"MR. GRIFFIN! I NEED TO SPEAK WITH YOU!" I bang on the rickety door of Griffin's Art Livin. "MR. GRIFFIN, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD COME OUT TO TA—

"What is all this racket. You're going to wake up the neighbors." Mr. Griffin walks out striped pajamas, the cotton looking old and frayed. He rubs his eyes, squinting them in the darkness.

"What neighbors, Mr. Griffin?" His eyes un-squint to roll in annoyance.

"Is this about what I think it is?"

I look him up and down. "I don't know. When exactly were you planning on telling me that this slave mark is practically a death sentence?"

He takes a deep breath while rubbing his face once again. "I knew you would come back here eventually. I just had hoped it wouldn't be one a.m." He sighs dramatically as he gestures inside. "Come on in."

I step carefully into his shack being mindful of my step. Knowing my luck, I would knock over a whole bunch of glass bottles in the dark. Mr. Griffin fixes that problem quickly, turning on the stain-glass lamp on his side table. He sits down on a cushion that seemed to be charred around the edges.

"I'm assuming you read the pages I bookmarked," he states gruffly.

"How much does Lucy know?" I counter.

He leans back in his cushion. "Lucy is a smart girl. I must say I don't know the extent of her knowledge when it comes to slave marks. She probably knows what Lumbridge wants her to know about it."

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you implying the king and queen are lying about the slave mark?"

"Not implying. I know that they're keeping it a secret." I guess my face showed my disgust because he quickly throws his hands up with stopping me. "You must understand. It was only a few years ago Lumbridge ever had to worry about anything like this. Some things are best kept from civilians. The last thing they need is an uproar from their own people."

"So, they fabricated a story about slave marks? What does everyone else know?" I pick at my nails absentmindedly.

"They think of the slave mark as a more literal "slave mark." They believe that if that mark shows up on them, they must serve whoever placed this "curse" upon them. But before you ask, no. They know nothing of what the actual curse carries."

"Has anyone in Lumbridge ever gotten a slave mark?"

He sighs, but this time it is not from sleepiness, but a whole different tiredness. "Only one," he says.

"What happened to them?" I whisper.

"He almost died..."

A shiver runs down my spine as my heart skips a beat. No. This can't be our fate. "...But...?"

He goes on. "It was a close call. I don't think most could have gotten out of that situation.

A heavy silence falls over us. Only the chirping of nighttime critters can be heard. "What was the cure?" I ask. "How did he escape?"

"I... I'm still not quite sure."

I nod my head letting reality sink in. I have been stupid to think that Lumbridge was some fairytale. I've been a fool to think that I could escape all my troubles by living in some castle, because the truth is there is no escaping reality.

"But there is hope. Right?" I ask hesitantly.

He gets up and faces the wall of all his ingredients turning his back to me. "There has to be."

I let that sink in. "The tests... did you find anything?"

His shoulders slump. "Do you want me to be honest, Zaria."

"Yes," I say firmly.

"I have no idea. The runes that presented themselves inside Lucy's blood sample are ancient runes I have never seen before. I am of no use."

I get up and walk over towards him. "Don't say that." I look around his shack at all the book that are lined in disorganized chaos. "There's got to be something in all of these book that hints at something. Even if you are not totally sure about a rune. A clue. A nudge. Something. Anything can help."

He stayed silent looking at all the bottled herbs and ready-made potions. I try again. "Certainly, I can assist you in research. I've gotten quite good at it since I've lived here."

He shakes his head, but this time there is a slight smile on his face. I wait for him to say something, but it's not what I expect."

"You sound just like my daughter."

I give a slight smile not knowing what to say. I don't have to wait too long before he starts speaking again.

"I'm afraid you cannot stay here and help."

"Why not?" My eyes start to dart all over his shack. "Look, I'm sorry if I made you angry barging in as late as I did tonight. I really am just worried about Lucy... and Crista... I don't know what to do or how to help them." I look in his eyes. "Mr. Griffin," I plead. "Tell me what to do."

His eyebrows narrow, his jaw tightening. "I have given you the answer." He walks towards the door. "Follow the mark. It will show you what you need to know." He opens the door. It squeaks just like it has done every time, but this time it makes my skin prick.

"But—

"I will continue my research, but Zaria, you must do this. Following that mark could be their only hope."

"I don't even know where to start. What is that crow even supposed to mean. What if this is just some stupid mind trick?"

He holds the door knob firmly in his grasp. "Then I suggest you get started. Goodnight."

I walk out of his shack with my head down and mount Stella as quickly as I can."

"Get back safely," I hear him mutter under his breath.

I nod, pull the reins, and let the cool wind shock my face.

***

"You were up early this morning," Axil shouts as our swords clang together.

"Didn't get much sleep." I respond grunting as my wrist gives out. I shake it, pausing our duel.

"You're not striking with your core."

I smirk. "Now look who's giving sparing advice."

He smiles. "I did learn from the best. Although, she seems to be very distracted. Nightmares?"

"No. Not this time." I drop my sword limp in my hand. "You know, ever since we let John out for questioning, I haven't had any nightmares or heard any whispering."

"I thought we agreed that the whispers were from Eden, not John," he says like a question. "Unless, you don't think that anymore."

I try to think all of it through. Try to think as Eden would. A plan so simple its complicated. Something that's right in front of my face, yet too close to make out.

"I don't know what to think anymore. To be honest, I'm just taking everything day to day."

He chuckles. "I know exactly how you feel. Father has been making me read through all our kingdom's history, rules and regulations, military regimen, do you want me to keep going?"

"Let's go back to dueling," I say shaking out my arm.

He chuckles again, "That's what I thought."

We fight for a while until he knows he's advancing over me. Seriously, how distracted am I?

