Ella didn't remember her mother. She supposed she must have had one at some point, everyone did but she simply had no memories of having one. No memories of being held when she cried. No sense of warmth when a storm raged at night. No one to tell her everything would be alright when she had a bad dream.

She wasn't completely alone. The staff of the house raised her, in a sense anyway. They saw to her basic needs. She was clothed, washed and made sure she didn't go hungry. It was part of their duties around the house. She was kept in the care reserved for all of Lord Aurums possessions. His gardens were immaculately neat too.

No, the staff looked after her because they were told to. Beyond that they stayed away. It was strange to her really. She wasn't the only servant child there. The estate was far enough away from Mistrals capital that it was easier for Lord Aurum to house those he hired. Some of the families had been under the Aurums employ for generations. Lord Aurum even had his daughters' tutors teach the other children three times a week.

So why where they different from her? They did the same work she did. They lived in the same house. They wore the same clothes and ate the same food. She was just alone, and she didn't understand why. Her mother had been a servant here. That's what the stable boy had told her before his mother had pulled him away from her and told him to get back to work.

And that was all she knew of her mother.

"Hey Smella, what you are doing?"

Ella started at the unexpected voice almost dropping her broom. No one ever spoke to her when she worked. They left her alone, unless there was something else, she needed to do. And the young seven-year-old had long since given up trying to get others to talk to her.

She swallowed nervously but turned knowing it would be worse if she didn't. They would just keep at it anyway. It would be quicker this way, easier. She forced a respectful smile but kept her head down. Servants don't look the ladies of the house in the eyes unaddressed. So, she started at their shoes.

They had started wearing heels.

"I'm sweeping sisters" she answered quietly. "Is there something I can help you with?"

The two girls ignored her question, walking up to her, their pretty white heels clicking loudly on the floor. Right past where Ella had just been sweeping. Her nails dug into the wood of her broom as they sidled up to her, smiling broadly.

"So Smella," Drizella said with a smirk. "We wanted to ask you a question."

"Something even you should be able to answer," Anastasia grinned. "The answers obvious anyway."

"Glad you agree, dear sister."

The two nine-year olds glared at each other for a moment before turning their sickly smiles onto Ella once more. She felt her heart start to quicken a fraction and her mouth go dry. They always fought and when they did, she always lost.

"Tell us, Smella, which one of us, do you think is prettier?"

Her heart sank. They were fighting again. A civil fight, one that you couldn't really see unless you knew what to look for. Unless you were practised at being caught in the middle. Schooling, riding, hunting, even the elegant parties that their father threw, all of it was a fierce competition to the twins as they sought their father's approval. Ella couldn't understand it. He loved them so clearly already. What did they seek to gain?

And no matter how they fought, Ella suffered. Should Drizella ride worse than Anastasia, Ella was the one who was left to clean out the stables. Should Anastasia fail to bring down a fox, Ella was sent to fetch the arrow from the sharp brambles. Sometimes she wondered if it would be best to simply declare loyalty to one of them and hope that would protect her from the others ire.

But hope was for fools.

"It is not my place to say sisters," she answered. A bitter thought came to mind, one they would enjoy and one that might protect her from this. Still it was hard to force the words out. "and what would I know of beauty?"

The twins laughed at that, a cruel cackle that made Ella flinch. That just made them laugh more, knowing how much they hurt her.

"Well I suppose that's true. You are awfully..." Drizella said with a mocking wave of her hand, as though searching for a kind thing to say of a child's painting.

"Plain," Anastasia supplied.

And then they looked at her again, and Ella knew what they wanted. Like it was one of the arrows they so favoured, Ella pulled the wrenching words from herself.

"It is as you say, my sisters."

It was barely more than a whisper, but they heard. Then they smiled, and Ella knew all of this had been for nothing.

"But even so, you must have an opinion Smella? Which one of us is prettier."

Neither, she wanted to snap at them. Drizella's teeth are crooked and are as yellow as her hair. And your nose Anastasia is as greasy as a pig. The best view she could get of the pair was following behind their horses. The only pretty things about you are the eyes I share.

Oh, how she longed to say the words. To scream them and watch their smug faces turn to shock. To have the whole estate hear it and to laugh at them. Make them run from the room crying, shamed and humiliated while father watched on, approving her strength.

Instead she said nothing, looking down at their feet in submission until they scoffed rolled their eyes at her and left, saying they would go ask the washer folk who might actually have an intelligent opinion. But not before they knocked over the bucket, she used to collect the dust she had just swept.

Ella wasn't allowed to call him father. It was always Lord Aurum. He allowed her to refer to his daughters as sisters and did the same himself. But he didn't call her daughter and the time she had called him father... She didn't call him father. It didn't make sense to her, but she obeyed.

Yet when she was alone, late at night in her room, she would try it out. The tiniest whisper.

"Father...Da..."

It never really sounded right. She would try all the words she knew for him and they all felt the same way to her. Disconnected. Like a window stood between her and that meaning. It was worse for mother, she felt nothing for that. But only Lord Aurum fit for him.

She paused, trying out something new. She said this even more quietly not daring to think about what would happen if anyone somehow heard her say.

"Ella Aurum."

