I woke up in bed, slamming the alarm off. I dragged myself to the bathroom, holding my head. Last time I will drink like that again. I went to work, going through a mountain of paperwork. Approved, denied. This was not a good move; this would make little profit. Feels like I have idiots for advisors.

"Miss Viola, the meeting is in five minutes."

"I will be there." I picked up my materials and the flash drive and moved to the meeting room. I gave the business plan to those around me. Then I laid into them.

"I did not work my ass of to be shown weak minded ideas that show no progression. Just because we are right there with other business leaders does not mean we start slaking. We are not number one, yet. No more weak proposals, they will be automatically denied. Dismissed."

"That was an interesting meeting."

"Thanks, and who are you."

"Kalego." I looked at him. "I told you we've met before. Are you doing anything after work?"

That demon was back, how did he get in here? "I have to head home."

"How about a cup of tea?"

I pressed my lips. "No, anyone who knows me, knows I do not go out with people."

"Just ten minutes, nothing more."

I gritted my teeth, then I was at ease, like I could trust him. "I suppose, but that is it."

After work we walked to the coffee shop in the main lobby of my building. "Is all of this yours?"

"I am the CEO, what kind of question is that? Blonde coffee with three extra shots of Expresso."

"I was curious. I will have a tea, whatever is popular." He won't like that.

"Get him a green tea, sugar free." I blinked. Why would I order over him.

"Sugar free?"

"Uh, yeah. It's not as sweet, you… don't like sweet things." I blinked, turning my head.

"You remembered." He wrapped his arms around me. I pushed him off.

Every day was the same, wake up, get ready for work. Kalego was there at every turn. Several days later I broke, letting him take me on a date. Eli pushed me to go out with him. Dating was silly, I had a kid and a full-time job. Taking time for this took it away from Eli, the little I had outside of work. I dressed and started on makeup.

Eli kicked his feet, sitting on the toilet. "Will he be my new dad?"

"No, that won't happen. It's you and…" His face fell. "Is this why you're pushing me to go out?"

"Maybe, all the other kids have dads, and I don't."

I crouched down to his level. "Eli, honey. Being a dad is more than a person in the slot. They must be there for you, support you."

"Like you do for me?"

"Yes."

He slid off the toilet leaving me. This man was giving him the wrong ideas. I need to get him away from us. This date will be the break off. I joined him at the table, he had a glass of wine poured for me. It was sweet, and one of my favorites. The conversation went well, he was not so bad. The bill came and I paid.

"This was nice, but this is the cut off. Eli is getting the wrong idea. He's hoping to make you, his dad." I stood up. "I have to go." I turned to leave; my hand was caressed.

"Wait, give me a chance." He tugged me to him, he put his arm around me. "You do not have to do all of this alone."

My heart thudded in my chest; I turned my head to the floor. "I can't."

My chin was lifted, our eyes meeting. "Why?" I had no real reason but using Eli as my reason. "If you must leave because you worry about him, I understand. If you're running from me, then I do not understand."

"I never let anyone in. It saves the heartbreak. No one wants to be around me longer than a week."

"I would, I left the netherworld for you." He leaned in, his lips close to mine. Could I really accept the words he said? Were they empty promises? I wanted too, I wanted someone. I pressed my lips on his, maybe I could have a little. I melted in his arms, Kissing him deeply.

He broke the kiss, rubbing his nose on mine. A peek of a smile on his lips. "You're smiling."

"I thought I lost you, and now I have you back."

I let him stay with me because he had nowhere to go in the human world. I gave him the spare room, clearing out all my crafts to the music room. He took a deep interest in that room. I took him out to shop for clothes, and out to eat. He convinced me to do my job from home; my meetings were now video calls, and I had more time to have with Eli and him.

I showed him human foods, and culture. Trips to the art museum with Eli. Park dates where Eli went to play, and we would talk on the bench. Date nights to ourselves at the theater. We had filled an album of memories. Eli was happy, and today there was an outdoor homeschool. I drove us to the boy scouts building, letting him run up to his friends.

"They do somethings like us." He commented.

"Yes, we can go to the parent lounge or follow behind."

Eli ran back with a friend. "This is my dad. He's cool."

"My dad is cooler." The kid retorted.

"My dad has purple hair."

"Mine plays catch."

"Well, mine takes me to the park whenever I ask.

