The night sky is blanketed over the forest like a calm shadow, with only the twinkling of stars to illuminate. By now, the campfire had dyed down and warriors had returned to their tents, but still, I scrambled to find Claire. Having the grimoire out in the open like this was dangerous— if Varla saw, there's a chance she'd turn me into a toad. Even worse, I'd probably have to be kissed by Kilian.

I shrug those emotions out of my mind before they can fully present themselves, knowing that I can't ignore what went down in that tent for long. I run around the muddied war camp, still hearing fire crackling in the distance. Finally, my eyes cast on Claire's golden blonde hair, as she and Atticus sit on wooden logs. She's laughing at something he whispered to her as they drink something in their tin cups. I pause for a moment, not wanting to ruin their sweet moment, and how their pinkies touch— or how she smiles adoringly at him.

My heart aches to have something like that, something not as fucked up as the situation I was in now. Crushing on a demon that my father trapped for reasons unbeknownst to me. Wow, it sounds even more fucked when I put it that way. Not to mention, we kissed. What's next, sharing tents? Selling my soul? I push those bitter thoughts away, taking a large breath of air. The air is thick and tastes like roast and stew, still lingering from earlier.

I put on my big girl panties and head over to where Claire and Atticus we're giving each other honeymoon eyes. Once I reach Claire and realize that they haven't even glanced my way, I plop the dusty grimoire down on their laps.

Both of their necks snap in my direction as I give a smile in apology.

"This is urgent. I need somewhere to speak quietly." I say, eyes flitting around the camp, cautiously.

"This information can't be out in the open." I whisper as Atticus rubs his forehead. They glance at each other, Claire biting her lip and tucking the grimoire underneath her cloak. I hadn't even realized she had one on until she lifted her bottom slightly, pulling some of the wool pale blue fabric out from underneath her. They both stand silently, linking fingers as they walk in the direction of the tents.

"We can talk at my tent." Atticus says as I linger behind them, clearing my throat.

"Is there a tent for me too, or is that like something for VIP's? Should I just sleep on a log like the rest of the bugs?" I ask hesitantly, but still sarcastic. To be fully honest, I still wasn't comfortable being my full self around Claire and Atticus. Especially around king Atticus, not after that stand off him and Kilian had in his kitchen. I'd been lingering in the shadows and holding my tongue whenever Atticus even looked my way.

Kilian would obviously never allow anyone to touch me— not that I couldn't protect myself. I just hadn't liked the idea of conflict with the man that my sister had her sights on. It seemed as if she had more than just her sights on him, they seemed like lovers.

I thought that finding my sister would be like finding a best friend, and our schedules would revolve around each other. My selfish side had taken over, and my excitement hadn't allowed me to think about what was really going on. My sister already had someone to call her best friend, someone to spend her time with. Reality was, maybe once we found dad, we'd be on our own again.

There was a sour taste in my mouth as I felt a pang of jealousy, for not having been raised with her. For not knowing Claire before Atticus snatched her away and entranced her. I blink, pushing my self conflict and selfish thoughts away.

Claire wouldn't do that. She wouldn't just dispose of me once we fixed the problem and found our father, would she? I mean, we're dealing with a freaking prophecy here. I think by the time this is over— if I don't get my mother and sister bonding time, I'll smash my head against a wall.

In a moment, Claire glances back at me apologetically; and I snap back into reality. Right, I had asked about my accommodations.

"I'm so sorry Vi, we were so caught up in everything that we hadn't even mentioned it to you. Your tent is a couple tents away from Kilian— I thought that you'd feel safer if he was close by." She states, still seeming guilty at not having mentioned it sooner. I sputter, trying to make sense of what she'd just told me. She bunked me close to that demon, on purpose.

"Your tent is the closest to the river too." She flutters her eyes dreamily as Atticus glances at her with a smile. "Can you imagine the warmth of taking a bath in the river once the sun hits? So refreshing." She smiles as I wrinkle my nose.

"What about a shower? None of those around here?" I ask as they both chuckle and shake their heads. I sigh as if try not to think of the creepy crawlers and snakes in the river. I just hope I don't get bitten on my privates— I think I'd freeze the entire lake if that happened.