That wasn't her. She knew that. It didn't fit either, but it didn't fit in the same way her hand me down clothes and servants' dresses didn't fit her. Always too big for her just like being an Aurum was too big for her.

For now.

The nights were getting colder as Winter approaches them. For now, it wasn't so bad but and Ella could keep enough warmth as she slept by simply curling in on herself. Even then she still shivered for a long time before sleep overcame her, unless she was too exhausted for it to matter.

And thus, it was time to start the game again. The same game she and Lord Aurum would play every year when the seasons changed. The test of her nerve and daring. She would steal from him and he would let her, assuming of course she wasn't caught.

She had found this blanket, an ugly yellow thing with blue flowers woven into it. It was made for picnics, more for lounging than sleep and it was a heavy thing. She knew that because often her sisters make here carry it about for them during the summer. In a way she was grateful because it meant she had known where to find it. That heaviness would keep her warm and so despite the smell of must and damp, she would value it.

If she could get it back to her room unnoticed.

Ella knew it was Drizella's and knew that if her sister found out she had taken it; she would suffer for it. The heads of the household staff would cuff or slap her if they caught her but Drizella would never think of letting Ella have anything or hers. Anastasia gave her things occasionally. Broken or stained things that amused her to see Ella forces to wear but Drizella wouldn't even give her that.

A few years ago, Ella had borrowed own of Drizella's ribbons. She had worn in her hair, thinking perhaps her elder sister would find her attempts at imitation flattering. She hadn't and instead dragged her back to her room where she had Ana hold her arms down before cutting chunks out of Ella's hair.

It hasn't even been even. That was worst part. Some she had to cut the scalp and others she had left past her ears. The uneven shearing had made her looked like a half-plucked chicken, but it also meant that after a night crying into her pillows she had to go find someone to cut the rest of it smooth.

It had taken months for it to grow back. Months of muffled laughter as she had passed. Months looking like a boy, of even the other servant calling her Evan. Months of humiliation and ridicule all because she had wanted to look like her older sister. She'd never taken anything from her sisters again.

Until now.

The chance of the blanket made it worth the risk. Her room had developed a draft in the last year and although she had managed to move her wardrobe across the hole, she needed the blanket. If only she could get it back, she might be more than just not cold. She might be warm.

But Ella hadn't let the treasure blind her. This wasn't to be a mad dash and hope no one saw her. No, she had moved the blanket across three separate trips, leaving a few days in between. One trip where she has hidden in the laundry pile knowing it wouldn't get washed. Who'd wash a picnic blanket in fall?

After that she had moved taken it upstairs and to a cupboard near the servant quarters. A linen closet that had just been filled with clean sheets and likely wouldn't be touched for at least a week. Even then, anxiety had made her check on it to make sure it was still there twice.

And now she only had one final run to make. Just a last piece of daring and winter would be more bearable for her. And if she was caught- no don't think about that. Just do it.

Swallowing down her fear, she opened the cupboard and lifted up the sheets to reclaim her prize. Next to the pure whites of the linen, her picnic blanket looked even more dismal, but she didn't care right now. If she did, it would show in her face and she would be caught. She had to walk like she didn't know why she had this, only that she had been told to fetch.

And so, she did. She walked, back straight, eyes forward and mouth firmly shut. Down the corridors until she reached the servants quarters. In a way it was easy. No one questioned her, no one stopped her. Perhaps if anyone cared what she did, it wouldn't work. But no one did, and so Ella did it.

Just before she reached the corridor that would lead her to the servant quarters and through to her tower, Ella saw the steward and her heart sank. Of all the people, aside from her sister, he would be the worst to find her. He controlled much of the day to day running of the house and loved the power he wielded. He was controlling, cruel and wouldn't hesitate to question her. He wouldn't find out what she was doing and wouldn't be quiet about it.

Their eyes met, and she saw the vindictive curiosity of a man with the tiniest amounts of power. He must have seen her nerves as his eyes narrowed and he began to take a step towards her. Ella froze and -

"Steward!"

Lord Aurums commanding voice rang out from the top of a staircase. He didn't shout, for why would the master of the house need to shout? He could have whispered and still their heads would have snapped to the sound of his voice.

For the barest of moments golden eyes locked with each other and then Lord Aurums attention was on his servant.

"Your services are required Steward," he said. "About your duties girl."

It took a moment for Ella to realise the words were for her. Jumping slightly, she dropped a quick bow and turned away, taking all her self-control not to run. Trying to still her racing heart, one thought wormed its way to the front of her mind.

Her father had known what she was doing.

Her father had helped her.

"Now girls, focus on your breathing."

"What do you think we're doing? It's not working."

"Unlocking aura takes patience Lady Aurum."

"Or perhaps merely a better teacher."

From her hiding place in a nearby cupboard, Ella sat listening. Staring through the crack in the door she watched, the young huntress pursed her lips slightly but refrain from making a comment. In a way, she felt bad for the young woman. She didn't seem that old, and from the gossip Ella had heard around the manor, she was barely out of Haven.

Ella doubted that the training to fight monsters covered Drizella and Anastasia. It wasn't nearly advanced enough. The woman was being paid to unlock their auras but how do you teach two thirteen-year olds girls who don't respect anyone when you know their slightest disapproval meant dismissal. This woman was already the second attempt at a teacher and knew just how replaceable that made her.

