“She wants mothers magic?” Elias asked, stunned.

“You know she ain’t a saint”, Sasha said. “She has been misusing the power that is handed to us by the dead queen. I guess your mother has made her pretty pissed off.”

She wasn’t going to say anything about his father. She wouldn’t need to, his own life was in the game. Sasha couldn’t help wondering if the death queen had known. Ensuring she would have Elias help although she lacked his trust. Why else would she mixture with the orb?

“She is my mother”, Elias said. “I can't do that towards her.”

Sasha pressed her lips together in a thin smile. He sure wasn’t thanking her for giving the orb back or thinking about what his beloved mother had done to her.

“Child”, Denise said and lifted one sleepyhead, “You have no choice but to follow Sasha. Only she can save you.”

Isaak and Ivy nodded simultaneously.

“The death queen has marked your names on a gravestone”, Ivy said. “I bet even your mother might see reason.”

“Isaak, Greg”, Sasha said and raised from her chair. “May I have a word with you?”

She glanced at her sister, she already knew, and gave the smallest nod towards her. Ivy would keep the rest occupied, especially Elias.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

They left the canteen and the rest of the group to discuss the plans for a surprise attack on the queen. Sasha waited until they were back at Greg's place.

“I am not sure about exactly to what extent the queen has messed with Elias's head”, she started. “But there is one more obstacle. The death queen took my magic”, Sasha whispered. “I can't save anyone.”

Greg sat down at the table, picking a pencil and laying it back, a deep furrow between his brows.

“Elias has the elemental magic. We have gifts from Aaliyah, and I and my colleagues could help. It's not a lost cause, it's just a challenge. A challenge I am ready for”, Greg said forcefully, a content smile on his lips. “I will do this.”

“I can't help with magic, but I have some raw muscles if needed”, Isaak added. “And I will not let the death queen take neither you nor Elias.”

Greg hummed, but Sasha could see he was already deep in thought. He wrote some stuff on paper, drawing arrows and circles and then sitting back.

“Are you sure you can draw out her magic?” Greg looked at Sasha. “You are a taker but...”

“I am sure”, Sasha said, although she had been questioning herself just the second before. Her tattoo burned with orange light. She felt an ancient truth inside. “I have the heart of the dragon and the power of death. I don’t need any magic.”

Suddenly she knew. It would work, it would cost, but she knew she could do it. She could save the day. She was willing to pay the price.

“The rest of you, you just need to ensure I am free to do my thing. Keep her there, and I will ensure the king gets his heart and the queen will looses... Everything.”

Greg smiled, he took her hand.

“Give me every detail of the magic Elias has access to, and the exact wording of Aaliyah's gifts”, he absently patted her hand, “and we will come up with a foolproof strategy of war.”

“I will help you”, Isaak said. “Then we run it by Ivy.”

“If Ivy agrees, it will work.” Sasha nodded. “Don’t tell Elias.”

They nodded.