Chapter 12

Give my heart to you

It took Dante two weeks to recover, the wound was deeper than it seemed but that wasn't the main problem. After that night, he felt exhausted, like even a slight motion of his fingers would drain every drop of energy from his cells. Felling guilty was unavoidable, considering that he was delaying their research, but he couldn't even hide his lack of energy.

Fortunately for all of them, he managed to regain his health within this time period, which is why they are now making their way to Eliss's house in Manitoba after a long tiring flight, during which Lok slept, Sophie read a book, Den and Harrison where deep into their conversation just like Montehue and Carter and Dante was looking out of the window, billion thoughts crossing his mind.

He was convinced that what happened two weeks ago wasn't just a dream, the scar on his abdomen was an incontrovertible proof of it. The details burned deep down in his memory, the picture of his loved one worn out and treated in a way anything but human made his heart feel like it is being squeezed so tight it could break. He didn't even realize that he damaged the seat of the plane with his fist while being consumed by his thoughts.

Things like that have been occurring frequently lately, first the floor in his house, his bed, the hospital bed. If you look carefully, you might make out some bruise and nail marks in his palms due to balling his fist harder that what his skin can resist. His emotions are overactive and intense, he can't even recognize himself. The man with so much sobriety, self-control, discipline and moderation now can't handle his own emotions the way he used to and this is something Sophie noticed first.

The strawberry haired teen has expected someone's sanity to get questioned after Den's and Lok's argument and Lok's outbreak, but Dante was the last person she would keep in mind as a candidate for that. There was no doubt that things were actually getting serious and the action is about to start –since now all they could do is stuff their noses in books when most of them made no sense. Yet after those weeks of inactivity, the teen's mind has cleared a bit.

Sophie had focused more on her family matters to distract herself, Lok was making progress with his efforts to deal with the painful realization that Airdan is after him, Carter has been trying to make the useful by ways he still hasn't told them yet and then there were the Fears brothers. Something was odd about their behavior. They kept whispering to each other with such a secrecy, Sophie could only be curious of what they were talking about and had a tempting urge to ask but restrained herself. Harrison wasn't at the best state last before they parted and even though between those two weeks he seemed more determined, Sophie didn't want to trigger his emotional state and probably ask for something he only wants to share with his brother. But what if that something has to do with the team? What happened to them in Netherlands?

After pondering for a while, Sophie decided to brush that thought away and focus on the paper in her hands, check the questions they had prepared for Eliss for what seemed to be the hundredth time. In fact she was the one to write them down in order to avoid frustrating a woman who probably wants to forget the past and move on with her life. She needed to ensure herself the questions weren't inappropriate.

Eliss's house was located in Waterfront District of Downtown Winnipeg, the capital of the province Manitoba. It lies very close to their hotel, so after they left their bags at their rooms they walked their way to the direction of the west bank of Red River, close to Stephen Juba Park. As they walked in front of the park, Sophie took a mental note to go for a walk there and calm her mind, assuming –no, scratch that, being 100% certain that their visit will have a dramatic and intense outcome.

All of them stood in front of the white door hesitant. The questions may be written and secured in Sophie's hands, but how are they going to start? Dante insisted that no draft should be made, but that made the team, especially Carter, even more nervous, even though they knew that whatever they say, having a dramatic scene is inevitable.

Dante wasted no more time and pushed the square button with the surname Range written in it. The team waited in anticipation and only a few seconds after Dante ringed the bell –which seemed like eons to Carter- the sounds of footsteps filled their ears, followed by a the door being cracked open carefully, revealing a middle aged blond woman, who looked rather young for her age.

Carter hid behind Montehue's colossus body, afraid of confronting his ex-wife. Eliss hadn't changed much those nine years, only a small barely visible pair of wrinkles was located in her eyes as if they have been carved in her skin. The woman eyed the new visitors with curiosity and a polite smile.

"Good Afternoon misses Range, we are sorry if we are interrupting you from your daily chores" Dante returned the polite smile with a polite greeting.

"Hello sir. Is there anything I can help you with? I cannot recall having seen any of you" she asked.

"I am Dante Vale misses Range, and this is my team, Sophie Casterwill, Lok Lambert, Den and Harrison Fears and our friend Montehue Lockwood. I assume you have heard of us just like any other seeker" Dante introduced them and saw a spark of acknowledgement in Eliss's eyes.

"Oh that's right! The team who defeated the Professor and had a crucial part on defeating the Blood Spirals! Even a deactivated seeker like me knows you. It's an honor to meet you and congratulations for your achievements. What would the best team of the foundation seek from me?" Eliss asked in bewilderment with a warm honest smile.

Carter could only peek through Montehue's shoulder and when he saw Eliss's smile, he was attack by a flood of memories. Oh how much he has missed that smile!

"I assure you that an inactive seeker like you can provide us a lot of information at the moment and we would really appreciate your help. May we come in?" Dante asked and Eliss chuckled awkwardly, realizing she hadn't invited them inside already.

