Zander stared at Kelsie. A moment ago, she was panting, crying, singing and unconscious. Now she sat up, clear-eyed breathing as though she had run a marathon, saying she knew where Jezebel's House was and calling Jason "Uncle".

"Did I miss something?" he asked a stunned Jason.

"I think it worked," Jason whispered.

"How do you know?" Zander whispered.

"She called me Uncle," Jason said smiling, "she was ten when she last called me by that name."

"I'm starving," Kelsie said, moving toward them, "do you have anything for me to eat?"

"Kels, are you okay?" Zander asked.

"Yes, thanks for asking," Kelsie smiled at him, taking a plate of food from Jason, "thanks for holding my hand when we left the house. It made it easier."

Zander drew in a sharp breath, blinking rapidly. No one but his father and Jezebel knew about that. She did remember.

"You said you know where the house is?" Jason asked, watching Kelsie shovel food into her mouth, "remember to chew before you swallow," he joked.

"How long have I been out?" Kelsie asked, oblivious to the reaction of the two men.

"About twenty-four hours," Zander said, "we marked our current position on the map."

Kelsie pulled the map toward her, "Oh good, you kept moving."

Zander glanced at Jason sharing a smile with the older man.

"Where to now, my queen?" Zander asked quietly.

Kelsie's gaze snapped to his, "You knew all along."

Zander nodded, "Not when I was first given the assignment, but after you reacted to that town as you did," Zander shrugged, "I hoped it was you. The last time we saw each other was when you were ten at Jezebel's House."

"My house," Kelsie said quietly, "the house showed me. I, Kelsie Anne Jezebel Conrad, own a house only we can find."

"We?" Jason frowned.

"Zander and I both have to be there for me to open it," Kelsie said, "because he is my guard and was there when I closed it. I'd like you to come with Uncle Jason."

"Gladly. I'm glad Connie's treachery wasn't permanent," Jason sighed, "it could have been a disaster. Since she closed the house to all of us."

"She had a reason," Kelsie said, watching Jason's reaction, "she knew who was causing the trouble. She knew who was rising to overthrow our family. She knew but could not stop what was happening. No one would listen to what needed to be done or refused to take the necessary action. She knew it could be permanent. She knew I may lose all my memories, but she needed to hide me in plain sight ..." Kelsie sighed, "and she did."

"She had no right to do any of it," Jason ground out, "she took an oath that night."

"No, she didn't," Kelsie shook her head, "she was outside on the porch watching everything but never pledged allegiance."

"How do you know this?" Zander asked, frowning.

"The house told me," Kelsie said as an explanation.

The men looked at each other concerned, "What are you talking about?" Zander asked.

"If I remember what mom told me, each queen has a secret keeper, but no one knows who it is except the guard and one other," Kelsie frowned in concentration. "The secret keeper isn't a person."

"It's the house," Jason whispered, "that's why she shut it to everyone but you."

Kelsie nodded, "It was the hardest thing she ever did. After everyone left and I closed the house, she still held the right of Maternal Queen. She spoke to the house, all her fears, worries, doubts, and since her guard and other holder were either already dead or not there, no one knew about the house."

"Everyone criticised her all these years," Jason shook his head, scrubbing his hands over his face, "I cannot believe we didn't figure it all out."

"But that doesn't explain how she could be murdered, and the house still responds to you," Zander said, observing Kelsie.

"According to the house, Connie not only closed it to everyone, but she relinquished her hold of the house, its ancestral secrets and all that was hers to me. Then she walked away."

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"All these years, she has been living one moment away from someone being able to take her life," Zander said, "she still trained with both factions. Taught us all. I always thought that everything she gave us was an information overload. She needed to get it out to all the younger generations before someone found out anyone could kill her. She may be royal, but she had handed all allegiances to you."

"There is still a lot for me to learn," Kelsie said, "but I know what I need to do, and if I can get to Jezebel's House, I know I can save millions of lives."

"Do you know who is behind this?" Jason asked.

"Yes," Kelsie sighed, "my cousin who shall remain nameless."

"He gave the order," Zander murmured, "didn't he?"

"Many orders," Kelsie said, "including a tracker to monitor what Connie did to me."

"He knows who you are?" Jason frowned, becoming agitated, "that is not good. We need to get moving."

"Uncle Jason," Kelsie grasped his arm gently, "yes, he does, but I know him better than he thinks I do. I know every move he will make, every thought he will think, and that tracker ... is gone with the reversal of Connie's hiding. He is at least forty eight hours behind us."

