Alex pov.

How can I describe flesh bubbling off bone? I'm not sure but the smell reminds me of a pot roast but not a good one. One that's been in a faulty crockpot so there are some pieces that are blackened and crispy while others just fell right off all juicy and tender. There's also the smell of leaving your flatiron on too high and you didn't use heat protection. The sizzle and pop of hair as you rush it through until it's

straight and stiff. That was nothing compared to the sound of my own screams. The deafening shrieks that burst from my lungs shattered my eardrums and let blood trail freely in ribbons. For a moment. I hadn't even realized what was happening until it was too late. I was dying. Man. I fucking hate that shit. It's not how it's portrayed in the movies. Your life doesn't flash before your eyes. At least not with me. You feel everything! I mean every painful molten bubble popping and overflowing with puss until white meat and bone expose. It burned. Strangely. That wasn't the worst of it. The revival? The resurrection? Happened in reverse. Oh yeah. I felt that shit twice!

Here I sit shaking in my skivvies. My fresh pink skin is sensitive to the touch and raw as can be, my ears ringing, my eyesight blurred, the smell of burnt hair still lingers. Anytime I tried to turn my head I'd feel these zaps inside my brain. They started near the base of my spine and shot all the way up. Every time it happens an aura of colors blend. I could taste them. Almost as if every sense I had was connected and on the fritz. So I kept as still as possible and just tried to keep breathing, to keep myself from potentially pushing up more daisies. I was desperately afraid. Mostly because I was the only one that was unaffected by, while I was getting my bearings, everyone else was frozen. Yet Ambrose wasn't around to affect. Time. That strange fickle thing. What exactly is it? We see it every day, in small increments of course. Yet we still have no idea what it truly is. Yes, we can say, it's a clock that tics. But time is more than hands and numbers. It's the progression of events from the past to the present and into the future. Time can be considered the fourth dimension of reality. As it is not something we can see, touch, or taste, yet its presence is felt. In a single moment. A single fraction of that so called thing as time. I went from living to dying to...? I began to understand I knew nothing of its ever-pressing need to flow. To change. To expand its possessive hands into space and mutate everything it touches. My obsessive thoughts slowed to a halt as footsteps approached behind me.

I was instantly familiar with the scent permeating around them. A savory hint of warm spices and vinegar. Ginger and Garlic and Thyme. Something distinctively foreign with a hint of some heat. With a slight sweet tartness that coincides with the personality of a sneaky greedy fox. A pointed hand clutched my shoulder. The person keeping me hostage with a gentle grip bent down to meet my eyes. I was face to face with my uncle, Time. He was speaking but I couldn't hear him over the ringing. I attempted to read his face for context clues. His jaw was tense and his eyebrow knitted together. He wasn't angry but worried. My vision blurred and I blinked floating spots away. I tried to read his lips but I still couldn't understand. I reached out to feel his face. Trying to decern whether if he was real. If any of it was... his skin felt like silk. Almost impossibly too smooth and was free of any pores or blemishes. I ran my fingertips down the bridge of his nose until I reached the tip. I flicked it and burst into a fit of giggles as he reacted with annoyance. Despite his silent words. I could tell from his expression he thought I was playing gimp. "I can't hear!" He immediately covered his ears. A zipper appeared across my lips to keep me from talking. I attempted to unzip it and found that it was stuck. The longer I tried to fight with it. The more Ambrose found it hilarious. It wasn't until I started panicking that he placed his hands over my ears and suddenly. I could hear. The zipper vanished and clothes appeared on my body. I was thankful but confused...

"What happened to me?"

"It's difficult to explain but you've tapped into your soul and forced us to here."

Here? What did he mean? We're in the castle. Sitting on the top floor of the library amongst statues. We hadn't gone. I looked around the room again only to notice there were glitches. Small imperfections that shouldn't exist. Such as Edward. In his frozen state, his ears had been ripped from his head. The fleshy pieces were slapped on the ground. His right ear had an earring hanging from it. Edward doesn't wear earrings. Although I think I like it. It's a red feather on a little hoop. Makes him look more, him. While the closest sculpture to me being Jane was brunette instead of that striking blonde she should be. I was too tired to move and venture out to gander at the rest of them. But I had enough information to know.

"I'm dreaming aren't I."

"Technically yes and technically no."

"What does that mean?"

"You're safe and so are they. We've got a long ride ahead of us until we reach our destination. Until then we're in between."

"In between?"

"Between the past and the present."

"Thank you."

"Mhm. Until then I suggest you study."

"Study?"

Several hand-pressed booklets appeared in his hands and were presented to me.

"You said you wanted to learn of our home. So. You shall."

I was impressed with his handiwork and ability to turn everything into a lesson. I snagged them and gently flipped through the one on top. There's three. Each one pertains to, The Old Gods. Fae Flora and Fauna. Lastly the diatribes of Lilith.