"Of course you can! God, where did my manners go!? Please, come inside, I would me more than happy to offer my assistance." She gladly welcomed them and the team members walked past her one by one, giving her grateful smiles, but Montehue stood in his place.

"Why don't come inside Mister Lockwood?" Eliss asked him, preserving her warm smile and Montehue rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He had spent the entire journey on the plane trying to encourage Carter, prepare him to face his wife, but now, seeing Eliss being so kind and polite, he feels an uncomfortable knot in his throat, knowing that after making one step, all of that will change in the blink of an eye.

Dante stepped besides Eliss and gave her the most honest smile he could at the moment, yet the sadness was still evident in it.

"There is another person who has accompanied us all the way here, but I believe there is no need to introduce him" Dante said before signalizing Montehue to step aside and reveal that other visitor, Carter.

Eliss froze in her place and eyed her ex-husband with half open mouth. Her firmly grip on the doorknob became unstable and her knuckles turned white as her rosy lips formed a thin line. Carter was looking down; stealing a few glances of her face, any evidence of courage he had managed to build up was now miserably decimating.

"So you work for the Foundation now?" she inquired, breaking the suffocating silence that engulfed them, causing Carter to jerk his head up.

"A-Actually I am just helping them" he mumbled and Eliss raised a brow, her features cold.

"Helping them, huh?" she asked mockingly "Took you quite long to learn how to help people who don't lie in a hospital bed" she commented, her voice leaking displeasure and innuendo. Carter averted his gaze at that and Eliss sighed.

"Well don't stand there like a statue, get inside! I don't have all day in my disposal!" she gave her order sharply and Carter once again jerked his head up in surprise, an expression which the team copied for a second.

They had expected Eliss to react in a whole different way, such as scream at him, yell how irresponsible and coward he is for having left their daughter behind and then for the finale, a rain of tears. However, Eliss just refuted all of their assumptions and calmly –yet coldly- she invited her husband inside and finally closed the door behind her.

The team had seated themselves in the two comfortable big teal couches of the living room and waited until Eliss took her seat in the white armchair between them. Crossing one leg and putting her cellphone on the table she took a deep breath before turning to Dante.

"So, how can I offer my assistance Mister Vale?" She asked seriously and Dante cleared his throat to concentrate to the topic at hand. Eliss was a far more concentrated and disciplined person than what they had expected, but he can't allow himself to get surprised by those things. After all, they still don't know if she agrees to help.

"Well misses Range, one of our teammates has been kidnapped by your ex-husband's brother. The entire foundation, my team included has been trying to locate him ever since and we found your husband. Unfortunately Carter's memory is weak and his resources lacking. We were hoping you could enlighten us about some questions we have about your past with Airdan Cole and your son Daniel Cole." Dante finished his request and observed how Eliss was paying attention to every word of his and flinched lightly upon hearing her son's name.

"I see" she said and took a deep breath, processing every word Dante said. After she thought for a second, she spoke.

"Before I answer the questions you want to ask me, I would like to know why my son's name was mentioned. Is he involved in this, is he helping you?"

"This is something that none of us is certain about. He seems to act on his own against his uncle, yet some of his actions bring complications to me and my team. However, we still have a common goal, defeating Airdan and to do that, we need to reassure that Daniel is at our side. Any information about how to approach him would be more than useful." Dante replied and Eliss nodded.

"My son, he was planning his revenge ever since we left Amsterdam. The first year was hard for all of us" she said and averted her gaze to Carter, whose features formed an expression of guilt "After that year, Daniel decided to join the Foundation and from what I was hearing, he was the best trainee seeker they had. He was learning in an incredibly fast pace, which is one of the advantages his powers have. Then he came to me and asked about his dad and his uncle, determined to find out the source of their power. I had no choice but to share it, or at least reveal someone that would teach him about his dark powers. Ever since that day, I never saw him and only heard from my old friends in the Foundation that he joined the Organization as a spy when he was 16. 4 years later, he got a job at the FBI and continued to work on his plans, most likely. Other than that, I haven't seen my son for five years and I am sorry I cannot provide more useful information about him."

"So you had no contact with our son all these years." Carter spoke "Why? Why didn't you keep him away from this?" He asked, looking at his wife with bewilderment and sadness. He knew how stubborn and imposing Eliss can be, letting their son follow his and his brother's footsteps to doom was the last thing she would do. Surprisingly, Eliss returned his look with an angry one.

"Because, on contrary with you, he was doing something. He wanted to use the powers you inherited to him for good, and despite my fears I know there is good in him. Just like I knew there is good to you once, you were the only one who never believed in it and left our daughter behind where there was so much you can do, so much that Daniel is doing now the moment we speak." Carter looked down at the wooden floor, incapable of keep eye contact with her. He felt her eyes pierce his heart and add to his guilt. Eliss decided to not go any further accusing him and turned to Dante.

"Now, if the subject of my son is closed, please go ahead and ask your questions."

