Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 39
Overview
Kingsley retrieves the lost keys, allowing Trystan to free Evie from the flooding cage and help her escape through the broken window to Tatianna and Clare. The rescue briefly restores hope and reinforces the group's loyalty to one another.
That hope collapses when Evie discovers Trystan is missing, only for Helena to reveal that she and her actors have captured him. Helena now holds Trystan at knifepoint with Evie's own dagger, turning the escape into a new hostage crisis.
Summary
After Kingsley crashes into the flooded cellar, Evie joyfully calls him her hero and nearly kisses him in gratitude. Trystan pulls Kingsley away, scolding the frog for defiance and for coming when he was not meant to, while Evie privately reels from Trystan's earlier refusal to kiss her.
Tatianna appears through the shattered window, relieved that Evie and Trystan are alive. Clare soon joins her and comments on both the destruction and the fact that Evie and Trystan are nearly naked, embarrassing Evie further.
Kingsley swims down and retrieves the lost keys from the water. Trystan unlocks the cage door and forces it open against the flood's pressure, then insists that Evie leave first. He helps Evie through the bars and lifts her toward the broken window, where Tatianna and Clare pull her onto the wooden sidewalk outside.
Evie, Tatianna, and Clare collapse in relief and laughter, briefly sharing affection after the rescue. Evie then reaches back for Trystan, only to discover that he is no longer at the window or in the water below.
As Evie and Clare panic and wonder whether Trystan escaped through the cellar's normal exit, Helena appears behind them with her actors. They have captured Trystan, who is shirtless, wet, furious, and being held with Evie's dagger pressed to his throat.
Who Appears
- Evie SageEscapes the flooded cage, wrestles with embarrassment, and panics when Trystan is captured.
- TrystanFrees Evie from the cage, disappears during escape, and is seized by Helena.
- KingsleyDefiant frog who retrieves the sunken keys and enables Evie and Trystan's escape.
- TatiannaArrives at the broken window and helps pull Evie from the flooded cellar.
- ClareJoins Tatianna in the rescue and reacts dryly to the chaos and destruction.
- HelenaReappears with her actors and holds Trystan captive with Evie's dagger.
- Helena's actorsAssist Helena in restraining Trystan after he leaves the flooded cellar.