Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 67
Overview
Evie's attempt at combat training with Reid reveals both her determination to stop being helpless and the lingering trauma of Otto Warsen's attack. The dangerous Fortis garden and Raphael's reactions deepen the sense that the Fortis household is powerful, strange, and secretive, while Evie grows concerned about Tatianna and Clare's absence. Trystan's sudden arrival confirms he is awake, but his jealous, protective fury immediately turns a comic training mishap into a new confrontation.
Summary
Evie trains late at night in the Fortis sparring gardens with Reid while Becky watches from the side. Reid repeatedly pins Evie, and the position triggers Evie's memory of Otto Warsen attacking her, causing panic and anger. Evie responds by kneeing Reid in the groin, arguing that there are no unfair moves in self-defense.
The group pauses around the dangerous garden, where beautiful plants can kill or heal. Evie recognizes the sleeping-death fruit Becky once acquired for her, prompting Raphael to angrily scold Becky for helping Evie eat one of the world's deadliest magical fruits. Evie dryly explains that she thought it would taste better than ordinary poison, further baffling Raphael.
Reid resumes the sparring unexpectedly and tackles Evie from behind. Evie panics again and flails until her elbow breaks Reid's nose, which Reid treats as an effective move. During the exchange, Evie notices Tatianna and Clare have not appeared since the Trench, and Raphael claims both women retired to their rooms even though Reid and Roland say neither came to dinner.
Evie decides to check on Tatianna and Clare and to update Clare on Trystan, but Raphael blocks her path and insists Evie spar with him. Evie accepts the challenge and asks for thinner swords to improve her chances, but while moving to take one, a living vine trips her and pulls her to the ground.
Reid and a large blond footman stand over Evie as Reid jokes and prepares to help Evie up by gripping Evie's hips. At that moment, Trystan appears, visibly sweaty and unwell but alive. Trystan sees Reid's hands on Evie and the footman holding a sword above her, misreads the scene, and threatens to kill everyone involved.
Who Appears
- EvieTrains in self-defense, confronts traumatic memories, worries about absent friends, and sees Trystan awake.
- ReidSpars with Evie, pins and tackles her, gets injured, and jokes through the lesson.
- TrystanAppears awake but unwell, misreads Evie's training scene, and threatens the nearby men.
- BeckyWatches Evie's training and is scolded for previously helping with sleeping-death fruit.
- RaphaelCritiques the group, questions Evie's recklessness, and insists on sparring with her.
- Large blond footmanHands over a sword, stands above fallen Evie, and worsens Trystan's misunderstanding.
- RolandPresent at training and confirms Tatianna and Clare were not seen at dinner.