As such Ella watches as the woman chose her next words carefully to be sure that no hint of rebuke in her tone.

"My ladies," she began. "Your aura is a deeply personal and spiritual aspect of yourself. It is an extension of your very soul. If we can unlock it through meditation and self-reflection, then you will find it far easier to discover your semblance."

The twins didn't even attempt to hide their contempt of this idea as they looked at each other. Ella doubted much self-reflection would be done by either of them, they were too obsessed with one upping the other.

What did they even need aura for? Father had arranged this but that was probably just, so others knew they had it. It would make the family seem more powerful if the Aurums were known to be aura users.

But aura was meant to be huntsman and Huntresses. That was what Ella had always been told. Those who fought the creatures of Grimm. Warriors who carried themselves with honour and mercy. Looking at this newly graduated Huntsman, Ella couldn't see much of those virtues in her. She just wanted money.

"Then why are we paying you at all?" Drizella asked. "If we are doing all the work ourselves."

"I can guide you, through meditation, to the appropriate mindset so that you may-"

"Can't you just do it!" Anastasia snapped. "We've been coming to these stupid lessons for weeks. There has to be a faster way, you stupid waste of a Huntress."

The huntress paused, patience and restraint wearing thin and for a moment, Ella thought she might strike her sister. Sadly, though the woman mastered herself once more, and Ella didn't get to see her sister get what she deserved. It never seemed to happen, to either of them.

Rubbing her fingers over her latest bruise, Ella sat back in cupboard and tried to focus on what else was being said. Hope was for fools.

"There are other ways to unlock aura," the woman admitted. "In severe trauma or danger, it has been known for people to manifest aura to keep themselves alive. It's also possible-" she hesitated. "Regardless I severely doubt your father would allow such danger to befall you, even to unlock your aura."

Anastasia and Drizella huffed, sitting back in their chairs and resigning themselves to another long and in their minds, rather tedious series of exercises that they wouldn't managed today anyway. No doubt their frustration would be inflicted onto Ella later. Maybe if she was lucky, they would blame each other but she doubted it.

But that was okay, Ella thought as she stared down at her hands, turning them over and watch the golden glow was over her skin like glistening water. She found that she healed faster now anyway.

One night the steward came to her room and dropped a bundle of clothes on her bed. Lord Aurum was hosting a party for her sister's fourteenth birthday. Ella had known that of course, that was why she up in her room. He sniffed looking around her room with disdain, before telling her there was a bath that had been drawn for her and that servant would be there to fix her hair. She was to hurry.

Ella still didn't quite understand. In eleven years, she had never been told to attend any of her father's events. Why now? Maybe he wanted...

"You are to attend the party, because Lord Aurum wants you to," he said when she finally worked up the courage to ask. "Why he wants you there, is beyond me but you should be grateful and try not to humiliate the Aurum Estate too badly."

She didn't reply to that, just picking up the bundle of clothes and hurried down towards the bathing rooms, unable even partially to contain the excitement of using the grand baths for the first time. That excitement died quickly, the house staff not trusting her to clean herself to an appropriate standard. A man and a woman stripped her for the baths, handling her like a doll, scrubbing and dunking her under the water in ways she couldn't imagine happening to her sisters.

The best she could say for the experience was that it was quick. They towled her dry, brushing and combing knots out of her hair in ways that hurt her scalp. Briefly, Ella saw the bath again and was embarrassed at how grey the water had turned. She had never thought she was unclean, but that illusion had vanished under the dirty mire.

Then they dressed her, and more servant came involved. Apparently, she was a task that required more than half a dozen people to fix her. The bundle of clothes was unwrapped to slight gasps of horror and shock. Ella heard whispers of wondering if this was right, but she tried to ignore it and blot out the noise.

All she knew was that they suddenly became a little gentler, though most just seemed to want to get it over with. A white corset was tied up her back, making it slightly hard to breath in an effort to accentuate assets she didn't really have yet. Perfumes was sprayed over her skin and hair, making her cough and splutter as they tried to keep her still. Her hair was left loose to frame her face, small amounts of makeup applied here as well.

By the end, the servants were muttering to each other and Ella got the impression they were worried about getting in trouble for how she looked. This couldn't really be what the master wanted could it? She was still so young. No, the masters orders had been very specific. The only mercy Ella got was the absence of a mirror.

Still when she walked into the hall, she got the gist of how she looked. Everywhere she walked, Ella could feel faces in her. Some tittered behind glasses, some looked horrified. Some just... lingered on her. Swallowing, she clutched her arm self-consciously and wondered what she was meant to be doing. Why did her father want her here, like this?

Suddenly a hand grasped her shoulder and Ella almost tripped over as was whirled around. Her sisters stood in front of her, glaring down at her. Immediately she knew why. She was stealing the spotlight of their big day, bad enough each twin had to share with the other, now she was upstaging them with this... show.

"What are you doing here?" Anastasia hissed at her. "You don't belong here, with people like us."

"I..."

"You look like a whore in that dress." Drizella said coldly. "Was it your mother's?"