Dante eyed Carter and frowned, even Montehue did so. Everyone besides Carter and Eliss were really confused about what they had just heard. Eliss just answered an unsaid question and brought more to the surface, regarding Carter who, as it seems, has dark powers the team was unaware of. Eliss recognized the lost look in their eyes and her mouth made a small O shape from the realization.

"So you haven't told them?" she inquired, even though the answer was more than obvious 'Why am I not surprised?"

"He hasn't told us what?" Lok asked curious. Carter was the center of attention, receiving disapproving stares and a hurtful look from Montehue. He thought Carter trusted him, but this moment, he questioned himself of how much he actually knows about him.

"You and Airdan have the same dark powers!" Sophie said, having already connected the dots in her head. For some reason, Carter and his brother have gotten the same dark magic in them, but Carter never used his, not even to save his own daughter. Carter forced himself to lift up his head and face them. There was no running away from it.

"Yes…yes I do. I and my brother possess the tittle of the sunken soul. It gives you limitless power and access to forbidden dark magic as long as you practice it and if you choose to activate it. My brother did, but I never wanted this power, so I promised myself to never use it"

"But you did" Montehue announced, his expression hardened when realization hit him. Everyone turned to him, his statement adding to the surprise that overwhelmed them.

"You said that spirit magic was one of the forbidden kinds of magic. At the plane, you told something about Hybrids, and today you revealed that they are people who host titans in their bodies instead of amulets. You host a titan too Carter, you have two colors in your hair and eyes" he finished with a sad look in his eyes, yet a strict tone in his voice. He felt betrayed.

Eliss felt betrayed as well, even more than Montehue. Her husband chose to use spirit magic to turn himself into a Hybrid but not to save Brooklyn from Airdan. The others where socked, surprised but Dante was one more thing. He was angry. He accuses himself for not suspecting that this man is capable of more than what he lets people see.

"You told us we could trust you, that you will change things for the better. We tried not to push you, respecting your situation, but now I believe we were too elastic with you." He said in such a way that Carter felt threatened and made a failed attempt to suppress a gasp.

"I thought there would be no point on telling you this. I only used my powers to get Hereto embodied to me. I never practiced it but even if I started now, I still stand no chance against Airdan. My powers are of no use to you." He tried to defend himself but this time; the least expected member of the team gave him the reply Dante had thought about.

"But you still could have told us. Your powers have the same origins with Airdan's. If we had known this earlier, we could have dig deeper into his past and know more about him, maybe even find his weaknesses if he has. I just can't believe how you can keep silent all along AND lie to yourself that you are doing something good. Just joining the team and acting pathetically because of your shame is not bravery, it only makes you look more coward than what you have already appeared to be."

It was Harrison. The one who never seemed to lose his temper, more like his hopes, but he didn't show any signs of losing his self-awareness, at least until now. He had stood up and his hands were balled into fists. Den held his hands tightly and pulled him on the couch again, trying his best to calm him down.

"Misses Range, we came here, counting our hopes on the information you would provide us, but it appears that we should be questioning someone else. Our visit here certainly provided valuable information. Thank you for your time and we apologize for any kind of upheaval we caused. Have a good evening" Sophie, who noticed that it's safer and more polite to continue this conversation elsewhere and not disturb Eliss any further, decided their departure by herself. The others appeared to agree with her and stood up from their seats, following Sophie's example and politely greeting the middle aged woman. Carter was the last on who followed their example.

Eliss just heaved a sigh of frustration and accompanied them to the door without a word, only a curt nob ensured them that she complies with their departure. Following them to the door and idea came to her right before she was ready to close it.

"Wait!" she said and they all turned to her "There is something I forgot to say and I doubt that my husband will share it"

The team stepped closer to her, their intention to hear what she has to say was clear in their faces and encouraged Eliss to continue.

"If someone knows Daniel process and purposes, that man is master Abu. He was the one who showed Carter and Airdan the way to become the Sunken Souls and trained Daniel to become the dark magician he is today. He will have more to tell you. He lives in China. Carter knows his whereabouts better than me. He will be of much more use than me and Carter will be me because I don't have many things to share and Carter because I don't know what he will choose to share." She finished and was about to close the door, but Carter stopped her.

"Eliss" his voice was very close to a whisper, but she heard him and stopped in her tracks. The times when he whispered her day like that when they used to wake up side by side, bury his face in her hair and whispering her name where still there and even after all these years, after all they have been through, they still carried some of their old sweetness.

"Can we talk for a second" he begged but Eliss remained frozen "Please"? After that, she let out a sigh and opened the door with a heavy heart.

"Make it quick, I don't want to delay your team" she coldly said and let him in while the team waited outside.

No one found out what they said, Carter refused to share and Eliss promised them it was a private matter unrelated with their mission. The way back to Venice was deadly silent.

During the flight, Den and Harrison would talk endlessly until they gave into the temptation of the sleep. Lok failed to understand how they did that, the plane's seat looked terribly uncomfortable to him. He just leaned his head on Sophie's shoulder, his eyes lingering in the book she was reading without actually paying attention, before both of them drifted to sleep as well. Dante was looking out of the window, playing with the small piece of paper in his hands and thinking. Eliss had given him her phone number in case she remembers something useful.

