Glancing over her shoulder, she ensured she had in fact been left completely alone. Dina smiled as she realized that she was the only one around and then continued to walk for a brief time to confirm she was not being followed. She had preferred not to involve the alicorn, but knew she couldn't waste time; Raimie was growing worse by the moment. Also, she had to be certain that she had put enough safe distance between herself and Iron Gate before transporting. The last thing she wanted to do was endanger anyone else she cared about.

Taking one last look around her, she prepared herself to transport. Ever since Dina had discovered that Raimie had been injured, Calysta's words haunted her. To warn her against visiting a witch that she had never actually met made no sense. She was certain Calysta knew something about Raimie. A piece of her was holding onto hope that perhaps it was something that could help him. She knew it was a long shot, but it was the only piece of hope she had to hold onto at this point.

Dropping the transportation stone into her front left pocket, she considered what might be waiting to greet her on the other side. By now the demons had most likely discovered the caverns and were most certainly trying to figure out a way in. Clutching the incendiary potion in her other hand, she pushed it up between her middle two knuckles, ready to use it if she must.

Closing her eyes, she envisioned the moss covered steps just outside the caves; she remembered what the cool dampness of them felt like underneath her feet. With that, she disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Solidifying a moment later, she was met by the exact horrors she had feared. In her path were at least a dozen demons clawing at the invisible wall that prevented them from entering into the vast caverns.

As they shifted, violently pushing each other to one side or the other, struggling to be the first to reach their prey, it looked as though they melted into one gigantic ma.s.s of dark leathery flesh. Though the lighting was dim in the hall of the cave, there was enough to catch and bounce off of the moistness of the lizard-like skin. Dina shuddered, the sight of them turning her stomach.

It was only a few seconds before they smelled her presence. Turning their long, black fangs and clawed feet towards her, they crouched into attack position. She wasted no time moving herself into a defensive stance and tossing the incinerate potion, hoping to even up the playing field. The vial met with the thick brow of the first demon, shattering and causing the splatter to branch out and consume two additional monsters. It seemed like it was all happening in slow motion, but this is how it was for them, for guardians that is. Time would almost come to a stand still for them when engaged in a battle; it was one of the advantages their senses gave them. The demon's bodies burst into flames; she could feel the intensity of the heat on her face.

Wasting no time, she launched her small frame through the air, ricocheting off the cave walls with great precision. One of the demons lunged towards her, confident it could catch the agile human, but instead was met with the side of her foot, the blow causing its head to throw back with such force it was knocked to the floor. Dina flipped through the air, curling into a tight ball before nearing the invisible barrier. Stretching out as long as her pet.i.te body would allow her to, as if threading the eye of a needle, she slipped through the small opening made by the demons she had rendered to ash.

Landing safely on the other side of the magical wall, the demons let out a blood curdling cry. Outraged not only that their prey had slipped past them, but somehow managed to accomplish what they had been trying to do themselves, breech the barrier.

A single applause rang out, filling the cavern.

Dina looked up to see Calysta standing nearby, congratulating her heroics. "Quite an entrance, my dear."

"Thanks," she groaned, taking her first step and realizing exactly how hard the impact of the landing had, in fact, been. "Glad to see you're still in one piece."

"No thanks to those b.l.o.o.d.y b.a.s.t.a.r.ds," Calysta said, motioning back towards the cave opening and the demons who were still trying to figure out a way to get in.

"They're not a breed I've seen before, what are they?" Dina asked, staring at the blocked exit.

"If I had to guess, some twisted cross between a h.e.l.l hound and a tracker demon," Calysta replied, turning to walk away.

"You've got to be kidding me," Dina said in disbelief, brushing off her pants and running to catch up to the fast moving woman. "Like we don't already have enough to deal with."

"So, I take it all h.e.l.l has broken loose out there?" Calysta asked.

"I guess- I mean it's pretty crazy," Dina answered in a solemn voice. "Where are you going?"

"I'm sick of listening to those d.a.m.n things. I'm going in my cabin," Calysta answered as they reached her front door.

"What? We have to get out of here," Dina insisted.

Paying little regard to the girl's words, the woman opened the door, leaving it ajar for her guest, and took a seat near the darkened fireplace. "And where do you propose I go? Remember? I can't leave."

Dina had trouble regulating her thoughts, because the sounds of the rabid demons' teeth gnashing outside was still reaching their new location. Turning, she closed the door, gaining a bit of relief from the noise. "Calysta, we have to get you out of here. It's only a matter of time before a more powerful demon makes his way down here, and believe me, he will make short work of that barrier."

The woman stared at Dina intensely before asking, "Are you sure you want to go down this road?"

Confused, she asked, "What are you talking about? What road?"

