Piper didn't have the energy to change into another animal, so she lounged outside her tent, looking at the stars. She could hear the hum of conversation through the camp, and she found that it relaxed her. Gale had introduced himself to Karlach, who was still talking her ear off, but she seemed to be mildly interested at least. Astarion had walked to chat with Wyll, probably teasing him about something. Astarion always seemed to need to jab at someone.

She didn't hear Shadowheart come near before the cleric was sat next to her. Piper sat up and turned to her companion. They weren't exactly friends, but Piper had come to enjoy her company when Shadowheart came around. She was cagey and untrusting, but she was calm and collected most of the time.

"How was today?" Piper asked, resting her forearms on her knees as she crossed her legs.

"Not what I expected, at least. We found where the goblins are camped out, but we haven't been able to get close yet. Wyll wants to scout it out a little more to see if there's an opening. It's likely we can't just walk in without a fight," Shadowheart explained before taking a swig of her wine. Piper hadn't noticed it when the cleric had sat down.

"And then you found those two?" Piper added, gesturing toward Laezel and Karlach. Piper still hadn't introduced herself to the gith, but she supposed she could do it at dinner.

"Exactly. Both are infected, which is why they came with us. We found Laezel about to storm the temple when Wyll talked her down. She would have been killed, even if she's a proficient fighter. Although, I had to talk Wyll down when we met Karlach," the cleric explained. Piper tilted her head as she glanced in the warlock's direction.

"You had to talk him down? From what?"

"Were you there when we first picked up Wyll?"

"Kinda, we hadn't figured out the language spell yet, so I knew he was joining us, but I didn't get any of the specifics."

"Well, he had been hunting in the hells when he was abducted, and he had mentioned that he was hunting a devil. Turns out who he was hunting was Karlach," Shadowheart started. Piper stiffened as she looked over at the tall woman.

"Karlach's a devil?"

"No, she's a tiefling, like the refugees at the grove," Shadowheart corrected as Piper relaxed again. "I had to tell Wyll that she wasn't a devil as well. He was ready to kill her because of his oath or something. They've become fast friends now."

"Sounds like an eventful day."

"I agree, but at least we have a location now. I think we'll want to move the camp down the river, closer to the goblin camp. If we have to fight, we don't want to be exhausted by hiking through the wilderness first."

"That would be nice. Also, it'll give me some time to practice," Piper smiled, stretching her arms out in front of her, cracking her knuckles.

"It's nice to see you human again, too. Just don't get stuck again until we find the Archdruid. We'll be farther from the grove, and I really don't want to back track too much."

"Deal. Astarion was saying that I might be able to turn into something bigger, like a wolf."

"Don't turn into a wolf."

"What?" Piper asked, surprised by the sudden request. Shadowheart cleared her throat before she shrugged.

"I think something stealthier like a panther would be better, don't you think? They're about the same size," Shadowheart recommended. Piper kept her gaze for a moment before she nodded.

"It would be helpful if we have to sneak in," she agreed as the cleric relaxed.

They had fallen into a moment of silence as they watched the camp start to settle in for the night. The sun had started to set, and Gale had finished dinner and was starting to serve it. Piper started to stand as a loud whooshing sounded in the middle of camp. She instinctively held up her hands, expecting a gush of wind, but the air was still. Shadowheart grabbed Piper's hand and rushed over to the noise.

The rest of their companions also rushed towards the sound as Wyll cursed under his breath. Piper glanced at him before seeing a large pool of tar surrounded by a ring of fire. While she could admit that she wasn't always the most observant, she definitely knew that this wasn't there before. Before she could remark on the strangeness, something, or someone, started to emerge from the tar. The figure had wings and horns, and Piper took a step back as the tar slipped off the devil in front of them. She turned until she found Wyll, and she smiled.

"There you are," she sweetly said before using her magic to yank him forward. "Imagine my surprise, pup, when I heard that not only had you found Karlach, but you kept her alive. Even when you know what it means to fail."

"You said devils only!" Wyll shouted, grabbing at his throat as if she was choking him. Piper went to step forward as Shadowheart grabbed her arm, shaking her head. "Karlach is a tiefling, not a devil!"

"Stupid pup. You contract clearly says for you to hunt the infernal, the demonic, the heartless and the soulless. Last time I checked, Karlach doesn't have a heart. You're the one who broke the contract, pup," the devil woman sneered before she collected herself. Piper looked over at Karlach, who's fire seemed to be more prominent than before. Piper stared at the tiefling, wondering how she was on fire at all. Also, Karlach didn't have a heart? None of that made sense either. "Speaking of which. Karlach, Zariel sends her regards."

"Oh, fuck off, Mizora," Karlach growled. Mizora rolled her eyes.