He recalled the middle aged woman in his mind and couldn't help but admire her bravery and patience. After all she has been through, she still manages to find the strength to stand back in her feet and move on with her life, despite the memories that haunt her. Of course, she might as well have that characteristic stubbornness like he and Zhalia have, accompanied with the refusal to let her feelings show for her own reasons, just like he has his own reasons.

He is a team leader, an example, an idol to every seeker, but apart from that, there is nothing that can make him stop being human. Saying that he misses Zhalia will be the hugest understatement humanity has ever made. A part of him is dying every day and he has to hide the remains of that part, like a criminal hides a dead body. People need some space to be humans and let their storm of emotions rage on, get everything out of their system and see things from another angle, think more rational and finally manage to find a way out of their problems. Dante really needed that space and he knows very well that his own space has flesh, bones and a name, just like he knew he was in Germany and definitely too busy at the moment.

As if the two men had just shared their thoughts telepathically, Dante's holotome made an incoming call sound. He immediately went to the airplane's bathroom and after making sure no one is waiting outside, he took out his holotome and replied to the call.

"Metz" he simply addressed his mentor, who gave him a warm smile

"Dante my boy, I called to inform you that I am waiting for you and your team in the Headquarters of Venice when you arrive." He said and Dante mentally smiled. He didn't want to preoccupy him when he is busy but he also couldn't deny that he was feeling relieved, knowing that he will see his father figure.

"I would like to learn how your visit to misses Range turned out" he continued

"You will learn everything Metz, thanks for calling" Dante said and Metz immediately traced the sad hue of his voice

"You need to talk son?" he asked concerned and Dante forced a smile and shook his head

"We'll say everything needed when we get back" he said, greeted his mentor and returned to his seat, trying very hard to fall asleep, maybe even 'connecting' with Zhalia again, or whatever what happened between them was back then.

During this entire time, Montehue avoided eye contact with Carter. The team never actually fully trusted him, Montehue knew that Carter would have hard time collaborating but he was convinced that he will manage eventually. He trusted him and now he felt betrayed.

Carter on the other hand replayed the scenes in Eliss's house a thousand times. The image of his beloved wife was something he had missed so much. If only he could just delete the past and wrap his arms around her. Every place with her always seemed like heaven to him. The words he told him where echoing in his brain, clouding his eyes with tears.

'I gave my heart to you and you broke it'. He noticed that apart from being a skilled doctor, hurting people was another one of his talents. Montehue was another victim of his. Being unable to meet his friend's eyes was the final blow. It was clear that not every apology in the world would help him make it up for it. Indeed he thought that his powers were of no use –and that was true- but he was well aware of the consequences that followed his choice not to tell them about the Sunken Souls. There was not such a thing as justifying his actions now.

The flight was over and everyone gathered in Dante's house. He told them they have an hour to rest before they meet Metz at the HQ and decide what to do with Carter, as well as prepare a new plan. During this time, Dante decided to go for a walk to clear his head. More and more revelations keep coming, more things they don't know. Only God knows what else lies under their nose!

He walked besides the river, hearing the calm and relaxing sound of the water, seeing people laughing and enjoying the glory of Venice in the daylight. If only she could be by his side at the moment.

Putting his hands in his pockets, he reached for her scarf. The piece of cloth was soft like her skin and still carried her smell. Dante's grip on it was tight, as if he was trying to hold onto her.

"I will bring you back Zhalia, I promise" he whispered, gazing at the explosion of magical colors the sunset was painting the sky with. His mind traveled back in time to all of his memories, good and bad, with or without the team, memories where he felt alive, happy. He held onto the scarf as tightly as he was holding onto those memories which managed to encourage him to keep going.

"Just hang in there" he whispered again. His thoughts were interrupted by a beeping sound. His phone was warning him that 45 minutes passed and that it's time to go back. Deactivating the alarm, he turned around and start heading to the direction of his house, but something stopped him in his tracks.

His shadow was moving in a weird way… it didn't follow him and seemed to have gotten itself unattached from him. Turning his head around he noticed that there is another shadow on the back, but this was his original one. Looking at both shadows, he wondered if someone is playing a trick on him. Maybe illusions spell… could it be the Organization or Blood spiral left overs? That was the last thing he needed.

Then the second shadow moved in front of him and started heading to a dark narrow road full of trash cans, graffiti and boxes. The road led to a dead end, a brick wall.

Following the shadow, Dante watched it stop in the wall, between some old boxes and started getting detached from it, taking a human form. As long as the shadow fully transformed into a human, Dante's eyes widened and his mouth dropped.

There in front of him was lying a dead looking girl with blood coming out of her mouth. Her pale skin, dirty blonde hair and forest green eyes revealing her identity.

"Brooklyn!" he exclaimed the girl's name and rushed to her direction. Her condition was too bad. As he took her in his arms, Brooklyn started coughing blood that spilled his coat.

