"Why is it whenever I leave for a few days something exciting has to happen? Every time I'm here it's so lame and boring and punishing." Lilith groaned to Clara and Annie as they walked down the dark halls of the castle's dungeons.
"Not the right time to say that." Annie mentioned as they continued to look for their ally that is about to die. Gwen having magic was not the only surprise that caught Clara off guard, but the fact that Lilith has been suppressing hers as well. It made sense considering her sister Lily had magic in her, however, Gwen having magic was completely random. Clara remembered how terrified and thrilled Gwen looked when she tried to explain how she was able to heal a wounded bird.
"Lady Gwen?" Clara called out with Lilith and Annie looking into the large vast of empty cells. "Lady Gwen, where are you?"
"Please, it's just Gwen. It always has been Gwen." The brunette answered as she came out from the dark corner of the cell and leaned against the dirty, tarnished bars that locked her in.
"Right... well we brought you an actual meal and I just got done with talking to Ace." Clara said as Annie passed over a small basket containing a breakfast with poached eggs, freshly made bread, fruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Gwen's face instantly lit up as she began filling her mouth up.
"Thank you so much! I needed this!" Gwen thanked them in between mouthfuls.
"No problem! Have you not had anything to eat last night?" Annie asked as she handed over some napkins to Gwen while she chugged the orange juice to wash down the food.
"No actually, I also didn't have lunch. I was caught right after the daily afternoon tea, so I was quite hungry." Gwen explained while handing the empty cup back to Annie.
"What in the ever-blue sky happened?!" Lilith asked as she leaned against the bars.
"Before I explain that, is Ace okay?" Gwen asked, concerningly.
"Not really. He's doing that 'Ace thing' where he tries to act tough and fearless for everyone else, but deep down he's stressed out and scared. After you were sent here, him and Lady Persephone used the pathways to get into the basement. It startled the staff working there because we didn't know if anyone outside the Defiance was in the basement at the time. He told me what had happened and everyone kind of panicked for a moment, but Ace calmed down. Him and Lilith came up with an idea to get you out. Would you proceed with the plan?" Clara said prompting Lilith to carry on with the plan.
"So, we called this plan: Elite Runaway. I'm going to assume you know you will be leaving tonight. I will come and get you out of this cell during the ball and you will be leaving with the group. I talked to Ace but instead of sending you to Asterin, you're going to go with someone else who will help you control and strengthen your abilities. It's a trustworthy place, I go there all the time to train and they can help you train your powers." Lilith explained, but the ending was what caught Gwen's attention.
"Train?" Gwen asked.
"Nuh uh! I asked a question first." Lilith retorted making Gwen huff.
"Fair enough. The past witches and wizards made it so easy to hide their powers so well, much less the rest of the Defiance hiding their affection for one another. Anyways it happened two days ago. I had some down time to myself and decided to wander around the gardens before trying to find Perce or Ace. Suddenly the biggest, beautiful bird I have ever seen in my life landed right in front of me, but the bird was injured. Very badly. One of their wings was broken completely, they didn't seem to be breathing right, and they also had a large cut on its stomach. I immediately picked up the bird to bring it to Clara so she could save it, then suddenly my hands started to glow white and the bird flew away! The blood on my hands and dress was the only thing that remained from the injured bird. I quickly rolled around in mud to hide the blood and quickly ran to Clara. This way if anyone saw me, I could have easily said that I was on my way to yell at Beatrice for not trimming my dress properly and causing me to fall."
"I explained all of this to Clara and she told me to just wait until next week. I should have just listened, but I was so excited that I am capable of doing such magic! I couldn't contain my excitement, so I tried to practice on my own the very next day. Obviously, I didn't have an injured animal or someone that needed healing, so I practiced to heal a scar I had on my thigh that's been there ever since I was a little girl. I thought I was alone in the library, since it's always empty except in the mornings and at night where Oliver and his dumb little snitch force hangs out. I went to the library after tea time with the Elites and Maddie... of course it was Maddie... she watched the whole thing. I only noticed she was in the library when she accidently knocked over a book while running away." Gwen explained her series of events to the trio.
"Maddie? Wait wasn't she at the meeting the other day?" Annie asked as everyone's eyes widened.
"This is very bad." Clara mumbled as she bit her nails to ponder her next thought.
"I wouldn't worry much about Maddie. If it was Gracelyn then I would worry, but Maddie is a kind soul. She is hiding something since she only reports to Kiki, but Kiki tends to keep most of her information to herself for blackmail." Lilith said with a slightly taunting tone as if she was mocking them.
"If she reports to Kiki then how did you get caught?" Annie asked as Gwen started to laugh.
"I chased her down! I was going to talk her out of it, that she saw nothing, but I just ended up tackling her in front of Oliver and Kiki. Just my luck, am I right." Gwen laughed before stopping abruptly and looking towards Lilith once again. "So, about that training thing?"