"As ladylike as ever," the devil grumbled before flicking her wrist. "But still, my pup needs to learn his lesson."

Piper watched as the fire ring and tar pool appeared beneath Wyll, and the tar started to envelope him. He screamed as his body shifted. Piper felt Shadowheart's grip on her arm tense as Mizora chuckled under her breath. Wyll fell to his knees as they watched in horror. Piper wanted to shake off the cleric to get Wyll out of the tar, but she wasn't sure if she was even strong enough to help him. Soon, the tar retreated as Wyll emerged again, this time with horns and a red eye in place of his brown one. Slowly, he stood again, a little off balance with the new additions.

"A price paid," Mizora smiled before sighing. "And you better get used to the new look. There's no going back. Oh, and you don't have to worry about Zariel anymore, she has turned her interests elsewhere, Karlach. For now, at least. Until next time."

The devil disappeared into the tar again in a flash, leaving Wyll unsteady on his feet. Shadowheart let go of Piper as they both approached Wyll, who was reaching for the new horns. They were larger than she had seen on any of the tieflings they had encountered so far. Gale and Astarion stood where they were as Karlach stomped on the spot where the devil had arrived.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Piper asked as Wyll looked at her.

"No, I'm fine, I think," he whispered as they led him back to his tent to sit down.

"So, who was that?" Piper asked as Shadowheart did her once over to make sure he was in good shape. Wyll sighed.

"That was Mizora, my patron. She's the one who powers my magic. Where Gale has studied for years to get where he is now, I made a pact with a devil. I can't explain the pact, but I can at least tell you that much," Wyll explained before slowly shaking his head. "I was supposed to hunt devils and demons, not tieflings. If I had known the Karlach was a tiefling, I wouldn't have hunted her to that damned nautiloid."

"You made a pact with a devil?" Piper asked. Shadowheart gave him a clear bill of health before she went in search for her lost wine.

"I did, and I don't regret it," Wyll informed firmly.

"Did Gale tell you that we also ran into a devil today?" Piper wondered. She had said that she didn't want to make a deal with a devil, but if Wyll had some pointers, maybe she could find a way to get home through the devil.

"He did. Raphael, was it? Sounds like a trap to me," he replied. Piper frowned, and Wyll grabbed her hand. "What did he offer you?"

"He said that he could get rid of our tadpoles. He also knew that I was from a different plane, and that he had been there before. He knew things that none of you knew," Piper explained as his gripped tightened slightly.

"Don't take that deal."

"But you just said that you made a deal-"

"Yes, but I didn't know the cost of the deal until it was too late. While I don't regret what I did, I don't think it's a good idea."

"Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical?"

"My contract was signed because I wanted to save the people of my home. A stupid decision, but I can't regret that I've saved so many lives because of it. Devils only prey on weakness, Piper. Raphael could smell yours from a mile away. Don't take his deal."

"What if it's the only way to get me home?" she whispered, willing the tears to stay away. Wyll sighed before he grimaced.

"Why don't we start looking a way for you to get home first, yeah? If we can get you home without having to sell your soul or whatever else, then that would be the best way, right?" Wyll suggested, pleading with her. Piper nodded, knowing that the easy way out was rarely the least costly.

"I'll be patient, and I won't make the deal with Raphael, but I do want to find a way back home. My family must be worried sick," she replied. Wyll pulled her into a hug, and she wrapped his arms around him. He felt safe and comforting. "Thank you."

"We're here for each other, and my ear's always open if you need to vent or talk about something," Wyll reminded as Piper leaned back. "Now, I think Gale is about to call us for dinner."

"I'm going to clear my head down by the river for a moment, I'll meet you there," Piper replied as she waved, walking down towards the river.

Piper did want to get home as fast as possible, thinking that maybe Raphael or a hospital could remove the parasite, but Wyll was right. Her eternal soul wasn't worth it. She could spend the rest of her life with her family again in her world, but she would be Raphael's as soon as she used her last breath. She couldn't deny that the allure still wasn't there.

She toed off her shoes as she reached the shore, and she stepped into the water. She let the river calm herself, feeling her muscles instantly relax. She didn't even hear the soft footsteps behind her before he spoke.

"Quite an eventful night," Astarion commented. Piper jumped at his words, turning to see his arms crossed as he looked across the water. She followed his gaze before turning back to him.

"They seem to get more exciting by the day," she agreed, turning to face him fully. "What brings you over here?"

"I heard your conversation with Wyll," he informed. Piper guessed that they hadn't been especially quiet about it. "Are you really going to dismiss Raphael's offer so readily?"

"I'm using it as a last resort. If we can't find anything else, then it might be worth it. I'm not sure if it's worth my soul, but I would be willing to give almost anything else," Piper explained, surprised by Astarion's plainness. "What do you think?"

