Maleficent arched an eyebrow. She wondered how long the promise would hold. Not that it mattered. What mattered what that Awiergen stopped letting the child prove a distraction. So long as that ceased what she did or did not do did not matter.

"Tinuviel . . . your failure was certainly spectacular. You revealed the nature of the Academy to the refugees and you didn't even manage to kill the healer." Maleficent's gaze was cool. "I am quite displeased with you." She drew a black-leather-covered book from her sleeve and held it out to her apprentice. "These are your orders. I expect the rest of you to obey her in carrying out our directive."