“Danielle?!”

  A loud voice woke me from sleep, and I looked around in confusion. I wiped my eyes and stood up, “Who is it?”

  “Danielle, get dressed and come downstairs.” I just realized the voice was Toren’s. He also wasn’t asking.

  Shit, that can’t be good. I ran to my closet and put on an outfit. After a brief moment of consideration, I shoved two more outfits into my Spatial Closet before heading downstairs.

  I was out of my room in less than ten minutes, which gave me time to notice it was rather bright out. Except… it was coming from the wrong side of the house. The staff were also nervously milling about in the foyer while Grimoire was talking with everyone.

  I caught his attention, and he nodded his head towards where Calmar’s study was. Where all he did all of his… whatever he did. I headed towards it almost as fast as I could move.

  Inside were Toren, Porter, and Calmar. Grimoire followed me inside and the second he was in, Toren did something and a white light encircled the room.

  Porter spoke first, “Why did you just put a Confessional around us?”

  “Boy, shut up.” Porter flinched, and everyone else looked at the old man in shock. “Danielle, tell them.”

  I looked at him, “What?”

  “I can’t, and they’re in danger. Tell them or I break the vow anyway.” He made sure he made eye contact. Something had shaken him.

  “Dani, what’s he talking about?” Calmar asked first, nervously.

  I took a deep breath, but directed my question to Toren, “How much?”

  “The outline should suffice, they need to know and so does Lord Rosecrest.” Toren had pulled a flask out and took a shot before holding it out to Grimmoire. The butler took it hesitantly, but didn’t drink.

  “Why?” I was stalling, I knew and likely so did everyone else in the room. Mostly I was trying to get my thoughts in order and buying time.

  “A Collector showed up and turned the Chatterdeem house into a core.” The news was met with gasps, and my head snapped up as I looked in the direction of where the light had come from. “Yes, that’s what the light is.”

  I gulped, “Uh… That’s a problem.”

  “Danielle.” Porter was the one looking at me, seriously. “What did you do?”

  I sighed and looked at Toren, “You said it was possible to share screens, right?”

  “Yea, it takes training, but it’s doable…” I had turned my gaze from him and started going through the Shop. It was one of the ‘add-ons’ and was 1,000 EXP to buy.

  “Shit, why is everything in the Shop so expensive.” Sighing, I pulled the notification up instead, “Toren, can anyone outside hear us?”

  “No.”

  “Alright, short version: I put a judgement on the prick. I picked the one I thought wouldn’t come back to haunt me.” I held up my hand as both Porter and Calmar tried to speak. “It was going to take 100% of his EXP until damages had been paid to victims of his crimes.”

  Calmar went white, “But… he hasn’t been able to use even physical crystals to buy anything.”

  “I clearly didn’t know it’d do THAT or I’d have used one of the other two options.” I started pacing, “I also didn’t think it’d get someone with any authority involved.”

  Toren asked the next important question, “What was the crime, and the penalty?”

  “Slavery. And half a billion.” I said, having pulled up the information as soon he’d mentioned Chatterdeem.

  Calmar and Porter’s eyes went wide and I heard Grimoire choking from behind me. I looked and he waved a hand before taking a swig from Toren’s flask. I noticed the man himself had a second one. The room was silent for longer than I was comfortable with.

  Calmar looked up at me, “How long have you been able to do… whatever you did?”

  I looked at him and then to Toren, who nodded with some encouragement. “Since the alley.”

  “Shit.” Porter hissed as he got up to do his own pacing. “That’s… honestly horrifying.”

  “My other options were torture or stripping him of levels.” I said to no one specifically. “I wouldn’t wish the first on anyone, and the second would have been… dramatic.”

  “Like this isn’t dramatic!” Porter said, arm going in the direction of the light from earlier. “Dani, the Collectors do not do subtle. And this is EXACTLY the kind of thing they were created to stop.”

  Calmar had buried his face into his hands, “Damn it, they serve the Deity of Commerce and Justice. Of course this would tip them off.”

  I blinked, “That… doesn’t seem like a good combination.”

  Toren barked a laugh as Porter looked at him like he’d gone insane. The priest responded, “Keep going, Dani. We still need to talk about what we’re going to do.”

  Calmar looked up at me like he was afraid of anymore. I told them part of the truth. The stuff about getting access to a weird menu and more details on my screens. Some of what I’d learned about what my job was.

  And about the message telling me to go fix something.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  I left out mention of Alexei, and Toren didn’t push. He did give me a side eye, but didn’t push.

  Calmar rubbed the back of his neck as he avoided my gaze. Porter was tapping the hilt of his sword.

  Grimoire was the first to speak, however. “Not what I’d expected, but certainly a problem.”

  Everyone looked at him in surprise. I think I was the only one who’d even remembered he was there.

  “I take it Second Chance came from the same incident?” Grimoire asked, calmly.

  “Yea… how do you know about it?” Calmar fidgeted, but I returned my attention to the butler.

  He paused for a moment and said, “I did see the images. No one lives through something like that.”

  I nodded, accepting his answer. “Okay, so is that a problem too?” I asked, looking around.

  Porter stared, and Calmar looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “Just how much have you been keeping from us?”

  “A lot, okay!” I said, my voice raising. “You try being open when you don’t know what’s going on. When you’re scared and angry all the time.” I was too tired for this.

  That seemed to cut his questions short, though. Instead, he just looked ashamed, but for what I couldn’t tell. Everyone else was just taking it in stride.

  Grimoire cleared his throat, “I do not believe this situation is as dire as Priest Toren is making it out to be.”

  Calmar looked at him like a drowning man being thrown a rope. “What do you mean?”

