Chapter 49: The One That Got Away

In my life, you're the sun rays,

am I the night to your days?

shooting stars are in the sky,

come back to me, my light...

Believe me and take my hand,

no, I won't let go of yours, instead,

shooting stars are in the sky,

stay with me...


Coronia...

"They're looking for me everywhere. I don't have much time. They will be on the right trail sooner or later. "- her voice cut through the morning fog like the song of a thousand birds. "Curse the day they thought of me and interfered with my life! Then again, I suppose that since everything in my kingdom seems to be falling into pieces, I might be in a need of a new endeavor. If I want to save it from Avani..."

Extraordinary, almost uncanny red hair that fell down her tanned shoulders, fighting to escape a messy but chic updo. Her mesmerizing blue eyes caught every sparkle of the early morning sun rays that were fighting with the mist.

Coronia was still sleeping. The day was ahead of them. The distinctive redhead shook her head in front of him, who she had come to the old ranch to meet. Even to him, she looked like a vision. People had broken out of habit when it came to seeing her just about anywhere. She was an embodiment of twisted reality. The effects of her life beyond time made her faze people for the first moments of their interactions with her.

"...Because they're the guardians, that's why! Their legendary feats are infamous across so many worlds. They will find me and I will have to assist them."

The muffled response displeased her though she couldn't seem to come into focus. Everything, everything about her was so... surreal.

"My daughter's the eldest living heir to the Meridian throne. That bitch! She was to be first in line for Elyon's powers when the day comes, but now... so much has changed. Nothing is going according to my liking!"

Z.R slammed her fist on the empty table. Her interlocutor countered something again, but the air around her was still deaf. Still adjusting to her extraordinary self, appearing in this time and reality yet again.

"Z.R... The guardians really want to see her, don't they? Fine, I will meet them. I will try to entice them this once. And maybe just maybe I will finally get my hands on what I've always dreamed of... You're right that we have no other choice. This better be successful, however. I'm risking a lot by coming here. Avani's rebels blighted my plantations."- the redhead confessed bitterly. "Magic beanstalks are hard enough to harvest as it is, and without magic? Even worse. I swear, she is this close to finally taking over everything mine. Anyway, leave all that aside for now. Tell me, how has our son been?"


Heatherfield

"Geez, I hate election campaigns, don't you?"- Irma purposely said it loud enough for Linda Olsen to hear her.

At first, she had tried to turn her team down. She didn't want Linda's crappy campaign materials around her studio, but the entire parking lot in front of the building was still municipal property, which meant that Irma couldn't deny an election representative hanging her campaign materials there. Nor did she own the entire building, of course, so there was that. She owned only her studio and a few rooms that her radio team used for office spaces. Irma sulked and smoothed her straightened hair down. It was a new look she was trying for an event they were all going to attend- Hay Lin was to take part in an interstate art exhibition and was even hoping to rope an award, therefore her closest friends and family were going to the gallery tonight.

"You still have three weeks before the elections to change your mind, Ms. Lair."- Linda dragged her out of her thoughts with a sly smile. Irma frowned and watched the girl she had been out on coffee break with, go back to her job in the building. What was taking Linda and her people so long, anyway? Putting up a dumb poster wasn't rocket science. Now she was going to try and talk to her?! The audacity of that woman was like being sent out of hell.

"It's important for a young lady like you to be informed and to participate in voting."

"For your ex-husband, I don't think so."- Irma snorted and finished her coffee.

Linda smiled again.

"Given his past experience and the moods across the city, he has high chances."- she shrugged. "But you can vote for whoever you feel like voting, regardless of the political prognosis. That's democracy- "

"I should head back inside."- Irma turned her back on her with visible annoyance. "I have a rubric to host."

"And I should be heading to the municipality."- Linda tossed up, purposely, making Irma stop dead in her tracks. "We're signing today. Tony and I. We didn't want a reception and parties because of my father's death, but we will get married today. It's important to the both of us."


"Matt, who's the girl that's living with your mom?"

"Girl? What girl?"

"You know, the young blonde girl that calls your mom 'aunt'? Does Sean (A/N: Sean - Matt's cousin, Linda -mom, and Carolyn -aunt, are all original characters from one of the comic specials, forgot to mention it earlier) have a sister I didn't know of or something?"

Matt turned around and just stared at her. There, she had brought it up. Will huffed silently as she watched him think about her question as if it was some kind of secret. Some kind of big secret... He definitely didn't seem surprised though. He knew about the girl. He knew about her yet he had never mentioned it.

Actually, she wasn't going to ask about it at first. After her mother had told her about the affray between her, Linda and Tony, she was just angry with her father, mainly. Susan had had a fit; she wanted to protect her daughter from evil people. From all that's bad. How could her daughter tell her, however, that evil would never stop coming in her way? It was as if she was preordained with that even more, because of being a guardian. Even in her personal life...

Later, after talking with Susan, Will had decided that she had to ask Matt about the girl that somehow didn't seem to fit in the entire story. She had a hunch and that always meant something...

"Yes, her name's Sara. She is my aunt Carolyn's daughter, but she's unwell. She has always been like that, she...she spent the majority of her life in an institution. But now that they're tight on money, my aunt and Sean took her and moved in with mom. Especially after grandpa died...They need to be together."- Matt looked at her dryly. "Why are you asking?"

Will just blinked and closed her laptop. She and Matt were at the pet store; they had settled bills and business issues related to their several other stores in the country. They had just had a business zoom meeting with their store in Washington, now they could talk in peace. Or not...

"I'm asking because you never mentioned it. Her, Sara... That's all."- the redhead shrugged. "Was I not supposed to ask?"

"No, of course not. I get it."- Matt shook his head to himself, digging his hands deep into his pockets. "I was expecting it after mom told me about the little...scene they shared with your mom. Bringing up Sara and asking about her was just a matter of time."

But Will didn't like that line nor the tone he used to say it. His mom was the insane one! His mom was meddling in their life! Together with her dad, but still. Will frowned. So far, she had kept her mouth shut. She didn't even say a word to Matt about his mother when she had attacked her post the miscarriage. She knew it well, it was normal for a son to care about his mother and love her unconditionally, even when she is in the wrong. And Matt hadn't remained subjective, he had defended his girlfriend in the right moments. It was just that he never saw beneath Linda's outer shell. He would never recognize that underneath all she showed to people, she possessed odd, even sinister qualities.

"A matter of time? You could've mentioned it to me so that I don't look stupid when it pops up."- she frowned. "How was I supposed to know that you have another cousin in town right now, I just wanted to be informed about- "

"Your mother mentioned it, Will. Among other things. She keeps you informed."- Matt interrupted her, irritated.

"Among other things?"- Will repeated, going around the desks with the register. "What is that supposed to mean?"- she insisted.

The man just looked through the glass door and windows, remaining silent. That only fueled his girlfriend's irritation. She stirred in her place and in her dark red-short, casual dress paired with black sneakers. She was incredibly short next to Matt, who towered above her in his jeans and an ordinary T-shirt with the logo of his band, Cobalt Blue, but she knew he was often intimidated by her anger.