"I think it might be worth it," he explained, walking up the water line. "What if the druid doesn't know how to get the parasites out? We haven't come up with anything better."

"That's true, but we've just begun."

"And time's running out."

"What do you want me to say? I don't make all the decisions around here. You should talk to Gale, or maybe Wyll. They seem to have the best plans of action."

"I think you have more sway than you think, darling," he informed with a smirk. "I've seen the way the others look and act around you. You have them wrapped around your finger."

"I think that's a bit of an exaggeration."

"Wyll just told you that he would do anything he could to help you get home. Gale said the same thing when we barely knew you. Shadowheart only talks to you about anything other than the next plan. Even Karlach seems to be fond of you already," Astarion explained. Piper rolled her eyes at him.

"Karlach thought I was cute as a cat, that hardly counts."

"You sell yourself short. You are an anomaly in this plane. No one from your world has ever set foot here. And now you have magic. You are an interesting specimen, and I think you've sparked the protective side of everyone," Astarion commented. Piper stared at him, realizing that he wasn't wrong. She didn't think that she would have any leeway in their decision making, but she did have to admit that a few of them had bent over backwards to make sure she was okay.

"Alright, what about you? And Laezel? I haven't met Laezel, and from what I've heard, she hardly sounds like she would care about me."

"That I don't have an answer for, and for me, I would say that you have peaked my interest in a way."

"I've peaked your interest? Was it my feline wiles that tempted you?" Piper teased, crossing her arms. "I know that you don't trust me."

"Trust is a different matter. I trust no one."

"Which is why you came out here in the dark to ask me about Raphael?"

Astarion stood still, irritation showing on his face before he sighed. Piper stood in the water, suddenly feeling that she was safest away from land. Her hair stood on the back of her neck as he stared at her.

"I want you to think about Raphael's deal, and not dismiss it out of hand. While dealing with a devil is risky, it may be worth it."

"And to that I agree," Piper answered firmly. "You seem rather irritated that I've talked to Wyll about this."

"I'm not irritated," he shot back a little too quickly. Piper held back a laugh.

"Of course, you're being perfectly personable right now," she replied.

"I'm feeling a little peckish, and I think it may be affecting my mood," Astarion growled, brushing her off. "I'm not irritated."

"Yes, you are," Piper countered as the gears turned in her head. Why would he be upset that she talked to Wyll? She had spoken to the warlock before, and the only thing she could think of being different was the embrace. Astarion caught on to her thinking before his gaze hardened. "Are you upset that I hugged Wyll?"

"Why would I be upset about that?" he countered, raising his voice. Piper tilted her head to the side.

"Are you jealous?" It was a simple statement, not meaning to be a taunt or anything. It confused her that he would be envious of her interaction with Wyll. Maybe he had feelings for Wyll? Wyll was rather dashing, if she was honest.

"I am certainly not jealous," he scoffed, looking away. Piper clenched her jaw as she made a step towards the shore.

"Hey, look, I didn't mean to upset you, I promise," she reassured, hoping that she could smooth things over. She didn't want to get in the way of whatever Astarion and Wyll had going on. "If it makes you feel better, I won't hug Wyll again."

"What makes you think that'll make me feel better? I already told you, I'm not jealous," Astarion insisted, placing his hands on his hips.

"Look, I didn't know. I don't think of Wyll in that way, anyway, so you don't have to worry about that," Piper reassured with a smile. "Wyll's just a good friend, nothing more."

"Well, good," Astarion answered, starting to grow a little confused and less irritable.

"I would hate to be the one to get in between you two. I promise he's nothing more than a friend to me."

"What?"

"Let's get you to dinner, since you're so hangry. The sooner you eat, the better you'll feel," Piper suggested as she stepped out of the river. Astarion recounted their conversation, wondering where they had gotten so off track, and she grabbed her shoes.

"I'm not sure it'll make me feel better," Astarion remarked. Piper shrugged.

"I know you don't love Gale's cooking, but a full belly always makes me feel better. I'm sure you'll feel less combative once you have some food."

"I'm not combative, I'm just concerned that you aren't taking everything into consideration. We have few options, so we shouldn't squander any. Plus, I'm not sure you're thinking clearly right now," Astarion informed, making Piper laugh.

"Oh, please, I'm fine. Once we get dinner, we'll all feel better."

Piper walked on ahead as Astarion stood where he was. How did this conversation get so out of hand so quick? He just wanted to pressure her into making a deal with Raphael about their tadpoles, and it turned into some juvenile conversation about jealousy. And when did she get in her head that he was interested in Wyll? Sure, he was the perfect prince charming, and under other circumstances, he would have flirted and wooed the man. However, he was much more concerned about the tadpoles and their effect on him. He needed to find a way to keep his freedom without the parasite, and soon.