"Mine dose that too."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Eli, that's enough. You have group school to do." His smile dropped.

"Your mom is right, I am the coolest to you, and that is all that matters. Go learn something new."

"Okay, dad. See you later." He ran off again.

"I am sorry."

He chuckled. "He thinks I am the coolest."

I playfully nudged his arm. "Don't let that ego inflate too high. I do apologize for what happened."

"Why, he was fine. If you allow it, I could fill the spot he wants. I believe I have been so far."

He had been, he was there teaching Eli to play music, and reading to him. He was in the kitchen with me cooking, and there for bedtime. I was not comfortable with the idea yet, even if he filled the position perfectly. When night fell and Eli was in bed, I joined Kalego downstairs on the couch. He handed me a glass of wine.

I grinned "What's the occasion."

"To being the coolest dad, I wish to stay around if you'll have me."

"Kal, are you sure you want that?"

"Yes, now come here."

I curled in to lay on him, and he kissed my head. "I never thought I would find myself here."

"What do you mean?"

"Here, in your arms. I love this feeling."

"What is that?"

"Peace, comfort, and loved." He rubbed my arm, kissed my head again. I glanced up. "I love you."

His lips met mine in a loving kiss. I wanted him, all of him. I took his glass of wine, putting them both on the table in front of us. I straddled him, combing my hands through his hair, and stared in his eyes; I went through hell to get here. I had the perfect life. I kissed him deeply, pulling him to me. Unbuttoning his shirt, his hands on my hips.

A light flashed in my eyes; I moved it out of my face. "Your awake." The voice was low. Lights echoed behind my eyelids, orange and straightforward. It sounded like Blushenko but muffled.

I leaned up, opening my eyes, the world a little blurry. I rubbed my eyes from the crusts that had formed while sleeping. Kalego was in a chair, head propped on a fist. A leg was crossed, ankle resting on knee, free hand holding it there. I grazed my lips with my fingertips, that kiss, I was about to. My face heated up, that was one hell of a dream, but it all felt so real.

My memories flooded in on what had happened. The dream was a distant, but close feeling. There was no way I would be able to look at him the same way again. Why did it have to be him of all the ones I could have dreamed about to be in a relationship. The one I created in my mind was not real. I would have to accept this fact.

"He did not leave once school ended, after school he would show up here." I pressed my lips, looking at Blushenko. If I pretend to forget I may be able to go under the radar. I might be able to use this to my advantage later. They might stop looking at me like I am weird. I would have to go back far, before Eli showed up.

I touched my ears, I pulled an earplug out, pretending it was loud, and shoved it back in. "What's going on? Why is everything so loud? Why are you and Professor Kalego in my room?"

"You do not remember?" I shook my head. He held out the suppressants, I tilted my head. "I will help you." He shielded my ears, putting them in. "What's the last thing you remember?"

I pressed my lips looking down to the left. "My first day at Babyls, I just started going into the school as a teacher aid. The kids were preparing for their music performance."

"You don't remember preforming?"

"Was I supposed to? How long have I been out?"

"Almost two months." My eyes darted to Kalego, was he pretending to sleep or did he just wake up. "You fell to poison ruffly a week before school ended, and you did perform at the music festival. Do you not remember anything?" I shook my head.

Blushenko packed his things in his bag. "I will let Kalego explain, and I shall inform Lord Sullivan you are awake." He left the room.

"There was only a week of school left when you fell unconscious. We amputated more than half of your leg, but the poison had already made it to your heart and brain. Iruma told us where you went, and we found the blood trail. I filled the hole in once Balam got what we needed for an antidote.

You were not getting any better, your heart stopped the day after school let out. I thought you died, but a few hours later you started breathing again. The poison had completely left your body. Not just that." He flipped the blanket over my foot. "Your leg slowly grew back, about a day or so ago it looked normal."

I wiggled my toes, there was no evidence of a scar where I was impaled. I looked up at my leg, a ring around my thigh. I traced the clean-cut line; it looked like it was years not weeks ago.

"Was this where?"

He nodded. "It was a tough call, but there was no saving something that was dead. How you were walking or moving in general is baffling. Do you remember Thoth?" I shrugged, he sighed. "What about the Carnival?" I shook my head. "Eli?" I paused. I told him he was a brother.

"My brother."

"Son." I widened my eyes, "you told me about him. You forgot?"

"No, it's brother."

