Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
At the cove, Lionel provokes the group with Betsy the bat and crude bargaining, but Trystan’s defense of Sage and her earlier sacrifice satisfy Lionel’s price. The group requests help breaking Kingsley’s curse. Lionel then drops a pivotal revelation: Trystan himself bears a separate curse, shifting the mission’s stakes.
Summary
Trystan, Sage, Tatianna, Clare, Kingsley, and Evie confront Lionel, the Curse Consultant, at his cove guarded by deer and Betsy the bat. After barbed banter—Lionel mocking Trystan’s dragon nickname—Trystan demands Lionel call off the creatures, which he does before turning to payment.
When Lionel crudely demands Sage as payment, Trystan loses control, grabs Lionel, and accidentally calls Sage “my lady,” alarming himself and amusing Tatianna and Clare. Sage calmly but firmly rebukes Lionel, and he backs down, admitting he seeks entertainment and that Trystan has already met the price.
Pressed by Clare, Lionel reveals Trystan’s bargain: to prove someone met The Villain and still cared if he lived. Sage’s willingness to take Betsy’s place fulfills it. Sage tries to attack Lionel for his callousness, but Trystan restrains her, quietly reminding her they need Lionel, revealing mutual tension before he hardens back into command.
When asked which curse to address, Kingsley signals for help, and Clare identifies the frog prince curse. Lionel then stuns the group by noting another curse in their midst. As Evie demands clarity, Lionel names it: The Villain’s own curse, reframing their objective and exposing a hidden threat tied directly to Trystan.
Who Appears
- TrystanThe Villain; defends Sage, reveals unintended affection, secures Lionel’s aid, and is exposed as bearing his own curse.
- LionelThe Curse Consultant; tests the group, accepts Trystan’s fulfilled bargain, and reveals a second curse on Trystan.
- SageStands up to Lionel, her prior self-sacrifice proves Trystan’s bargain; shares charged moment with Trystan.
- ClareIdentifies Kingsley’s frog prince curse and reacts to Trystan’s slip and Lionel’s revelations.
- TatiannaChallenges Lionel’s theatrics, observes Trystan’s ‘my lady’ slip with amusement.
- KingsleyCursed frog prince; signals for help with a sign, central target of the consulting request.
- EvieDemands clarification when Lionel hints at another curse, prompting the reveal about Trystan.