“I needed to find these before I asked you to sing with me.” He held out his hands and as the orrerry flickered to life again, several relics appeared in vortices of blue ribbons before him. They hovered for a moment, then floated to their respective owners for the taking.

A glowing orb as big as a grapefruit and full of midnight’s children reached Arden’s palm. Two daggers, one sharp, one with a bite found themselves in Duffy’s hands. A atana, sharp as death greeted Lilith like an old friend. A necklace, more beautiful than any crafted in an age dropped about Ruby’s neck and clasped itself shut lie a promise sealed. A goblet, depicting a summer scene with madrigals found its way to Leopold’s confused self. A well of power formed between them when the reunion was complete.

“Where on earth…” Lilith swung the katana with a childish smile. “I thought they were lost when…well, you properly died the first time.”

“Wainwright’s Relics once meant something. The promise he made to us the day he took us in and made us a part of the Tantalus Troupe still stands. So long as we are together…so long as we hold these items…the show will go on. We will never be apart, immortal or otherwise.”

Ruby screamed.

“And there we have it!” She stomped. The orrery died, and the castle trembled.

“Ruby?” Lilith sheathed the katana beneath her obi, stance wide, heart racing. The troupe spread apart, recognising a fight when they saw one.

“The Last Song will get rid of the last, and only good thing to come of Oblivions’ Curse. Immortality.” She jabbed a finger at her brother, who felt it like a knife thrust and began to edge away. Ruby advanced.

“Ruby…Ruby!”

Duffy dropped to his knees with his hands across his groin. His daggers formed a shield too late to stop the polished black stiletto from making a long overdue connection.

“That won’t matter if Duffy’s found the relics!” Lilith appeared in front of her sister, hands wide to shield the bard from a follow up. “We can be free, Ruby. We can carry on our lives and put this behind us!”

“And who will pay the price?” She pushed Lilith to one side. Arden stepped in, and Ruby relented. She glared fire at the prone bard, nostrils flaring, and hair dancing with fire that if it came near anyone else would have melted metal.

“We’ll pay it together.” Leopold rested a hand on his wife’s shoulder. She turned to strike him, but the palm stopped just short of the make, her mouth wife with surprise.

“I…I’m sorry.”

Lilith helped Duffy up, red hair messy and piercings trickling blood as tongue and tooth clashed from the grimacing pain shooting around his pelvis. He composed himself quickly, all too used to Ruby’s peculiar, and forceful way of expressing her disgruntlement at his actions.