"Your father insisted you learn of she."

"Thanks. This is actually cool."

I didn't miss the small head nod of appreciation. I'm sure the old man felt hip. I'd laugh but they really are cool. I flipped through the others. They were completely painted and hand drawn. I could tell the difference between who put what on paper. The first two were done up by him and Alice. The colors were vibrant and the drawings like cartoons and sketches. While the last must have been done by Jasper. It was exquisitely terrifying and immaculate. They were dramatic and filled with dark shadows and clean lines.

"I'll get started on this after I find that damn ghost that's poisoning everyone."

"Oh. I know I had..."

He patted his body down. I was mesmerized to watch him pull a mason jar filled with ashes from his breast pocket. He handed them to me and then disappeared from sight. Welp. No time like now. I stared at the ashes and instantly felt ill. There's not enough. No wonder he left rather than tell me the truth. There's only enough for half the sick and the vampires need higher doses. I'm being forced to choose who lives... I just sat there with the damn jar. It was quiet. Yet my thoughts were too loud. Let's just. Get this over with. I decided to tug on Frankie's extended hand to lift myself. It was still warm. As if it had just been lit. Which I mean I guess it was? Once standing. I was apprehensive to let go. It was oddly comforting to be near her. I didn't give it a second thought before turning from her to Edward. I fixed his ear situation before hopping off the ledge and landing directly in the center of the circle. Jasper had the senses to help both Elizabeth and Magnus into it. Probably thinking it would protect them. They were huddled around him. His hands were stuck clawing at his face as he called out. I can't imagine the torment he must have felt as everyone began to panic. I don't envy his abilities and from my slight experience with them. I get why he's always so crabby. I'd be ready to fight on sight if I had to feel anyone else! I snickered as I remembered Edward's emotions toward me. That boy is head over heels in love. It was noxious but endearing. If only I had this ability way back when... I'm stalling for time I don't have. I was transported to the laboratory.

Ah. This is where Clara got off too. As usual, hiding away from her messes. I'd laugh at how I've acquired that trait but unfortunately, it's really not funny. She was frozen as well. I don't know why I was still so shocked by that but whatever. I shuffled around almost expecting for her to snap at me to pick up my feet. She hates when I shuffle. It's something I do when I'm deeply upset and not ready to talk. So I mope. I found it hard to look at her. To even be near her. I wanted to scream at her. To shout and act like I'm thirteen again. Go run to my room and slam the door and yell how much I hate it here. Only for her to shout out. "You don't pay any bills to be slamming doors!" Yet I knew most of that anger I felt. Wasn't for her. I am. I'm angry for Willow. It's uncomfortable knowing she and I are in similar situations. Dealing with insufferable cheating lying ass. I huffed and recollected my emotions before shuffling around and picking out a cauldron. I'm angry at Swan. She's the reason I'm in this mess! I just. Uh. I shook those thoughts away. I have to focus. I lugged the copper oversized bowl to the proper workstation. Distilled water is best as there are no properties to interfere. I turned on the burner and set it over the blue flame. While it heated up. I swirled my hand around a litany of ingredients. The little bottles clicked and clacked as I searched for the proper ones. Besides ashes of the damned. You need the blood of the holy. Sister Constance shall do quite nicely. Along with devil's tongue and agrimony, these help with relieving fear and help to lower blood pressure. Let's see I need, oh, there's the Irish broom and Feverwort, the broom is for purification and the wort is an amplifier. The last touch is Feverfew, Echinacea, and Elderberries. These help with easing the symptoms of the flu. I very carefully ground, and or finely chopped the ingredients before adding to the now boiling water. Just as the last berry was tossed in. I was joined by Pinky Paw.

"Child, you irritate my soul."

"Do you even have one?"

"Of course not."

"What are you up to?"

"I was sent to keep an eye."

"Where does Ambrose run off to?"

"He's upstairs."

"The tower?"

"Naturally."

His tail swished with interest as he padded around the many potion ingredients. He found what he wanted and swiped a bottle of catnip. I was tickled to watch him struggle to open it. The bottle was tossed at my head in frustration. I just barely managed to catch it before it hit.

"It's not funny."

"You don't need it anyway."

"Open it!"

"Please?"

His claws burst and the fluff around his neck stuck up. Before I was scratched. I figured I better give the kitty his drugs. The moment he could snatch it from me he turned right back into that kitten from my childhood and I burst into tears. I immediately pushed myself into a chair and just let it out. Another potion bottle was tossed and this time it connected.

"Ow!"

"Wasting tears is pointless."

"Is it wasting, or emptying the sea? Freeing space as the tide rises overhead?"

"You spend too much time with seers."

"Let me feel my feelings."

"She wasn't deserving."

