Janis had been looking forward to the party, and had been quite enjoying herself until it turned into more of a nightmare than a pleasant distraction. It wasn't the first time she'd celebrated Christmas with the Hive, of course, she'd been with them for a few years now. But it was still fun, especially since she was spending the holiday with Kiara, and June and the others.

Now it seemed like she'd overlooked enemy activity right inside the royal palace. And Robin, sweet little Robin Luis who liked to tug on her hair and had just started pronouncing her name properly and always wanted to be lifted and spun around by her, was poisoned and seriously hurt.

Janis didn't have children, of course, but the little Cernlian prince was basically her brother-in-law, or honestly closer to a stepson. With the age difference and their father exiled (not without good reason, but still), she knew Kiara was more like another mother to him. No wonder Kiara was so pale right now, and she knew only her queenly composure managed to prevent her from shouting or throwing things at people — or storming off to see him right now and stay there.

"Uh, Janis?" Ira's voice ripped her from her brief contemplation. "Your hair is starting to set that shawl on fire — and isn't that charge hurting you?"

Janis glanced down, and irritatedly tugged the silk shawl she'd donned to fit the season off. It wasn't on fire, it didn't burn that easily, but it was smoldering. She ignored the pricks of pain she felt at the slight electrical charge gathering around her. She was wearing her crown, but the silver still held up, and she really didn't care right now. An impression through the psychic link from Ira showed that her eyes were basically sparking right now; they'd been compared to the sky endlessly, but right now that sky was filled with thunder and lightning.

She also ignored the people nearby backing away from her. In her current state of mind, a part of her just wanted to hurl fire at them. If they hadn't gathered here, she could rush off to see the kid and help find whoever hurt him and the young drones. Unfortunately, while Regina had ordered the palace put on a security lockdown, someone of authority needed to manage the situation here at the party and make sure the important guests didn't panic or cause problems. Or try to disappear if one of them was connected.

Normally, Janis could pass for human easily enough, some minor peculiarities to her appearance aside. But there were times she felt the monsterblood rise to the surface; a dark — but not necessarily evil — side to her, a different slant to her mindset, instincts and perspective that didn't quite fit how a human might have reacted. It had grown more pronounced as she gained in Levels and magic and expressed her elemental heritage more obviously. It was always there, of course, manifested in minor things like an inclination to be possessive, territorial, or restless, but sometimes it was stronger. Or maybe she was just making up excuses for her temper … but she didn't think that was all there was to it.

"Please remain calm," she said, keeping her voice firm and commanding and infusing it with a bit of mana, so her words boomed around the large room. "The palace is locked down for security reasons. We have no reason to believe any of you are in danger, but it is safest for all of you to stay put here. You will be informed when the lockdown is lifted or you are allowed to go home. Do not take any of the food and drinks until they have been cleared."

The crowd had already gotten agitated, and some people were not so subtly angling for the doors. But the announcement seemed to help them settle down. Maybe it was just intimidation, but she didn't care.

She didn't actually think the food would be poisoned, but they needed to be sure. A lot of people had already eaten, and some of them definitely had poison detection Skills or something similar. There were nobles and court officials present, after all, and even some drones specializing as healers had them. It did raise the question of how they'd transmitted their actual poison. Maybe Robin had just picked up something he shouldn't have — little kids liked to put things in their mouth, after all — maybe it was something specifically targeted at Hivekind and humans wouldn't be as affected or even notice normally, a small child was just more vulnerable? Or maybe she had it backwards and they'd deliberately targeted him.

Janis mentally reached out to Regina. She bounced back, though, as Regina was too focused on her current task — she'd sent something back, but it was like putting up a sign or message saying 'later, unavailable right now', except not in words, and clearly not consciously. She really was the best at psychic stuff, even able to do things like that.

Instead, Janis focused on June. She was also focused, but clearly a bit more open to contact. Hey, she greeted her, have you found anything? What's the situation?

I think I'd find more if people would leave me alone, June responded, then sighed. Sorry, not your fault, and I'm not even sure that's true. I've been trying to look for anyone suspicious, but it's not going well so far.

Sorry.

It's fine. At least Robin is out of danger. Regina is still monitoring him and the others. If you want to help, talk to the drones trying to trace the food and who might have used poison.

I will. Also, I'm going to let Kiara go see him now, the guests are calm enough for now.

Do that. I'm sure Mother will be happy to see her, she could use the reassurance.

Janis looked at Kiara. It didn't take long, and they only had to exchange a single glance for both of them to know what the other was thinking. Kiara nodded in thanks, then turned to say something to Margaret and Sir Willard. Then she left and Janis focused back on her surroundings for the moment.

