Fifer knew she had to be cautious. Frieda had mistakenly assumed she was out of components, which was what Fifer had wanted her to think. But Fifer wasn’t sure if Frieda had many left, so she did some calculations in her head. The woman must have filled her pockets with sledgehammer components in order to release so many. Was she out of components? But then there was the head mage robe, which had pockets too. She could carry a lot of ammunition. Could Frieda have burned through all the components in her vest and the robe? It was hard to say, since Fifer hadn’t seen the sledgehammer component before and didn’t know its size in component form.

She recalled what Thisbe had whispered to her a few moments ago, about people like Frieda accusing their enemies of the very crimes they’d committed. Did that work for the situations they were in, too? Was Frieda accusing Fifer of being out of components because that was Frieda’s way of foolishly telling Fifer that she was the one who was out? Fifer couldn’t possibly know. But she didn’t want to waste this opportunity. Who knew what would happen when Frieda discovered she was visible now. Fifer stepped out farther from behind the broken bannister, being careful not to reach for any components.

Simber saw her empty hands and growled a warning, but Fifer pretended not to hear him.

“Climb down, Frieda,” Fifer said. “Let’s talk this through. I’m sure we can come together and figure out a way to end this standoff and free our friends from the remote rooms. Maybe you didn’t intend to put them in such danger—if not, let’s figure it out.”

“Let them die there,” said Frieda coldly, almost fully visible now but still not realizing it. “Then all I have to get rid of is your sister and you, and Artimé will be at peace again.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out another scatterclip, turning it in front of her and letting the metal glint in the mansion light.

“You want all of those people in the remote rooms to die?” said Fifer loudly, hoping the penned prisoners were hearing all of this. “Are you really okay with that many deaths on your hands? I’m not sure the people of Artimé want that. Those trapped people are our most skilled fighters! They’re our friends and relatives. They’re the ones who have made sacrifices to save Artimé time and time again while people like you get to hide in your rooms. Without them, Artimé is vulnerable… especially if the Revinir comes back.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Frieda said. “The Revinir is afraid of me. And if I get rid of you, she won’t have any reason to come back.”

“Maybe,” said Fifer. “Or maybe she was afraid of you when she knew you had a notoriously powerful group of fighters behind you. Remember, she’s fought us before, and we beat her. Who knows what she’ll think when she gets word that you’ve left your best fighters to die. She’s more power hungry than you. If you think she’s not going to come back to take over this island, you’re dead wrong.”