"I know that!"

"Then act like it." He mocked.

"It doesn't matter if she was deserving... I wanted her to be. I hoped that things would get better... that she could be different. That If... I don't know man."

"It doesn't do you any justice to want something you can't have, something that poisoned you. Quite literally, if I may add. Although I do understand love. I too had a little thing once... even a few kits. Young one it is not the end. No matter how it feels. You must keep your head high."

"So my crown may never fall."

"See. You're not as stupid as you think."

He gently began to fade from sight. I allowed myself a few more minutes before getting up and stirring the potion. It was about halfway done. I got tired of doing it manually. While the ladle moved about on its own. I figured I'd snoop around what Clara had been burning her eyes on. I was positioned over her shoulder to glance into the magnifying glass to find it was some hieroglyphs about the fae wood. I'm not fluent so I'm not sure. This is boring. I glared at Clara out of the corner of my eye and moved before I did something I'd regret. I guess I should get started on my reading. I took a seat in front of the cauldron. My legs crossed and my body slumped back. I chose to ignore the one I should read, as much as I need to know about Lilith. I want to forget about that bird for a moment and focus on the tales of the gods... the tales of my ancestors.

My kin.

Upon opening the first page. I couldn't take my eyes off the skyscraper Barbie-like sketches of these ancient ethereal's. Their long leggy forms were hidden in fabrics of silken gold thread. Even on the paper, you could tell how it would glisten in light. Their bodies were adorned with exquisite bangles and spectacular gaudy jewels. My favorites were the large hoops hanging from their noses or the long dangling earrings on their beautiful pointed ears. One face amongst the many caught my attention more than any other. It was undoubtedly my own. My fingers traced the image. They touched the helmet that sat on my head. It was molded and weaved to look as if tree limbs and ivy were exiting my cranium and reaching toward the sky. Long black braids fell to my hips underneath. My features were defined in war paint of blood. Scratches on my cheeks indicated I had earned them bravely. It was when my eyes spied a large crimson stone clutched at my throat that I understood. There was no mistaking, it was the Fal. The tears that fell and blurred the image of this marvel of a sight. Foretold I'd win. I began to hyperventilate. To drip snot. To try and deny the gut-wrenching painful truth. None of my sufferings was in vain. I'd defeat Lilith. I'd be able to kill Bella. The timer went off and forced a jump so hard the book tumbled from my lap and fell to the floor. It took me a moment but I shuffled it up and went about getting the elixir potted in the respective receptacles. My hands shook. My heart pounded. I was so shaken I had almost dropped a vial. Thankfully, I didn't! Once they were all done. I just stood there. Staring at her. Wanting her to say something. To offer some sage advice. Yet Clara sat frozen. Another lesson. I am on my own. Of course, I have help but ultimately as queen. I must make the decisions now on.

I snapped my fingers and the bottles trotted into a basket. The last item to follow was a large needle. Each one shall get a shot to the ass. I'm glad they can't express pain in their current states. Welp. I transported downstairs. I wasn't prepared to see so many statues clambering the cages that housed them. The sheer terror they must have felt as I died. Hmm. I made quick haste to Rose. Emmet was still burrowing her in his arms. It took me nothing to fill the needle and stab her with it. That's two humans that die but I'll be damned if my sister does. Now. When it came to helping Irina... I did it for Tanya. Four humans down. I won't lie. As it came toward the others. I flipped a coin. Heads got a shot. Tails...I was coming up short when I saw Renee and a bundle held close with a bottle. I kept moving until I only had one vial left. I could be vengeful. Save her but kill her baby. It would be a mercy, a peaceful mark. It's not like she'll do better for her. She can't. She's a damn narcissistic cunt. I gave the baby the shot. Fuck Renee! I'd be lying if it didn't feel good to hurt her. To stick it right where she deserves to be. But I know. This was a offering to Bella. A last gift of love. I saved her little sister from the beast that made her so unbearably dark and dreary. I carefully pried the babe from those filthy hands and left to find her father. I wandered around aimlessly. I even used a locating spell. Not a single trace of him. The room that once housed her mother held a nursery. In it, I found a note. He had escaped just before all that shit went down. We had left him in the present time. That bastard couldn't do it anymore. He was tired of being her whipping boy. So he abandoned his innocent child with the She-Devil. The letter caught flame. I stared down at the babe and bounced her.

"She'll be alright. It was meant this way."

"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

"I wasn't expecting to see you with a baby but here we are kiddo."

"Please tell me I don't have to raise her?"

"Oh no! She's uh, give her to Charlie."

"He's an alcoholic!"

"I'll help him sober up. Come on."

I couldn't move. My daddy didn't care. He came on over and pulled me in for a hug. The child stuck between us.

"Your mother was long gone."

"I know..."

"So is the dark-haired one."