"Matt."- Will called again. "My mom is the last one to blame, my father constantly drags her into his messes. Now he is dating Linda and they're not just doing it to be happy with each other, I am sure of it. They must have some sort of agenda. This...this crazy shit won't ever end if we allow ourselves to take sides at this point-"

"My mother."- Matt interrupted, his voice growing cold. "Doesn't have agendas hidden behind her actions. She's not scheming, nor does she engage herself in intrigues and all sorts of similar shit. OK, Will? Your dad- perhaps. But not my mother. If them dating really is to benefit someone, it's your dad again. Not my mom."

The guardian opened her mouth and closed it again. She didn't know what to say that wouldn't insult him gravely at this point. Sure, Tony Vandom was a dishonest and insidious person, but did Matt really think of Linda Olsen as some sort of sidetracked damsel in distress?!

"And that thing that your mom mentioned to her was something I told her, actually."- Matt went on, bitter. "Months ago, I told her why you and my mother spoiled your relationship, I admitted that my mother was out of line and character when she treated you like that and that over the years, me and her grew a little alienated, unfortunately. It was inevitable, she was never home during my teen years and then we appeared to have such...different perceptions of the world... I didn't think that Susan would use that confession of mine to hurt her in the spur of the moment, but I guess I should've seen it coming."

Will bit her lips and sighed:

"She didn't want for it to sound like that, but your mom provoked her, she attacked her out of nowhere and- "

"I know."- Matt cut her off again. "I know that Susan's not a bad person and she doesn't do this intentionally, at least not always, but when she gets defensive, she can get very spiteful and you know it, Will."- he shook his head, his eyes shining. "Very spiteful! She says things, she says exactly what she knows will hurt you most at that moment-"

"Matt!"

Will was shocked to hear him talk like that. He had never talked like that of her family, not even when she had been beside herself because of them:

"Remember when she demanded we have a child and that you should act your age and whatever last year?"- the man went on. "She went bonkers on you, after every fight you had you would cry because she targeted your weakest spots with her words. Your mother's words are her knives she throws at those who cross her, Will!"

"Your mother literally attacked her with her words first! She mocked her, she said that my mother doesn't approve of their relationship, because she wants to keep my father on a leash or whatever, is that not a provocation in your eyes?!"

"Was she completely wrong though?"- Matt exclaimed, shocking her again. "Did your mom ever try to accept your father's decisions post their divorce? No, she has always been angry with him, disapproving of his choices, resentful of Serena for over ten years which more or less led to the turn of events that- "

"MATT!"

Will was breathing heavily. He had really gotten to her this time. He was really going to make her open her mouth and bring up everything she knew and suspected of Linda when it came to Herbert's accident and death. She didn't want to be that, she didn't want to be a bitch, but Matt was asking for it:

"How dare you imply that my mother's attitude led to what happened...My father's responsible if anything. How could you say that?! What do you expect of my mother to do with Tony Vandom's new women, embrace them like sisters? Just because she didn't like Serena...You should seriously think before opening your mouth, not to mention the story with your mother is totally different-"

"We all heard Serena's confession on that roof."- Matt shrugged enraging her even more. "She mentioned your mom's attitude making her feel ways. I'm not saying that it's her fault, I'm just observing what she's like, Will, I'm not trying to insult Susan like you insult my mother- "

"Me?! I'm insulting your mother?"- Will would laugh if she could get over the unspoken anger that was suffocating her at that moment. "I'm insulting your mother, really, and how is that? I haven't said a word about her or to her, and I could! I could as well be much worse with her after the awful way in which she treated me at my lowest! I even accepted her pseudo apology that was about as sincere as-"

"Even now you're insulting her."- Matt shook his head. "But most of all saying that she's only dating your father because she has a secret agenda."

Will looked daggers at her boyfriend and his ignorance. If only he could know what she knew...But no, she didn't want to blurt it out like that. She wanted to prove Linda's faults in front of her son. That woman had put more poison in her son's relationship than anyone ever had. That would make them even. Exposing her with the receipts.

"As you can tell, my mom's taking things slowly. She had a very bad divorce, Will. You don't even know. She'd never rush into a new relationship without seeing a chance to be happy again."

Will looked up at him again, keeping a stiff upper lip even though she felt like crying:

"If anything, you're the one insulting your mother by suggesting that she's gullible enough to be manipulated by my father."

"I didn't say that. You said it- "

"I'm sorry, Matt, but you clearly don't know your mother." - Will smiled through tears. "She puts thought in everything, every little thing she does. You're right, she wouldn't just rush into a relationship. But I don't think she's stupid enough to believe that happiness and my father walk together, especially not after being a front-row spectator to the entire, quote on quote, dangerous drama that played out with my family. Your mother is very well aware of her surroundings and she's not a saint or victim!"

Matt just chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. He looked down at her, refusing to believe what she was saying and she just stared into his eyes, trying her best to shut up before blurting out something that was meant for another time. He had appeared strained for days, but she hadn't really had the time to think about it. Now that she was, she was slowly coming to understand that he, just like her, had talked with his mother. And Linda had successfully turned him against them...

"You haven't forgiven her and you'll most probably never will."- the young man concluded. "I get it, Will. But you should also get that even though I support you and I know that you have every right to be mad at her, she's, my mother. And I can't turn my back on my mother. Even Caleb didn't, and we all know who's his mom."

"I'd never ask you to."- Will frowned and wiped her eyes dry.

Then she went to get her phone from the desk, it was ringing for the third time since she and Matt had gotten into this fight, and she figured that it had to be important because the caller wasn't giving up.

Irma...

"Yes, Irma, what is it?"- Will sobbed and tried to get herself together. She hated how she had almost snapped out of control, because of Linda. "No, I didn't... I had no idea. When did she go?... OK, OK, thanks, I'm going right now. I'll tell Matt too. OK, bye, I'll call you later."

"Tell me what?"- Matt inquired as he watched her get her little leather backpack. "What has happened?"

"Your mother and my father are signing their marriage license as we speak."- she frowned.

"What!?"

Matt was utterly flabbergasted.

"Let's just go. Maybe they'll let us know the details in person."


"They didn't, nonetheless. My father didn't even look at us and Linda blabbed out something ridiculous about how she didn't want to miss her 'last chances at love' which was obviously a fat lie; I'll believe she is capable of love when I see her cold eyes stop turning everything they look at to ice."- Will remarked, drying up her sixth glass of pink wine. "At least Matt's incredible trust in his mother was shaken and he felt disappointed by her. Disappointed enough to make him disappear, not answer his phone, and miss this fucking event. I'm sorry, Hay Lin."- she sighed. "My attitude right now must be such a drag for you. You won an award and I'm spoiling your evening- "

"You're not, Will. You're my friend and you're here to share my success."- Hay Lin comforted her with a sincere smile. "What friend would I be if I didn't share your troubles? Don't worry, everything will be better. It will be, I promise you."