The queen's departure caused a bit of a stir, but it was muted, thankfully. Janis paced up and down one side of the hall, while Ira and Jay, who'd stuck to her side, made sure no one approached her. She watched the gathered guests. Many of them were drones, who were waiting calmly, most of them talking in the psychic link to each other and others outside, offering to help. They could be let out, but it was better to leave them here unless they were needed for now. Janis noted several Delvers and military officers whose composure was a bit lacking and made mental notes to have a talk with them later, but also a few administrators who stayed admirably calm. Some people even managed to get on with the party, despite the tense atmosphere.

Janis focused on the other drones in the palace for now. The guards were out in force, unsurprisingly. They were coordinating with the human members of the Star Guard, but the drones were also talking to each other a lot. She checked on the younger ones who had been affected. Currently, several other healers were with them, trying to document their symptoms extensively, making mental notes and storing information in the psychic link with the help of Jem, who was in Forest's Haunt but still helping over the psychic link. Then they started to heal the young drones and documented that, too.

Via contacted her after silently watching for a few minutes. It's fine for now, they're out of danger, she said, jumping right into it.

Thanks, Via, Janis replied. That's good to know. Any clues so far? Do you have any idea what happened?

Via was quiet for a bit. I don't like this, Janis, she finally said. It's definitely not food poisoning. That means someone must have deliberately harmed them, even if I don't know how exactly.

So you don't recognize the poison used. Assuming it was actual poison and not something else.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Via pulled a face and sent the mental equivalent of a shrug. No, it's not something I've encountered before. However good I might be at healing injuries, we've only been around for a short time. There's bound to be some things we just haven't encountered.

I understand, Janis replied. The Cernlian royal physicians have been called in, right?

They're consulting, Via affirmed. But to be honest, ever since the Empire's founding they had been kind of sidelined. The old court physician already retired and I have no idea where he is. I'm not sure how much help we can get from them.

Janis grimaced. Regina was clearly an unparalleled doctor in the current time and place, and she'd been teaching others, especially drones, but perhaps they'd traded some other things for that without realizing it.

The both of them stayed quiet for a bit, and she could tell they were thinking similar things.

This doesn't bode well, Janis, Via said. Most of us have higher Con stats, these drones are barely more than hatchlings. It makes sense that they'd be affected. Maybe others were also exposed to whatever this is but simply didn't even notice. And that's the other thing, too. What if it was deliberate? What if whoever is behind this is testing, to find something that hurts us?

I know, Janis replied quietly. She'd had the same thoughts. I suppose for now we can only thoroughly check everything. And every drone who might've also been affected. In the meantime, I'll make sure the kitchens and the cooks are thoroughly investigated.

There was nothing more to say, and they ended the conversation there with Via refocusing on the patients.

Some guards had already started interrogating people working in the kitchens. Janis supervised them via the psychic link for a bit, trying to get an overview of the situation. But she couldn't shake the thought that they wouldn't find anything. That would be too easy. Whoever had done this clearly would've known there'd be an investigation, they had to have done at least something to cover their tracks.

It really would be easier if she knew what they wanted.

The next hour or so passed quietly but tensely. Janis occasionally paced up and down the room and reluctantly gave in to the pressure to talk to people. She tried to reassure them and cut off their complaining when that didn't work. She also kept up with the investigation.

Not that it was going anywhere, yet. They were interrogating the people involved in preparing food and testing the kitchens and food stores, but she knew most of the guards didn't really know what they were looking for. A few of the healers with better skills were sent to join them, but they were stretched thin. Meanwhile, Max was going through the records of everyone who entered the palace trying to find unauthorized entries. Janis didn't think he'd have much luck, at least not quickly, but it was probably necessary.

Finally, June reappeared at the main hall where they were, or had been, hosting the party. Her entrance caused a bit of a stir, although she kept to the edges of the room and headed directly to where Janis stood with a few of the others. June didn't look good, she noticed. She was pale, had clearly been sweating, and walked almost unsteadily.

"Are you alright?" Janis asked quietly as she reached them, resisting the urge to reach out a hand and steady her.

June nodded. "Just stretching my psychic muscles," she said. "I'm fine. Though Regina made me take a break. I thought I'd come and relieve you. We can switch."

Janis paused. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. Go check on Robin. And the drones, of course. We've got this. Right, Tim?"

Tim had come up beside them and now nodded seriously.

"Alright," Janis agreed. "Thanks."

She didn't let herself be bid twice, and turned to head to the other wing. But as she almost reached the doors, she paused and turned to look again.

A group of young people were inching towards the back exit. She recognized them as some of those orbiting around Kiara, which was how they must have been invited; Margaret's friends, though she didn't think they could be called Kiara's friends. Frowning, Janis raised a hand, focused her mana, and sent a spell across the room.

A wall of fire appeared in front of the door, causing a few people to yelp. One young lady had been close enough she might have been a little singed; she scrambled backwards a few steps.