The mud and leaves squelch under my boots as I cringe, swatting away mosquitoes. At one point, I freeze a cricket making its way out of a bush as Claire frowns at me.

"Not a nature person, huh?" She says as I shake my head, eyes farting around in the dark. "Poor little guy." She whispers, glancing at the frozen cricket. As we walk by it, I notice her flick her hand discreetly in its direction, sending heat it's way. Suddenly, the ice is thawed and it's back on its way to living it's full life. I bite my lip in amusement, pretending as I hadn't noticed what she'd done. So she's a softy when it comes to animals and bugs. I take a mental note of that quality in her and then glance ahead at where we were walking.

We had passed drunken warriors and fires that were dying out, reaching the largest tent in the camp. The golden tent shone against the starlight, folds glistening as the crickets sang harmonies in the bushes. I murmured a quick appreciation at the beauty and then followed the couple into the tent.

Inside the tent is illuminated by lamps and flickering candles, casting a golden glow over the bed. There's a table on the right side of his tent, maps sprawled out on it as if he'd been looking for openings to the portal. I move quickly to shut the flaps of the tent and move to the table. Claire watches me cautiously, handing me the grimoire in silence as I flip through it.

"The opening to Settrinos is here, somewhere." I mumble, flipping through golden lined pages dust forming around my face.

"How do you know that?" Atticus asks with an eyebrow quirked. I can tell Claire is wondering the same as they step closer to me by the oak table.

"Kilian told me. Well— he's not a traitor so he didn't tell me, but he told me." I try to explain, knowing that I sound crazy. I blow a breath out and curse silently as I look through the book. There's spells on killing demons, scaling mermaids, and old lore on the kings of Settrinos.

My heart skips a beat as I reach a page that looks exactly like the man abusing Kilian in his past— his father. The demon that taught Kilian to act like one. I swallow dryly as the cold barren red eyes reach me, suffocating me with malice. His face is unflinching, no smile wrinkles— just two fangs poking from underneath his red lips. The cruelty in his features is obvious, but the golden and ruby crown that sat atop his head was not.

Underneath the picture it was titled 'king Kaiden, ruler in the 1700's— The spirit of the door.'

I can tell I've gone pale in the face long before Claire touches my shoulder. The breath is knocked out of me as I reread those words over and over again, not believing what was on display so openly in sight.

Not believing that Kilian could have not told me something like this.

"Oh my god." I whisper as Claire pales also, not liking the tone of my voice. Atticus shuffles on his feet as he tries to stammer out an explanation.

"Yeah— I recognized Kilian as soon as I stepped in my kitchen, but he seemed like he wouldn't cause bloodshed in your presence—" he starts to say as Claire glances between the photo in confusion. "That's his father, love." He mentions to her as her mouth drops in disbelief.

"He's the missing prince— ran away centuries ago, rumors say he didn't want the crown—" Atticus continues, looking as guilty as he felt.

"Stop." I whisper. Atticus continues to try to speak but is cut off by me again.

"Shut up!" I say as they both look at me in surprise.

"Yeah he's the missing prince or king or whatever that is— that's not what's got me shaken." I say as Claire furrows her eyebrows at me and my excitement. I point at the description of the king in the grimoire, reading it aloud.

"King Kaiden, Ruler in the 1700's— the spirit of the door." I say, eyes wide in delight.

Both of them are still watching me in confusion, eyes alight with wonder.

"It's a clue. It's in the fucking prophecy!" I say, voice slightly raised. Claire shushes me momentarily, but I ignore her.

"The spirit of the door— this is one step to cracking the prophecy." I say, eyes not leaving the grimoire.

"That fucker might be the key to finding our father." I say with glee.

"I'm still stuck on the Kilian being a missing prince part—" Claire backtracks, eyes still wide as Atticus scratches the back of his head guiltily.

"Tomato tomahto, he's still the same prick." I wave a hand in the air as I continue to observe the page with the clue. One thought resounding in my mind as my feet feel lighter.

Dad, I'm coming.

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