Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 78
Overview
Evie, Trystan, Gideon, and Fluffy turn the battle at the manor into a decisive victory, with Trystan's invisible magic and Fluffy's fire destroying the remaining attackers. The triumph is undercut by the loss of the female guvre, the injured male guvre, and Evie's awareness of Trystan's physical cost.
Before Evie and Gideon can exchange important confessions, Edwin reveals a new crisis: Lyssa has been secretly visiting their imprisoned father, and their father has escaped. The chapter shifts the danger from open battle to a personal betrayal and family emergency.
Summary
Evie calls her dagger back from a knight and fights without fear, wounding another attacker as more Valiant Guards charge. Gideon tries to rise to protect Evie, but Trystan reaches her first, using his mist and cold threats to stop the knights around her. After forcing one knight to admit he meant to hurt Evie, Trystan knocks the man unconscious, briefly distracted by stolen boots from his time at the palace.
Evie rushes to Trystan, but the sight of the injured male guvre and the memory that the female guvre has been taken breaks her resolve. Gideon reassures Evie that they will get the guvres back, but Evie cannot bring herself to rejoin the fight. Instead, Evie tells Gideon to watch as Trystan steps into the center of the courtyard.
Trystan unleashes invisible magic, choking and dropping the remaining knights one by one. Gideon realizes Trystan's magic cannot be seen by most people, and Evie admits she can see it. The surviving knights flee toward Hickory Forest, but Fluffy arrives overhead and burns them to ash, securing victory for the Malevolent Guards.
As Blade, Becky, and Ms. Erring land on Fluffy and the guards celebrate, Evie notices Trystan standing alone among the bodies, weakened because of what he has done for Evie. Gideon encourages Evie to check on him, but Evie hesitates, believing Trystan prefers solitude. Gideon then asks to speak with Evie about something important, and Evie admits she also has something serious to tell him.
The conversation is interrupted when Edwin rushes in, wounded but focused on urgent news. Tatianna begins healing Edwin's sliced arm while Edwin tells Evie that Lyssa has been found in the dungeons. Lyssa is safe, but she had been secretly visiting their father and was discovered locked in his cell because their father has escaped.
Who Appears
- EvieFights bravely, sees Trystan's invisible magic, and learns her father has escaped.
- Trystan / The VillainProtects Evie and destroys the remaining knights with his unseen magic.
- GideonReassures Evie, witnesses Trystan's power, and prepares to share important news.
- FluffyDragon who incinerates the fleeing knights and secures the manor's victory.
- EdwinArrives wounded with news that Lyssa was found in their father's escaped prison cell.
- TatiannaTriage healer who tends Edwin's sliced arm amid the aftermath.
- LyssaEvie's sister, found safe but locked in their father's dungeon cell.
- Evie's fatherEscapes from the dungeon after Lyssa secretly visited his cell.
- BladeRides Fluffy into the courtyard as the Malevolent Guards celebrate.
- Becky / Ms. ErringAccompanies Blade on Fluffy during the victorious return.
- ClareHelps Tatianna heal and patch wounded Malevolent Guards after battle.