Quintessa breezed into the set, pushing open the door to the makeup room where a group of actresses


    were chatting andughing. Theirughter came to an abrupt halt at the sight of her. Quintessa


    sauntered in, "Wow, quite the party in here. You all seem in high spirits."


    Manny followed, chin up, throwing daggers with his eyes at the group.


    On the way over, he had spilled everything to Quintessa about what he overheard Crystal and Leona


    saying the day before. He figured, since Quinn was already onto them, there was no point in keeping


    secrets.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Manny pulled out a chair for Quintessa, and she sat down, "Hmm, seems like yesterday''s sunbathing


    did you all a world of good."


    Crystal, pale as a ghost, stood up, "Quinn."


    She started, looking so pitiful and on the verge of tears, but Quintessa cut her off, "Stop, I''m not


    someone close to you, so don''t get it twisted. Weren''t you the ones calling me a lowlife behind my


    back? That term''s not too far from a witch, is it?"


    Crystal''s face went even paler, and she swayed, "How could you say that?"


    Leona pulled her down, "Crystal, don''t waste your breath on her. Let''s see how long she can keep up


    her arrogance."


    Quintessa scoffed, "How long I stay bold is none of your business. You''d do better to worry about


    yourself. I''m not one to take things lying down. Cross me, and you''d better hope I won''t figure it out;


    otherwise.'' Quintessa chuckled darkly, leaving the threat hanging. Manny knew the unspoken end of


    that sentence was - she''d make them regret it.


    Leona''s face lost a shade of color as she remembered Tyler, pulling Crystal, "Come on, let''s not bother


    with her. It''s our turn on set."


    The group left, none wanting to stay around Quintessa any longer.


    Once alone, Quintessa told Manny, "Go to the props room and get me a couple of sewing needles."


    Manny, puzzled, was met with Quintessa''s urging, "Just go."


    When Manny left, Quintessa took a bottle, walked over to their makeup table, and poured something


    into one of the makeup removers.


    Soon, Manny returned with a handful of needles. Quintessa curled up her lips, "Did you raid the entire


    props room?"


    Manny chuckled.


    "I''ve got a task for you."


    "Sure, Quinn, just say the word."


    Quintessa now dressed for her scene, was Queen Seraphina, who had been cooped up and was now


    facing the mockery of the courtdies, including those yed by Leona and Crystal.


    Quintessa shook out her hands, ready for the fight scene.


    "Action!" The director called. Quintessa, in her in dress, her hair bereft of any ornaments, radiated a


    deste elegance,pletely ignoring the provocations before her.


    "You still think you''re the noble


    queen, huh? Amoner like you


    el


    has no right to show us disdain," Leona sneered, relishing the moment. She and Crystal had


    nned to use this scene to put


    Quintessa in her ce once more.


    "Today, let''s give her a proper wee," Leona said, lunging forward. But before she could reach


    Quintessa, she stumbled and fell.


    Leona gritted her teeth, signaling


    Crystal. They and a few others rushed Quintessa. But in the next moment Crystal and Leona screamed


    in pain, pinned down on the ground. Quintessa''s lips curled into a wicked smile, thinking, "I''ve always


    loved a good braw."