Will found the strength to smile at her. Sometimes she was amazed by her, even knowing what an incredible empath and optimist she had always been. Hay Lin was amazing tonight, even more beautiful than usual, with her long fine hair in a big bun decorated with pearls and glistening dark silver eyeshadow with hints of blue. Her lips - coated in baby pink matte color. She wore an enticing short dark-blue kimono dress with puffy long sleeves and pink and silver details, as well as a pair of silver fishnets. Her shoes with thick heels were silver and had pink Colibri elements as details.

She exuded winner energy and she had won her award - first place in the big competition with her painting- a gorgeous set of sides of Eric, which the jury had found remarkable naming her work "the biggest innovation and creative typhoon" their team had seen in recent years. In the painting, she had managed to incorporate her boyfriend's best and worst sides (not that he necessarily had many, he was easily one of the "prettiest" boys the girls had ever dated), relating them to his personality traits. It was a complex project she had been working on for months but it was well worth it. He was even holding a bunny in one of the "scenes", as advised by Irma who was convinced that bunnies were the key to go with at such competitions.

"And soda volcanoes for science fairs."- she always added importantly, making Cornelia and Taranee roll their eyes in unison.

Post the competition celebratory dinner was also very important and beautifully organized by Elizabeth Landon - Hale, in the biggest saloon the town gallery had to offer. Everything was set down to the last detail. From the flower arrangements and lights to the napkins on the table for the girls and their dates. Everything was in silver, white, blue, and pink as if to match Hay Lin and her victory and was, as a matter of fact, a special gesture from Elizabeth who had rooted for her daughter's friend the entire time, even if, for the jury and the press, she was trying to keep a straight face and remain professional.

"Maybe we should limit those wine gulps a bit, Will."- Taranee shook her head and moved the bottle away from the redhead's reach. "You don't get wasted when the Hales are watching. You know Cornelia's grandmother can come by our table any minute."

"Oh, please, even my grandmother realizes that Linda is inadequate."- Cornelia, herself, huffed, pulling the neckline of her strapless teal gown up. She, just like her friends, had glammed up for the event, but as usual, she was probably the most mind-blowing to look at. Cornelia's long blonde hair had always been enviable, and tonight, it was styled in big Hollywood waves that framed her face and fell down to her slender curves like a perfect waterfall of sun and gold. Her teal dress was all satin and completely following her body's natural curves - her tall figure with snatched waist, big breast, and plump but tight butt. Cornelia honestly didn't even have to try, she was effortlessly beautiful and still put so much effort into her looks; it was a passion of hers.

Not that any of her fellow guardians conceded to her fashion sense and beauty, each one of them was trying their best and succeeding at it.

With her long and completely straightened hair, Irma looked completely different, yet still sensational. She had an edgy yet stylish dress half of which was blue and the other half was white.

Taranee had chosen an elegant lilac jumpsuit paired with a golden belt; her hair was put in a textured updo that had her hair twisted up in a French-inspired bun, coming all the way up to her forehead, like bangs. Her earrings matched the belt.

Will felt like she had put the least effort into her look. She had just thrown a slightly costlier summer shall over her dress from earlier that day and had replaced the sneakers with pumps. Oh, yes, she had put on some red lipstick too, but that was about it. She hadn't even got to changing up her hair.

"And you still look good and appropriately dressed for the event."- Taranee said, having caught her scanning their outfits with a dejected expression. "You're good. We're just dressed over the top."

"Talk for yourselves- "- the blonde guardian took offense.

"Nonsense."- the redhead rolled her eyes. "You're all beautiful"

"As are you!"

"Duh! She's just naturally pretty, that's why."

"You know who loves to dress over the top and would appreciate any event to do that at? Oh, what am I saying, she literally dresses up for the supermarket."- Irma exclaimed looking over at Cornelia. "Nerissa. When she gets back, we owe her one; she missed enough already and she loves to dress up."

Cornelia's face changed at the mentioning of Nerissa, losing all its shine for an entire minute. She missed Caleb; she missed his family too. She hoped to see them sooner and Irma's words were bittersweet to her.

"It's unbelievable how she somewhat grew on us over time."- Taranee mumbled under her nose. "Even on Will. I have never imagined that."

"She's just a diva."- Hay Lin sighed, thinking of her grandmother's best friend.

"I sometimes miss her, no joke."- Will nodded, not sure how much of what she was saying was the wine she had dried up. "At least with her, there was always a plan, a goal to pursue."

"And a twisted narrative, usually."

"Shut up, Tara."

"Still, she helped us. Helped herself most, but still, made some things easier for us as guardians. The entire Miriadel shenanigan, she would've taken care of it without any kills. She developed some decency and understanding with time, I guess. If we can find her and free Caleb of Leonida's curse before the final battles, we will have bigger chances to win."

"We have to win."- Cornelia demanded. Deep inside, she knew that the only way to lift Leonida's curse was to kill her. She hadn't shared that with her friends or anyone, but Nerissa had told her in that dream sequence she had been having. She had to kill Leonida herself and she was determined to do it the first opportunity she got. "For Caleb and our son."-she reminded herself and Hay Lin placed a hand over her hand sympathetically.

Their boys were making their way towards their table. Martin, Nigel, and Eric, to be more exact, given the fact that Eric was also the semi-star of the evening; everyone wanted to see him and talk to him in person alongside Hay Lin. When they finally made it to the table, Irma didn't miss the chance to crack a joke:

"Hey, Eric Lisa, nice posing. We knew you were Hay-Hay's support, but muse too? Wow. Next time give us a full frontal, will you consider it?"

"Irma!"- Hay Lin exclaimed as the others laughed.

"What? He's a portrait poser now, he should consider it!"

"I don't know if there's enough to show for your taste, Irma."- Eric brushed it off with a laugh, scandalizing their table even more.


In my life, you're the sun rays,

am I the night to your days?

shooting stars are in the sky,

come back to me, my light...

Believe me and take my hand,

no, I won't let go of yours, instead,

shooting stars are in the sky,

stay with me...

Later that same night, Will woke up and looked around the living room. The afterparty had moved to a lake house that Eric had rented to celebrate his girlfriend's victory. It was either that or a consolation prize, but thankfully, Hay Lin had won the award and completion. It was a sweet gesture which her closest friends really appreciated and so did Hay Lin herself. Irma and Martin were asleep on the couch. Taranee was mumbling in her sleep on the armchair, and Nigel was literally snoring on the carpet next to her. Hay Lin and Eric had actually retreated to their bedroom, engaged in intimate fun two hours ago, and were most probably asleep as well by now.

The redhead shook her head, trying to fight the headache away. They had all had too much to drink tonight. What was the time? She found her phone in a pile of napkins that someone had thrown around them during all the dancing and partying earlier. 4:09 AM.

