There were endless possibilities. But one thing was sure. It was fate that led people to the book because there were no mere coincidences when it comes to us.
Everything was planned carefully. And if ever there will not be another person who would arrive tonight, that was also a part of the big plan.
I took a deep breath upon the thought and rolled up the carriage’s curtain. If I still had energy to spare, I would have chosen to walk into the woods. I would walk into the very ground where I used to walk on with my daughter while remembering her stories.
Minutes later and I heard someone wept. I frowned and threw a glance over Nathan.
“I’ve lost my family. And in the process, I made you lose yours, too. I’m really sorry, Alex. I shouldn’t have met with you eight years ago. You were already living a quiet life but I messed it up. I shouldn’t have searched for you anymore. I should have let you be. I should have listened when you told me-“
“For a Sormont, you’re a bit slow, Nate,” I replied, hoping I could mask the bitterness and emptiness inside me.
I didn’t want to spend our final hours trying to blame anyone because at the end of the day, Nate and I were not innocent either. We helped hie our family secret. We were accessories to the crime all this time. The proof was in our very blood. We were sinners.
What Arameth was going through was because of the sins of everyone here. No one among us was truly innocent.
“Didn’t it ever occur to you that maybe this was all a part of the ancestors’ plan? I felt like they had something to do with the portal. Maybe they didn’t want me to go back to the human realm anymore. Maybe they wanted me to stay here for good. They could manipulate the dragons and take away my magic to create another elemental crystal and to solidify the kingdom, but they didn’t.
“Instead, they allowed the marks to stay in my body. Besides, why the heck will I blame you? That day, you just wanted to see our family members for the last time. Anyone would do anything for the people they love.”
“Still…”
“It’s alright.” I patted Nathan’s shoulder. “Set yourself free from the guilt, Nathan. Do you know what I learned from Alison and our child? It’s the fact that sometimes, we just have to be gentle with ourselves. I hated everything about my life before, you know. And maybe you felt the same. I was furious for being half-blooded. I hated the humans. I hated the fact that I had the same blood as them.
“I hated our parents. I hated their past. Because of them, we acquired this weakness and we couldn’t live freely. Every day, we lived in fear, afraid that somebody would discover our nasty secret. But because of Alison, I’ve learned to appreciate myself. I’ve learned to be thankful that a part of me is a mortal. Because through that, regardless of our many differences, I felt like I gained even a tiny connection with her.”
A small smile curved my lips. I copied what Demi used to do when we were still traveling together. She used to roll up the curtains and extend her little hand to catch the snow. The little girl may be invisible then, but she could touch pretty much everything that she wanted to except for the people. Because whatever spell Demi used was linked with me. I only realized that just now.
That was the reason why I was the only one who saw her and heard her at that time and why it had been easy for her to find me.
Even if Demi disappears when the sun sets, she never had difficulties in tracking me even if there were times that I changed locations. I did that intentionally to test her locator spell. Yet, the kid was able to trace me within seconds. I should have doubted her ability at that time.
But then again, how was I supposed to know that Demi was my daughter all along? Back then, what I was still worrying about was the child I was supposed to have with Clavia.
And now, I’d finally put the pieces of the puzzle together. All of my questions had been answered, especially regarding the vision I saw about Alison. I just never thought that I would be separated with them this way.
‘How have you been, Alison? I wish everything is going well with our daughter. For the past years, I wasn’t able to tell you both how much I love you, but somehow, I wish… I wish you knew. Every day, I feel like we walk on paths that never cross. And this may be the last time we’ll get to do that.
‘But the night is still young. You were the one who taught me to believe in miracles. That’s why until I breathe my last, I will keep on hoping that we will still see each other, that the road you are walking on tonight will lead to the road where I’m at.’
After a while, I laughed bitterly at the stupid thought. I knew that it was such a crazy notion. But who would not want to hold on to craziness if that was the only thing that was helping someone like me survive the past miserable years?

(Alison)
‘GOKUROUSAMA deshita,’ I told my employees in Japanese which meant ‘Thank you for your hard work.’ That was courtesy of Alexandros. That was among the many things he taught me.
The employees brightly smiled and bid their goodbyes. After seeing them leave, I went to my car but I gasped when I saw Alexandros standing beside the car door. He said he would be gone for three days because of company related matters but it had only been two days.
He was not supposed to be back yet. But I was happy that he was here.