"It's alright, calm down! Try to breath!" he said, his voice full of sock as he held her in a position in which she wouldn't drown in her own blood. After a while, she stopped and passed out.

Dante immediately checked her pulse. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he detected a weak one. She was still alive. Suddenly a sign of hope filled his eyes.

If Brooklyn managed to escape, than maybe Zhalia is with her, maybe she is close. But as much as his eyes searched and scanned the area, he couldn't find his beloved one. He wanted to stay there and keep looking, but Brooklyn's condition was crucial, she needed medical care immediately and Dante couldn't provide it to her. Maybe when she wakes up she can tell him what happened, how she escaped and if Zhalia is out there or still with Airdan.

Placing the damaged female carefully in his back, he climbed into the nearest roof and called the Foundation.

She had seen him; Brooklyn had seen Dante walking just a few meters in front of her but didn't notice her, so she used the last drop of strength to make him do so. While she was in his arms, a painful piercing pain overtook her. For three days she had been there, unable to move, weak, constantly spitting blood, feeling like she is being ripped in half. At least now, she was with Dante and she was safe… for the moment.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar place with white walls, a hospital room. She was all cleaned up and wearing a long white hospital gown with long sleeves. Some people find hospital beds uncomfortable, but for Brooklyn this was the most comfortable bed she has lied to in years. A small dry chuckle escaped her lip as she realized again that she is free from him.

Blinking a few times to adjust to the light of the room, she got a clearer vision of her surroundings and noticed she wasn't alone. Right beside her, a middle aged mad was seated with a warm smile on his lips. Brooklyn recognized him immediately.

"Metz" she mouthed his name but no sound came. He gently placed his palm on her forehead.

"Hello Brooklyn" he kindly addressed her "I have heard a lot about you and I am sure you know a lot about me. You have been through a lot. Try to get as much rest as you can until Dante is back"

Brooklyn used a lot of effort to turn her head and notice that Dante wasn't there. She felt her head spinning, so she closed her eyes and let out a muffled moan of pain. Her muscles were still weak and she couldn't feel her limps, but she at least enjoyed the sensation of being clean and safe. Looking at Metz with cloudy, barely open eyes and struggled to move her hands.

'Where is Dante' she asked with moves of her hands and it took Metz sometime to understand what she was trying to say.

"Oh, Dante is right outside, don't worry. He is calling the team, they will all come to see you" he said and as if she heard him, Dante's head popped up from the door.

"They are all here" he announced. Metz gave Brooklyn a last smile and left the room. Brooklyn forced herself to sit on the bed and used a pillow to lay her back on.

The others started entering the room one by one, their smiles filling Brooklyn's heart with joy. However, that joy vanished the second the last one, Dante entered, and she realized she will have to inform them about Zhalia's death.

"Hello Brooklyn" Lok greeted her with the happiest expression he could give and she waved her hand at everyone.

"Why aren't you talking?" Sophie asked this time and Brooklyn looked at the floor for a moment, before opening her mouth hesitant. Everyone gasped at the sight of the remains of her tongue and averted their gaze elsewhere, letting out sounds of disgust.

"That guy is unbelievable! He is a monster!" Den shouted, trying to shake off the image from his mind.

Dante already knew about it, so he had closed his eyes before he was forced to see it again. His heart ached, thinking that Zhalia has similar injuries.

"I believe there is something we can do about that" he announced as he regained his composure. Brooklyn looked at him full of hope and Dante stepped aside, to reveal another visitor.

Brooklyn's mouth fell open, and the seekers had to close their eyes again, her eyes nearly popped out of her skull as her father's figure greeted her vision. Tears filled her forest orbs and she had to try very hard to restrain her urge to cry, yet the tears fell against her will. Her father held a similar expression.

He approached her, but when he stretched out his hand to touch her, Brooklyn backed off. He was there, he was right in front of her, and she knew she loves him, but still hasn't forgiven him. Carter's features formed a pained expression as he watched his tortured daughter trying to distant herself from him after 10 years, but this is the least of what he deserves for what he did to her.

"Brooke my child, I know that what I've done is unforgivable and I don't expect you to forgive me. I have been a coward my entire life and couldn't even save my own daughter. I deserve to be hated by you, but please. I am begging you to let me help you right now, it's the least and only thing I can do." He said in a trembling voice and this time, Brooklyn didn't suppress her sobs.

She shut her eyes and lowered her head, sobbing and letting tears fall, as her dad placed his hand in front of her half open mouth, a light blue glow coming from it as Carter's blue highlights and his brown eye glowed as well. A warm, ticklish sensation overwhelmed Brooklyn, as she felt the soft flesh being regenerated in her mouth. Her tongue was back. She could speak.

She abruptly lifted her head and saw her father's weak sad smile, but she was too shocked to react.

"Well, I shall take my leave now, I understand that you don't want to see me" he let go of her lips and made his way to the exit. Dante had told him to go to Metz's office as soon as he was finished and this was his destination, but his daughter's voice stopped him in the doorframe.