The doors opened, Grandpa, and Opera came in. I looked down to my hands, this was it. This will be the time I'm scolded, and I know I deserve it. I told no one where I was going or that I would be missing from school. I thought Dali might pass that information around for me. Kalego stood letting Grandpa sit, he sat there quietly.

"Well?"

"She does not remember anything." Kalego chimed in, Blushenko nodded in agreement.

"You left on an adventure down a cave, you injured yourself and did not realize you got poisoned. If you get hurt, call me. I won't stop you from exploring the world." He rubbed his chin. "Give it a few days, you might remember. When you do, I would like to know what happened. For now, take time off to recuperate." I nodded.

Kalego leaned against the desk, closing his eyes. Zve snapping not at him, trying to get his attention. Kalego summoned a rat and Zve gobbled it up. He must have been feeding him while I was out. The loyalty is to the owner, but it can be lost. Two months, was Eli alive anymore? I listened to the heartbeats around me, there was one extra along the wall. I knew this one, too.

I gripped the sheets, bringing them to my chest. "May I be alone, just to process things. Please?"

Grandpa nodded. "Everyone out." Kalego looked back before he left the room, grandpa had stayed.

"While you were unconscious, we had a breach at school. We were doing a test on the second-year misfit class called the heart breaker. Shiida and Atori were new members of the faculty. Atori attacked a student and then two teachers."

"That is a lot."

"It is, and I need you to remember what you saw after the music festival. About Poro. Who she was with and what they spoke of."

"I will try, I'm sorry. I do not know why I would put my life in such danger. It sounds unlike me." I laid my head down on my knees. Frowning.

"I am not upset with you. Oh, and you also missed the Dem-doll Games. That was before the breach, it was the break-in-between. I will leave you alone, do try to remember." He stood and left the room.

I spoke low when the door was shut. "I did not actually forget. Do you have any information."

He appeared to me. He looked like Soi, but older. "You had even me fooled. I do have something for you. The child in question is at Baal's castle." He dropped pictures on the bed. "I have been in and out a few times waiting for you to wake up. He was still alive as of a week ago. There are others here that frequent the property. Eli is not treated horribly; but is left to himself most days.

He does have all he can ask for. I overheard them talking about using him to get you to turn to their side for his protection. I do know there is a Deviculum coming up, one that Baal was invited too; They are going to pick two new crowns to govern over the netherworld."

"I see." The pictures were the same as what Narnia had shown, only one had a name: Wett. "I am glad he is alive."

"This is something to keep an eye on. Have you herd of the Cult of the Numeral Two?"

"Yes, Ocho said something about it."

"They are also frequenting this castle. You might find out things about them if you go to the party."

"I'm not invited."

"Lord Sullivan is going, as well as Kalego. Use one of them. It's thirteen days away from today."

I rubbed my chin. "Grandpa might say no, if he does Kalego might refuse as well. It is worth a shot. Can I get the location of this castle?" I summoned my phone; we linked them, and he shared the location.

"I will help you until you have him back. It is the least I can do for how you helped one of our own."

"How is he?"

"He is doing well; he has been more concerned if you would wake up. You really put your life on the line for this little boy."

"You can tell no one I remember anything."

"Ulterior motive?" I nodded. "I do not know how that will help, but you have been full of surprises. Good luck." He whisked away in smoke, leaving the room through the window.

I took all the pictures and put them in a drawer. The deception has been put in place; I would hold onto that for as long as I could. Thirteen days to prepare for the day. If anything, I could use that absence to get to Eli and bring him home. Who says I must go to the Deviculum? This was my chance while the head man was away to get to someone who was forgotten.

Wett could no longer hide from me, I had a name for the face. He would be my target if the opportunity presented itself. If he were home, I might just try to drop him off too boarder control. That was a pipeline dream. I searched through my things; the needles were still in the pouch. I would need to practice using them and train without gaining suspicion.

How soon was too soon to start? In here I could do the basics for strength training, but I was above the normal push up or pull up. I gazed at the clean needles I had not coated. I could master that here with no problem. I wanted to be able to whistle or hum and use them with striking precision. Even if someone tried to stop them by hand, the poison would be on the skin.

I hummed the clean ones up, maneuvering them. The event might be the time they try to convince me to join them if I do go. It was tough to call on how I should handle this. Eli was my main priority; they were the obstacle in my way. I need more information on this event. More words or something along the lines of a card.