"I will call upon Half-Human. In his and Freed's presence, you will learn the truth about your family and the truth about this accursed land." Sorbus was quite serious.

"So I will be in the presence of murderers? The kidnappers?" Milah's voice raised to a dangerous level.

One can only applaud for her absurd courage as none ever raised their voices in Ancient One's presence. He was to be respected and somewhat feared. Somehow she didn't anger him.

"Fret not, pretty creature. You are in Sorbus' domain. Though I know they haven't committed any wrong, but I will put my pretty creature's soul at ease." He remained his gentle and kind self.

Milah reflected upon his words. Ancient One waited for her answer patiently.

"Will pretty creature trust me to be fair and just?"

Milah nodded. "Of course." And she felt ashamed for doubting him for a moment. "You have always been kind to me, Sorbus. I am truly sorry."

He just patted her head and raised his authoritative voice to the trees.

"None shall call names upon my guests from the castle. They are to be lead here to me."

Whispers could be heard from everywhere most criticizing Beast's entry into the woods.

"QUIET!" Sorbus roared. "Those who defy me shall see my wrath."
Whispers died instantly.

"Pretty creature, World is not a kind place to be. Human hearts are laced with poison for their own kind,  their hands shed blood, their words carve wounds on the souls of those who live among them, they disrupt the flow of nature and cause harm to those who mind their own business." Ancient One took a breath. His sigh weighted eons of wisdom and pain. "But then  Blood Mage disrupted the biggest flow on earth. He created Half-Human. Half-human wasn't supposed to exist, he wasn't supposed to be but we let him live. This world let him live because he wasn't at fault. No no, pretty creature. He did nothing wrong but the Mage who changed him in his mother's womb."

Milah listened stunned. Ancient One chattered on. Milah didn't disrupt the flow. She wanted to know, she had to know.

"It was not wee lad's fault that Mage poured Demon blood into her mother's chalice. Poor lad, poor poor lad, detested by his sire, loathed by the world, people reviling him, leaving him alone, all alone to suffer for years and years. Poor, poor lad!"

"So he is half-demon?" Milah confirmed.

"Aye, pretty creature. Altered by the demon blood on his mother's womb, half-human half-man, he is unclaimed by both brethren. Nor men keep him with them nor do demons claim him as their own. He is left to roam this earth for eternity as demon blood grants him immortality."

"So this is his curse?" Milah implored.

"It is not," Beast spoke, from her back.

Milah hurriedly looked over her shoulder. Beast and Duval stood quietly behind her.

"Ah! My guest from the castle is here." Ancient One cried in joy as he opened his bony arms towards Beast.

Beast bowed and quietly went into his arms. Ancient One held on as a father awaiting the arrival of his long-lost son. He looked so happy in his human form. Milah once again amused and baffled by the tenderness Ancient One held for Beast.

"Old One." Duval gave his greetings as he knelt.

"Young Freed, you must know that you are accused of killing Milah's sire."

"I am aware, Lord." Freed dipped his head low.

"Then you must know that I am aware you didn't kill them."

"I did nothing when the robbers attacked them. I washed Lady Milah's memories and seeded false ones to manipulate her for my selfish desires. I must be punished, Lord." Duval's voice broke.

"And that " selfish desire" you speak of, young Freed, is it a wish to end your Master's curse?" Ancient One's softly said.

"I was unaware, Great One. I should have kept him. All he did was from the love he has for me." Beast spoke.

"Don't assume I don't know that, half-human." Ancient One growled somewhat. "I want to hear from his mouth."

"I did what deemed best, Ancient One," Freed said. "I am ashamed that I couldn't save Lady Milah's family. I protected her as she was the only one breathing. I have always been true to what my master and my sire raised me to be."

"But you changed my memories!" Milah shouted.

"SO I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT I COULD'VE SAVED YOUR PARENTS IF I WAS ALLOWED TO USE MY MAGIC!!!" Duval screamed. "Your sire breath his last in my arms. I had seen death for the first time!" He sobbed. Beast swiftly went to Duval's side to comfort him. "I had nightmares for days for seeing your sire's bloody carcass."

"He is young, Milah." Beast gently said. "He is unaware of the realities of life as we know it."

Ancient One placed his hand on Milah's.

"Just 15 summers old. He might look like a man but he is just a child, a poor child. Holding in so much pain, so much fear."

Milah could only look at sobbing Duval. He felt so much older before. He seemed so experienced. But like Beast, he hadn't seen much of the misery that came with human existence.

"We must make haste. Half One, Netherworld has learned of pretty one's existence. They will come for her." Ancient One was worried. All eyes went on Milah. She looked at them in fear. None had told her about the danger she was in.

"Barriers are weakened." Ancient One keeps going. "None can speak against the contract. You still haven't paid the price for your life."

"Too late. It's too late." Sang Raven.

Beast was visibly shaken. After millennia, his past had come back to haunt him. The one who may become the payment for him having demon blood coursing through veins knew nothing of it.

"Master." Duval pleaded. "Please, end this."

It angered him a great deal.

"I will not give her to Demons as a payment for what was done to me!" Beast growled. He flipped his hood and stand in front of them with his uncovered face.

Milah couldn't believe what she was seeing.

She watched as he shed of his cloak. Strong wind scattering his onyx hair, neck, and half of the cheeks having thin lines like leafless twigs but the face. He looked so young. Like he hasn't aged a single day from his youth. Palest face Milah had ever seen yet the most handsome.

And she was yet yo see his eyes.