"Dad wait!" she weakly uttered with her newfound voice, making Carter's heart melt upon hearing it. With trembling lips, he turned to see her looking at him in the eyes, with something he hadn't seen in her for years and had missed so much.

"I love you" she said with the weakest of smiles "And I forgive you"

Her words took Carter by surprise. His grip got tight on the doorframe to resist his urge to hug her. It wasn't the time yet. Taking deep breaths to calm himself, he smiled to her and said "I love you too child" before leaving the room. Only when she lost sight of him did Brooklyn notice that Dante had left the room as well.

She turned to the team, who obviously didn't know how to react at that scene, but seems happy. Oh how she wishes she didn't need to ruin that happiness. To tell them that she is ready to make a plan to save Zhalia.

"Thank you for everything you have done to help us. Without you, we would have gone mad" Den kindly said and Brooklyn smiled at him.

"We shall let you rest now, you really need it. Dante has prepared a guest room for you once you are out. Get well soon and welcome to our team, officially now" Sophie said this time and left the room with Den, leaving Lok and Harrison behind to greet her.

"Hey, I know I shouldn't be asking this and that it would be selfish of me –please forgive me- but… is my dad ok?" Lok asked concerned and Brooklyn recalled Eathon's memory.

"Yes Lok, he is alive that's what I know. My uncle transferred him in a different cell but he is not planning on killing him. I'll tell you more when I can. And you are not selfish, I understand" Lok let out a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully at her, before greeting her and leaving her alone with Harrison.

The boy shyly approached her and sat beside her in the bed. Brooklyn smiled to him, a warm feeling filling her heart. Seeing he alright meant that she had actually helped him back then and she felt good knowing she had that effect on him. Then Harrison did something that startled her.

He took her wounded hands in his and just held them there, before finding the courage to face her and look at her in the eyes, his pale blue meeting her forest green ones.

"Thank you for back there and for everything you have done for us. My sister might not be here and I don't know if she is alright" at that point, his eyes got gloomy and Brooklyn's posture stiffened. How is she going to tell them?

"But I am glad you are here. Ever since that say on Klaus's cell, I've been meaning to say thank you. We'll keep you safe and you'll never have to suffer the way you did, I promise."

Brooklyn felt like crying again. Between all the others, these were the most beautiful words she has heard so far. She could still trace the pain in his eyes and how much he misses his sister, but her presence seems to have a good effect on him, an effect that Brooklyn feels so guilty she will change.

Lowering her head on the ground, she tightened her grip on his hand. Harrison was taken aback by her action but in a weird way, he liked the sensation of her hands in his and he could tell she had needed someone's hand to hold for a while now. He smiled, slowly let go of her hand and told her to rest before exiting the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and nervousness.

"I'm sorry Harrison, I couldn't save her" she muttered to herself.

Zhalia woke up by the sound of chains getting hauled to the ground. It was piercing and annoying. She let out a small moan before opening her hazel eyes.

When her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed she is in the lab again, but this time not in the wall. She was tossed in the floor with the piles of dead bodies.

As she recalled what happened, she placed her hand on the left side of her chest and found a deep wound, from when Airdan stabbed her. Something was odd.

Placing her fingers on her wrist, she detected no pulse, neither felt her heart beat in her chest. This couldn't be possible.

Trying to control her breathing, she weakly turned her head around, only to find Airdan chaining up a chest made of glass, which gave her a clear vision of her heart swimming in the water it was filled it –or whatever the hell that liquid was. It had a big crack in it but other than that, it wasn't broken and Zhalia stared at it. Her glass heart was beating right in front of her eyes.

Airdan finished chaining up the chest and turned around to find his heartless prisoner with half open eyes.

"You are finally awake love" he exclaimed as he kneeled beside her "Can you explain this to me?" he said as he pointed at the content of the chest.

"What? H-How did you-"she didn't manage to finish her question, for Airdan growled out of anger and answered in in a hurry through his teeth.

"When my bloody niece escaped, I took your heart out. I know she told you that your heart is enchanted and keeps beating even after I take it out of your body. But my knife didn't destroy it, even if I stabbed you at the exact position where it lied with undoubtable accuracy. So instead of pieces of glass, THIS is what I found when I pulled my hand out of your chest!"

He was filled with rage, his eyes were shooting daggers at her and he tried very hard not to take that heart and smash it, simply because he hated that little game she played. Airdan was certain that Zhalia knew about it all along, he was certain that she knew what was going on with the beating heart he was pointing at, or rather her incomplete beating heart.

"Where is the other half!? Who has it?!" he demanded to know, growling at her face, his breath smelled blood. Zhalia's lip corner got lifted in amusement. Seeing him lost and angry like that rejoiced her and she is not planning to give him what he wants.

"I'll never tell you" she managed to say. Of course, challenging Airdan's patience has its consequences and they are anything but pleasant. However, she didn't care at the moment, for he mustn't find out who has the half of her other heart at any cost.

