Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
Trystan returns to a disorderly Massacre Manor, where Evie restores order and then shares a crucial page from Rennedawn's Story. The page confirms that Trystan, Fate's youngling, starlight magic, and Evie's mother are central to the prophecy Benedict wants to exploit.
Evie persuades Trystan that they can try to fulfill the prophecy themselves, pushing Trystan toward a role he never expected: saving magic rather than merely destroying enemies. Their next lead is the kissing oaks, where they may find stardust or Evie's mother, but Evie's panic over that possibility is compounded when her journal disappears.
Summary
Back at Massacre Manor, Evie tries to restore order among the workers after Trystan's return, but the staff, pixies, and ravens are in chaos. When Evie threatens an impromptu Scatter Day and Trystan orders everyone to scatter, the crowd finally clears, leaving Evie aware that both she and Trystan look exhausted after the events at the palace.
Evie asks to speak with Trystan privately, but finds Lyssa sitting in Trystan's chair, bored and claiming to be working. Kingsley mocks Trystan's replacement with signs, and Lyssa greets Trystan warmly. Edwin then bursts in, overcome with emotion at Trystan's return, and Trystan quickly redirects Lyssa's boredom by sending her to learn baking from Edwin.
Once alone, Evie gives Trystan cold cauldron brew and shows him the ruined letters from Evie's mother, which preserve only a few words, including hasibsi, love, and starlight. Evie also reveals a glowing page from Rennedawn's Story, taken from the palace, which lists the tools needed to enact a prophecy about saving the kingdom's magic. Trystan recognizes the page as genuine and reads that Fate's youngling, starlight magic, and the unmasked Villain are part of the prophecy.
Evie suggests that if Benedict wants to use the prophecy, Trystan could fulfill it first. Trystan is disturbed by the idea that he might be meant to save magic or own the land, because Trystan has always understood himself as a force of terror and destruction. Evie comforts Trystan and insists Trystan can be more than one thing, and Trystan reluctantly accepts that they will try to enact the prophecy themselves.
The remaining obstacle is Evie's mother and her starlight magic. Because the letters are too damaged to provide a clear location, Trystan asks Evie to read the odd rhyme left behind. Trystan recognizes it as pointing to the kissing oaks and caves where they may find either Evie's mother or stardust, a magic that helps uncover lost things. Trystan orders Evie to pack for a journey the next morning.
The prospect of seeing Evie's mother overwhelms Evie, who is struck by memories of the last day she saw her mother and her mother's screams. When Trystan calls Evie by her first name and reaches for Evie, Evie pulls away to keep from breaking down. Evie rushes back to her desk to calm herself by writing in her journal, only to discover that the journal is gone.
Who Appears
- Evie SageTries to restore manor order, reveals the prophecy page, and panics over finding her mother.
- Trystan MaverineReturns to command, recognizes the prophecy, and agrees to seek stardust and Evie's mother.
- Lyssa SageEvie's bored younger sister occupies Trystan's chair and is redirected to baking with Edwin.
- KingsleySign-holding frog mocks Trystan, shadows Lyssa, and supports the usefulness of hugs.
- EdwinEmotional ogre chef welcomes Trystan home and takes Lyssa to make lemon tarts.
- Evie's motherAbsent but central figure whose damaged letters and starlight magic drive the next search.
- King BenedictAbsent antagonist whose desire to use the prophecy motivates Evie and Trystan's counterplan.