Goodbyes were exhausting.

That was what Emma told herself as she rested her head against the glass of the car window and closed her eyes.

Goodbyes were exhausting. Her eyes were prickling because she was tired. The lump in her throat was there because she hadn't eaten. Her nose was stuffy because... because she was sick?

No. She exhaled through her nose. Might as well face it. It was because she was about to cry. She missed those kids already. And Cristina, and Mark... but she couldn't cry.

She turned her head towards Julian, and asked, "Where will we be entering the Fae lands?"

"We'll take the same entrance as last time. I have something to bribe the phouka there with. He won't tell."

"Are you sure?" she peered at him curiously. "We can't let anybody know we're there."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Don't worry. It'll work."

***

Emma's breath quickened as they pulled up to the Gate of Lir, remembering the last time they entered Fae lands. The phouka had told her that she would see the face of someone she loved who was dead. She wondered if the phouka would have any more prophecies for them this time around.

As one, her and Julian exited the car and walked across the solid ocean to meet the Guardian, waiting at the end.

"You again," the phouka said. "Why do you come now?"

"None of your concern," Jules called back. "We just want to cross into the lands of the Fae."

"Just on a whim?" the phouka mused. "a vacation, perhaps? Well-deserved break?"

"None of your concern." Emma hissed. "Name your price, and we'll pay it. Then let us pass."

"Hmm... well, since it is your second time, maybe I'll lower the price. All I'll need..." he paused, likely thinking he'd have a dramatic effect. "All I'll need is a weapon from the both of you."

Emma could see the tension in Julian's shoulders lessen, and she herself loosed a breath she hadn't known she was holding.

'Alright," he said, handing the phouka a knife. Emma turned over one of her daggers.

"Thank you," he accepted the blades gracefully, with the air of someone who knew how to use them. "Emma, a quick word?"

She didn't question that he knew her name. She leaned closer, so he could whisper in her ear.

"Remember, a blade made by Wayland the Smith can cut anything."

She stopped moving.

Where had she heard that?

"A blade made by Wayland the Smith can cut anything."

"Can cut anything."

"Anything..."

Her mother had said it to her, in her dream. But why was the phouka repeating it?

"Why do you tell me this?" She asked. Julian had gone a respectful distance away to let them talk, though by his expression, he wasn't happy about it.

"It is dangerous, in the land of the Fae. Even I cannot predict what might happen to you in there. You must remember those words, and never let that blade out of your sight. Not for a second."

"Why are you helping me?" She asked, suddenly wary that this might be a trick.

"Things are changing," the phouka replied. "In the land of the Fae. It is not safe for anyone anymore. Not even me. And it is all the doings of the Lord of Shadows. Someone must stop him."

And with that, the phouka disappeared into mist.

Julian walked over once seeing the phouka had left. "What did he have to say?" He asked.

"Oh... just some empty threats about what might happen the next time I kill one of his kind," She said with a false smile.

Jules didn't look convinced, but continued walking anyways. Finally, they reached the portal.

The water vortex swirled around and around, rekindling Emma's fear of drowning. Colours blended together into a kaleidoscope of bright hues, until finally, they settled down, depicting a scene of a dark forest. Emma could see a tiny path, overgrown with weeds, making its way through the forest floor. Sunlight was filtered in through the dense leaves on the trees to illuminate small parts of the forest; it was mostly dark.

"Are you ready?" Julian said, looking at her.

Emma took a moment to internally mourn the loss of her runes, of her heightened strength and speed. Then she said, "Yes. Ready when you are."

"Alright." Julian looked ahead into the portal, a look of grim determination on his face. "Let's go."

And together, holding hands, as one, the parabatai ran into the vortex.

A/N: heyyy. Finally some action, huh? And a cliffhanger... haha.