Helia realized how impulsive she had been when she crossed over to the other side of the road. With her eyes fixed on Rendall, she hit her forehead hard in disapproval of what she had just done, but who could blame her? She missed Rendall during the days he had disappeared and now that she had finally seen him, Helia could not restrain herself."Helia," Rendall called her name softly and she blinked nervously. She wondered what he'd think of her."No, I can't let him see how much I care," she thought to herself."Rendall. I just—"Before she could finish talking, Rendall ran from the door to her, drew her close to him, and wrapped her in a tight hug. Helia hugged him back and in no time, they were both oblivious to their surroundings."Selene." Helia and Rendall disengaged from the hug when they heard Brient's voice. Selene's head was bowed. She could not look any of them in the eye."What's happening here?" Helia, Brient, and Rendall's eyes moved from Selene to a confused Mr. Wilkins

Danica was breathing heavily. Her mouth was ajar and she tried to say something but she was too weak to talk. Danica was close to death and Helia and Brient could see this."We are flexible and nimble," Helia began. "Brient and I can leave this place with ease.""She can't," Mac said with a smirk, gesturing to Danica. "If you leave, I'd kill her.""What if we don't care?" Helia asked and Danica tried once more to talk but she still couldn't. She tried hard to free herself from the chain she was in but she could not."Do you think I'm joking? Leave and I'd kill her," Mac threatened. Helia and Brient exchanged glances and they smirked at each other."If you kill her when we leave, you'd be left with no werecreature," Helia pointed out and the man's grip on the shotgun loosened."I have a better proposal," Helia said as she studied her nails with a cocky grin on her face."What kind of proposal?" Helia had managed to get Mac interested."I'd tell you where the wereworld if you let her go

"Danica," Helia called out nervously and Danica smiled at her."I got shocked at how close you both had gotten and I dropped my glass," Danica said."Dani—""Four weeks of me being in chains and slavery has really changed my mindset," Danica chipped in. "I had enough time to reflect on myself. You shouldn't worry about what I'll think. I'm no longer the old Danica. I came here to get water since—"Helia and Rendall glanced at each other. Their faces turned apart and they pulled away from each other."I'm sorry for interrupting.""It's okay," Helia and Rendall replied in unison."I'd help you with the shattered glass. You just recovered and need to rest."Danica smiled at Helia's offer of help. "It would be wrong to trouble you for my mistake. Don't worry. I'd do it myself."As Rendall watched Helia and Danica argue in order not to trouble the other, he smiled in satisfaction. He thought of how his and Danica's disappearance was a blessing in disguise. He was satisfied with how Danica

Rendall and Helia talked and laughed heartily as they waited for their bus. Brient was seated with them too but he showed no interest in whatever discussion they were having. He just sat quietly and when they both tried to engage him in their conversation, Brient just stared at them without saying a word. After so many fruitless efforts, they gave each other knowing looks, sighed, and continued with their conversation without trying to involve Brient. Since Selene's departure, Brient had not been his usual self. He became aloof contrasting his usual jovial and outgoing former self. Brient had become a shadow of his former self. "Helia," A voice called out and Helia beamed when she saw it was Danica. She waved happily at Danica who smiled at her and walked to them in a haste despite the huge luggage that was with her. "Move away I want to sit with my friend," she said to Rendall, and Rendall's mouth hung agape. "Have you forgotten that I am your childhood friend?" Rendall frowned at

Rendall, Helia, Brient, and Danica were awe-stricken as they got to the base. Shelves with books that were as tall as a skyscraper surrounded the room. There was a section of the shelves that were filled with elixirs, magic potions, and spells."Now this is what can give us clues," Helia said as she looked around.The room they had stepped into wasn't the only room. As they took a tour around the place, they were bedazzled. The place had so many luxurious bedrooms and playrooms."This place is big enough to be a hotel," Brient commented and the rest concurred. They wondered how Nyx was able to stay in the room alone."This must be her workshop," Danica said as they got back to the first room they had entered."It is," Brient affirmed. "This place has her spells." He pointed to a shelf with the label spell."Her spell books, magic portions, all ingredients for making her magic potions, medicines, and even the solution to all of her curses," Brient announced as he pointed to each of the