"You know I can make you confess it love! I can do it and I will so it!" he threatened, his eye twitching lightly and Zhalia smirked.

"Try me"

Only five hours after, Brooklyn had a visitor again but this time, she was ready to accept them properly. She looked more refreshed and more…well, more like a human. Her visitors were Dante and Metz.

"Hey!" she greeted them with a big honest smile

"Hello Brooklyn, how are you feeling?" Metz asked, returning the smile.

"Much better, thank you very much" she exclaimed, referring to her health condition, cause her mental one was a huge mess. She thought about how lucky Dante is to have someone like Metz. Just being in the room with that person makes her feel so warm and safe. He must have been a wonderful father to Dante.

"Brooklyn, there is someone I believe you would like to see. And it's not your father" Dante announced and went to open the door for the new visitor to come inside. Brooklyn couldn't help but stretch her body to get a glimpse of the visitor out of pure curiosity, but Metz lightly pushed her down. She pouted a little, but didn't protest. Metz couldn't help but think that she must be a fun person to be around, but it will take her a while to find the strength to 'stand on her feet' and take her life in her hands.

The door finally opened and her new visitor was here, a tall tanned man, with wavy dark brown hair and beautiful blue eyes, craggy face and a strong figure. His eyes scanned her with worry, concern and relief. There was no doubt about his identity.

"Brother!" Brooklyn cried out and got up to rush into his arms. However, her legs were intertwined with the blanket, so she tripped, but a pair of strong arms caught her before her face manages to meet the floor.

Daniel picked her up, placed her on the bed and hugged her tightly without saying a word. Brooklyn couldn't control her emotions at the moment. She had missed him so much, he had been her first thought all of these years. The only person she could think of and make a smile spread on her lips. He was the only one worth fighting for. Just like the song with the siblings she used to love to hear, because she loves her brother so much she would cross the world to find him, and he would do the same for her.

As they let go of their embrace, Daniel takes his time to observe her figure. He could feel every detail of her bones under his touch, she had bruises and cuts wherever he could see, even big and deep wounds like a whole in her chest besides his signature. Her eyes were sallow and bruised; a cut at the shape of a thunder started from her right brow and continued lower, Daniel didn't know where it ended. His gaze followed the scars on her body carrying so much sadness and odium. He was going to tear that beast apart.

Meanwhile Brooklyn was looking at him proudly, seeing he has grown up to become a handsome strong young man whose heart still carried softness. Despite what she had learnt about him from Zhalia, she knew her brother was the bubbly happy boy she left behind when she was a child and she knows how to see that boy through his eyes.

'I missed you" she uttered with a big soulful smile that made Daniel smile too, his hands caressed his sister's cheeks, ore more like bones of her face.

"I'm so glad you are here. I'm sorry I wasn't the one to get you out of there, I should have tried harder" he apologized and Brooklyn placed her palm on top of his.

"Don't beat yourself about it, I am sure you did all you could. I'm here now." She said and lowered her gaze, recalling Zhalia's lifeless body on the ground "And… I am afraid that I and perhaps Eathon Lambert would be the only ones to make it out of there… alive" she finished. It was about time she should tell them.

The faces of the three males around her darkened, already suspecting of what she was about to say, but refused to believe it.

"What do you mean?" asked her Dante, his hands clenched to fists inside the pockets of his trench coat. Brooklyn's gaze was still on the ground and she could see the reflection of her brother eyeing her with hope that it's not what he thinks it is.

"I'm sorry… this was my entire fault. We were both trying to escape, everything was going according to plan but at the last moment…he found us. She stepped in front of me to protect me… he stabbed her right in her heart, there's no way she could have survived this" she confessed, breaking down in sobs.

Metz's eyes immediately fell on Dante who was frozen in his place with owl wide eyes. He had no words to describe what he felt right now; his hands were bleeding under his tight grip. He couldn't even matter a 'no' or something. Daniel wasn't any better. He felt like he had just lost the ground under his feet. There is no doubt that he has loved Zhalia just like Dante has. Seeing the woman he loves fall for someone else was haunting and hurting him every day. He had spent endless nights imagining the day when he would give her memories back and make her remember how she feels about him again… but now he would never have the chance to even look at her eyes.

"I'm so sorry… I should have come up with something… I should have known… she just kept talking about how she wants to kill herself… to prevent Airdan's plan from coming true and save me and Eathon." Brooklyn continued as her tears were falling. Daniel's eyes widened upon hearing that, but not out of surprise…out of realization. A small chuckle escaped his lips and then a sigh of relief. Dante frowned, eyeing him with anger and bewilderment. He was well aware of his affection towards Zhalia, how can he react like that.

"Don't worry Brooklyn… she is alive" he said, justifying his reaction and they all looked at him in bewilderment.

"What do you mean? I saw him stabbing her right in front of me! I can't doubt my eyes" Brooklyn protested, even though she wished for her brother's words to be true and he smiled.

"She is smarter than you think."