"Father wanted me-"

"Don't call him father!"

"You're just a bastard Ella!"

"Do you think this makes you look pretty?"

"You're nothing, just nothing!"

"You hear us Ella, nothing!"

"You're nothing!"

The world became small. Suddenly, it was just them in that room and Ella could hear their words thundering in her ears. Any attempts at an explanation, that she hadn't wanted to be here, stammered and spluttered on her lips. There was nothing but her sisters' words cutting into her, taking chunks out of her.

She didn't know if she stepped back or one of them pushed her. The result was the same. She stumbled backwards and landed on a side. The tight white fabric about her legs suddenly became loose and she heard a tear. Eyes widening, she grabbed at the dress at her thighs and tried to keep it together.

Now she remembered everyone there, her head twisting and turning as she fought to keep her dress together. She knew that others would have to intervene now. How could anyone see what happened here and think it was okay. There were huntsmen here. Ella had seen their teacher and her friends. The highest of Mistrals elite had been invited to celebrate the Lady Aurums birthdays. Someone had to do something.

The conversations didn't even falter as Drizella emptied a bottle of wine over Ella, staining the white of her dress to a bloody red. The liquid mixed with her tears as she whimpered on the ballroom floor. She looked around, for anything, anyone to intervene and finally she found her father's golden stare.

He looked... annoyed.

Ella stood up, unable to be in this room anymore. Already she could feel the servants moving towards her, ready to move her away from this scene. Whatever the master had wanted, it had obviously gone wrong. Best to remove the little bastard before any more embarrassment could occur.

She couldn't bear that. As one hand reached towards her, she knocked it away and started to run. That gave the biggest reaction of the night. A slight ripple of shock from the staff and snickers of an amusement from the crowd. Ella ignored them, just wanting this night to end. She hurried past them using her small size to avoid capture but the moving crowds and entrapping staff meant that, by the time she reached the edge of the room, she was at the wrong side to get to her tower.

"Ella!" She heard someone hiss. "Back here now"

But it wouldn't end here. Tomorrow would come. Nothing would happen to her sisters. No one was going to save her from this place. That wasn't the way the world worked. This was the way the world worked. A hand reached out to grab her and something within her shattered.

Ella screamed, and the world filled with black glass.

She ran barefoot, shoes made for ballrooms having broken and been discarded before leaving the grounds. They had just slowed her down. Ella didn't know what she had done, but all she knew was she had to run. The world wouldn't save her. She would save herself.

Even now they chased her, she could hear them shouting and the sounds of wood breaking under boot. She knew they would find her. They were dressed for a hunt, boots and jackets. In her ruined white dress, she knew she stood out too much even with the red staining her.

That glass, could she do it again? She didn't know how she had done it the first time but maybe... No, she would do it. If she had to, she would do it. Somehow, she would do it. She wouldn't go back and if they tried to make her, they would do more than just bleed.

Torches grew closer, shouting getting louder. Ella could hear herself breathing heavily as she ran and then suddenly, the noise of her pursuers grew closer. They had spotted her and so she ran once more. They were bigger than her and faster too. They were catching up and you could almost feel them reaching for her.

Fear drove her steps; anger gave her strength, but it was her hatred that kept her going. Hope was for children, but hatred... Hatred would fuel her forever.

KRAWWW

Ella fell back onto the dirt, eyes widening in terror as the Nevermore fell from the sky, plucking the grasping man and snapping him in half. It raised its beak and roared a screeching cry. Blood and gore splattered Ella's face as she froze in terror.

From the forest, wolves and bears emerged from the shadows with roars and howls. The searchers shouts turned into screams of pain and terror as the massacre began. Ella had seen Grimm before. Little ones and few in number. Normally enough for just the household guards to deal with.

Nothing like this. These Grimm were deadly. So many and too fast for Ella to count especially in her current panicked state. Ursa, Creepers, Beowolves and high above the Nevermore soared, screeching and howling like a general at war.

But that couldn't be right. Ella didn't know a lot about Grimm, but she knew they didn't take orders. They were mindless beasts.

And then it was over, the few people left running from the carnage, their cries vanishing into the night. It would be quiet, if not for the low rumble of the Grimm. The roars and growls as they stalked towards Ella, heads low and scarlet eyes glowing into the darkness.

They stalked towards her, advancing on her slowly like the prey she was. Ella tried to get to her feet, to run only to stumble and fall in her panic. Even if she ran, she couldn't get away. They had her surrounded. They were everywhere. They were going to tear her apart.

She was going to die.

No that wasn't right. It wasn't fair. She wouldn't allow it.

Staggering to her feat, Ella stood as tall as she could. Her breathing was ragged, and she glared her fury towards the creatures of death before letting out a roar of feral fury.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

And the Grimm stopped.

Ella stared, her anger beginning to ebb a little as shock took over her. She hadn't though they would stop. Grimm never stopped. They didn't listen to reason; they couldn't even be scared for their lives like animals. They just killed and killed, until there was nothing left. They couldn't have stopped... but they had.

"Did- did I do that," she wondered aloud as the Grimm stared at her.

And then she felt a cold grip on her shoulder, brushing the skin of her neck and a voice whispered in her head.

