Naomi's eyes flutter open and she looks at Raurlin who is frowning deeply, a look of shame on his face. Naomi holds a hand out and she clasps onto his.

"Show me more, Raurlin."

Naomi shuts her eyes again waiting to feel the warmth of his open hand hovering above her forehead. Raurlin is hesitant but he complies. He lifts his hand again and holds it just above Naomi's forehead. Naomi's breathing deepens again.

She is hunching over the river washing her face. The water is icy cold and her hands sting with the sensation. Jackson is beside her and he's cupping and drinking the water until it's dripping down his chin. Jackson tumbles slightly backwards until he's sitting with his legs laid out in front of him. He shuts his eyes and inhales deeply trying to level his breathing.

Naomi can feel his anxiety, it's as if it's radiating off his skin and pushing right against hers. She sits beside him in a huff. The two sit in silence.

"Jax...we do not know if this is of The God's."

"We don't know if it isn't of The God's either, Raurlin. What do we do?"

"We meet tonight, back here, bring a goat and I'll bring one too. We'll go up Sacred Hill and make a sacrifice. We will ask for clarity and for a sign."

Jackson nods with a deep frown and a look of intense ferocity in his eyes. There's a pause.

"What of our parents, Raurlin?"

"Smear the blood of the consumed animals across your hands and face. And hold on hard, don't crumble under this curse."

Jackson nods again.

Naomi's eyes flutter open and she's back in her body, back on Raurlin's bed. He is standing at his desk facing the wall. Naomi pushes herself up on one arm but she feels weak.

"Take it easy, Naomi. Your body is weak. You didn't just see my memories, you lived them."

Raurlin speaks slowly and his voice is shaky. Naomi feels guilty for pushing him, knowing that he has just lost his father. She wanted to see and to know.

She lies back down and waits until Raurlin turns around. There's a look of deep shame on his face and he can't bear to meet her eye. Naomi frowns and holds a hand out.

Raurlin sits back down on the chair beside Naomi and takes her hand. He holds it tightly and his hand is surprisingly cold.

"I'm not proud of the events that follow, Naomi. Forgive me I'm not ready to share them just yet."

"Can you tell me?"

"Yes. We made our offerings and as if on queue the next day the witch rode into our village on a white horse. White horses had always been thought of as a sign from the Gods so we believed her. She riled us up and prepared us for war."

Naomi nods slowly and Raurlin turns to the desk. He pulls the file off the desk and rests it on his thighs. He helps Naomi into a seating position and once she's comfortable he hands her the file.

"Before my father...passed. I went to visit him, actually around the same time I met you. He shared something with me about my childhood."

Naomi opens the file and begins reading through it. It seems to include a map of a pack...of werewolves? Naomi frowns.

"I don't understand?"

"The man you saw, Tormund, is not my real father. My real father is an Earth Beast, a lycan...a werewolf Alpha. His name is Maddox. We fought him in the war."

Naomi inhales and exhales deeply. She can feel Raurlin's trepidation in telling her the truth about himself. She feels a slither of guilt that she can't place.

"The King has made an order that I find him and uncover the truth of myself. In my true form...my vampire form. I shift as if I'm part beast. And based on when the spells were cast that made us it is possible that I was cursed to be both a vampire and a beast."

"And the King wants you to figure out if that's a part of who you are? Because you're meant to be next in line on the throne?"

Raurlin nods and watches Naomi as she continues to read through the file. Raurlin sits in silence and the silence becomes uncomfortable. He stands up and tries to stop pacing.

"When do you have to go?"

"Naomi..."

Naomi closes the file and looks up at Raurlin.

"If you can spare a week I would love to go with you. I've got exams coming up."

Raurlin is astounded.

"Of course. Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm certain. I have a question though. Well I have many questions but for now just one that I want to ask."

"Ask me anything, Naomi."

"Can I see your vampire form?"

"Anything but that."

"But..."

"-no buts, Naomi. You're human. I don't think I'd be able to control myself around you."

With that Raurlin is out the door and the door closes carelessly behind him. Naomi sighs and lays back down. She stares up at this ceiling and she slowly registers just how numb she feels. The old Naomi would have had several panic attacks by now. Her anxiety would be through the roof. A single tear runs from her eye and drops onto the pillow case.

                                                                                                  ❄

Sarah paces in front of Jackson, rubbing her temples. Her skin feels as if it's on fire. Jackson drops his head into his hands unsure of how to comfort her. He stands up and walks to wear she's pacing. He drops a hand on her shoulder and she shrugs him off, accidentally sending him flying into the couch.

He lands with a heavy this and slumps onto the floor. Sarah gasps loudly and rushes over to where he is. She helps him to his feet.

"I'm so sorry I had to idea I could even do that."

"You're right, your magick is growing. Quicker than anything I've ever seen. Can you sit down please?"

Sarah nods and sits down beside Jackson. Jackson holds a hand out and Sarah gladly accepts it. The anxious magick running through her seems to simmer into nothing as she clasps his hand.

For Jackson it's as if the magick is coursing through him with intensity. He does his best to hide it but he can feel it pulsating in his guns and behind his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I just got overwhelmed. So when will you guys be leaving?"

"Soon. Within the next week. I think you should come with us."

Sarah chuckles and rolls her eyes. She turns to Jackson who is seemingly serious.

"Oh...you're serious. Why on Earth would I do that Jackson?"

Jackson inhales trying to navigate his thought processes carefully.

"They have an Earth witch. You can learn so much from practicing with an actual witch."

Sarah is pensive but Jackson can see she'll need a bit more convincing. He is silent a moment then when Sarah says nothing he simply adds "Naomi is coming."

Sarah groans.

"Okay fine. I'm in. But I need time, Jackson. To process everything you've told me tonight."

Jackson nods.

"Of course I understand. Maybe from tomorrow I'll crash with Raurlin and Naomi? But for tonight, I'll have you know I'm a sucker for reality TV."

Sarah smiles at Jackson as he gathers the empty crockery and wine glass. He dumps the crockery in the kitchen sink and then pulls another wine glass out the cupboard. He tops up Sarah's glass and then his own.

He walks back to the couch and hands Sarah the glass. Sarah smiles as she accepts the glass. She does her best to not lean against Jackson but eventually gives in. Jackson tucks Sarah under his arm.

He offers a small kiss on the top of her head and Sarah doesn't fight it at all. Jackson is surprised but chooses to not look too into her choice.