"So what was so urgent that you had to take me out of the palace, Trie?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I have bad news and worse news," she said grimly.

I sighed. She never called if it wasn't serious.

"Let's start with the bad news," I said, massaging my temples.

"There's going to be a high stake, high profile slave trade at the end of the week. We've tracked the missing children of Sterling in that trade, so we have the jurisdiction to bust it," she reported.

"... Alright, I'll take Snow home and come back at the end of the week," I answered.

"You can't. They weren't expecting your visit, so they're waiting for you to leave then they'll close the border in the guise of a lock down to capture a murderer," She explained as I tsked in annoyance.

"So you're saying me and my family have to stay until the end of the week?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm afraid so..." she nodded.

"I know you're worried about Snow, Victor, but what about those other innocent children who have done no wrong?" she pleaded.

"... You have no idea... If the decision were to come down to the world or my family, you know which one I'd choose," I said, getting up to leave.

"Victor. Where are you going?" Trie asked, gritting her teeth in anger.

"To get my family out of here," I glared.

"You may think that way. But I doubt the precious princess would feel the same way," she smiled sinisterly.

I immediately stopped in my tracks.

"You wouldn't," I growled.

"But I would. I've heard she's a lot like me. And I would never abandon my people for my own sake," she hissed.

If she told Snow I wouldn't be able to stop her.

"You know you can't stop her," Trie mocked.

"So be with her when it happens," she hissed.

I sat back down and massages the back of my neck.

"You're a stereotypical snake, you know that?" I groaned.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game," she smiled.

"Ready for the worse news?" she asked.

"Nothing could be worse. Unless it includes my family again," I sighed.

She frowned.

"I visited Darrius and Tatiana a few days ago..." she started as I tensed up.

Dean's parents. My old friends.

"What about them?" I growled.

"What were they like last time you visited them?" she asked seriously.

"... Not the same..." was all I could say.

"I was wondering why Tatiana didn't respond to my letters anymore... And I got my answer... They--," we were suddenly interrupted.

"There you are, it's been more than the agreed upon time. Is there a problem?" Lilian asked worriedly.

"What timing you have. Sit down. You both need to hear this," Bellatrix said seriously.

Lilian sat down attentively.

Tatiana is one of Trie's closest friends. I understand why she's reacting in such a way.

"When I visited them, everything was off, Tatiana didn't speak a lot and Darrius was--," Trie was cut off by Lilian.

"Is this about the Oberons? I'm sorry to say, Bellatrix, but they really aren't the same people, they abused a child for goodness sake," Lilian scowled.

"... They did what? Do you mean that Dean child?" Trie glared.

"He's our son. We were nice enough to spare them for what they did," Lilian explained, practically spitting out venom.

Bellatrix looked at her shocked.

"I knew that you didn't get along too well with Tatiana because she used to love Victor but I didn't think you hated her this much," Bellatrix scoffed.

"What are you talking about? They're clearly in the wrong!" Lilian defended.

"Think about it. Would our quiet, independent, kind Tatiana ever do such a thing? Darrius was like Victor's brother on the battlefield! Those two were in love. And they were kind," Bellatrix said strongly.

"Why don't you ask the victim?" Lilian glared.

"That's enough, Trie. The Oberons are none of our business--," I began, only to be cut off.

"What did you last talk about?" she asked suspiciously.

I looked at her uncomfortably. "... We were angry... And said things we shouldn't have," I admitted.

"What did you say? Victor?" she asked, pressing for answers.

"... I told Tatiana about Darrius' affair with Sophia Grace... And I told Darrius that she loved Victor and tried to steal him away when we first broke up..." Lilian explained, regret pricking at her skin.

She felt bad about it. I knew she was still angry with Tatiana at the time. I should have done something...

Bellatrix started to laugh, like she had just heard the funniest joke.

"Why do you look so guilty about it?" Trie asked, amused.

"We left them fighting in front of children... And we were wrong for doing that," Lilian said, apologetically.

Trie raised a brow, "But she already knew though? I'm her best friend, did you think she wouldn't know about it? They've already talked it out, why would they fight about it?" she asked as a creeping suspicion hooked both me and Lili.

"But... They were fighting so vigorously--, it would be impossible for Tatiana to fake it like that," Lilian realized.

"Unless it's not them," I groaned. I began to realize why Darrius would never respond to my invitation and letters.

I always thought it was because of Dean... But I was wrong.

"I knew it... I should've checked on her earlier... I was so busy," Bellatrix slumped, disappointed in herself.

"We should've noticed... How could we have abandoned them so quickly? It feels... Unreal..." I said, confused.

What the hell were we thinking? Darrius was one of the closest people to me. But I had forsaken him.

"But... If it's not them... Where are the real Tatiana and Darrius?" Lilian asked in a slight panic.

"I've had a creeping suspicion... I've never personally encountered one... But I think... It's a demon," Bellatrix said, eyes clouded, as if she couldn't believe her own words.

"... Like Leonard... The prince of Fantasia was possessed by a demon at a young age. Luckily Snow was able to take it out... This is what my daughter talked about... This, is becoming a bigger problem, we need to take it out immediately," I said quickly.

If it was true then it would explain a lot...

"Do you know how Snow did it?" Trie asked hopefully.

I shook my head, "No... But I think it has something to do with her black lion familiar..."

"Oh great, so we just pick up some random black lion familiar off the streets... Easy peasy," she said sarcastically.

"We need Snow to do it," Bellatrix demanded.

"... Fine... Only if Lennon, Leonard, and Dean come along as well," I frowned.

"Why bring the 'victim'," Bellatrix asked with air quotes.

"If indeed they aren't the real Darrius and Tatiana then Dean has the right to know," I nodded.

"Then tell him after. Where he won't get in the way," Bellatrix reasoned.

"No, he has to be there," I said firmly.

"Fine," she agreed.

"And when Tatiana comes back, you apologize, alright?" she pointed at the both of us.

"I will..." Lilian responded quietly.

"Then it's settled--," Bellatrix was cut off by a beeping in her pocket.

She hastily took it out and started to speed walk out of the building.

"Trie, wait!" I called as Lilian ran to catch up with us.

"What's happening?" Lilian asked, in a panic.

"There are major magic readings from the palace that only Snow can trigger, she's currently in combat," She explained as me and Lilian burst out into full sprint back to the palace.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°and cut!°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°