No, that was me.

And Ella knew no more that night.

When she next awoke, the first thing she heard was the crackle of fire burnt low. The floor beneath her was cold and as she, blinking, pushed herself to her feet, Ella found that she had been lying on a blood red marble. Her eyes widened at the sight of it, and memory of that night returned. The smell of the blood filled her nostrils and as she whirled around, Ella realised her once white dress was caked in blood. the realisation almost made her sick, and she gagged as she clenched her stomach.

"You're awake."

The voice was calm, almost kind, seeping past hearing and into her mind soothing and calming her. For a moment it almost made her forget what state she was in, forget what had happened and forget what she had seen. The Grimm.

Pushing herself away from the floor she sat up, her eyes struggling to adjust to the dim light that seemed to pulse and glow in a way that scared her. But there was also the fire, a warm light that was safe and real and Ella found herself drawn to the burning log, taking comfort in the familiar.

This wasn't a dream. Others might have thought that but not Ella. She knew it was real. Strange and dangerous, a world of reds and blacks that couldn't exist but did. There was no sense in denying it. In any case, the world she had known had always been cruel and dark despite the beauty and richness imbued into every surface. Maybe this place was just honest.

And then, Ella turned to find the source of the voice, she saw Salem.

She stood like father and made him seem a child. Where he had towered over her, broad shoulders and a thin line on his lips, she was a mountain. There was nothing crafted or constructed about her strength. It simply was there and would be there long after the tower had crumpled to dust and been forgotten.

Then she smiled.

"You don't have to be afraid child."

"I'm not."

The lie was reflexive. All her life Ella has bowed her head, submitted to others and been a slave to her sisters whims and wants. The party had changed that. She wasn't going back to it. Never again. This creature could kill her, it could do anything she liked but Ella wouldn't submit.

She flinched sat the woman moved but she merely raised one of her hands to her face. Then she laughed.

"Yes, you are. I can hear you."

"I -" her voice cracked, and she swallowed. She didn't want to speak anymore but those eyes could not be denied. "I didn't say anything."

"Yes, you did." Her name from the woman's lips made her shiver. "I've been listening to you so for some time now child."

Ella shrank back as the woman stepped forward, kneeling down to be at eye level with her and reached out. Her fingers were cool, as they stroked across Ella's cheek, the smile still on her lips.

"You've been alone for so long. So sad. So scared." The crooning voice that had almost been a song turned hard. "And it made you angry didn't it. To be contained. To be trapped. Such hate and fury it bred in you. Humans are creatures of destruction and vice but you child, your hatred was strong enough for me to hear you even through the constant self-pitying whining of humanity. Take pride in that if nothing else."

"I-"

"But I wonder," the woman interrupted before Ella could speak. "Are you more than that? Are you content to hate but do what you're told and change nothing? I think I could help you child, but the first step must be yours."

"But I didn't-" Ella said as the woman stood up to turn away. "I didn't stay. I-"

"You ran. You didn't try to change yourself. You didn't do anything to those who hurt you. You ran and prayed for someone to save you."

The contempt in the woman's voice made Ella flinch as though she had been struck. The words shamed her. Hope was for fools. She had always believed that but what had she done about it? The woman was walking away but suddenly paused and turned back to her.

"I have no need of a girl who prays to be saved. If that is all you seek then we are done here." The finality of the words gave Ella no illusion of what she meant. "But if you seek more and if you serve me in all things, then you will do things that you have never even imagined. You just have to tell me child, what is it that you want?"

"I..."

Her words shook as she averted her gaze from the blood red eyes that pierced her. It was like she was back in the manor once more. A bastard slave to a family that saw her as less than dirt, to servants that despised her and a life where she would be nothing. A dream was all she had, a dream that one day her father would recognise her as a daughter and raise her up to be Ella Aurum.

"I-"

Waiting and waiting. Hoping praying and dreaming that her misery would end and that someone would save her. But her mother wasn't coming back and her father didn't... Her father didn't care. The huntsman, noble warriors of justice as the stories would say, had looked away at that party. The world wasn't a fairy-tale and Ella couldn't rely on anyone to save her.

Ella felt herself shaking as she looked back up into the woman's eyes. The eyes were cold, promising no salvation. There was only death in her Grimm white body, and it didn't hide from it. She wouldn't save her either and she wouldn't pretend. She would only offer Ella a deal.

"I want to be strong"

To hurt those who hurt me

"I want to be feared."

Like I was afraid.

"I want to be powerful."

Never powerless. Never again.

Her breath gave out in ragged rasps, but she remained standing as she met the Grimm Witches eyes. And Salem smiled.

"Now that, I can use. What's your name child?"

The girl blinked, a name on the tip of her tongue. A name that no longer fit her. Ella had been scared and weak. Ella could die here, back in the woods or even in the party for all she cared. That girl was dead, and she was something new now. Someone stronger.

Crack

A log in the fire snapped in two from the heat, sending golden sparks high above the broken remains. Flames surged upwards away from the white hot embers. And she stared at the flames, entranced by their power until long after the flames slept and there was only one thing that remained.

Upstairs you will find a man named Hazel. He will see to your needs tonight.

