Sitting on the end of the bed, I looked at Heath where he was laid out in front of me. Landorian hadn't woken him up yet, and since we vanished for a couple of days, the Valkyrie took him to Ailin, who in turn set up in the sick ward within the Council building. Twirling the small blade of Hermes dagger I thought about the Power, rather than what I was going to do with the idiot Hunter.

Aion told me his power was different to Hermes, though they could both easily weave through worlds, Aion was better with going back and forth along that thread of time. Hermes, would find that difficult, yet he had to be the one who helped Cain. I knew how tired doing magic that wasn't his expertise made Cain; saving my life had him disappear for months to recover. I was hoping this would apply to Hermes and any world jumping would be stopped for a while as surely that was how he was keeping up to date with what was happening here.

I wasn't naive enough to think my plan would work for long once I was back, only I had no real idea if he had spies or if it was just Hermes being a snitch. Either way, I was going to try and keep off the radar for as long as I could - just incase.

It was then Ailin came in, pausing at my side as she looked at Heath, then at me. I stayed staring at the dagger until her gaze felt as it was literally starting to burn into me.

"Morning!" I greeted, forcing a smile.

"I thought you might have been in here," She said softly, her hand resting on my bent knee. "You certainly know how to make new friends."

"The Magician?"

"I've heard of him. Stories that could only be fiction. I did not know he was here, or that he actually existed."

"Stranger things have happened in this world Ailin." I shrug.

"He created the greatest illusion ever recorded. The rulers of his world, all of them, were victims to it. Please tell me you know what happened? Did he really massacre all of his kind once he had contained them?" Ailin sounded too excited to be talking about mass murder. "Legend said he turned them all to paper and then burned them. From their ashes he gained his immortality."

"Didn't burn them, and not how he became immortal."

"You're not going to tell me are you?" She huffed, in a very un-Ailin like way.

"No. It's not my story to tell." I look at her closely, and she doesn't flinch. Her eyes more catlike than normal, which meant she was either really angry or excited. "What's got you so worked up about this?"

Ailin actually blushed.

"Ailin, are you ok?"

Instead she produced a purple velvet bag and pulled out a pile of worn, old cards. The backs of them were decorated with a golden sheen with numerous symbols painted on around the symbol of the moon that represented the three fates.

"As a child we played with these cards. A small convey of refugees made it to my home land and the children told us stories of where they came from. It sounded beautiful, so unlike anything I had heard of before. A girl I befriended gave these to me, told me of the ones that ruled their land. Of their power. They told me of The Magician." From the deck she pulled out the magicians card. "And how he saved them all. They kept the cards as a reminder of the past, of the powers that wielded. They moved on, seeking to find their saviour and settle where he now ruled."

"You're fangirling over him." I could not believe it.

"It is not often you meet your childhood hero." She hid her cards and the seriousness I was so used to returned. "Do not judge me."

"Never." I smiled. "This is actually kind of adorable. You're always so, so- you."

"Enough Hunter."

"But-"

The door opened and Landorian came in with V, who didn't seem to hold the same air of admiration for my new friend.

"Not. A. Word." Ailin growled under her breath, turning to greet them. "I do not condone such treatment of my people. Mages have been trialled for lesser deeds."

Way to make an impression on your hero.

"Your people? I do not believe he is a demon?" Landorian answered more sarcastically than I would have expected.

"I am the President of the Council. He is one of my people." She snapped back, glaring at him.

Landorian actually looked nervous for a second.

"Well this is fun." I mumble, glancing at V who stood rather solemnly behind Ailin. He gave me nothing, just glared at Landorian in the same way Ailin did.

"It's a mere sleeping spell. He will wake, feeling refreshed and his mind full of pleasant dreams." Landorian moved to stand beside Heath, a hand reaching out over his face where he simply clicked his fingers.

Heath instantly woke, screaming and bolting upright in bed, so fast we nearly collided. He scrambled back up against the wall, hitting the buttons there so lights started to flash and a bell was run. V grabbed my arm to help steady me as I practically fell off the bed, while Heath kept screaming and falling into a panic attack. A nurse came rushing in and with Ailin's assistance calmed him down enough so he was able to actually focus. The lights were turned off and the room fell silent apart from his frantic breathing and the nurses soft, soothing words while the three of us stood away from him in the corner.

