“If you don't solve this mission, I can make your existence vanish,” a voice whispered. 

Meyra frantically looked around, seeing the fox sitting in her shadow. She let out a sigh, moving her wing out of the way. The fox stared at her as Meyra sat, unsure of what to do. 

“Are you serious?” Meyra whispered as she looked down at the fox. 

“I gave you these powers, what makes you think I can't get rid of you?” The fox retorted before tilting its head and grinning, “Or, I could kill your family?” It cackled, rolling on its back. 

“Don't you dare threaten my family, you snake -”

The fox interrupted, “I'm not a snake-”

Meyra cut the fox off, “I don't care what form you take. I'll do what you want, so get out of my house,” Meyra grumbled. 

She picked up the fox by its tail and threw it out the front door, slamming it shut. Meyra slid down to the ground, placing her damp face in her hands. She sniffled as she cried, not wanting to be here or put her family in harm's way. As her head was buried in her hands, a door creaked open. 

Ren stepped out from their room, roused from their sleep by Meyra's sobs. They pursed their lips before sitting down in front of Meyra. Ren handed a cloth to her, but she shook her head. 

“I'm sorry,” Ren mumbled with no response from Meyra. 

With a sigh, Ren shrugged off their jacket sleeve. A large scar ran from their wrist past their shoulder. It was unending and didn't branch, as if they had been cut open. Ren brought their sleeve back up, readjusting it to cover everything. 

“We all have things to hide. I'm sorry for digging into it. You're helping the people here, and that's what matters.” Ren smiled through their mask, standing up. 

“I'm sorry for not explaining more. I'm not here by choice,” she mumbled. 

Ren silently nodded, offering her their hand. Meyra took it, shakily standing as she calmed her breathing. She let out a laugh at her shaking arms. Ren gave a quick smile before disappearing to their room. 

Meyra and Ren went their separate ways for a few days. Meyra spent the nights recovering, her body beaten from the extensive wear. She had accepted she was unable to heal all the Fae and focused on helping where she should. Leon spoke to her one day. 

"First, I would like to say thank you for all that you have done and taught us." 

He said as he looked towards the window, his cape shifted showing he didn't have wings. 

"I was one of the first to lose their wings, I was able to adjust, but some of us haven't been able to." Leon spoke with a solemn expression, his eyes glassy.

He reached for a small envelope hidden underneath his papers and handed it to Meyra.

"This came from the higher ups. It will disintegrate within a few minutes of you opening it. Please take it back with you to read." Meyra nodded and put it in her pocket.

At their home, Meyra opened the letter and the seal hardened into a red stone. She was scheduled to meet Grayelle the following morning, Ren would go to meet him with Meyra later. Shortly after finishing the letter, it disintegrated into ashes, just in time for Ren to arrive. They finished their work, planning to organize their thoughts to present to Grayelle the next day. 

In the morning, Meyra snuck out and made her way to the castle. The guards opened the gate when they saw the red stone. She sat down in the main seating area, looking up at the dislodged stone. Meyra flew up and grabbed the drawing, placing the stone back in place. Shortly after, one of the workers beckoned her to come.