Your education begins tomorrow, and I will send Arthur to ensure you are taught everything you need to know.

When he returns, Tyrian will begin your combat training. I suggest you learn quickly. He will not be holding back for long.

And when you are ready, I will teach you how to harness true power.

The cold night wind howled outside the window of Lord Aurums study, creating an irritating shrill through a crack in the glass. Occasionally, the man would look up and glare at particularly long glare, but he didn't call for anyone. From what she had seen, there wasn't anyone left to call.

The grounds were in disarray and didn't look like it had been tended to in months, security non-existent and dust beginning to layer the dark corners. The Aurums had fallen on hard times it seemed. From what she had gathered from the nearby settlements, they had never really recovered from that party, all those years ago.

Poor taste and a danger to the guests, some of them had been scarred to this day. And then the Grimm attacking. Well, many had seen that fall coming after all, though no one was really sure what had caused the party to escalate. Well there had been one man who remembered.

There had been.

Ella watched the man write at his desk, wearing a cloak to save from heating, though a small fire was still kindled, the only light in the room aside from a candlestick that illuminated his work as well as the half empty bottle that sat beside it.

Staying unseen was effortless at this point. Years of training, punishing training meant that only the most vigilant of huntsman would have seen her now. Lord Aurum hadn't been that in the peak of his life and those days were far behind him now. Yet still she watched from the darkness far longer than she should have before forcing herself to speak. And even then, the only sound she made was her bow forming in the air.

Lord Aurum startled from his chair as the room glowed with an orange glow.

"Who's there? Who sent you?"

Of course. Who she was didn't really matter after all? Not to a man like Lord Aurum. Right now, she wasn't a person. Just a weapon pointed at the enemy. What mattered to him was wielding her. His mind too small to understand that no one could use her.

He sneered at her, relaxing back in his chair, a man content in his belief that he controlled his own destiny.

"If this is meant to be a threat, you can scuttle back to you master. They'll not get your payments if I'm dead. This little performance is pointless."

She wondered just how many debts he really had at this point but then decided she didn't care. Money wasn't why she was here after all. But still his need to speak of money like it was important to her brought the anger that always burned within her to a focus.

"You don't recognize me."

"Should I?" The tone was biting. "From the way your shaking I would have guessed this is your first time. I make it a point only to work with those who have proven themselves."

The candles leapt upwards, illuminating the room and her place within it. They returned to their previous dim light a moment later but by then Lord Aurum had seen the gold of her eyes.

"Ella."

She flinched at the name long foreign to her but masked it with a smirk, still holding her bow taunt towards the man.

"Hello father."

"You're supposed to be dead."

"Thanks." Lord Aurum glared and began to step towards her only for large shards of glass to crunch into his desk. "Please sit down father."

His eyes flashed in surprise and it was probably that more than actually heading that made him slide back down onto his chair. She smiled at that, relishing the shock more than she would have the obedience. It amounted to the same thing in the end.

"You've gotten stronger." She nodded at his compliment until his face turned suddenly. "What have you done with my daughters?"

"You remembered them? Don't worry, they're alive. I wouldn't kill them so quickly. They made my life hell for years." She felt her voice go cold. "And you knew that. For years."

"Oh please," Her father drawled and to her shock, he stood back up. He stepped towards her again and instinctively she stepped back, pulling her bow from the air and pointing it at him. He stopped walking but smiled instead.

"Don't move."

"Or what, am I ruining your little show of force. If you haven't even killed your sisters your as weak as you've ever been, Ella."

"Shut up."

"I'll admit, you have potential, more than I gave you credit for. So why don't you tell me what you want?"

This wasn't right. It was all going wrong. She was stronger than him now. His power was nothing compared to hers, he didn't even have aura. But she was trembling again, like that night at the dance all those years ago and suddenly she couldn't look at him.

The arrow shook in her finger, black glass sending the candlelight sparkling across the room. And her father just stood there, watching her, completely unafraid. Arrogant and aloof as ever. Like this was some sort of deal that he haggles for a better position. He was meant to beg, not bargain.

"I was your daughter."

The words had come out, a hiss of a whisper before she had realised, she was saying it.

"Is that what you want? Acknowledgement? To be Ella Daurum at last?"

Funny how no other words could have stilled her like those ones did.

The arrow took him in the chest, and he stumbled back with a gasp. Clutching at breath that wouldn't come properly he collapsed into his chair as blood started to stain his shirt. He was almost surprised. Dropping the bow, she walked towards him, not slowly but purposely.

"Ella Daurum... Yes, I think once I did want that. To be your daughter, Ella Daurum." She sneered at him. "But now, I think that seems rather small. And as for acknowledge, I think so, but when the world knows my name, it will be my name, not yours."

Blood was starting to pool in his mouth as she reached him and still, he gasped and clutched at life. Bending down, she grabbed the arrow and firmly pulled it up, opening the wound higher. A strangled sob of a scream broke from his lips and she smiled as his life flowed red over her hands.

"My name is Cinder Fall. And I don't have to be afraid of you. I don't have to be afraid of anyone, ever again."

As her father chocked his last raspy breath, Cinder rose to her full height. Blood had stained she dress now but she didn't care, still staring down at the now lifeless eyes of Lord Aurum. She smiled and pushed the candle over onto his papers. She turned and walked out of the room without looking back.

