. "What if we're wrong Monique?"

The blonde haired girl rolled her eyes before biting out with such vigour that Zella had never once heard her display until now, "did you or did you not see the flame within Althea in your vision?"

Zellas eyes widened at her words... the flame? Within her closest friend?

"Yes! Yes, I did, I am certain... it's just..." Jasper's voice grew quiet as he looked away from Monique.

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"Oh, don't tell me you've fallen for her," Monique mocked, snorting as the words left her mouth, "I should have known giving you a mission involving a pretty girl would cause you to question your loyalties... you men are all the same," Monique spat the words at him.

Zella bit her lip as she took in everything they were saying... Althea somehow carried the ancient flame within her... and they were planning to take her somewhere tonight... but where? Zella thought back to everything they'd read and all the knowledge of the flame from her parents... if Jasper and Monique were working with the board... she swallowed, suddenly feeling her heart plummet in her chest. She knew what the board thought the flame was... and as she began imagining what they'd do to Althea if they got ahold of her, her body tensed at that realisation.

“No! My loyalties have always lied with this cadre!" Jasper snarled back at her, "I will do what I must."

Monique smirked at him and reached into the pocket of her white silk gown, "good. Once you've gotten her alone, use this." She handed him something, but Zella couldn't see what it was. She attempted to take a few steps closer when Monique's head shot up. The tanned woman breathed in a deep breath. Zella froze.

"What is—" Jasper started but she swiped a finger to his lips.

"Quiet," she muttered before breathing in again, and this time, she looked directly at Zella... her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest as she stared back. She knew her ability was still in effect, but the look Monique was giving suggested otherwise.

"Someone's here," Monique said quietly, "I can sense their magic."

Zella mentally smacked herself. How could she have forgotten Monique's ability? Zella attempted to take a step back when suddenly Monique took two quick steps towards her and she nearly lost her balance.

"Did you think I wouldn't sense your power, Elizabeth," Monique bit out her name with such force Zella felt as though she may faint. Monique reached a hand up and grabbed her wrist causing the invisibility cloak she'd materialised over herself to disappear. Jasper's eyes widened as he took her in, then narrowed as they settled on her.

"Oh great! Now what are we to do?" He raised his hands in the air.

"You just worry about your lover... I'll handle our little mouse here." A wicked grin spread over Monique's lips, it didn’t look natural on the face that was usually so full of tenderness. She gulped.

Without another word, Jasper rushed out of the dim corridor.

Zella attempted to pull out of Monique's grasp but her hold was much stronger than Zella would have anticipated.

"Oh I'm not done with you yet, little girl," Monique gawked, reaching into her pocket. Zella's eyes followed her hand from her pocket, trying to see what she had grabbed.

"Goodnight," Monique said, causing Zellas eyebrows to furrow.

Suddenly Monique blew a white powder into her face and before Zella could attempt to flee, her vision grew spotty and she could feel her knees give out beneath her. The room around her spun, a dizzying swirl of lights and colours as darkness swept her up into its embrace… and then she was nothing at all.