Damn, she could swear that they had stopped the music and drinks just half an hour ago, yet everyone was sleeping deeply already. Drunk people sleep like the dead, Will thought and started looking for Cornelia. She was the only one who hadn't gotten really, really drunk and she could maybe talk to her. She felt like she needed someone to talk to.

She found her looking into the warm night from one of the terraces of the lake house, looking above the lake itself and the mountains in the distance.

"Cornelia?"- Will spoke softly, not wanting to startle her as she joined her on the terrace. "You alright?"

But Cornelia didn't even twitch.

"Yeah."- she said, not turning back. "You could be heard dragging your feet all the way up the stairs, I heard you, no need to step around eggshells."

"Yeah, I'm kind of muzzy still."- Will chuckled and rested her elbows against the railing like her friend. "You didn't have much to drink though?"

"No, just a glass of wine at the gallery and something that looked like wine when we got here."- Cornelia shook her head, her eyes looking at the moon. Just like everyone else, she had changed into a set of more comfortable, casual clothes when they arrived in the lake house. Her beige sport set contrasted with the dark night. "One would think that I'd spend a lot of my nights drinking after what happened to me, but I don't feel like losing even the last senses of control and security I have left."

Will sighed. She really didn't know what to say to her anymore. Time went by fast. Telling her that soon everything would get better wasn't acceptable anymore. Nothing was. Nothing was making her situation better.

"I'm sorry this happened to you in the first place, Cornelia. Leonida and Phobos...they targeted Caleb because he's Nerissa's weakness and they wanted her out of the way. She wanted to kill them on the other hand... You know how we feel about killing, how Elyon feels. It's different points of view, different morals, and boundaries. "

Cornelia didn't say anything. Morals. Boundaries. She wasn't sure any of that would exist for her once she was done. People were right and history confirmed it; nothing was ever the same after your first premeditated murder. And Cornelia was about to do just stat. She was preparing for murder.

"...Wherever they are, I'm sure she's taking good care of him. She always has."- the redhead added even though she wasn't sure that her friend was listening. "Nerissa is a good mother. Linda, on the other hand..."

"Linda is not in her right mind and Matt should understand that."- Cornelia interrupted her. "She's just a hindrance to your relationship and I think that you have to use your powers to stop her, Will. Before she has destroyed your life as you know it."

Will's mouth hung open in bafflement. She had not expected that:

"Cornelia, are you hearing yourself- "

"Just think about it!"- Cornelia snapped. "She killed her dad; she's doing all this damage to your life with Matt and she married your dad earlier today. She won't stop any time soon, something in her brain clicked after your miscarriage and she has made it her goal to envenom your existence, she's a bane! If I were you, I-I..."- Cornelia stopped to take a deep breath. She was too out of line. Too emotional, but she went on: "I would just make her disappear. For good. You don't need another Serena, Will, you don't deserve it!"

"Matt will know if I do anything like that."- Will stammered, looking into her friend's eyes. "Also, she's his mom. I couldn't...I would never do that, Cornelia. To anyone. It's...it's wrong."

"It's wrong that we always have to suffer too and we won't even help ourselves."- the Earth guardian sobbed and looked at the moon again. "It's not fair!"

Will hugged her from behind.

"I know but we can't lose the right path ourselves..."

"Look at us."- Cornelia continued woefully. "Life fucks us so hard we can't even properly celebrate our friend's victory. Her parents are in China, she relies on us, but our ordeals weaken us. Me and you, we're wrecks. Wrecks! Have you noticed how the five of us are never happy at the same time?! One of us always has to suffer. And if it's not me and you, it will be Irma or Taranee, and Hay Lin, she'd be left alone to deal with something due to the circumstances, there's just always something that comes in our way and pushes us down so hard... So hard that I'm afraid we won't be able to stand up one day."

"We will as long as we have each other."- Will argued even though Cornelia's words were some of her biggest inner demons clawing at her during a hopeless night full of fear.

"I'm afraid that we'll be crushed over by this... by this burden just like the former guardians."- Cornelia admitted through tears. "Do you seriously think that we can do this forever? What if we lose to the responsibility, Will?! What if our happiness is snatched from us because of our commitment to Kandrakar?"

Will shook her head. The night was warm and windless. She wasn't going to be discouraged right now:

"We've also gained a lot because of that commitment. Our relationships, all our victories... yes, over the years we've paid for every good thing with a sacrifice or a misfortune, but we have so much to be grateful for. Loyal friends, families, loves... Keep in mind that you and Caleb made it through so much because of you being a guardian. You had your son. He rediscovered his family... what's better than that? Would you change anything that has happened to us so far if you could? No, neither would I. I know that it's a cliché, but we can pull through anything together, Cornelia. We can do it and we should never question it."

Cornelia turned around and hugged her tight, sobbing behind her back. She didn't tell her that most of this was provoked by the murder she had to commit. The fear that she'll never be the same again after it. That once she killed Leonida there would be no more differences between her and Nerissa... That was a terrifying thought on its own.

"What the hell was that?"- Cornelia was suddenly alarmed, looking down from the terrace. She had heard a noise in the bushes down.

"It's probably an animal, a fox or a raccoon."- Will shrugged, looking down, but was instantly struck by two things. First, the animal was crawling up towards them, and second, it smelled godawfully.

"Eww-"

"It's just Blunk."- Will sighed with relief and glared at the little passsling. "Blunk, how many times will we talk about this? You use your tooth to talk to me before scaring us shitless during the night. Talismans that have established a connection work as transmitters, you're not new to this!"

Cornelia got over her initial fear and glared at him as well, lowering the hand she had been about to strike him with.

"Long time no see, you little troll. What do you want?"

Blunk had climbed all the way up to the terrace they were on and was now officially down from the railing and in front of them, deaf for Will's lecture. Raythor was sending him. He had more than his usual bad smell to convey:

"News from Meridian!"- he squawked. "Z.R returned! Z.R back in her parents' home! Girls have talk to her!"

"What? Really?"- Will exclaimed. "That's amazing! Better than I hoped, if we can talk to her our biggest task will be completed before the battles begin."- a smile spilled over the redhead's face.

"Her parents' home?"- Cornelia repeated. "The concubine has living parents on Meridian?!"

"A mother."- Will nodded. "But she's mute, she didn't know anything about Z.R when Taranee and I went to talk to her and we couldn't make much of what she was saying anyway. More of what she was thinking which was better; at least that way we knew she was sincere."

"Raythor sent soldiers to guard home of Z.R."- Blunk conveyed. "She not going anywhere before girls talk to her."

"Good."- Will approved, her determined eyes flowing into the distance. "Then we're going to head there in a few hours when the others have had enough sleep and time to sober up. Z.R is in my grip now, and I won't be letting go of her until everything's over."


Around noon time, the guardians arrived in Meridian through the portal in the Infinite City. They were trying not to open any new ones as to keep the big veil as tight and secure as possible, even though some stray portals had already begun to open here and there, around the realm.

