People always preach to us from a young age to never trust strangers, but for my dad and I, it was always the opposite.

He'd tell me to never trust those close to you if it was something in a life or death situation, because they'd have the power to hurt you the most.

Lately, I'd adapted to telling Kilian and the others all of my plans and fears. It was against how I'd been raised, but it was so comforting knowing that I wouldn't be alone anymore.

I hadn't blinked when Waren instructed me to go alone.

It almost sounded like a direct command from my father, and my obedient side kind of just kicked in. During the walk to the river I'd had a lot to ponder over— focusing on all of the hardships I'd faced so far, not alone.

Was this really the type of thing that I should be doing alone? Blindsided and not yet to my full potential power?

Eventually I'd reasoned with myself, I'm strong enough. I'm more than capable of handling going to another dimension and dragging my dad's ass back home. I don't need the others to keep holding my hand— even if I liked it.

This is what I was raised to do.

To be alone and fight for what I wanted. It's how my father wanted me to learn and grow to be.

Yet— as I find myself reaching the sparkling frozen river in the middle of the blackened night; I hesitate.

I start to chew on my bottom lip and crave the warmth of Kilian's strong body next to mine, prepared to help me through anything— and Claire's hand clasped in mine with those comforting sisterly words she always talks to me with.

I feel the absence with me as the cold air wraps around my arms and chases away any comfort I'd gotten from the thought of them.

"You've got this." I utter to myself, the words that my father would always say when I was preparing for a soccer game, or to practice freezing something.

With a deep breath, I take a step onto the frozen river.

My heart is erratic because of the events that went down the last time I was on this river, yet, my ice dances on my fingertips ready for a fight.

The river's icy surface makes cracking sounds underneath the weight of me, but I know it'll hold. I scan the area and immediately find what I'm looking for; the gaping hole in the ice from earlier hadn't sealed up yet. I make a start towards the middle of the river, darkness and silence following me from every direction. The grimoire feels heavy underneath my cloak but I know that I cannot part with it— not with the risk of it being another dimension of some sort.

My lips and fingers tremble with the anxiety of it all, my nerves getting the best of me.

As I reach the center of the river, I take care not to step too close to the hole in fear of getting dragged in against my will.

The crater is huge, and looks as if it could fit two bodies at the same time— the Raksha must've really wanted someone to drag into the graveyard, a new prize.

I inspect the rippling water, noting that everything was pitch black inside of it. Fear crawls up my skin, urging me to go back and get my friends— my family; but I stay planted firmly on the ice. I take a deep shuddering breath as I touch the bandaged wound on my arm that still stings.

"I know you're here. You can feel me, see me." I speak aloud, praying that my voice sounded deep and brave enough to make the Raksha rethink forcefully dragging me in again.

"Come up. I want to see you." I say again,this time louder.

The water ripples, and then nothing. I still see nothing but darkness. I take another breath, balling up my fists, and speak again.

"I've come to make a deal. And—" I dig my hand into my pockets to retrieve my father's slimy, red veined eyeball.

"I have this. Remember me yet?" I taunt, holding out the eyeball in a fake smug way; inside, I'm terrified. I don't want to go back into those dark waters, but I know that I have to. The prophecy is still happening like clockwork— I was running out of time.

The water ripples again, but this time with more force.

Slowly but surely, sharp iridescent scales skim the surface of the water as I snatch my arm back protectively. The teal glow of them captures my attention as sharp talons reach out to grasp the edge of the shattered ice. I back up a couple of steps as I watch the Raksha make it's presence known in a chillingly slow manner.

It's slitted eyes reach the surface as they narrow in malice, sharp teeth glinting in a snarl. It's mouth does not move to speak, but it's scales open up for me to hear it's bewitching voice.

"Pray tell, ice witch. What makes you think that someone like you could ever summon something like me— to make a deal?" I can't tell whether it's being humorous or angry, but still I tread on with my words.

"I can give you the eyeball back— I just need passage to and from the underworld. Settrinos. You're guarding the gateway." I state, holding my ground from the Raksha's heated glare.

"You mean the eyeball that you from me." It's voice claws out as it's scales flutter in warning for me to hurry my bargaining. I wince at it's tone, it's patience wearing thin.

"For very important reason. It's my father's— surely that should give me claim over it?" I glance at the Raksha hesitatingly as it doesn't falter in its next words.

"No. A thief is a thief." It's voice slithers out as I clench my teeth in frustration. I hadn't thought that the Raksha would deny the eyeball as a price for passageway.

"What will you take, then? My eyeball—" I start to say, but am interrupted.

"Is not what I want. No, ice witch. You have something of more value to me." It pauses in its speaking, talons clicking on the ice in a thinking way.

"Aren't eyeballs your thing? What could I have that's more valuable than an eyeball? A finger?" This time it's me swaying in impatience. To this,the Raksha sends me a vile sharp toothed grin, eyeing me with glee.

"You can give me a way out of this river." It hisses.

I blink slowly as realization dawns on me like a bucket of cold water.

"You mean," I hesitate. "Kilian." I finish, skeptically.

"I saw the prince retrieve you. You have a power over him— something that can free me." It says to me, voice hauntingly happy.

"That power is called friendship. I can't just make this deal without his permission—" I rack my mind for what to say, what to do.

"Tick tock, tick tock." The Raksha taunts me. "This deal won't be here by the time you get back."

"Mother f—" I grind my teeth to stop myself from cursing, clenching my eyes shut in frustration. The Raksha watches my fidgeting movements like a hawk.

"Why do you even want to leave the river?" I ask finally, in an exasperated tone as I open my eyes.

"You have food and a purpose, yes?"

"Tell me, ice witch, is that what life isssss?" It bares it's teeth in anger.

"The king has cursed me to guard this place, making a mockery of my power. He who should know better than to forsake someone like me!" The Raksha dives back into the water, done with my deal as water splashes onto me.

"Wait!" I scream.

The waters go still.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." I curse as I bite my lip.

I'm sorry kilian. This is something that I have to do. I hope you understand.

Suddenly in the distance, I can hear my name being called. Shit. I should've known he'd realize I was gone.

"I'll make the deal! Come back up, please!" I plead with the Raksha, but it does not resurface. It's probably too pissed at me, but I need the passageway right now.

"I, Viola Beaumont, make the deal to get you out of this river in exchange for granting me—" I think for a second, making sure I wasn't screwing up my wording. "And one other, passage to the underworld and back, whenever I summon you."

"Viola!" I can hear the voice clearly now. His voice is enough to shake the mountains, and I'm sure he knows exactly where I am.

He sounds furious.

I'm so sorry Kilian.

A mark burns onto my thigh, a black scaled tail wrapping around and connecting like a poisonous vine.

"If I break this deal—" I take a deep breath.

"VIOLA!" His voice is a thundering boom as he races towards the river, his vicious anger is to be felt within me. I feel guilty— but it doesn't stop me from uttering these words.

"You may kill me." I finish just as Kilian reaches the outskirts of the river and spots me.

We connect eyes as I take a shuddering breath. He stops in his tracks, fear seizing his own expression. His chest heaves up and down as his jaw clenches with emotion.

"You're breaking my heart." I can see the words formed in his mouth, but I close my eyes and make my decision.

I ignore the sound of his weight cracking on top of the ice as he makes a run for me.

This wasn't something I'd allow him to prevent me from doing.

With his shouts still lingering in the air, I hold my breath and plunge myself into the dark freezing waters; letting the Raksha take a hold of me.

Trusting my fate was in good hands— or talons.

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