Chloe grabbed the last object belonging to her husband, the snow globe. It was a glass ball containing white flakes and a girl doll dressed in a tiny dress and sandals. It stood at the center of the globe, one arm raised and the second one wrapped around itself. It looked like it enjoyed the weather, despite the inappropriate dressing. She remembered his words the day he brought home the ornament.

"It depicts the fact that you can be anything, do anything regardless of the consequences because sometimes, we face consequences when we believe that there are indeed punishments for certain acts."

She had placed a tray of tea on the table in front of him then, her face grim.

"If that was so, then there will be no more good people in the world."

"Look at you." He laughed. "Thinking everyone in the world is good or that anyone is good. Everyone has a darker side. A mirror of themselves that they are always afraid to let out. Until they are pushed." 

She folded her palm around the snow globe, memories of that night as he kept chattering the philosophy of life fading away. He had been right. Her darker side showed up the moment she lost two most important people. The moment she was pushed to the wall. So, he had known so much because he had lived for many years. Underground that is. She dipped the globe into the box before a knock sounded on her door.

"Preparing for trial so soon?" She heard the annoying voice and felt like throwing a spear at her.

"Or saying a little goodbye before giving in to imprisonment, execution, beheading? Your choice."

"I don't understand what you're trying to do, Luana." Chloe turned to face her after carrying the box. "Be funny?"

"Well," Luana inhaled. "Let's just say that I'm trying to strike a deal. With the devil, of course."

Chloe walked around her to drop the box under the bed, letting the sheets fall to the floor to conceal the opening under the bed.

"If you're here to ask me to confess so as to win you a place in Zeidan's heart," she grabbed a cup and walked to the table that held a pot of coffee. "Think again."

"Actually, I'm here to ask you to ask someone to confess. It's simple. Just walk to the person, convince him that he should confess and he is in safe hands. So, we can be good."

"And what makes you think I want us to be good." She poured coffee into the cup, her eyes on the woman behind her.

"So, I can tell you when the coffee is spilling over." A shriek of horror came out first and she rattled off curses in Spanish. 

"Impressive. You speak Spanish too."

"What do you want exactly?" Chloe dropped the cup of coffee and faced Luana squarely.

"I have a Werecat in my custody," Luana started. "He wouldn't say anything about what he knows or had done." Her eyes swept towards the rack of clothes. 

"You looked like you had control of everything some time back." Chloe grabbed a napkin and started cleaning the table of the dark drink that had spilled over. "Why do you suddenly need my help?"

Luana watched as she made her way around the furniture, the liquid spreading lightly, soaking the white napkin and soiling it. When she was done, she straightened and looked like she was ready to listen to her.

"What's in it for me?"

Luana chuckled and with her hands in her pockets, she walked around Chloe. 

"What is in it for you? In case you have forgotten, this is an order and not a request."

"But you said at first that you were here to strike a deal. You didn't mention coming to act your little Queen character in my room."

"Unfortunately, I changed my mind. Come and ask this bearded man to confess and I'll spare your name in the mud. Refuse, and the last thing you'll see is me asking you to say your farewells to Lyne before chopping your head off with my sword."

"Nice try, Luana. Fine, let's go." 

"Good." Luana grinned slyly before stepping out of the room with Chloe falling behind. 

They walked down the dark passageway before arriving at the tiny room guarded with strong iron bars and chains locked with a huge padlock. Luana asked a guard nearby to open it which he did swiftly and flung the gate open exposing a crouched man with long hair and beards. 

"Meanwhile, I'll be here, just by the door, if you need me." Luana offered, a sarcastic tone brushing her words. "I would want to listen to every word you say without leaving out anything. I trust you, Chloe."

She just drew in a deep breath and stepped into the dark room, hoping she can just get this man to say anything she wants him to say. 

"Hey, Sophomore, is that you?" She called but the man just stood there, body rigid and unwilling. 

"I don't know how Luana got to capture you but let me tell you that if you do whatever I say, leaving this godforsaken dungeon will be a breeze. I have my ways around things here."

"And who are you?" Came the husky voice.

Chloe hesitated for a while but this is her chance. She rubbed her palms together. "Shelbrooke's partner."

Sophomore raised his head and she could see how badly he had been beaten. Indeed, this man must have been too stubborn. The tears and skin-deep wounds across his face were just the proof she needed. 

"Are you?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Yes. I work for him as an undercover here..." She crouched so she can be at the same eye level as him. She could feel Luana getting impatient as she stood at the entrance, watching them. She looked into Sophomore's eyes and he understood immediately. He wasn't to say more than what will get him out and less of what will implicate them or crash their plans.

"My name is Hermes. But I'm called Sophomore by people. Shelbrooke sent me and three others to stay in the city as spies."

"That's a freakin' lie, you idiot!" Luana yelled and charged at him.

"I saw you all invade the city before I passed out. You were more than three!" 

"Well, you wanted a confession. There you have it." Chloe was moving out when Luana grabbed a sword and pointed its sharp end at her neck daring her to leave. She paused in her tracks and looked at the brown-haired woman in the eyes.

"You always forget so easily, Luana. I'm not afraid of you."

"One more step and you're dead."