"Ah yes. I'm not going to get into that at all. We might have some eyes on us." Lilith said as she winked.
"Hey that's not fair!" Gwen groaned as Annie laughed at the child play during a situation like this.
"Speaking of eyes, I need to start getting the Elites together and start getting ready for the ball. I'll come pick you up during the first waltz sweetie!" Lilith bid her farewell as she headed back down the dim hallways to attend to her duties.
"I can't wait until then sweet cheeks!" Gwen called out. "Well, you two should start heading to the kitchen before getting in trouble. Thank you for the food." Gwen thanked as the two nodded their heads.
"Before heading off, I just want to say until we see each other again." Clara said as she handed some fresh clothes to Gwen and headed off with Annie following closed by. Gwen sat on the floor of the cell, moving her dress around so she was comfy before unfolding the new clothes that were given to her. As she unfolded the clothes, a small piece of paper gracefully fell to the floor that made the slightest sound as it landed on the floor. Gwen instantly picked it up and examined the paper before reading aloud, "I hope this fit. Best of luck and I'm sorry. – Ace" Gwen scoffed as she looked at the clothes resting over her forearms.
They were simple clothes, but she loved the style. The shirt was loose, but cuffed at the wrist and waist. The pants were a comfortable fit that allows easy movement. Lastly there was a pair of fresh socks and shoes made from the slaughtered sheep, which was perfect for a moment like this... perfect for running away. Gwen smirk as she quickly started to get change and relief herself from the suffocating corset that held her back from living her life. "Oh Ace, you always knew my taste in style. If only I could tell you in person that everything will be fine." She sighed as she walked over to the small mirror near a lonely toilet and sink to examine her new look. However, she was still not satisfied by her look. Her caked up face annoyed her. Gwen grabbed her dress up from the floor, drenched a small part of it in water, and then proceeded to get all the makeup off her face. Lessons of being prim and proper started to flood in her head, clouding her thoughts. Walking straight with books stacked on her head, all the dance lessons, eating with the king, tea time with the elites, everything she despised about the life she was forced to live was running around in her head.
And then it stopped once she looked at herself in the mirror.
"𝘌𝘸. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦?" 𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘹-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘈𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
"𝘈𝘤𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵." 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.
"𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺!" 𝘈𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦. "𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦."
"𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵." 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯. "𝘐'𝘮 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯, 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘩."
"𝘕𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵." 𝘈𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴.
"𝘕𝘰, 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵." 𝘎𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘺𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯.
That was how Gwen first met Ace, all those years ago over the scar that ran vertically over her nose. There was no freak accident story over how she got the scar on her nose, all she knows is that it's been a part of her since she was born and it was her favourite feature about herself. A feature she can finally share. "Well, now all I can do is wait." Gwen smiled as she sat down on the small cot that was against one side of the cell.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Ace sat in the library alone with his hand in his hands, resting on his knees as he tried to plan out how everything will go down tonight. Lilith had told him about what Asterin is planning and that stressed him out badly. The fact that the Asterians were planning to roam around the castle trying to collect information was about the dumbest idea he has ever heard in his life. It's like they're asking for one of two things: 1. They are asking to die or 2. They are asking to go to war.
"Ace. You need to stop hiding." Chester sighed as he entered the library and walked over to the stressed-out boy.
"Hey, Chester." Ace whispered as he looked up to the ginger as he waited for him to say something.
"Hey Ace." Chester mocked, knowing that Ace was about to ask him.
"Can I ask you a huge favour?" Ace asked as Chester nodded his head, allowing Ace to continue. "Asterin's prince is actually coming to the ball tonight. They're planning something that will get them killed. I need you to stay by the war room for as long as you can and give this note to the Asterian that walks near that room. Please do not let them in it. The paper has everything father is trying to plan in the future. I know one of the wars coming up is going to affect their ally Caspian. I won't be able to get much time to myself tonight so please make sure nothing happens to the lurking Asterians. Just pass the message along the Defiance." Ace finished.
"Of course! Anything to protect our future ally." Chester winked, making Ace smile. "Ah there he is!"
"What does that mean?" Ace asked as he got up.
"It means I don't like the stressed-out Ace; I like the smiling Ace. Before you even say anything, I know and understand that you are doing it for our own good. We also appreciate everything you are doing for us. That being said, it's your birthday. It's time to get ready for the ball." Chester rambled on as he told Ace the original reason why he was seeking out the prince.
"Alright, let's get this over with." Ace said, trying to motivate himself for the ball.
Time was always a weird thing to Ace. There was either too much time or not enough time. Sometimes time went by too fast or too slow. In this circumstance, time went by too fast. A lot faster than what he had anticipated. One moment it was Chester and Ace joking around to getting ready in his ball attire to King Oliver placing Ace's crown on his head to Ace standing with the Elites and his father, introducing the attendees of the ball.