"Did I say sweet dreams?" Landorian smirked.

V actually growled.

Ailin motioned to the three of us and we all went outside the room. Another nurse went in and Ailin turned to us, less than impressed.

"Before you say anything, may I remind you he came to me looking for a weapon to kill her." Landorian pointed at me. "I merely did what I thought appropriate."

"Sending her through time also something you deem as appropriate?" V snapped.

Ah, there we go.

"My hands were tied." He answered, holding them up in surrender.

"You asked me to watch Heath. He is up to no good and we are lucky he wasn't killed for even going to see him." I add, possibly unhelpfully. "Heath deserves what he gets."

Ailin closed her eyes, took a deep breath and gave a tiny nod. "Let him calm down before we go in."

"You're letting him get away with terrorising a Hunter, essentially kidnapping this one and-" V growled.

"We both know how these events seem to just find her Vaaron." Ailin sighs. "What I want to know is why? I don't believe a word of your story or that you just reappeared with a time deity in tow because he offered to help. Heath clearly did something to insult you, so why are you already so invested with this girl?"

Landorian and I shared a look.

"Oh no, no more stories Elise. I want the truth and a broken portal isn't going to cut it this time. Kara told me what really happened in the office, and while you say all he had intended was to show you who he really was, I don't buy it."

"Elise, perhaps now-" Landorian started.

"Believe what you will," I said instead. "Now can I go find out why Heath is set on hunting down things to kill the God Killer and who told him about this?"

I held up the dagger, and Ailin stood firm.

"I know you, Hunter. What aren't you telling me?" Ailin gave me the look, the one that seemed to cut straight into my thoughts and got me talking whenever I didn't want to those times we attempted some kind of therapy session in her office.

Today, it didn't work.

"Nothing. For once, it really is that simple."

She glanced at Landorian, her brow creasing before her shoulders slumped slightly. "I thought things were different now Elise. Yet, here we are again. Go see Heath, V will oversee the interrogation. I want a full report on my desk by tonight."

Then she left us.

"Whatever you are hiding, I hope it is worth it," V mumbled as he passed, going into Heath's room as the two nurses came out.

"Why not tell them?" Landorian asked instead.

"Why did you show you me your portrait and tell me who you really are. I don't even think the Valkyrie know all of it." I let my thoughts out and has him stopping.

"I showed you my greatest weakness, I needed you to trust me. Believe it or not, we are on the same side." I gave a slight nod, understanding.

He was no different from everyone here; this world was his home. He liked it. Why would they want anything to change. As the legend goes, if the God Killer stands with you, you will win. I had defied The Fallen One. So had he and so far, we had both survived. Everyone here was my responsibility, and that included him. In war, alliances had to be made.

"You say that, but did you know he was going to try to kill me?" I whisper as I pull him to one side.

"No. I swear it. If so, perhaps I would not have revealed myself to you so quickly!" He insisted, which made sense. "Yet even after all that happened, you never even threatened or attempted to end my life. Why?"

"She isn't like the other Hunters, she never has been, have you, darling girl?"

We both jumped, startled at V's sudden appearance.

"How, you, don't you know it's rude to do that!" I scolded him, making him shrug as he seemed to step out of his bad mood.

"I heard whispers. How else am I supposed to know what's going on when you refuse to tell?"

"You sound like my mother." I snapped.

"She's a clever woman," V smirked. "So is Ailin. Why are you not telling her what really happened? You know it'll come out eventually, and it will be better for it to come from you than someone else."

"Like you?"

"Perhaps. Secrets don't stay secret for long Elise. Remember that."

"Nosey old vampire." I huff, stalking into Heath's room.

My arrival startles him and the cup of water he had splashed over his hand.

"Relax, just me."

"Why are you here?" He frowns, his eyes darting between me and the other two. Seeing Landorian makes his already pale complexion even paler. "Why is he here?"

"He's helping with our investigation. We've been watching you for months," I stand beside him, crossing my arms as he fumbles to put down the cup. "And I'm just going to ask, what are you up to exactly?"

"No-nnn-nothing." He stuttered.