The sky was full of clouds when they made it to the village where Z.R's mother lived and they immediately spotted her little house from afar. A number of royal soldiers surrounded it tightly and there were probably a few inside of it as well. They got out of the way when they recognized the girls though.

Will was just about to open the door of the house when a familiar voice called:

"Wait, Will. I have to be present as well. I have to be here."

"Oh, but of course you do. What's a day here without your dumbass tagging along."- Irma grumbled under her nose as they watched Elyon approach them. She had been escorted by her sentry and cars, but she was coming alone. Her adoptive parents, especially her mother, were nowhere to be seen just like they were ever since it got revealed what Miriadel had done. The girls knew it was on purpose but that didn't make it better.

"Of course."- Will nodded. "After you."

She really didn't know how to make it less awkward so she had just done just the opposite. She didn't know what to do to mend the bonds between her girls and Elyon, friendship-wise. What was now between then couldn't even be called bad blood. It was too many disappointments and too many mistakes on both parties. Maybe they'd manage to work together as professionals - queen and guardians, after all, they had a lot of years in experience behind their backs. But their friendship? Elyon being manipulated and Elyon making mistakes had played a big part in the alienation that occurred between them, and the Miriadel exposure 'prank' from the fashion show seemed to be the last nail in the coffin. Nothing would ever be the same as it had been, at least in that moment it seemed like that.

"Z.R..."- Hay Lin said in a quiet voice when they all entered the house and saw the young woman standing near the empty fireplace.

"Your Majesty. Guardians!"- she bowed respectfully.

Damn, her red really is vivid, I'm almost getting a headache, Will thought as she studied the young woman's appearance. She was very beautiful, that was for sure. Her crystal blue eyes and soft features together with her tan and hair were a great combination.

"My name is Zorarose."- the ex-concubine presented herself.

"At least it's not Zelda, dear."- Irma murmured bluntly, but luckily Zorarose didn't seem to have heard. Taranee shot her a rebuking look and Cornelia pinched her arm.

"I heard that my presence is requested by the true light of Meridian and I came as fast as possible. How may I be useful to her Majesty and her guardians?"


"I was young. Naïve. I was sent to Phobos's then-harem as one may call it because my family was very poor, my parents would have never survived those new times that had come. And concubines could support their relatives. We were paid to... entertain the soldiers, the prince, and his closest ones. Be that as it may, I've never entertained anyone but Phobos, I was one of his favorites hence he liberated me of that duty, didn't want to share me... Oh, and Cedric."- Zorarose kept narrating, twenty minutes later after the girls acquainted her with the situation and asked for her personal backstories: "...however, the two of them seemed to like each other's company just as much if not even more-"

"I've always known it!"- Irma interrupted her. "Their bi-energy and chemistry could never escape me- "

"Everyone knows that Phobos and Cedric fuck each other, we don't care about that."- Cornelia interrupted the Latina in her turn and glared at her again. Then she moved her cold eyes and stopped them on the ex-concubine. "Go on."

"The harem idea was not fully thought of and naturally many of the girls were falling for the prince."- Zorarose picked up as if she was never interrupted. "We were there to satisfy the men in the palace, but some of us had more luck than others... At least we didn't die. We provided for our families... I know you must find it disgraceful, many did back then too, but it was better than many other possible fates... To me, at least. Phobos was just 15 at the time I got to spend time with him. He was still new to the throne, but he managed the kingdom with his severity and the life force which he stole from the people. Not only that, he was studying, he had already acquitted excellent knowledge on many things, both magical and non-magical, but he wanted to be the best. He wanted to rule over Meridian and one day rule over many other worlds too. He was obsessed with absolute power. However, I was soon his favorite to spend the nights with. We knew each other just months, but he stopped desiring the other girls and even Cedric; he called for me almost every night which made me feel like I was loved. Like I could love the terrifying Phobos, who was, after all, just a handsome young man with power on the throne and dominance between the sheets."

"So, you figured that if you got pregnant with his child that would be amazing for your chances of a better future."- Elyon helped, following the urban legend, trying to hide her disgust for the spicy details around her brother's sex life. "You tricked the soldiers and maids that were supposed to make sure you take the birth controlling liquid. You soon got pregnant and they found out-"

"That is true, your Majesty."- but there was bitterness in Zorarose's voice when she continued her story: "But when Phobos got to know, he was elated. For a moment. Brief elation and a lot of fear, but still, elation. I saw it in his eyes. He loved me, he would've loved that child too, and had his advisors and Cedric not interfered, our baby would've changed him. He wasn't yet the lethal and evil person you all know today, no, not completely. Those monsters turned him evil. Lack of love and family turned him evil. The hatred of those who blamed him for Queen Weira's downfall... the constant rejection, something he had suffered from the day of his birth! Cedric and his creatures convinced Phobos that a baby would be the end to his reign, that if the people of Meridian saw him as soft and capable of love, they'd easily overthrow him before he has found a way to get all the power which you possess, Queen Elyon."- she stopped to wipe the tears that had formed in her eyes. The guardians and Elyon watched her closely the entire time, as if in some sort of trance; Zorarose knew how to tell a story and how to make her point.

"People say that he showed mercy to me and my child."- she shook her head. "The truth was that he never threatened us, not ever for a minute. He just decided to send us away to protect us, his name, his aspirations, and to satisfy the monsters that wanted him to be a heartless monster too. Which he wasn't. Phobos loved me and our child and even allowed me to choose where to travel to; I chose a land full of gold and riches that I had read of in his books; Phobos loved to read and always took me to the library with him..."

"Coronia."- Will murmured under her nose and exchanged glances with Taranee and Hay Lin. Was it really a coincidence that everything seemed to be connected to that planet? They couldn't agree on that as for now.

"...he used all the energy he had to move the other end of the only open portal for me. He wanted me to raise our baby and return to Meridian when he wins and tears the veil down. We were going to be happy together. I did return once the veil was lowered, but I got to know that things had changed drastically."- Zorarose sighed. "All the monsters he stood up for and loved because they were outcasts...all those he related to, had finally done it. They had failed him and he had turned evil. Soulless and without a clear purpose, willing to cause havoc and just havoc. Naturally, the true light of Meridian had returned to the throne and that had been the right thing. I went away and didn't look back until I came to know that you're looking for me- "

"Yeah, about that, how did you get to know that we're looking for you."- Taranee inquired. "We tried to keep a low profile with our search so that Phobos and Leonida don't interfere and ruin our chances of getting the older heir on our side- "

"I lived on Coronia all these years. I am not exactly unaware of the recent events, Phobos and his new princess- "- she said princess as it was a dirty word. "- usurped the Edifice and even had their own ceremony, presenting the infant that holds all the magic they've stolen..."

"But how did you get through the veil, a stray portal or what- "- Cornelia wanted to know, and the other woman was quick to nod:

"Yes."- she shook her head. "They've started opening again... With Kandrakar being in the state they are now, more and more such portals will keep appearing, the one I used, opened in the forest where I go to pick up berries every day."

"You really are updated on everything."- Irma noted.

