Things always spoke without thinking around her. Trees, air, dead leaves, sand, stones, insects, and animals. They knew much, but not enough. Not what she was looking for. The Baron had been careful to conceal himself now that she wanted him found. No doubt he knew he was her target. But for the time being, the silence was what she needed, and the absence of voices. And so to attain that, Rose Steele turned into a red smoke, spreading through the trees, sealing parts of herself in each one, bringing even those with dead and rotting trunks and roots to life, causing their leaves to bloom green. The smoke spread out of the forest like a haze to the sea city of Struts, just next to the ocean, a place where Crystal Steele was, and villagers of this place suddenly began watching as it covered their houses. Some dressed back groaning, but others stood their ground in silence. Either

First, there was silence, then came the rustling of dried leaves. Rose looked through the trees, and she saw Fred, her love. His dress was drenched in blood, and his breathing was heavy."I've found him," Fred said, and fell on his knees. His strength was leaving him, and he couldn't stop the multiple mortal injuries all over his body.Rose saw her lover was in trouble, and from the tree next to him, she stepped out. She beckoned, looking in different directions in the forest, calling to something unseen, and the forest answered as she returned her gaze to Fred. The red mist that had initially left her body glided through the forest, and returned into her body.She went on her knees before Fred, and touched his face. Fred gave her a weary look."It won't work," Fred said. "White has found a way to kill you. He told me he would leave me with just enough strength to return back to you to let you know what is coming for you. Also, he has the Baron." He sligh

"Only whispers hear whispers," Rose said, slowly walking towards White. "And I was never Rose."White's eyes brightened. "You've been playing a long game, Rose Steele," he said. "I wonder how your sisters would react knowing you left them locked up all this time."Rose said nothing, but kept coming close.White saw death in her eyes, and sent a hand behind him. A sword appeared in his hand, and as Rose reached him, he sent the sword to pierce her, but he was met with surprise as it all happened in a blur, a movement he couldn't catch, and the sword which he intended to do Rose harm with was buried deep in his chest.Rose withdrew the sword, and tossed it on the ground. Blood rushed out of White's chest, and a terrified Harriet, and sullen Rose, now turned into Anna, watched.White was gasping for air, and just then, Claire appeared with the Steeles, and she rushed to White's side as he choked out blood and cried."What happened?" Claire aske