"Really? Cause trying to open portals and seeking out supernaturals like this guy may say otherwise." I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to look as intimidating as possible. "What's going on Heath? Why did you want this? Do you really think it will kill the God Killer?"

Heath started to cry as I yelled at him.

It also became obvious he had no idea that I was the God Killer as he started to ramble about being sorry and he was doing what he thought was right and how much of a nuisance the God Killer actually is, but that no one seemed to care.

V looked bored.

Landorian clearly found this all amusing.

"We wanted to bring someone from her world over to find this creature. Kill it. All the trouble started when people started to talk about this god. The Prophet told us there were a few objects in our world that could kill her. She gave us the locations of all of them and-"

"The Prophet?" Now that got my attention.

Heath nodded. "She told us a time of change was coming. She would see the demise of the God Killer and free this world of the curse she has set upon us. She said she would send her soldiers to aid our cause, yet none came apart from one. I was going to see that mage to get the weapon she asked for only the great goddess of destruction was found by the God Killer before we could aid her to victory."

"Are you fucking serious?" Heaths eyes widen, his mouth snapping shut. "You just said you wanted to help a goddess of destruction. Does that actually sounds like a good idea to you?"

"The Prophet sent her, she is our ally and not to be feared." He sounded drugged. "They all are."

"They?" I shook my head, deciding to save that for another time. "Do you know the God Killer, Heath? Who she is?"

"I know she has many forms. She is a devil. The darkest of demons. She will seduce, lie and destroy you. The Warlocks, the Great Kings, Dracula. They all came here to end our kind because of her command. The creature must be stopped."

I look at Landorian and V, both seemingly lost for words.

I know I was and almost as if he was saved by the bell, a shrill ring comes from Landorian's back pocket. He quickly fumbles to get his phone and disappears out of the room.

"You should be questioning him. Do not let him out of your sight. He is working with the devil. She has him under her spell!" Heath warned, loudly whispering as he watched the door fearfully. "He withheld the weapon, captured me to be his sacrifice! I tell you this now as he will surely kill me to keep me silent. She has bedded him, poisoned him, as is her way. Greater gods than he have fallen victim to the devil's charms."

That was actually insulting.

"You are a right asshole on the best of days, but this. This is the next level."

My words sunk in and the fear was replaced by anger and he grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. My knee hit the metal bar of the hospital bed as his fingernails dug into my skin from how hard he was holding me.

"You know how many have died because of that false god. I know you have been there at every battle. Surely even the great Elise Bunting can see I am right?" He spoke so quickly and feverishly that each word was spat into my face. "Let me go. I was so close to victory."

I put my hand up, stopping V from interrupting as he moved to help me.

"V, give us a second will you?"

"Hunter, you-"

"Please, just a minute." Reluctantly he goes, and I wasn't sure who he was more worried about now; me or Heath. "You're right. I've seen our kind die because of evil."

I sit beside him on the bed, yet he hasn't let my arm go.

"I've been on the battlefield too many times. I've lost people I care about, that I love. Your cause, this Prophet's cause, the more I hear the more it makes me-" Me wonder how you're all insane enough to believe it, "think. You're right, that God Killer was the start of it all. To end her, what then? Will the Prophet help us?"

The Prophet and I really needed to have another little talk. Preferably one with our swords that ends with her disappearing once and for all.

"She has gone into hiding. We haven't seen her in months. The God Killer is after her, as she is will undoubtedly be after all of us if this gets out. You need to let me go, now before the mage returns." He insisted, climbing out of bed, dragging me with him. "The vampire may be in on it too. Our President is in danger."

Paranoid much?

"Heath, if I let you go, I'm going to be in big trouble."

"If you can see I'm right, why not just help me?" He snapped. "Or better yet, come with me. I know if you meet one of her kind, another of our leaders, you'll understand."

"I can't go with you, not yet. Is there someone I can pass a message on for you? Let me help that way?" I offer.

He paused, finally letting me as he seemed to think of his options.

"You want to help? Get me the fuck outta here then." He demanded. "Then, we'll talk."

I gave him a dramatic amount of wait time before nodding. "Ok, just, give me some time."

I went out to V and Landorian who instantly came over.