"She has a name."

"It's Lilith. Remember that!"

I nodded my head silently. Biting my lip. He didn't need me to tell him. He knew. We exited that pitiful room and searched out the bemoaned that needs to be saved. Charlie wasn't too far. His room was a pigsty and had beer cans covering the floor. He must have took his grief out on the walls as several were splattered with liquid. As if he had tossed the cans at it. He was curled up under a blanket on a couch. His hair all wild. He stunk to high heaven. Eric took the baby and I cleaned. As I was on the second garbage bag. I dared to ask if my father was sure on this.

"Ambrose said it's the way, so yes."

"Ambrose says a lot of things."

"Alex. This ain't about the baby."

"I know that! I'm just. You know Clara's pregnant?!"

"I was told differently but yes I heard about your cousin... Sister."

He was awkwardly quiet after that. Honestly, I hadn't thought about the relationship I'd have with the new addition. I just thought. What about. I'm angry for more than just Willow. I know.

"What do you mean you were told differently?"

"Neither one is pregnant Ally. They are trying to fix their dead-end relationship."

I'd cackle and run to tell my witch mother the truth but I was suddenly reminded of my conversation with Ben. I snorted. Of course. Those forsaken tears began to fall silently. I bit my tongue until they stopped. He was right. That's exactly what Bella and I had been doing. Just as Willow and Clara, putting off the inevitable. I kept my face hidden so daddy didn't see. I don't want to hear his mouth.

"So uh, Elizabeth's pretty upset."

"You ain't gotta fake it."

"Can we just not talk about it."

"Have you been practicing your elder?"

"Not since the lesson but I cracked a book. It was um, it's..." I got quiet.

"What's going on with the blonde?"

"Huh?"

"The girl."

"Frankie? I don't know, she's frozen like the rest."

"Hm."

I didn't miss the tone. I tied a knot into the last garbage bag and transported out not wanting to be interrogated. I was grateful to not be followed. Although I hadn't expected to land directly behind the master of time. He hasn't acknowledged me. He was bent over with his head pressed to the wood. A woven placemat sat underneath his body. Before him? An alter that hadn't been there before. On it, several candles lit. The wax dripped. Herbs were burning in a copper bowl next to them. He was praying.

"You knew." I accused. Nothing was said back. Not as if I expected a reply.

"Tell me I don't have to do this." I begged. Still. Nada.

"It was always going to end this way." I finally accepted the truth. He looked back.

"I'd sit down if I were you."

Things were. You know that bubble guts feeling? That moment in your tummy when it feels like your organs are just free-floating? That suddenly happened. Colors began to peel off the walls and blend into a swirl. Hyperspeed of light was coursing and sending us to the past. I was knocked straight on my ass. The air let out of my lungs. An intense blood rush and painful throbbing in my head. The room spun so fast that I tossed my storage. It ended up all over my clothes. A mean cackle abounded in every direction. In a blip. It was all over. Like it had never happened. I was curled up in the fetal. Ambrose was starting to calm himself.

"You're alright. Just need some sugar."

"Fuck you!" I tremblingly called out.

"I told you to sit." He laughed.

"At the last second!" I whimpered.

I was yanked up from the dusty floor. The puke vanished yet the taste of it remained.

"Are you ready?" He demanded.

I didn't have an answer. I was slightly hunched over touching my knees. Just trying not to toss up again. A hand rubbed my back. I weakly nodded in response.

"The gods are watching. Remember that. There's war ahead but so is justice."

"I saw..."

"Come on."

I limply stood up straight.

"Like you mean it."

I forced myself to correct my posture. As if on cue my attire began to transform. I was dressed in ebony silk with glittering etchings of ivy stitched into the fabric. The robes were regal and daunting and cinched at the waist with a leather harness. My boots were left alone but were hidden underneath. My hair was pinned up into an elegant bun. With two braids draped to frame my face. A hood moved to obscure. It was pinned so it wouldn't billow about. The last touch? It was held out to me on a cerulean pillow. I stared into that ring. The image reflected was a vision. I saw myself on my throne. My crown jewel sang a tune begging me to take it. To seek out its twin flame. My hand trembled over it. I was hesitant.

"There's no more time to waste."

"What's waiting for me?"

"Victory."

"Out there? All those people?"

"We don't have..."

"Ambrose. Please!"

"She's here, well, she will be soon. You're not ready and she will win. Let her."

"What?!"

The ring was shoved onto my hand and we were whisked away. The destination? I was mesmerized to see how different the land was. The sun was shining. I could hear the distant sounds of a lively village. Wonderful scents were carried by a breeze. But what caught my eye was a person off in the distance confidently sauntering to us. I was almost shocked. If I could be anymore. Of course it would be him. Why wouldn't it be. We most certainly weren't in Kansas anymore.