"I was told you swallowed the tracker when you were younger," Jason said, shaking his head, "a physical tracker."

"Oh that, yes, but with this in a way, I did," Keslie chuckled, "but it's not exactly what you would call the conventional physical tracker. I think Aunt Jezebel knew what Connie had done and gave mom and dad that tea. It's something she would have done. Old Order to the end."

"Kelsie, do you remember everything?" Zander asked, "from before the potion drinking, your life afterwards and now."

"Everything," Kelsie smiled, "thank you for your patience Zander," rising, she moved to his side, grazing his cheek with a gentle kiss, "I accept you will always be at my side."

Zander swallowed hard as he looked into the eyes of the girl he had once known. Bowing his head, he placed his right fist over his heart, "Always."

"Uncle Jason," Kelsie said as she sat beside Zander, "I want you to be my one other."

"One other?" Jason frowned.

"The other who knows my secret keeper," Kelsie whispered, "please."

"I'm honoured," Jason said quietly, mimicking Zander's earlier actions and placing his fist over his heart.

"Wonderful," Kelsie grinned, "now to business."

Alarms blared throughout the compound, and men ran in all directions. He watched with silent fury from the window overlooking all operations. It was the Royal Room, decked in luxury and self-centred adoration. Behind him, the security guard waited for his orders, but the Assassin standing at the side of the room felt concerned with the path of events. The tug on his soul allegiance to the true royals had become a wrench in his gut. He wondered, hoped, but this reaction ... he knew.

"Tell me again why we have an alarm going off," he said, the silkiness of his words drawing a concerned look from the guard, "which tracker is no longer active?"

"The tracker placed on ... her ... when she was a child," the guard said, "I would say the name, but you have prohibited anyone from speaking of ...her."

"How can the tracker no longer be in place," he snarled, "I know for certain what Connie did, and she was not aware of the tracker being fed to her."

"Was anyone else aware?" the security guard asked.

"Are you questioning me?" he glared at the guard.

"Not at all," the guard shook his head, "I'm sure you would have known of anyone else aware of your plans and actions."

The Assassin watched the proceedings in the room. He knew of what they spoke, having been under Connie's tuition learning of the "awakening". It would be a miracle if it had finally happened. The current ... ruler ... of the factions told a story of how the awakening was an urban legend. The subject of the story was a traitor. He told anyone how he was the true ruler of all. Those who dared had asked if he could give the actual location of Jezebel's House, but he couldn't nor could he advise anyone who his secret keeper or his one other was. Many Assassins from the Old Order still believed the Royal family was alive and would be returning within their lifetime, bringing the balance so needed in their world. Many younger Assassins were more realistic, holding practical views of loyalties and where they lay. In their hearts, they knew if the true ruler arrived, their allegiance and loyalty would be called forward, as was promised by their parents and Grandparents. For now, they acknowledged the old way, kept their heads down, silently questioned everything and waited.

They had all learned the best way to reinstate the true leader was to infiltrate that which was false and slowly, silently and stealthily sabotage from inside. The door opened, bringing in another guard.

"Speak," he ground out, "this better be good."

"We received communications that the hunting party is getting close to your location of Jezebel's House," the guard said, "they wait on your orders."

"Burn the house to the ground," he said, "I will destroy everything if I cannot have it. Now, everyone, leave me."

The two guards and the Assassin left the room and closed the door. The guards moved off in the opposite direction to the Assassin, uninterested in his activities.

Finally off duty and still keeping his head on his shoulders, he began to sing. Everyone in his generation termed the lilting ditty an ancient song. He sang not loud enough to draw attention to himself but loud enough for the words to be heard by those who knew their meaning.

"The rose of life, a scarlet rose, gives entry to your home, all people come, allegiances bring, two houses to join as one," he met many a startled gaze. "Laughing, loving, joyfully sing, all come to understand, all is not black and white, not everyone lives by the gun, but everyone may live in the Sun."

After finishing the one round, he started over. He kept walking through the passageways, meeting areas, and training area before finally stopping in the vehicle's parking area, where he ended the last round of the song.

Now, he waited for those who knew what it meant and how to proceed. Leaning casually against the wall, he kept his eyes on all the entrances, aware those arriving may not be the people he expected.

"That was a huge chance you took," another Assassin said, leaning against the wall next to him, "is it true?"

A silent nod was given.

Shadows started to form, and still, they waited. Silent, vigilant and awakened to an ancient calling and the saving of their home.