"So, where did you ride off to last night?"

At that, I drop my sword. We both watch as it clamors to the ground. I go to speak but—

"Please, don't lie to me."

"You don't want to hear the truth."

"I'd rather hear the truth than have you lie to my face," he says earnestly. "I saw you leave out my window. You were gone for an hour. I started to worry."

I sigh, letting the weight of my shoulders drop. Lowering my voice, I tell him the truth. "I had to ride back to see Mr. Griffin. I found something in the book that he gave me and I needed him to answer some questions."

"In the middle of the night?" he says a bit disturbed. "Couldn't it have waited till morning?"

"What were you doing up so late?" I ask.

Brushing it off, he shakes his head. "Not important."

I can't meet his eyes, instead I look at anything and everything else. He sheaths his sword against his side and places his hand on my shoulder.

"What did you find?"

The truth is, I didn't want to tell him. Because if I told him he would order me to stay away from all of this; to stop playing detective and trust the he will take care of things. I didn't want to tell him that there was a possibility that his sister could be slowly dying at this very moment. I didn't want to tell him that Mr. Griffin has no idea how to help her and that I have no idea where to start in trying to help either, but I did. I told him everything that happened yesterday with Lucy and Mr. Griffin. I told him about our suspicions that Crista was marked too. I watch as his eyes dart back and forth between mine. I can see the anxiety building in him; a dark haze of black swirling around him heavy and ominous. One stress on top of the other. Soon, it will be too much.

His face is full of horror, but his voice remains steady. "This, changes things."

He starts out of the room before looking back and shouting, "Thank you! I'll meet you later!"

I'm left frozen, confused. I've been doing that often. I pick up my sword after I can no longer hear his footsteps and carry it back to my room. I stop to look around. I still haven't made this room mine. Nothing on the walls. All my clothes neatly folded and hung in the closet. The few books I brought from Flesherg sit dusty on the shelves. There hasn't been any time for fairytales lately. The only other things that marks this room is the photo of mine and Crista's moms and her necklace both sitting on the vanity.

I tuck the sword under my bed and sit down on the mattress. What to do? What to do? Think! I command myself. There is something I am missing. I just have to take a step back.

I spring up and dig in my desk for some parchment and a pen. Just write it out. Get everything on paper.

I let my pen control me, not really thinking of anything particular or planning any organization. I just let myself word-vomit onto this piece of parchment everything that has happened since the beginning, hoping that when I read it over again something will make sense.

1.) The voices are Eden, not John ??

2.) John is in a cell guarded by blood magic and is refusing to talk

3.) Crows. What do they crows mean?

4.) Crista and Mika are refusing to involve themselves

5.) Crista is having nightmares involving John

6.) Lucy has a possible slave mark branded on her

7.) Crista as well?

8.) The extinction symbol was sent to out kingdom

Then I made a list of things I know about Eden specifically:

1.) Eden took Crista's magic and put it inside me

2.) Resurrected our mothers (whom she killed) willingly

3.) She made them watch Crista in pain

4.) Broke into John's head and has been communicating with him ever since ??

5.) Almost successfully took over Lumbridge

6.) Has taunted me from the beginning and told me I wouldn't be able to control myself

7.) Power hungry and will do anything for people to follow her

8.) Possible telepathy with not just Crista and I

She wants something we have or something that she knows we will lead her to. But what? What does she want so bad? And, how did she even get the Lucy's DNA for the slave mark in the first place? If it even is a slave mark... but what else could it be? I'm not taking any chances.

"Wacha working on?"

Crista barges into my room in her usual purple dress and bouncy curls that lays down her back today. She leans over my shoulder looking at my writing.

"What is this?" She puts her hand over her mouth. "Oh my gosh. Are we doing that thing in the mystery stories with the red string, and we cut out a whole bunch of pictures and make a big mess that only makes sense to us?"

"No, we are not—

"This is so exciting. Please tell me we are making a board."

"No!" I say again. My annoyance catches up to me. "And since when are you interested? I thought you weren't helping us."

"I know. I know," she says rolling her eyes. "You didn't have to write about it. You're making me sound awful."

My heart starts to beat faster. "How much did you read?"

"Enough," she says, dramatically crossing her arms over her chest. "Enough to know that you think I have a slave mark."

I wince. "Is it true?"

Her face falls, all of her theatric gone. "I don't know," she admits.

I never know how she is able to do it. Go back and forth between emotions so quickly. She never let the pain get to her. Maybe that's why I'm so worried. Seeing Crista mopey is like seeing a rainbow in black and white.

"Is that why you're here?" I ask. I don't know if it was my frustration or pride that made me say it, but I couldn't help myself. "You want to know what's going on because now you have consequences?"

"Ouch," she says, but not at all annoyed. "Look, I'm really sorry for shutting you guys out and I'm sorry for what I said in the Tea Room. I was playing dirty and it wasn't fair."

I tilt my head up at her, pursing my lips.

"... And I'll apologize to the rest of the group. I just didn't want to betray my mother, but I talked to her."

"And?"

"And, she not happy about it, but she said it was my decision," her voice rises as she squints her face. "So, here I am," she asks almost in a question.

I feel myself breathe a little easier just having her here. I still decided to tease... just for a bit. "I don't know. You were pretty rude. And we're doing fine on our own," I say smirking.

"Oh, come on!" she laughs. "You guys are a disaster without me," she says punching my arm.

"Ow!" I shout clutching my arm, laughing.

"I missed you guys." She nervously hugs herself. I

I sigh. Not out of worry or despair, but relief. I smile. "I missed you too.

She wraps her arms around me and hugs me. He familiar scent of orange and amber. I feel her relax as I hold onto her a little longer.

"So, no red string?" she whispers in my ear.