Zorarose just brushed it off with a smile:

"Yes, well... news travel fast, my dear mother, you'll notice she's not here now, but she never wanted to leave this house. She'd come to live with me for a while, but she'd always return here. That's why I gave her this talisman, it was given to me by Queen Magana, years ago."- Zorarose smiled at the memory as she showed the girls a little golden lion statue that she took from above the fireplace. "She didn't know who I was, of course, it was just one of her functions during which she gave out small magical objects to people in need, as a beneficence of sorts...This little thing has been my eyes and connection to my mother. We communicate through it, I have it hooked to a mirror I have back home in Coronia, and we see each other like that without having to constantly cross through space and time..."

Taranee frowned. Time? What did she mean by crossing through space and time?

"But Coronia is not- "- she began, only to be interrupted by Irma:

"So your mom told you we're looking for you, and you came."- she summarized. "That means that you're willing to help us get the stolen powers back once we're done with the cult shit, right?"

"Of course, I want to serve the good and righteous."- Zorarose exclaimed.

"Fabulous, babe. So, where's your child? Where's Phobos's child?"

The ex-concubine's face lost all its color at that direct question. Her smile quenched.

"What?"- Elyon looked at the woman take a seat again. "He or she lives with you, right? We need them to take the power from Leonida's daughter- "

"That... might be a problem."

"Because?!"

Cornelia was indignant. Of course, something had to be a problem. Otherwise, it would just be too easy. Too easy and too fast.

"Because my daughter took after her father in too many ways. That tendency to indulge in darkness... She's power-hungry, tyrannical, and not in this timeline. Her name is Avani, and she's trapped in a parallel universe where she's trying to throw down the Queen and usurp the throne with her rebellion."


"Third Youth" Senior Center...

"I'm here to see my father. My father, Herbert Olsen. Yes, I'm Linda Olsen. Yes, I know that I said that nobody will be coming until further notice, but I have to see him. Now."

Finally, the nurse at the front desk allowed her to walk in down the corridor and to the room, that obviously belonged to her father. She felt chills run down her spine when the door opened and she saw him in his wheelchair. Weak, lonely, and sad, but most importantly - alive.

"Daddy..."- she cried silently as she rushed to wrap her arms around his neck. So, it was true. Her father really was alive. "Daddy, I thought I lost you forever! I thought I'd never see you again!"

If he could speak properly, he'd greet her too, but he couldn't. All he could do was cry, but this time, happy tears. Seeing someone he loved so much again felt rejuvenating.

The woman then proceeded to rest her head on his knees and he gently stroked her hair. He could move his joints a tad better by now:

"Soon, this madness will end, daddy. I'm sorry that she did this to you. I'm sorry, you would never agree with us when it comes to this."- the woman just began crying. She cried her heart out because her father was alive. Because life was cruel and a mess, and because the worst days were yet to come...

She didn't know how much time had passed. She had just wanted to be with him today. To take him out. After finding out he wasn't dead like they had told them, she hadn't wanted for her father to spend another day in this God-forsaken senior center, but she didn't seem to have the word. She couldn't get to it. The doors opened abruptly.

Linda Olsen stood at the threshold and stared at her doppelganger with anger:

"What the hell are you doing?"- she hissed, locking the door behind herself. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"You are out of your mind, Lindy!"- Carolyn Olsen screamed when her sister roughly pulled the wig and sunglasses from her head. Linda unmasked her in seconds. Carolyn had put them in order to look like her and get past the staff. "You're taking this too far!"

"Impersonating me, really? You didn't think that the doctor and the staff are instructed to notify me if someone comes, even if that someone is me?! They send me a text, Carolyn. They always send me a text for security reasons, you even stole my ID to come here! How did you know?"

"This is my father you proclaimed dead, Linda, our father! In actuality, he was here the entire time. Thrown away like some old piece of furniture, why?!"- Carolyn exclaimed, looking at her sister through tears. "For the sake of revenge? Our father has nothing to do with your revenge- "

"Justice!"- the other woman interrupted her and pushed her to sit on the bed. "It's justice, not revenge, and I didn't want for our father to stay in the way of things, nor did I want him to suffer as he did, but I didn't push him down the stairs."- she made an eloquent pause in which she met Herbert's tear-filled eyes. Then she looked at her sister again:

"It wasn't an accident, Linda, don't try to tell me that our dad is here because of an accident; you went through with a false funeral, and everything needed to fool people because he heard something he shouldn't have- "

"I didn't say that his fall was an accident. I just said that it was not me who pushed him."- Linda retorted coldly. "That is also true, maybe it happened for the best; father would've never approved of what I'm doing."

"For the best."- Carolyn repeated, outraged, and stood up. "You must be crazy! Your desire to get even with Marcus and get to the money has blind-sighted you irreparably- "

"How did you come to know that our father is alive and in this institution?"- Linda changed the subject. Her glare suggested that she would only tolerate the truth. No matter how gruesome.

Carolyn didn't reply. She didn't think that she owed the other woman any sort of explanation after everything she had dragged her in the middle of... But Linda wasn't having her refusal. She grabbed a hold of the back of her sister's neck and roughly cupped her chin, forcing her to look into her eyes:

"Don't play with me, Carolyn, or you'll regret it! I haven't waited all this time to get to Marcus to fail! I'll tell you the same I told Tony Vandom, you decided you're in yourself. Now there's no going back. Either we all benefit from his failure or we all fail and he wins. And believe me, Carolyn, as long as Marcus keeps winning, justice will never make it round the corner and people will keep suffering."

"Who pushed daddy down the stairs?"- Carolyn interrupted her with a dry throat. "I'll tell you about the tip if you tell me that first."

Linda's lips turned into a thin line. Fine, she had wanted to spare her sister that, because she knew it would hurt her even more

"It was just a terrible misfortune, Carolyn. Marcus came to confront me that night; he didn't believe that I'll truly work for his campaign after Matt's cold bearing during dinner. He's not that stupid, he knows we hate him. He thought that I'm just going to lose his time and that was when he met Tony Vandom which was just another bad timing. As I was trying to get them to be quiet, to shut up and stop locking horns and hear me out or father came from upstairs. That's where he stood when it happened...I went up to him, we were arguing. He wasn't accepting of the fact Marcus was in his house, of what I was embroiling our family in... He grabbed my arm; he was talking to me and she just saw us and she...she thought that he was hurting me, that's why she gave him a push and he..."- Linda stopped to catch her breath. "He never loved her"- she shook her head, looking at her father's face. He stirred in his wheelchair. He wanted to tell them something. He was a sad picture. "She feels these things."- the brunette averred with a cold expression. "I went with the burglary story because that was the only possible exit from the situation."

Carolyn hid her face in her palms and just cried silently.

