PRESENT DAY

The room was dark, only the faint outline of various sized boxes, stairs and the silver-grey shimmer of the metal balcony below visible in the silver moonlight of this world.

Amneris Topanga knelt on the roof of the warehouse. With one hand, she steadied the frame. With the other, she used a small laser to cut through a panel on the glass skylight. Freed, the panel was placed on the concrete roof. Amneris tossed a rope into the darkness, her Fae hearing barely able to hear it hitting the metal level below.

She slid down the rope, landing as lightly as her boots would let her. She cringed at the echo but nothing appeared to investigate. Phew. Amneris tied the rope out of site and jumped to the concrete level below, pulling her dark hood over her features. Then, she ran.

In a way, this mission was a test. No magic was allowed—not that she could use it in a no-magic zone—so Amneris had to rely on her senses.

Her earpiece buzzed to life. Leo’s annoyingly cheerful voice came through the static. “How’s it going in there?”

She hissed back, “It would help if you didn’t interrupt me.”

She skidded to a stop. A wall of crates stood in her way. Amneris frowned. She could jump straight over it, only her body wasn’t quite up to that yet. She’d need a boost from her magic, and that wasn’t possible. There had to be another way around!

Amneris sighed when she found it. A small gap between two crates, barely big enough for her to fit through side-on. Of course that’s the only way . . . Well, here goes something.

It was a tight squeeze, and that was being generous.

Amneris shimmied her way through the small gap, boxes pressing on each side of her. He breath became faster as the walls felt like they were closing in around her. Amneris grit her teeth. She could see the end. It wasn’t that far. She could make it. Just a few more steps—

She was through! Amneris let out a non-existent breath. Hopefully that was the end of the small spaces.

A doorway up ahead. Probably the way to her goal. Amneris stepped through it, immediately turning back at the sound of footsteps. She pressed herself against the wall, her dark clothing making her nothing but a shadow. They passed without noticing her, and Amneris ran through the doorway—

Only to come face-to-face with three other soldiers!

The four stared at each other, all too surprised to move. Clearly no one expected intruders.

Amneris unsheathed her dagger. Before they could make a move, she was upon them. There was a gap in the armour just above the neck. Amneris aimed her blade toward it. Her movements were a blur, slicing through the skin of all three soldiers. Overall, the motion took about three seconds. When she stopped moving, the three fell to the ground. Dead. Amneris sheathed her dagger and ran once again.

Partway down the hallway, an alarm filled the air and red light flashed across the dark concrete floor. Someone must’ve discovered the bodies. Shit. Hopefully she was far enough ahead they wouldn’t catch her!

Amneris raced down the hallway, taking a left, another left, then straight again. She skidded to a stop, grasping the corner of a wall to stop herself falling face-first on the floor.

Peaking around the corner, Amneris saw two guards still standing at a door. Naturally, the one door she needed to answer. That could be a problem. Sure, she could take them out, but that would only draw more attention.

“Hey!”

Amneris swore under her breath. Had she been spotted?

Another guard approached the other two. “What are you doing? We have an intruder. Move!”

The three ran off. Amneris snorted. Talk about plot convenience.

She knelt before the door, pulling two pins from a pocket and sticking them into the lock, Amneris felt around with the pieces of metal, making sure she was aware of her surroundings. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be busy searching the other areas.

The door clicked. Amneris tried the handle. It opened with ease. She smiled. Still got it.

No one rushed out of the room and she couldn’t hear anything inside. Empty then. Perhaps this would be easier than first thought. Amneris took a step forward—

A glimmer in the darkness was followed by a whooshing sound. With a shriek, Amneris dropped to the floor. Several sharpened arrows whizzed over her head—one brushed the top of her hair!—and embedded into the wall behind her! Amneris feel backwards in surprise, though quickly regained her composure.

Amneris stood and moved forward. No more traps were triggered. No more alarms were set.

The room itself was big and empty. Well, except for a glass case sitting atop a marble pillar covered with old carvings. Amneris pressed on the palm of her hand. A faint green-blue light appeared on the fabric of her glove. She held it toward the podium. A beam of the same colour scanned the pillar then vanished. She could take a closer took later. Might be just as important as what she was after.

Amneris smashed through the glass case with her fist. Glass shards pierced her skin but it didn’t bother her. She’d felt more pain under far more enjoyable circumstances.

She grasped a papyrus scroll, shaking glass shards from it. She pulled a protective bag from a pocket, zipped the scroll inside, and pocketed it. That would keep the thing safe while she made her escape. Hopefully it was the real deal!

“In here!”

Amneris spun round. The soldiers had found her!

She broke into a dash as guards entered the room. With a run up, Amneris dropped from her feet and slid underneath the legs of the guards. She jumped up and was running again. The guards gave chase.

They were fast, but she was faster.

Amneris found the skylight she used to enter. But how was she supposed to get around those crates—ah!

With a running jump, Amneris grasped onto a chain hanging from the ceiling. Her momentum pushed her forward. Close to the metal grate, Amneris took a flying leap, arms outstretched to catch it—

Caught!

Straining at her fingertips, Amneris hauled herself onto the pathway, lying flat on her stomach, panting. Safe! Well, almost safe. She pushed herself to her feet, boots clanging on the metal as she ran.

The rope was in sight! She grabbed it, climbing up to the skylight and pulling herself out—

“Topanga!”

Amneris looked over her shoulder. Through the constant flashing red lights, she couldn’t tell who said her name. It didn’t matter. She didn’t have time to stand around and figure it out. The guards would be out any moment!

Using her dagger, Amneris cut through the rope and let it fall into the building. She didn’t bother replacing the skylight before jumping from the roof. Pain shot through her thighs as she landed. Swallowing a cry, Amneris broke into a run.