"Alright my boy, there seems to be some kingdoms who are late. Please go enjoy yourself!" King Oliver insisted as she tried to talk over the orchestra playing simple ballroom songs. Ace excused himself from the group taking Persephone's hand in the process to guide her with him.
"Hey are you okay?" Ace asked, referring to the events that happened earlier that day as he got two cups of water for the two of them.
"I am worried about Gwen." Persephone answered as she took the cup of water from Ace's hand.
"I am too. I wondered how she discovered her powers." Ace sighed before Persephone looked harshly away from the crowd of people dancing and to one of the large columns that held the castle's weight. "What's wrong?" Ace quickly asked worried.
"I wonder what would have happened if you didn't ask where she was." Persephone mumbled, trying to suppress her tears.
"Hey, hey, hey... Perce!" Ace said frantically while pulling her into a hug, "Luckily it didn't have to come to that and we were there to postpone it and to make it even better she's leaving tonight with a few other staff and people from Silver City. She will be okay! You know our Gwen, she's strong and fearless. We will see her one day." Ace whispered into her ear before resting his chin on her head. The two stayed there for a moment and Persephone was glad that they had talked about this. She knew deep down that it wasn't only for her own good, but for Ace's as well.
"Yeah, you're right." Persephone agreed as she pulled herself away from the hug. "And that's the last time you will ever hear me say that."
"Of course, it is." Ace laughed before making eye contact with his father from across the ball room; this didn't go unnoticed by Persephone.
"When are you going to tell him that you are going to 'marry' me?" Persephone asked as she made quotation marks with her fingers around the word marry.
"After I got ballistically drunk and announced it to the entire room at the end of the night." Ace answered sarcastically.
"Haha, very funny." Persephone mocked.
"I was planning on telling him tomorrow over tea time." Ace answered for real.
"Hmm... In front of the Elites too. Adds a nice touch." Persephone complimented.
Just as Ace was about to thank her Cain's voice boomed through the ballroom from the top of the staircase announcing: "From Asterin, Prince Jack and his women; Lady Zehra and Lady Veronica." Ace watched as the Asterian prince walked down the stairs and, in that moment, he felt his world stop, but in a good way this time. A weird feeling was arousing from his gut, as if a bunch of butterflies were flapping around in his stomach. He watched Prince Jack talk to Lady Veronica, noticing how his jawline popped out. He was a tall guy, but very confident looking. Ace wondered if he had a four pack, a six pack, or an eight pack. He couldn't help but also capture the beauty of his eyes. They were sharp but also very welcoming. At that moment, Ace never wanted to talk to someone so badly in his life.
"Woah." Was the only thing Ace managed to say as Jack was instantly surrounded by a group of women.
"Woah indeed. Did you see those ladies?" Persephone asked as she nudged her elbow into Ace's side.
"Huh? Oh! Yes! Yes, I did! Stunning ladies." Ace answered as he composed himself.
"Oh, is that so?" Persephone asked as Ace nodded his head. "Then what colour was Lady Veronica's dress?"
"White." Ace answered confidently making Persephone gasp in excitement.
"No way! You were checking out Prince Hottie!" Persephone squealed loudly.
"Shhh! Are you insane! Someone could hear you!" Ace exclaimed as he quickly put a finger to her mouth. "And why were you checking out the women and not the prince?"
"I could ask the same, but vice versa. Ace are you-" "Not going to talk about it out in the open because we could die? Yes." Ace interrupted before hearing a bunch of high pitch squeals coming from the group surrounding the Asterian Prince. "I think we should help him." Ace suggested.
"I will go and help him, maybe even sprinkle in a word or two about you. So, let me deal with him while you deal with your royal duties. Also, that conversation isn't over!" Persephone added as she started to walk away from Ace. Just when he thought he was going to get some alone time, another group of girls appeared right before hearing Persephone say "Ladies, ladies! Please let the man breathe!"
"Oh, Prince Ace! How can you be single all these years?" One girl asked with her face overly caked up with a lot of foundation and overline lips.
"I can make a really great wife!" Another one of the girls said whose corset pushed her breast way too high up.
"It's not about if you are going to make a good wife, it's about if you will make him happy. Isn't that right Prince Ace?" Kiki smugly asked as she pushed through the crowd of thin and slutty girls, making sure her large, stubby figure hit the girls in her way harshly.
"I guess." Ace reluctantly agreed before hearing the orchestra starting a new song.
"Prince Ace, have this dance with me." Kiki said with a very demanding tone rather than a questioning tone.
"Right this way!" Ace said, taking the older woman's hand and leading her to the dance floor. Ace noticed the Asterian Prince but decided that it would rather be better to not pay any attention to him. Once the song started, Kiki immediately took the lead.