"I'm sorry, sis."- Linda said and sat next to her. "After he got admitted into the hospital, I knew he wouldn't just let it be. Yes, he was alive but everything was now on the strings more than ever. This 'incident' was just what he needed to send her away again, to get rid of her. I couldn't risk him telling Matt or Will, who were constantly there, waiting for him to wake up. That's why I arranged for him to be moved here. And he will stay here until the elections are over and until we get what belongs to us. How did you know to come here? Nobody knows a thing about this, nobody but- "

"I don't know, I got an anonymous email with the card of this place and a photo of dad attached."- Carolyn sobbed and rushed to hug her father again. "I got it days ago, but I thought it to be some sick joke at first. Then I decided to call and ask about Herbert Olsen, and when they told me that Linda Olsen handles that patient's case personally, I knew that there was something. Dad has never been a patient here in the past... "

"Tony Vandom."- Linda was shaking with anger. Everything was clear to her now.

You want to create internal gaps in my plan and sink me before we reach the shore? You want to outsmart me; don't you know what will happen? I will make you regret this audacity of yours.


Four days had passed since the guardians and Elyon talked to the ex-concubine for the first time. Figuring a way to go into the realm where Avani was rampaging another time and another parallel kingdom that didn't even concern them, had proven to be difficult. Traveling through time wasn't easy, but they needed Phobos's older daughter, hence they already had a few possible ideas of how to reach her in the making.

But tonight there was a situation that was beyond any of that. It was something that had got everyone on high alert. 11-year-old William Collins had been kidnapped from his home. In the middle of the night. No one had a clue as to what had happened exactly.

"Tom, please, do something! William would never run away; he doesn't have a reason to; He was kidnapped. I am sure that he was kidnapped!"- Susan was ballistic. Going crazy with worry and crying soundly in front of everyone, but who could judge her. She was a mother whose 11-year-old son had just vanished into the night.

"Susan, rest assured that we will find him, don't worry. I'm sure that we will find him before you know it."- Tom put a hand on her shoulder in a try to console her, but that task was better of with Yan Lin, who came out of the kitchen with a tray full of refreshments and snacks.

She had arrived the minute Hay Lin had left in a hurry, called by Will, who had gathered the girls into one of the main search parties sent out to look for the child. Susan appreciated the support, even if she was a ball of nerves right now, but Yan Lin knew how to make her way around a ball of nerves anyway.

"We looked around the entire house, the window of the kid's bedroom has been opened from the inside. There are no visible signs that someone has broken in in order to abduct William Collins, sir."- one of the policemen said, returning from the upper floor.

"That's impossible!"- Susan screamed, feeling the terror tightening its grip around her throat. "My son would never just run away, he's still too young! He doesn't have a reason to either! He's- "

"They will find him, Susan, they're just saying that perhaps we shouldn't imagine the worst scenario."- Yan Lin appealed, holding the other woman's shoulders. "Right, officer?"- she asked the young policeman, who didn't know what to say.

"That's right."- Tom answered for him and ushered his men to follow him. He knew this case wasn't as urgent and serious as he had presented it to his policemen, but the Collins family were his close friends. Besides, as a man who had given his life to preserving the law, certain things were a priority over others. Cases that involved children were always a priority.

"We'll keep in touch with you and the search parties, we will find Will junior tonight."

Susan slumped on the couch in her living room. She was devastated; as a mother, seeing her child was missing in the middle of the night was a nightmare coming true. Yan Lin did her best to comfort her, she offered her to drink some water with lemon and lime, but the younger woman declined.

Yan Lin was just about to try persuading her again when her mobile rang. She distanced herself from the distressed Susan as to keep the conversation she was about to have private:

"It's not a good time, Kadma."- the old lady picked up, looking behind her shoulder." Will's younger brother went missing in the middle of the night."

"That might be more connected to what we found than you can imagine, Yan Lin."- Kadma turned around. She and Halinor were on Meridian, in Z.R.'s house. Halinor waved her hand, encouraging the ex-Earth guardian to go on faster. "You know how we talked about this ex-concubine's story being questionable at certain parts? Halinor manipulated her lion talisman into showing us through the mirror connected to it, the one the concubine supposedly communicated with her mother through."

"Yes, and?"

"That mirror or whatever it is, is in place that looks like a Throne Room. I can see a coat of arms on the opposite wall. It looks just like the royal symbols of Meridian- "

"Yanny, that's not all, I think that this is the kingdom she told the guardians about."- Halinor interjected. "We think that Zorarose is the Queen of a realm that's a parallel version of Meridian. She retold the story of that realm to fit her narrative. If you ask me, she's not here to help us, she has come to help herself."

"You believe that her daughter's rebellion is trying to overthrow her and she came to seek more power players?"- Yan Lin gasped silently. It made sense. It finally made sense. She had been sure that there was more to the concubine's story...

"Or rather powerful objects."- Kadma sulked down at the slim book in her hand. "We found something in the house. A diary from 25 years ago. Zorarose has been obsessed with stories about the guardians, Kandrakar, and the Heart her entire life. Her last entry was weeks before she became a concubine in the Palace. Listen to what she wrote: ''The power of the old guardians is weaker than ever. They failed. They failed Meridian. I believe that the Heart will soon be passed on to a new generation. If the prince of Meridian gets his hands on it first, I will do anything to be by his side and get to the Heart of Kandrakar. Anything."

"Which is why we think that William's disappearance might be Zorarose's attempt to shark Will into giving her the Heart."

"The only question is how does she cross through parallel realms and the veil like that. Even the Heart of Kandrakar can't just open a passage to a parallel realm-"

Yan Lin was just about to reply when her eyes fell on a figure on the staircase. A figure that was making her a threatening gesture, ushering her to drop the phone at once... Zorarose was holding a knife to young William Collins's throat, and every mistake or wrong move on the former guardian's part would cost him his life.

"Yan Lin? Yan Lin what happened?"- Kadma's voice sounded from the other line, but Yan Lin just put the device in her pocket and held her hands up where Zorarose could see them, showing her that she was willing to do anything for her to spare the young boy.

"Susie-Q? Susie-Q, I heard what happened. Come with me, I will help you look for your boy."

Oh, crap, Yan Lin cursed in her head at the sound of the man who had just entered the house. Hearing him, Zorarose immediately pulled the boy up the stairs and glared at her. Yan Lin could read it on her lips, she wanted her to get Susan and Tony out immediately. But how to do that...

Think, Yan Lin. You have to do something fast. Fast!

In the living room, Susan shot up from her place and wiped her nose with the back of her palm before glaring at her ex-husband:

"I didn't leave the door unlocked for you to enter! I have to stay here and wait for my son, Dean is already out with the search parties, I can't come with you even if I wanted to! Get lost!"

"I want to help."- the man said seriously, approaching her and taking her hand in his own. "Please, your son is like my son, I can't bear to see you like that; we will find him together. Don't you feel like sitting here in the wait just maddens you even more? Come with me, Susan."

Susan hesitated for a moment. It was true, waiting here was driving her crazy. But Yan Lin had seen a felicitous opportunity she wasn't going to miss. Before the other woman could reply:

"I think that's the right thing to do too, Susan. I'm here, I'll stay in the house."- she smiled warmly. "You and Mr. Vandom should go and take part in the search. You're William's mother, perhaps your heart will lead you to him before everyone else."