  “Lady Danielle, was there anything denoting you as the issuer of said judgement?” He asked in a calm and level tone.

  I shook my head.

  “And Chatterdeem was a well known purveyor of slaves. One of the things his original wealth was built upon, if I’m not mistaken.” He looked to Calmar, who nodded, jaw clenched in anger.

  Toren nodded to himself, “And there’s still a lot of turmoil over that issue.”

  “An issue that is now known to a small subset of people to be a violation of the world’s laws.” Grimoire matter of factly stated. “Something I imagine is being covered up as we speak.”

  “Almost certainly. The Gilded are the ones who manage the day to day trading. It’s one of their biggest sources of taxes, thanks to the Duke’s tax laws.” Toren’s finger tapped on his flask as he thought.

  “So… you dragged my secrets into the light… because you overreacted?” I glared at Toren, who had the decency to look chastised.

  “Hey.” It was Porter, who didn’t look as scared anymore. “It’s not Toren’s fault you were hiding things.” Something clicked in his mind and he narrowed his eyes, “Wait, is this why you only talked with him about whatever was bothering you?”

  I threw my hands up, “Do you blame me? I still didn’t know anything about you two.”

  “We’re family.” Calmar said, almost pleading.

  I collapsed into a chair, slumping in it, “That doesn’t mean much if you don’t remember. I’ve been trying… but…” I rubbed my hand across my face.

  “You didn’t even know where to start.” Toren finished for me.

  I rested my face in my hand, supporting it with an elbow on my knee, “It’s only been a little over a week and things are falling apart.”

  There was a pause, but I eventually felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Cal standing over me. “I… don’t know what you’ve been going through. But I’m still here for you, okay. Sis?”

  I winced when he called me Sis. Unfortunately, she’s been dead for a while, Cal. I didn’t say it outloud. Instead, I nodded and took a deep breath.

  That seemed to placate him, and he turned towards Toren. “While I appreciate this coming to light, I think sending this information to father would do more harm than good if it’s intercepted.”

  Pausing, Toren nodded, “You’re right, of course. A letter won’t do. Someone would have to go.”

  Calmar looked towards his desk and then to Porter. He was shaking, but seemed to firm his resolve as he went. “I’ll go. With Porter and using the magicarriage, we can be there and back within a few weeks.”

  “Does that mean Samuel is going too?” I asked, realizing that suddenly three of the people I knew would be leaving. It didn’t feel great.

  Considering it, Calmar nodded, “That might be for the best. He’s close to his class change anyway and we can finish his training in the dungeon before coming back. With father, it shouldn’t even be dangerous.”

  Toren and Porter both winced, but said nothing.

  Grimoire cleared his throat, “If you are leaving, I will request you deliver a missive from myself as well.”

  Calmar nodded, “I imagine you’ve got a report of your own to give. It shouldn’t be an issue.”

  “Shouldn’t we all go? Toren excluded.” I asked.

  Porter shook his head. “While we could pin it towards taking you somewhere to recover in peace, it’s too many people gone at once. Even Cal going is a risk, but one that is easily managed. After all, you and he are openly hostile towards each other.”

  I furrowed my brow and looked at Cal who sighed and nodded, “I wasn’t going to bring it up, but he’s right. Before… we’d never be in the same room for more than a minute without you sniffing in disgust and leaving.”

  My hand found my face, making a solid slapping sound. “And you didn’t say anything because you were happy I wasn’t being a bitch.”

  He flushed, “Uh… essentially.”

  “This family has so many issues I’d need a blowtorch to cut through the chaff.” I muttered to myself. Grimoire laughed, but everyone else was confused. I didn’t care anymore.

  “Anything else we need to talk about, Toren?” Porter asked.

  Toren shook his head, “Nothing immediate comes to mind.” He did give me knowing look, but instead of saying anything just dismantled whatever spell he’d conjured.

  Calmar went behind his desk and pulled out pen and paper, “Well, I’ve letter to write and less than a day to plan for a long trip.”

  Porter left the room, “I’ll make sure everything gets packed. Grimoire, please keep an eye on Danielle.”

  “Certainly sirs. I shall guard her with my life, and that of those who come to take hers.” He bowed to Porter, and I turned my gaze to stare at Grimoire.

  That was ominous. I looked around the room, “Is there somewhere for Toren to stay until morning? I don’t think he should walk back to his home til then.”

  “I’ll see to it, miss. You should return to your chambers as well. I imagine you would like to continue your rest.” Grimoire said, suave and sure of himself.

  I just nodded and headed back to my room.

  Grimoire escorted Priest Toren to an empty room. “I imagine one of your caliber would be fine, but hospitality requires we provide for you.”

  Toren nodded, moving to sit on a rather comfortable, if plain, bed. “Thank you, Grim.”

  The butler raised an eyebrow. “Grimoire, if you could. Grim is… not a name I go by often anymore.”

  The priest snorted with a laugh, “Please, fool children, but you can’t fool me.”

  The butler smiled politely, “Be that as it may, I do not wish to become familiar with that name again.”

  “Fine, Grimoire.” Toren sighed and held his hand out for the flask. Grimoire returned it, almost empty. Toren shook it and rolled his eyes, “Could at least have left me more than a shot.”

  “It has been some time since I’ve tasted brandy from my home. I may have overindulged.” The butler smiled. “It will not be long till morning. Breakfast will be ready for you when you leave.”

  Toren waved a hand at the man, “Don’t worry about me, sir butler. Worry about your charge.”

  There was a brittle edge that formed along Grimoire’s smile, “If an issue were to arise, I will do what I must. Good night, Priest Toren.”

  “Good night.” The door closed behind the butler, “Ringmaster Grim.”