She found her sisters, where she had left then, bloodied and weeping in their rooms. Neither of them had had the strength to stand even if they had the will too. Drizella clutched at the leg of her bed to anchor herself while Anastasia lay on her back covering her face like it would undo what Cinder had done to it.

Neither of them had ever been pretty woman but still Cinder had taken great pleasure when she had burned their eyes away. It was fitting she thought. Golden eyes had marked her a bastard all her life, now those eyes were gone from the pure daughters. A final cutting of the single tie that had ever bound them to each other.

"Hello sisters," she said savouring the whimper when they realised, she was back. "I've come to say goodbye and to tell you that father is dead."

A strangled cry broke from Drizellas as she dissolved further into fearful weeping. Anastasia didn't seem to have understood the meaning of what she had been told. A pity thought Cinder. She herself had always understood what her sister said to her.

So, she ignores that sister and walked over to Drizella. She sat down on the bed next to her, running her hands through the bloodied blonde hair. Her own eyes glowed with her new recently taken power and she made her hands hot to the touch as she stroked her sister.

"Shhh, don't worry Drizella. It's over now. Your both were so cruel to me, but I understand now. It was father who made you. Father was the reason, and he's dead now. It's over and I'm leaving now."

Like a drowning man seeing a raft, her sister clung to the lifeline, throwing their father under the bus as she stammered out her agreement. It had always been father. He was the one. They had been too young to understand but they were sorry, so sorry.

"I know," Cinder said. "I know and I forgive you."

Standing up, she left her sister frying bloody tears of relief and grief as she walked towards the door. Taking one last look, Cinder closed the door and melted the knob shut. The fire from her father's study had already reached the door and as she reached the carpeted stairs, Cinder left footsteps of fire in her wake.

She wondered how quickly it would take for the mansion to burn. How soon would her sisters realise they were trapped to burn. Cinder knew the power of hope. She had known it her entire childhood, it was why she had given it to them right at the end.

For when the flames licked at their door and the smoke started to choke them, that hope would turn ash and the despair that would follow would be worse than any blade. Hope was powerful and it was what always led to the greatest pain. Hope kept you waiting for a saviour that would never come.

Cinder walked slowly through the halls of her former home like she was in a dream. One foot followed the other as the world grew hotter around her. By the time she reaches the front door, Cinder was vaguely aware of screaming. But that didn't matter anymore. It was so far away. Practically another life.

When Fall was a girl, her grandmother used to tell her there was power in the naming of someone. It was its own form of magic, more than just knowing the name, it was knowing the person. It was how her father could always get her and her sisters to admit to breaking something.

Of course, that was a long time ago and since then, Fall had seen more magic than her grandmother could have imagined even existed. Still though, even if it wasn't magic, she believed that old adage, that there was power in a name. To name was the know.

And now, she knew Cinder Fall.

Even just that thought rippled this world. The tower and the girl fell away. Ella the girl who would be Cinder but wasn't anymore. Fall felt a pang for that girl as she dissolved away but there was nothing, she could do for her. She was years too late for that.

The landscape was gone now leaving only a white void in its place. Taking a breath, Fall anchored herself, holding her hands in front of herself as she closed her eyes.

"Cinder."

A light breeze flew through Falls hair, making her skin prickle. She didn't flinch.

"Cinder."

She felt the presence begin to flicker and form before her. A black silhouette that protested against substance and vanished once more. Fall grunted as she latched herself into the fleeing spirit. She couldn't stop it yet, but she could slow it. And the more it fought the more it fed life to itself.

And so, fall focused, taking the memories of Ella's life, of Cinders life. The anger, pain, the bitterness and fear that had shaped and moulded her into the woman she was now. The woman Salem had taken, fanned the flames of the worst parts of her and abandoned to death.

"Cinder Fall."

Cinders eyes shot open and she let out a choked gasp, like a new-born taking their first breaths. A cold hand that had been touching her arm clenched in shock and without thinking, Cinder lashed out, knocking the body flying.

It landed on the floor with a cry of fright and pain and belatedly Cinder recognised it as a boy startled cry. Anger, guilt, pain and fear swelled within her. All of it and none of it hers.

She grasped at her head as ice cold agony shot through it. She tried to stand but instead she leant on her missing arm and clattered off the bed.

Voices swirled around her, a maelstrom of shouting that threatened to overwhelm her. They were too loud and too numerous. She couldn't understand them. She didn't want to understand them and above all she just wanted to stop feeling all of this.

"What did you do to me?" Cinder muttered. "What have you done?"

The cacophony suddenly ceased, and Cinder found herself sitting in the field once more.

"I brought you back," Fall said, pityingly. Cinder hated that most of all. "You had fallen deep inside yourself, your soul scattering. To find you I needed to know you."

Gritting her teeth, Cinder said nothing as her fury grew.

"You had no right to do that."

"No right?" Amber said. She appeared before them, her voice a mixture of disdain and curiosity. "When have you ever cared for right Cinder? You have always just taken what you want."

"Shut. Up."

Amber ignored her hiss of a threat turning to Fall.