"Alright... I guess it wouldn't hurt if we looked too."- Susan finally agreed. Tony smiled.

"Thanks a lot, Mrs. Lin."

"I'll have my phone on me, call me if anything happens, OK?"- Susan turned around one last time.

"Of course, now go. Everything will be better soon."

Yan Lin could barely wait for the couple to go out of the house. Once they did, she felt like she could breathe again. A certain someone, however, was there to remind her that the biggest stakes were yet to be won.

"Good, now that they're out of the way, call the keeper here."- Zorarose's voice commanded from behind. Her eyes were merciless. "Call her and tell her that she has an important choice to make. The Heart. Or her brother."

Yan Lin turned around, gloomily, to see Zorarose holding the knife closer to William's neck; he looked completely terrified but he didn't utter a word. God knew what that terrible woman had put him through during the last hours.

"I will call her."- the old lady said, looking at her under furrowed brows. "But I need to tell you something first."

"I don't have the time for this, old woman."- Zorarose scoffed impatiently. "I need the Heart tonight!"

They stood against each other like figures on the chessboard. Many wanted the Heart. Many were willing to kill to get it, but Phobos's former concubine wasn't on the top of the list with potential pretenders standing a chance.

"The old guardians didn't fail Meridian."- Yan Lin retorted icily. "But you will fail your parallel version of it!"

As she said that that she used all her energy to create a small wind tunnel that sucked the concubine from behind, separating her from the boy who rushed towards the old lady, snuggling in her. Zorarose fell face flat on the ground, dropping her knife and hitting her head on the wooden floor.

"William! William, it's alright, my boy."- Yan Lin said to him, trying to catch her breath in the meantime. Using life force without being hooked to an Aurameere or a Heart. Never good for her organism.

"You wretched old-"- Zorarose jumped on her feet only to be blown back by another, stronger gust of wind.

"Don't come near my grandma."- Hay Lin's eyes glowed angrily when she came into the house together with the other four. "You liar!"

Yan Lin sighed in relief. Kadma and Halinor had called them; they had heard that she's in trouble over the phone which she had purposely put away without disconnecting the call...they had alarmed the girls. What a thing she had lived to see; reception between worlds that was now spreading further than their telepathic channels.

"You shouldn't have tried to use my brother for your crazy agenda, Zorarose."- Will bared her teeth as she landed on the floor, in front of Yan Lin and William. "He has magic himself; magic which he will one day use to defend himself and his close ones. He's not some tool that you can use to get to the Heart. The Heart is something that you will never even touch!"- and as she said that, she blasted at her, throwing her to the other end of the room.

"You lied to us about everything, didn't you?"- Taranee interjected. "I knew you were not completely sincere when you said you didn't have to travel through 'time and space' as much, Coronia is not in another time. You've lived in a parallel version of Meridian all long. You're the Queen that Avani's trying to take down from the throne and you came here with the sole hope of getting the Heart that you've always wanted! You're just another maniac!"

"You're so insightful This is but half of the truth!"- Zorarose sneered. She was beside herself. The guardians were here, but she no longer had her bargaining chip on her. She had to flee before they could catch her.

"Where do you think you're going, Zorax?"- Irma mocked her as she grabbed a hold of her hair before the ex-concubine could turn around to make a run for it. The concubine screamed as the water-witch ruined her updo, holding her hair firmly.

"Let go of me!"- Zorarose protested, but Cornelia twisted her arms behind her back.

"You're not going anywhere, you obsessive escort, you will take us to your daughter in that parallel kingdom. Immediately!"

But their timing and that of the Vandoms clashed. When they heard Susan's voice in the driveway, they knew they had to get out of there.

"Teletransport!"- Yan Lin ushered them. "Hurry!"

"ZORA-"

"Zip it, Irma! Let's get her, fast!"

Zorarose had used the opportunity to break free and run towards the back door of the house. The girls followed her at once, but she was fast on the ground; she slammed the door in their faces, and when they finally got out of the house, she was already running down the street where the search parties would all walk and drive by any minute. In fact, they could be heard in the distance already.

"Shit! We have to transform back; we can't be seen in guardian form right now."- Taranee panicked.

"No."- Cornelia, who saw an opportunity to see her love sooner slip away, snapped. "We have to catch her before she can hide somewhere again! We'll just fly high up! Come on!"

The others followed her lead, flying almost into the clouds. They soon caught up with the concubine who was running without caring about who sees her and what attention she attracts. She was just running across residential areas, headed for an even busier part of the city...

"No, Heatherfield is not the place where we want to have this chase."- Will decided and as suddenly as she said it, she had an idea.

She opened a portal right above the running woman's head, which sucked her in on the go before she knew it. The guardians followed like five-light bolts; then the portal closed and Heatherfield was left undisturbed again. As undisturbed Heatherfield could ever be...

When she opened her eyes and gained her sense of orientation back post the portal twist, Zorarose discovered that she was in front of her old house again. On Meridian. The doors of the house opened and Kadma and Halinor emerged from the inside. The concubine took a step back only to come face to face with the present guardians. She was in a trap:

"It's over, Zorarose, give up!"

The older redhead cursed under her breath and looked in all directions like a cornered animal. No, she hadn't gone this far to be captured and used now. Her fingers sank in the satchel around her waist as she took something little from it. Something little, which triggered an explosion-like event when she unexpectedly threw it on the ground.

Guardians, present and former, all fell to the grass as Zorarose hurried through the big, fearsome yellow portal that she had opened.

Halinor's eyes widened in disbelief:

"ZORAX!"

"What the actual fuck?!"- Will spat. In her time as a guardian, she had never seen such a thing.

"After her!"

Will, Cornelia, and Irma didn't waste time, they flew through the big yellow portal without thinking twice. Before anyone could stop them.

Taranee and Hay Lin couldn't. In her turn, Hay Lin tried to stop her dark-skinned friend who was determined to pull the other girls back, but the regular portal that opened in Taranee's way caught them all off guard. Even more than the events so far had flummoxed them, if that was even possible.

Taranee screamed as two old, bony hands covered in ancient writings grabbed hold of her and dragged her inside the ordinary portal which closed after her, simultaneously with the big yellow portal a few feet away.

Hay Lin was the only active guardian left on the meadow, together with Kadma and Halinor, who exchanged bedazzled glances once the eerie wind created by the open portals vanished with them:

"What happened just now!?"

"They crossed into a parallel time zone."- Halinor stammered. "T-they are beyond our timeline now. And Taranee, she- "

"She was kidnapped."- Kadma finished, her eyes moving to the spot the blue portal had suddenly opened. "I swear, this has to be Phobos and Leonida's doing. They divided you...And that blasted concubine helped... "

"What are we going to do..."- Hay Lin asked in despair, as the tears in her eyes started to roll down her cheeks.