"The next person who attempts to leave unauthorized will be chained up and relocated to the cells," Janis called, projecting her voice around the room again. "Or possibly sent out through the window instead."

They were several stories up; that wouldn't be pleasant. But Janis ignored their stares and didn't wait around. Instead she turned and resumed walking, leaving through the other door, as she let the flames dissipate. Keeping them from affecting the wood was an interesting exercise, but there was no point wasting mana.

She quickly checked on the younger drones first, who seemed to be in good spirits, all things considered. One of the senior healers ushered her out after a few minutes, and she went to check on the Lyns family instead.

Regina was still sticking around, presumably to monitor her little patient. Kiara and Florance were sitting together close by. Her girlfriend jumped up when Janis entered and they shared a quick but heartfelt hug.

"How is it going?" she asked.

"He's out of danger," Regina reported absentmindedly. "I'm mostly monitoring now."

"We do need to make sure we check everyone properly," Via added. Janis knew she'd been in and out of this room and other areas of the palace. Right now, she slumped in a nearby chair.

"Can I take a look?" Janis asked, then stepped closer as they waved permission. She carefully took the boy's hand, thankful that he seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep.

Healing magic wasn't her specialty, but that didn't mean she was bad at it, either. Of course, right now she didn't really see much. Regina's healing had probably covered the most egregious signs of what had been affecting him.

Janis removed her hand, suppressing a sigh, and took a step back. She caught Via's eyes, who was staring pretty vacantly into the distance, but then refocused. Over the psychic link, Janis could sense her sudden spike of interest.

Regina seemed to be pulled out of whatever she was doing as well. She blinked, then turned to look at Janis and frowned. "Via, is it just me or …?"

"I think so, my Queen."

Regina stepped over to Janis, extending a hand. "Let me examine you, please."

Janis raised an eyebrow, her heart beating quicker, and grasped Regina's hand. She felt a minor tingle as her sister's mana swept into her body, just the barest of touches.

"Shit," she cursed softly. "Have you been feeling unwell at all recently, Janis? And Via, please check her as well."

Janis offered her other hand to Via without complaint. "Not really. I had a bit of a headache yesterday and this morning, but that's not too strange. And I've been feeling tired, but I thought that was just that I didn't get enough sleep. Do you think I've been poisoned as well?"

"Almost certainly," Regina said. "It's hard to get the details; this isn't like a toxin I'm familiar with …"

"It must be a magical poison," Via added.

Regina nodded, continuing. "But I can sense traces. I'll spare you the technical details for now, but your intestinal walls seem somewhat affected, your lungs are mostly fine but your blood vessels are not quite dilated as far as they should be, and you have a slightly elevated temperature, and your blood cells … yes, you might have been fighting off a minor infection, but that's clearly not the actual issue."

Kiara stepped up beside Janis, crowding close to her. "Is she in any danger?"

"Janis is fine." Regina shook her head. "Her body clearly handled it just fine. Which is interesting, as a point of comparison."

Janis grimaced. They tried to poison me? That was not exactly a comforting thought.

"Why did I fight it off so easily, not even noticing, when others are much worse off?" Janis asked. "Did I get less of the poison?"

Regina exchanged a glance with Via. "That's possible, but I think there are other factors," Via spoke up. "Your Con stat is considerably higher, for one, that makes you somewhat more resilient."

Janis nodded. Her Con was at 21, much lower than her magic-related Stats but still higher than Regina's. She did get two stat points every other level from her Archmage Class. Compared to young drones with Levels in the single digits, of course it was higher.

"The other possibility is that your innate magic helped," Via said. "This is clearly using mana in some form. Hivekind might also be magical, but I don't think it's in the same way —"

"Hivekind can survive without mana," Regina interjected. "Elementals clearly can't, I'm not sure about demihumans with elemental blood."

"Yes, there's that," Via agreed.

"So, it probably wasn't just some kind of test," Regina said, her expression visibly darkening. Along with her presence in the psychic link. "Whoever did this clearly meant for you to die."

Janis swallowed hard and breathed out sharply. She tried to calm herself. She felt Regina's anger, restrained for the moment, and it called to her own. But she couldn't afford to get lost in it, and neither could Regina.

Or Kiara, whose grip on her arm was tightening painfully right now. "Whoever tried this will rue the day they made the attempt!"

"Yes, they will," Regina replied with icy quiet, frozen rage matching the feeling of her mind in the psychic link.

Florance cleared her throat. "I quite agree," she said diplomatically. "But I find it quite suspicious that both the Empress' cherished heir and the queen's beloved little brother, who is also expected by some to be her heir, were targeted."

Janis exchanged a look with Kiara. "Maybe someone wanted both of you hurt and angry," she suggested quietly.

And even with just an attempt, they'd clearly succeeded partly in that aim. Though she was rather relieved to be alive and unaffected.

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