"You've forgotten I've seen this, the path where you come back for me. It doesn't end well, at least not for you."

"So what are you telling me? I die if I try to save you?"

Calysta laughed softly. "Why is it all of you Guardians think death is the worst thing that can happen to you? And no, saving me is not what gets you in trouble. I can't reveal too much without causing interference in the balance and you know that."

"Oh please! That's so much c.r.a.p. Screw the balance; this is my life we're talking about!" Dina snapped.

"Fine, I'll just say there are questions you shouldn't ask me. Questions about things that can lead you down a very dark path," the oracle answered.

"About Madame Laveau?" Dina asked.

Calysta nodded in response.

"What kind of questions would I ask about her?" Dina inquired.

Calysta did not respond.

"You do realize how messed up this is? You tell me I can't ask certain questions, but I wouldn't even know to bring up the witch's name if you hadn't mentioned her in the first place. How can say you don't want to upset the balance when you are the one who started me down this path in the first place?" Dina shouted, but Calysta still remained silent.

"Fine! Rot here then," Dina condemned the woman as she reached for the door k.n.o.b.

"Wait, you're right ... I shouldn't have said what I did to you before. In the reality I witnessed, you already knew about her, you must have done your research. Because of what I said, I've already given you a head start." Calysta explained.

"What do you mean by a head start? I'm so confused. Do you drive everyone this crazy?"

"In my vision of the possible future, you came to me in tears and begging for help. You had read about a spell that can bring back someone from the brink of death. I knew of the spell and of a woman capable of helping you to cast it," Calysta continued.

"Madame Laveau?"

"Yes, but I also warned you in my vision that it was dark magic, the kind you do not want to be messing with. You did it anyways and it ended badly for everyone involved. Now, I've already said too much, leave it alone- please," Calysta pleaded.

"No, don't you see? I can't, I need to know more!" Dina growled. "What did you mean when you said you gave me a head start this time?"

"I can't."

"Do you want to get out of here? Tell me!" Dina insisted.

"Please child, you don't have the ability to get me out of here, so let's not pretend you have something to bargain with."

"Oh no? How about I transport you out?" Dina asked.

"You're not strong enough to transport me past that spell, nice try."

"I'm not, but this is," Dina said, pulling the small stone from her pocket.

"Is that-"

"A transportation stone? Yes, and it's yours if you tell me what I want to know."

Calysta stared at the stone laying on the girl's open palm. Escape from the prison she had been held in for hundreds of years was only feet away.

"Are you certain you want the consequences of the answers I hold?"

"Let me worry about myself."

"I know of your love's fate, it was in my vision."

"And you did nothing to warn me?" Dina could feel the heat of anger on her face as she fought to restrain from strangling the woman with her bare hands.

"It wouldn't have mattered if I had; it was the boy's fate. That's why you should leave this alone. If you pursue this, it will likely end with the same results."

"I know you won't tell me what those results are, but can you explain how this time is different than your vision? You said I have a head start. Why does that matter?" Dina managed to ask through gritted teeth.

"When you came to me in my vision, it had taken you time to research, find out about this type of magic, and figure out what magical being might be able to help you find the kind of person capable of doing a spell like this. All of that takes time. The longer a body is separated from its soul, the more likely it is you won't be able to successfully reunite them."

"I get it. You're saying I took too long, that's why things ended so badly, but this time I'm already closer to the cure than I was in your vision because of what you said to me. Raimie still has a chance."

"No, that's not what I'm saying. I mean, yes, you made it to this step more quickly, but chances are that Raimie has already been under for way too long. Some people have an expiration date kid, that's life," Calysta pushed back.

Dina glared at the woman before tossing her the stone. "I don't accept that. Now, I kept up my end, do you know where I can find Madame Laveau?"

"Can't say I didn't warn you," Calysta replied, clutching the stone tightly in her hand as if it were a precious life line. The woman stood and made her way over to a small wooden trunk. Opening it, she rummaged through the random items before pulling out what looked like a petrified claw.

Calysta stared at the claw for a few moments before handing it to Dina. "She once owned this item; you should be able to use a locator spell on it. Dina, please, I know you don't trust me, but if you only believe one thing I say, believe me when I say you shouldn't do this."

Dina could see the concern Calysta had for her was genuine. Even with that insight, she could not bring herself to feel anything but rage in return, unable to shake the idea of betrayal. Unable to overcome the idea that this woman knew what was going to happen to Raimie before it actually did and chose to say nothing.

"I'll take your words under advis.e.m.e.nt," Dina responded coolly.

"I see. Well, it's obvious I can't talk any sense into you."

"If time is sensitive, then I think we should really be on our way, don't you?" Dina asked.

"And just how do you propose we get past those demons out there? A transportation spell won't work on this side of the barrier."