"What did you see?"

Hope swelled in Cinder. Amber didn't see it. She didn't know. No one did. Only Fall. Still one too many but- No hope was for fools. Fall knew so soon everyone would. Her deepest shame was known to them now.

"It doesn't matter Amber."

"Doesn't matter?"

"Would it change anything for you," Fall replied wearily. "What could I tell you that would change your opinion of her? It won't help Amber, so leave it be. Please."

Amber stared at Fall for a long quiet minute before nodding. Stopping only to give Cinder one last disgusted look, she turned and vanished with a step. Fall watched her go, releasing a burden as Cinder felt the voices lessen their intensity.

It was enough to give her strength and she pushed to her feet to slam into Fall. It must have been a long time since she had been assaulted this way, if it had ever happened at all for Fall gave no resistance save a startled noise.

They hit the golden wheat together rolling quickly but when Cinder finally came atop her, straddling her waist ready to bring her fists down, Fall vanished. Breathing heavily, Cinder looked around to find Fall standing once more without a hair out of place, like Cinders efforts had meant nothing at all.

"Let it go Cinder," she said softly but firmly. "You don't need this anger, its-"

She didn't want to listen to Fall. Cinder snarled and pushed her mind away from the fields and back to reality. Falls lecture was cut off mid sentence but far from silence, the pounding of voices began again. The sudden force of it almost drove consciousness from her but Cinder pushed through it and rose to her feet.

The room was empty, a bucket of warm washing water on its side next to her. She'd been lying on a table rather than a bed, in some sort of lesser hall. The door was flung open, left there in haste and she stalked heavily towards it.

Her body ached but she dulled it with fury, and she pushed her aura into healing. She felt it flicker and strain at the effort, but Cinder clenched her fist. She stared at it darkly as the gold shimmered until her will alone force it to still.

"Stop." Cinder turned to see a man from the village hurrying towards her. "You shouldn't be-"

Wait!

The voice cut through the rabble in her head even as she moved towards the man. It didn't stop her, but suddenly she felt a force pushing against her. Her palm still struck his chest knocking him to the floor with more than a little force.

"If you try to command me again," Cinder warned. "I'll do much more than that."

"I didn't mean-"

"Not you."

Leaving the man on the ground, Cinder turned away as she made to leave. The voices didn't quite calm, but one seemed to pierce it.

You were going to hurt him.

Yes

I won't let you do that. Not again.

Pyrrha's voice was quiet but firm resolve filled it. The righteousness shone from her and it burned the fires of Cinders anger even hotter.

Won't let me?

A pause.

No

Cinder calm down

Falls voice

You're really this petty?

Amber

I won't let you take anymore from me

Pyrrha again

Cinder

Cinder

Cinder

Ella

Cinder

Cinder

"Cinder."

It took a moment for Cinder to realise the last call had been spoken aloud. She turned to find Kiron following after her. Behind her and at a distance, a small crowd stood, fearing to come closer. The man from before stood among them.

"Cowards," she muttered. "Really they send an old woman in their place."

"No one sends me anywhere I don't want to go Cinder," Kiron replied shortly. "What is the matter with you?"

"Nothing is the matter with me. This is what I have always been."

"Well you've never been stupid, not since I've known you." She continued before Cinder could protest. "You should be resting. You've been out for days after not taking a scratch from the attack. I've never seen an aura like yours and now you look like you have murder in your eyes."

"Because I do. You have a bandit problem don't you. Fortunately for you, I have unfinished business with the Branwen Tribe."

"You can't mean to go alone."

Cinder you need to stop. Falls voice spoke urgently even as it fought to stay calm. Kiron is right. You are in no state to be going anywhere.

What are you going to protest me killing bandits now?

This is not about -

"Like you said Kiron. The bandits are of no threat to me."

"And if you pass out again?"

The mention of her weakness cracked through her and Cinder felt herself harden. She could practically feel Fall reach out, like some had grabbed at her shoulder and missed.

"Do you know what happened at Beacon?"

The words came suddenly from her and she was rewarded with a jolt of fear from Pyrrha and Kiron's face going blank. The cacophony in her head suddenly went silent, like they stood atop a cliff, ready to jump or be pushed and Cinder pressed her advantage.

"To Pyrrha, your granddaughter?"

She kept her voice light and easy as though they were discussing nothing of consequence. It was something Salem had taught her.

"She died," Kiron said. "A lot of people fell to Grimm that day."

"I'm sure they did but usually Grimm leave bodies. Your family didn't get that did you?"

Kiron was silent and Pyrrha voice whispered in the silence.

Please don't.

"I killed her. She begged and she pleaded for her life. I cut her throat and watched as she choked on her blood. In panic and agony, I watched her die. Then I burned her because she got in my way."

She waited only a moment, making sure she saw all the grief on Kiron's stricken face. She made sure Pyrrha saw it too and then she turned away and pushed her way out of the hall.

She expected an attack, some foolish attack, like Jaune had assaulted her at Haven but none came. Just silence. Cinder was aware of the woman standing behind her, but she just stood there as Cinder walked away.

And what did that help Cinder. Fall said softly. I know it didn't make you feel any better. What did it help?

Cinder didn't answer.