When she entered the lounge room of the Forest House, Amneris felt the eyes of everyone in the room go straight to her. It was hardly surprising. She was quite a sight: covered in cuts, some of which dripped with gold, and wearing ripped clothing. They were totally ruined!

Amneris glared at the four people – Leo, Dan, Colt and Jay. Her presumably icy stare remained on one in particular.

Amneris threw the scroll at Leo’s face. He caught it in one hand, not bothering to look up at whatever he was writing.

“You look like you jumped out a window,” Jay joked.

“That would be because I did.”

“Oh.” He went back to his book with a cringe.

It was true. In order to shake the guards, Amneris had kicked down the door in a nearby building. She allowed the guards to chase her around the inside for a few minutes before losing them and crashing through the nearest window. No doubt they were pissed.

“What did you make her do?” Colt asked Leo.

The General pointed at himself, his face set in a portrait of innocent. Colt only nodded.

“Nothing!” Leo exclaimed.

“You sent her to a no-magic zone to retrieve that scroll,” Dan said flatly, not taking his attention off the board between himself and Colt. It looked like they were playing chess. Again.

Colt raised a hand to his head with a sigh. “You’re crazier than she is.”

Both Leo and Amneris glared.

Taking no notice, Colt stood. He took one step toward Amneris then stopped, turned back, and moved a single piece on the board. “Checkmate.”

Dan slumped in his chair. “Not again . . .”

Amneris shook her head fondly as Colt took her waist. “Count on you to take his title.”

“Yes, it is amazing how easy he is to beat.”

Dan flipped them off. “You both suck.”

Leaning against Colt, Amneris asked, “So, Le, what was the point of me retrieving that?”

“Tara has been searching for information on the legendary Frozen Ones of Terpola,” he answered. “Says it will help her track down whoever the next Silent Ruler is.”

Jay nodded. “Yeah, things aren’t going well for her. The sooner they find the next in line, the better.”

“Unless that person is just as bad as Enliatu was,” Amneris said.

They all groaned.

Dan turned to Leo. “What does it say.”

“Nothing useful,” he sighed. “A prophecy of sorts about how the Frozen Ones will awaken in Terpola’s time of need and only follow the word of Naka’s Ruler.”

“Because that doesn’t sound ominous,” Amneris said at the same time Jay said, “I love vague prophecies.”

Amneris closed the door to er dark room, making her way toward the bed. As she walked, she tried not to think about the way things felt in her body. How wrong it was. Yes, she’d now had one for two months but it was still fucking weird. It bothered her more than the fact she’d been allowed—well, forced—to return to the living realms. Almost.

Amneris dropped several daggers, a small handgun and her staff on her bed, before dropping her ruined cloak on top of the pile. She loved that cloak, but it was beyond repair now. She would have to go out and buy one. Hmm. Maybe it was time to invest in a proper suit of armour for missions. Less shopping required.

More from memory than sight, Amneris walked to the bathroom, stripper her clothing and dropping it on the floor as she went. It could go into the washing pile later. There was no rush. A tendril of her power had steaming water pouring into the bath.

Gods, she was exhausted. Amneris wanted nothing more than to take a long, hot bath and collapse into bed. Unfortunately, it seemed only the bath part would be happening. There was too much to do! Every day more got added to the already long list. Sure, she had her Court and P.A. to help her, but a lot of the work could only be done by her.

The bath was filled. The water turned itself off. Amneris climbed in, hissing as the hot water singed her skin. She was still getting used to this rather poor replica of her old body. It was a bit of a rushed job, she supposed. After her last body was torn apart by her power, Amneris had thought—had hoped—she would finally be allowed to rest. Oh, how wrong she was.

Her energy had dispersed and reformed, much like the process universes used to destroy and recreate herself. Amneris glanced back to the mirror behind her, taking in her new features. Once, black ink had marked over half her face and body. Now, golden markings were etched all over. She wasn’t a fan of this new look, but no one could get rid of it. She sighed and turned back to the bubbly water.

There was a light knock on her door, followed by Colt’s muffled voice. “Are you alright, Tali?”

“Fine,” Amneris called back.

The handle jiggled. Colt let himself in.

He swiped a washcloth and bar of soap from the bench, sitting on the small step up to the bath.

Amneris raised an eyebrow as he dunked the cloth into the water. “I am capable of bathing myself, you know.”

“Are you really?”

She snatched the cloth and squeezed water over his head.

“I love you, too.”

She rolled her eyes, turning away to start cleaning her cuts.

“How are you really feeling?” Colt asked.

“I told you, I’m fine.” Even though she wasn’t looking at him, Amneris could see Colt’s frown. “Don’t give me that look.”

“What look?”

“The one that says, ‘You’re lying and I know it.’”

Colt took the cloth from her. He nudged her forward to reach the cuts on her back. “Then don’t lie to me.”

“Okay, so I’m not fine, but can you really blame me? I had the chance to end everything and surprise! I’m still here because some ‘higher power’ said I have to be.” Amneris sighed. “I’m working on it, alright? It’s hard.”

Colt kissed the back of her head. “I know, and you have all of us here to help you. All you have to do is ask.”

“I know.”

“Good,” he said, hanging up the cloth to dry. “Did you remember to eat today?”

“Not since breakfast,” she admitted.

“Are you hungry?”

No. Yes. “Maybe a little.”

“I’ll go get you something.” When he reached the door, Colt turned back to her. “Don’t spend the rest of your afterlife in there.”

She blew him a kiss. “Anything you say, love.”

He stuck his tongue out at her. Amneris returned the gesture.