I was contemplating the hundredth way to escape when Daniel walked into the room. About an hour ago, the black-eyed man had given up on convincing me and left with his head bowed.
- How's it going, sweetheart? - I sent him an annoyed look and closed my eyes. He sighed, but without paying attention to my behavior, he continued: - I know that you don't want to see anyone and that you would like to get out of here. You just have to understand something. Everyone needs you right here. We're starting to slowly drift apart. And Adrian is starting to lose himself. - He laughed bitterly. - It's bad for him. He has mood swings and nobody wants to get too close to him. Either he growls at someone every now and then or avoids contact with anyone. With that fracture, you put him out for six months. He was helpless during that time. It turns out that wounds inflicted by mate heal at a snail's pace. I don't know what the connection is, but it came out to be so true. I myself barely escaped your dagger with my life, and we share no bond of destiny. Despite the wounds inflicted upon us, everyone you know was troubled by your disappearance. We finally found you, and we have no intention of giving up. There are two ways out of this situation, but it would be better if you weren't aware of them. - He finished, and my she-wolf started whimpering, because it was our friend Dan after all... I pushed her into the corner of my mind and remained silent. After a while, the only sound spreading through the room was the click of the door closing. I was left alone again. Good. I'm not going to have meaningless chats with anyone.

**********

It's been a week since they dragged me here and I've officially had enough. I want to puke from their nauseating stories of how much they missed me, what they went through while I was gone and yada yada. The complaints are endless. Each of their visits looks the same. They talk and I pretend they're not there. Very creative for exercising my imagination. Fortunately for me and my poor ears, they always give up after about ten minutes. The only people who can sit through an hour here are Daniel and Adrian. With one difference. The former won't shut his mouth and the latter sits and stares, speechless. I'm not sure if he even blinks. I'm not in the mood today for another listen to their wonderful stories. That's why I hope no one shows up, because I swear if I see someone I'm going to come out of myself and beat that person into their empty head that I never want to see their faces again. The only good thing about my involuntary stay here is the food. It's a hell of a lot better than the mush I got a year ago when Edgar kidnapped me. My quiet thoughts, were interrupted by a bunch of people rushing into the room. First came Dad and Aunt Svala with Uncle Torsten and Espen and Kjartan. Seconds later Emily and Daniel entered, Rafael and Nikodem, their parents and grandparents, Max and at the very end Adrian.
- Well, well, well... Who do we have here? All in a bunch today? Aren't you going to take turns? That's too bad. I love your confessions so much. - I've made a mockery of them. My vocal cords, which had not been used for some time, gave a hoarse sound. I didn't care too much, because at my words their grimaced faces gave me the greatest satisfaction of the whole incident. Nobody spoke. It was as silent as it was silent. Suddenly Adrian started to come closer to me. He knelt by my right side and wanted to stroke my cheek with the palm of his hand, but I pushed my head away from it as far as possible. With tears in his eyes, he stood up and leaned over me.
- I'm sorry. - He brought his head close to my ear and whispered that one word. I wanted to look at him, but suddenly I felt a searing pain over my right clavicle. Inside, I screamed because it felt like someone had torn my skin and muscles from my bones without using any anesthetic. Outwardly, however, I didn't even let out a single yelp of hurt. After a while the pain turned into a dull throbbing and I began to have trouble breathing. I felt someone shaking me, but I was already in the land of semi-consciousness. Then darkness appeared in front of my eyes and after that I don't know what happened, because I surrendered to the overwhelming nothingness.