"Would you mind enlightening us?" Dante asked, quite offended for not knowing what's going on and Daniel turned to him with a frown.

"I will Vale. Stop giving me that look. I know you consider me as your enemy; or rather you have no idea how to see me. Let me clear your doubts, I am on your side and I have been for more than what you think."

"What does that have to do with what you said about Zhalia?" Dante asked in a stable voice. The two males where glaring at each other, as if they were going to fight. No matter what Daniel would say, even though he is on their side, Dante would still hold some hatred as he looks at him.

"It all started last year, at your battle with the blood spiral. I had told Zhalia to send me a sign when she needs me, anytime that would be, and she did that day. When we were at the Organization, I had told her about the magic of the galaxy and how it can consume ordinary life, but I won't analyze that chapter of magic. The thing is, even with Phoenix's resurrecting powers, your life would have been consumed and Zhalia knew that. Your heart would have been destroyed, so Zhalia took care there would be… a replacement" he paused for a second, recalling the events in his mind.

Everyone was too shocked and confused to connect the dots, so Daniel continued.

"She knew about my dark magi and what I can do… normally, only the strong hearts are enchanted and can still beat out of a person's body, but my level in necromancy allows me to enchant ordinary hearts. I didn't know her own was the glass one…my spell didn't allow me to see or feel it…it felt like I was confronting an ordinary heart"

"You took Zhalia's heart out?" Brooklyn asked shocked "You indeed have dark powers!" Daniel looked at her apologetically.

"I had to learn dark magic to save you and…Zhalia asked me to do it"

"Just get to the point already!" Dante demanded and Daniel pierced him with his gaze, a sign of sorrow in his eyes.

"Zhalia asked me to take her heart out and split it in two… she wanted you to have an enchanted heart so that you will survive galaxy magic… she asked me to split her heart in two and place the other half to you… she gave her heart to you because she loves you"

He finally finished his revelation, his breathing hard as he suppressed his emotions, something that Dante failed to do after what he had just heard. Not wanting him or Brooklyn to see him like this, he went out of the room, Metz following right behind him.

Leaning with his back on the wall, blinking continuously and trying to digest Daniel's words, his hand went subconsciously to his chest, feeling the rapid heartbeat of his heart…no, of HER heart!

"Zhalia" he whispered her name and felt tears gathering in his amber orbs. She had saved him… she saved him… The more she felt his rapid heartbeat the more he felt pain piercing his chest. His feelings were a big mess.

She forced herself to take her heart out of her chest and split in in half for him… because she loved him… she loved him in a way he could only imagine. She had been through so much last year, having to infiltrate the blood spiral, be away from them, risk getting caught, falling asleep at night worrying about them, missing them wondering if they are alright. Knowing that the day where Dante dies will come even though he thought he was the only one who knew it. He didn't know how she found out but it didn't matter. No matter all she was facing, she found the strength to go through that process, which was most likely painful, and give her heart to him –well, half of it.

And there he was; knowing she is suffering and incapable of doing something to save her at the moment. She gave her heart to him and what is he doing now?

"Dante, you are doing all you can" Metz tried to mollify him, placing a hand on his protégé shoulder, but he didn't hear him. Daniel's word kept echoing in his head, there was nothing else he could hear or think….

She gave her heart to him

A/N: Hello to all my sexy beautiful people! How are you feeling out there?

Chapter 12 is up! This time I tried to update sooner than before.

I got no idea why some of you were unable to post reviews on chapter 11, I think it has something to do with my account or the fact that I deleted chapter 6, the warning about the story going rated M. I don't know if it affected the story's reviews. Can deleting a chapter affect the others? If you know the answer, please tell me so.

This chapter won't have many questions…since I mostly made revelations… and I believe you liked those revelations! I mean… Zhalia and Dante share a heart… that's love! (Credits to the series of once upon a time for giving me inspiration for most of this book) And Airdan thankfully stabbed the wrong side. So Zhalia is alive…but Dante is in danger…he carries half of the glass heart! Which means his emotions are quite a mess at the moment.

And Daniel had been on their side for a year! Sorry if the explanation sounded inconvenient, I just wanted to make this happen!

But the questions remain…what was Daniel doing in Japan? What will Airdan do now? Is Eathon ok? What about Lok and his golden heart? What plans does Airdan have for him? What were Harrison and Den talking about when they were at the plane? Did something happen while they were away? Oh and by the way what was that task Eathon wanted Brooklyn to do (remember from previous chapters?)? Did she do it? You think they will see Eliss again? Will that new revelation change their plans about going to China and meeting master Abu? Who was that Gaston guy Airdan had tracked in the map? He is a Cole for sure but…how is he involved with our story?

Oh and how do you like the idea of Harrison and Brooklyn ^.^?

I might have forgotten some but… bleh :P

In the next chapters, I will reveal a few things about Airdan's and Carter's past, the only past left unknown, and the teams actions!

Let's do this! :D

My sincere thanks to everyone who reads and reviews this story. I appreciate it deeply!

Lots of love from Irene Rays