"Do you think I'm stupid boy?" Kiki asked, throwing Ace off his guard.
"No, never Lady Kiki! Why would you think of such a thought!" Ace asked, trying to keep calm. Did she figure something out? Does she know something I don't? Does she know about the Defiance? Did someone rat us out? So many questions started to run across Ace's mind as well as anxiety. If she knows something then surely his father knew as well.
"I see how you and Persephone were talking just then! Are you going to marry your childhood sweetheart!?" Kiki exclaimed as she dipped Ace and instantly pulled him back up, close to her body.
"I'm thinking about it. She's been such a wonderful friend, one of my best friends as a matter of fact, so I don't see why not. However, there are many other ladies here tonight." Ace said as calmly as he could before Kiki let out a scoff.
"That's exciting! It's a shame that Gwen can't be here." Kiki said making Ace flinch at the sudden change of tone.
"I wish she was here and not in the cellar." Ace sighed, but immediately realized that he played her game.
"Oh no Ace. Just like your mother, you are a bad liar." Kiki said sternly making Ace become worried again. "If Gwen isn't in that cell when morning comes, I will suspect you right away, you understand that right. My little Maddie and Gracelyn have been so wonderful about keeping tabs on everything Lilith does. That little rat thinks she has us fooled. I don't think you are doing what you should be doing. I suggest you crush that little dream of yours and do as you should before I tell King Oliver." Kiki demanded right as the song ended.
"Thank you for the dance Kiki." Was the only thing Ace said before walking away from the dance floor. Ace felt like he was going to pass out and throw up at the same time, he started hyperventilating. The Prince grabbed a piece of cake and inconspicuously snuck out to the balcony for some fresh air.
What am I going to do now?! Ace huffed as he set the cake on the railing of the balcony and ran his hands through his hair. Ace looked at the cake and grabbed the fork before indulging himself in its rich flavours.
"Ugh! If only this was a PIECE OF CAKE!" Ace yelled as he grabbed the cake and threw it to the other side of the balcony.
"What on the living earth?!" A deep voice exclaimed immediately, catching Ace's attention. It was Prince Jack. Ace felt himself stopped breathing for a moment as he admired the moonlight shining on the Asterian.
"I-I am so sorry!" Ace stammered to apologize.
"It's quite alright." Jack assured as he tried to scrape off the icing from his face and shook it off of his hands.
"Please let me help you!" Ace offered as he took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the icing off of Jack's face. Jack noticed how Ace was on his tippy toes trying to clean the mess he made, so Jack took the liberty to lean down a little more so it was easier for the Findarian. "I'm sorry I was just so stressed out and I threw it out of pure stress. I didn't mean to aim for you exactly." Ace rambled. He was surprised that Jack was just letting him clean off the icing rather than Jack doing it himself. Then again Ace didn't want this to stop at all.
"It really is okay! Seems like a right place, wrong time kind of thing." Jack winked, making Ace look away and walked over to the railing. He did not want the Asterian to see the noticeable blush on his face. 𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? Ace asked himself.
"Speaking of, what are you doing out here? The party is inside." Ace joked while Jack joined him against the railing.
"I could say the same for you. This is your party." Jack retorted.
"Touché, but I asked first!" Ace said as he examined the courtyard.
"I needed to get away from the crowd of girls and strong perfume. I like balls and all, however, this is a little too much for me. I didn't expect to get cake thrown at my face." Jack teased.
"Oh whatever, you probably had it coming." Ace joked as Jack gave off a small chuckled.
"So why are you out here?" Jack asked again.
"Partly to get away and partly to see them." Ace said as he pointed to the group escaping Findara, Gwen amongst the small crowd. The auburn hair girl spotted Ace from the balcony and waved her hands frantically goodbye and Ace did the same.
"But Lilith said you weren't supposed to know about these types of plans?" Jack asked.
"Who do you think thinks of these plans? I would prefer to not know about their whereabouts for their safety, however, it's different under these circumstances." Ace explained.
"So, you're really on our side." Jack said slightly impressed that Ace is taking on a huge risk and responsibility.
"How about we head inside to warm up, try to get that icing off of your suit, and talk some more?" Ace suggested, wanting to talk to Jack some more. He wanted to get to know him, he felt an instant connection and for some reason Ace wanted more of him.
"Isn't it risky for to be seen with me in your kingdom?" Jack asked as Ace laughed before signaling Jack to follow him. Jack is starting to get the guilty pleasure of cute guys leading him to random places, it never fails to let him down. Ace walked over to one side of the balcony and kicked the wall twice before a secret passage opened up. Ace felt like he could trust Jack with this information knowing that Jack wouldn't come here again after tonight.
"Shall we?" Ace asked as he held out his hand.
"We shall!" Jack said as he took Ace's small, slender hand and followed him into the passages.