**********

I woke up in the middle of a forest. It was dark, cold and dreary. I got up from the bedding feeling as light as a feather. I looked around and somehow I could tell that I knew this place from somewhere, but I didn't know which church they were ringing the bell at. I looked at the ground and suddenly I knew where I was. This is where my home used to be. This is where I grew up and spent the happiest years of my life. This is where it all began. Now in the distance I can only see the ruins of the old settlement.
- Started here and ending here. - I turned my back because I thought I was alone here. I was a little frightened, I must admit.
- Grandma? Is it really you? - I was confused when I took a closer look at the older woman. Her face and eyes resembled my features. I wasn't sure at this point, however, because I had never met her. She died long before I came into the world, and I never met the family from my dad's side.
- Oh... Dear child... I found that I would adopt this form to make you feel more comfortable talking to me. - I automatically reflexively realized who it was and gently tilted my head to the side, showing respect and submission.
- Goddess Hekate. - Why did the goddess herself bothered to see me and talk to me in person?
- Well asked question. - She admitted and laughed wickedly, while I remained motionless and groaned in spirit. Oh well, what I needed was someone to sit in my head and read my mind.
- Sorry, child. That's my charm. - She winked at me and then got serious in a moment: - You don't know why I brought you here, do you?
- I have absolutely no idea. - I shook my head.
- I myself don't know how to describe this place we're in. The scenery is probably familiar to you, but the place itself... It's like a link between the world of the living and the dead. As the goddess of darkness and supernatural things, I have unlimited access here, which is sometimes useful in situations like this. It is a place of transition. I suspect that if I were not here in person, you might not be able to go back. And you're the one the prophecy was talking about. It would give me no peace if you crossed the bridge right now. It's not time for you yet. - I looked her straight in the eye and asked, curious for an answer:
- What do you mean I wouldn't go back? Can you also explain to me what prophecy you are talking about? - I raised my eyebrow in anticipation.
- You are very brave, not to avoid eye contact with me. Until now, no one has dared to do that yet.
- Someday there has to be a first time. - I said and smiled under my breath. She laughed in a silky voice that sounded like the world's most beautiful melody. - I'm a rather direct person. I don't like to beat around the bush.
- I already like you. But regarding your questions... When your fated one bit you, your heart stopped beating. That's why you're here. Your family had the bright idea to re-mark you to bring back the old version of you. - she said with sarcasm. - Currently, such a bite means only one thing. Death. Marking only works before pairing, so automatically its venom enzymes went into pairing instead of marking. However, when you don't intercourse and you get bitten it ends up like the attached picture. Even if he did not intend to kill you. In terms of prophecy, I can't tell you everything. When you were born my fortune teller predicted the things you would do and you intrigued me right away. That's why you've had a certain... privilege since you were a baby. I won't tell you anything else. It's just a hint. The rest you'll have to find out on your own. - What, I beg your pardon? What am I supposed to do? I think it's some kind of a messed up joke... Where am I supposed to get this information? Pull some old parchment out of my ass? Or roll back and forth a few times and suddenly they will fall from the sky? The woman started laughing at my loose observations.
- I'm sure you can find something in the library. But in the meantime you have to go back to your mate. I wouldn't want him to have a heart attack there...
- Do you see what's going on there?
- Yes. I see the past and present of the whole world. You must go back now, dear child. You have my blessing. I will always come to your aid.
- To the goddess Hekate I make a promise... - I started to speak lowering my gaze, but she surprised me by interrupting me.
- No, don't promise anything. You are too valuable to cloak yourself before me. I like your directness. It's refreshing. From now on you can consider me as your secret friend. I won't be next to you, but I will show up when needed. - She smiled radiantly, walked over to me, and placed her hand on my forearms to seal her blessing. Those spots started to itch really freaking bad, so I raised my hands to eye level and saw black marks that looked like a tattoo. Extending from my fingers to my biceps were branches with leaves that looked like those of a laurel wreath.
- These are divine signs symbolizing my blessing and belonging to my world. From now on no one will dare to harm you. And if they do my world will be your world, joining together to defend you. You are now the only supernatural creature who has the complete providence of my deity. You yourself have many gifts and mysteries that you will learn in the future. All will result from the prophecy. - Heck... what's going on here? I wanted a simple and easy life, and here it turns out I'm some kind of child prodigy. - It's time to leave this place.
- Thank you. Before you send me away, I have one more question for you...