"No, my spell won't work, but that stone is an elder's stone," Dina replied.

"What?" Calysta looked down into her hand as if it were pure gold she was staring at. "I don't understand, how-"

"Michael, he won't notice."

"Maybe not right away, but when he does, he'll be livid," Calysta gasped.

"Do you want to get out of here or not?"

"Wait, how are you going to get out of here? You have to be on the other side of the barrier to transport."

"I've got that taken care of, don't worry. I've tuned the stone to the sacred circle near Iron Gate. When you arrive, tell the clerics who you are and they will take you to Michael," Dina instructed.

"What? No, that's not part of the deal. I have been caged up for too long, what makes you think I would put myself right back into my captor's hands? You must be crazy."

Dina looked at the woman silently for a moment before a smile began to curl at the edge of her lips. "You're going to do as I say, because if you don't, you know there's a good chance a demon will find you, hunt you down, and shred you into a tiny million pieces... or worse. We don't live in the same world we used to, demons roam around freely on the earthly realm and they wouldn't think twice about torturing you. I can guarantee if you do not do as I say, no guardian will ever come to your rescue."

"I think I can take care of myself."

"Then by all means, try it."

Calysta studied the girl, mulling over her words before finally relenting. "Fine."

"Besides, if you hand that stone back to Michael voluntarily, maybe he will see you in a new light and you'll end up in his good graces. A guest instead this time," Dina suggested.

"I doubt that. I obviously don't have as much faith in him as you do."

"No- I doubt it too, but you never know. Now go."

Much to Dina's surprise, Calysta leapt forward, grabbing the girl and pulling her in for a deep embrace. Stepping back, she looked into the young girl's eyes, "You didn't have to come back for me. I hope this works for you, I truly do. I want you to find the answers you seek; you're different than the others. Be careful."

The oracle then took a step back. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes, and in the next moment she was gone.

Dina wasted no time in her plan. Pressing her body against a nearby cave wall, ensuring she was hidden from the demons, she crossed her fingers, kissing them before uncrossing them and whispering. "G.o.d, please let this work."

She closed her eyes, concentrating on the idea of what she looked like. She envisioned looking at herself in the mirror, all the details, her hair color, the size and shape of her eyes. Her chanting began low and soft, intensifying as her focus narrowed. Without warning, she felt a spark in her gut. Opening her eyes, much to her pleasure, she stared back at herself. She had done it, created a replica. She had never cast such a spell and knew it was likely the effects would not last long, so she wasted no time.

"See those demons?" Dina asked her temporary clone.

The girl nodded in response.

"I need you to jump through them and run, don't let them catch you, alright?" she instructed.

The creation didn't speak, it simply turned and took off running towards the barrier at full speed. The demons stared and looked almost stunned to see its approach. In only a second the Dina duplicate dove through the confused beasts and darted up the stairs. They quickly began to chase after their prey. Dina knew she probably only had a few minutes until the vision would fade and the demons would realize they had been duped.

Running as fast as her feet would carry her, Dina made it to the steps. She could hear the demons in the distance still chasing the impostor. With her next heaving breath, she appeared on the beach outside Rampart. Dina knew once Calysta made her way back to Michael and gave him the stone, he would likely come after her. With an intense focus, she turned towards the woods and took off, knowing she needed to find the voodoo witch and fast.

As the room came into focus, Uri reached to his side, fumbling around for the bandages. He was a little surprised by the lack of pain. Though he knew the capabilities of the healers, it never ceased to amaze him just how skilled they were.

"Hey, sleeping beauty," he heard Seraphine's voice call out just over his shoulder.

Spinning around and sitting upright on his cot, Uri couldn't help but smile as she approached. Her long, raven black hair was twisted and pulled over her shoulder, cascading down her chest and bring his focus to her perky bosom.

"Ahem," the girl cleared her throat in an effort to bring the young man's attention back to her face. His eyes quickly shifted, focusing on her full lips. He wondered what it would be like to kiss them. He watched her lick them self-consciously; obviously she could feel his stare. Uri's gaze trailed up to her dark and captivating eyes. She didn't look away from him, the way he didn't hide what he was thinking thrilled her in a way.

"I'm so glad you're still here, Seraphine," Uri said. The intense feelings he was having towards her were unlike anything he had ever experienced.

"I told you, call me Sera."

"Right, Sera. What are you still doing here, Sera? I mean, I know I have a very charming personality and we've spent some time together recently, but to see you're still here, I must admit, I'm a little surprised," Uri didn't hide his flirtation.

"You wish. I'm still here for Raimie."

Her answer surprised him, "What? You don't know him, do you? Why on earth would you still be here because of him?"

"I don't know," she hesitated for a moment. "Maybe I'm the type of girl that when I rescue someone, I want to make sure they're all right."