"He isn't giving me anything, but wants me to break him out to like, prove I want to help him." I huff. "There's clearly more just like him out there, and we know the Prophet doesn't choose the smartest of people for her followers. He also mentioned another leader."

"What are we going to do then?" V asks.

"Well, I'm going to break him out. I can play along and work out who they are and where they're hiding."

"Stupid plan. What if he's playing you now and knows exactly who you are." Landorian adds. "He knew to come to me for a weapon, he said there were more things they were told about. What if they already have them? It's pretty clear they want to kill you."

"You're new here. This is like, a regular occurrence. No big." I shrug.

"Not the point, Hunter!" V argues.

"I'll be super careful. If it gets too much, I'll get my butt out of there. This can be done by the book so to speak." I glance back towards his room, wishing I could just beat it out of him, but also knowing that probably wouldn't work. "If there are more like this Prophet, other leaders and a whole pile of followers somewhere, I have to find them."

And as night fell, I walked into Heath's room with a wheelchair. The nurse uniform hadn't been my first choice though V did point out it would be the most likely one I could use. Staff on duty had been arranged to be busy with an emergency - the alarm going off my cue to go.

"Mr Terwey, I'm here to transport you to your new room." I declared, closing the door behind me.

"What?" He stopped, looked at me for a second before realisation dawned on him, and he smiled. "You are?"

"Indeed." I pat the back of the chair. "Now, moron."

He obliges, sitting down. "I didn't think you'd do it."

"It's what I do. Just, don't mess this up for me. I'm used to breaking the rules, just not getting caught while doing it."

"Drew's mentioned you a few times, I understand."

My stomach sunk. "Is, ah, Drew or his brothers in on any of this too?"

"That bunch of do gooders? Not a chance. Tom almost joined the cause. I never told him much, can't trust them. He failed his first test, and made me realise I would be doing this on my own."

Relief made me feel sick.

It was then the alarm sounded outside and the tap tap of soft soled shoes running by the door was what I wanted to hear. Opening the door, I wheeled Heath out and checking for anyone around, we quickly went down the hall to the elevator. Once in, I pulled the bag out from under the chair and threw it at him.

"Put these on." The scrubs were a perfect fit, almost as if it had been planned that way. 

Still pushing the wheelchair, I left it in the small bay where I had originally taken it from and unhurriedly moved towards the exit. We made it into the second elevator and coming out here, headed towards the cafeteria on the ground level of the Council building. No one looked at us, not that we noticed anyway or could see through the security camera lens. We paused by a vending machine and I got water out, before leading him out onto the patio area. It was a vacant area, which was too convenient and jumping over the small fence, we went behind the building into the delivery carpark. Our escape had been too easy, each part moving along like clockwork. Hopefully, Heath didn't notice.

"That was amazing. I thought we were going to get stopped passing the food court, or someone would see us jump. But we did it. You got us out of there!" He gave a whoop and even clapped his hands.

I managed to keep my mouth shut, instead sliding into V's new, black mustang that I had begged him to let me borrow for tonight's expedition. The fact it was already set up with trackers, microphones and all the other fun gadgets I didn't pay complete attention too was just a bonus.

"Nice car," Heath exclaimed, getting in.

"Thanks, I stole it from the vampire." I grinned.

"What? You didn't?" He gasped.

I put my foot down and the engine roared to life as the tyres squealed beneath us. "I've always wanted to drive it, and he'd never let me."

"Isn't that drawing too much attention to yourself?"

"Only if I get caught." I shrug, taking us onto the freeway. "Besides, I couldn't just use one of my cars, could I? If they see this speeding off, they'll waste time looking for him first!"

"Oh yeah. Good plan."

And it probably was a good plan for Heath. In reality, we were being that closely watched Ailin may as well have been sitting in the back.

"Where are we going?" I ask, glancing at the exit lane sign.

"Ah, keep on this one and then the A-Thirty." He sat back in the chair, getting comfortable. "Any snacks?"

"No." I just busted him out of the hospital and he wanted me to provide him with a packed lunch too?

We drove for what felt like an eternity, which was really only a hour, stopping when we had to for fuels and the frequently mentioned snacks. After the first stop, we ditched our costumes, and with the night surprisingly warm, it was nice to drive with the windows down. Finally, as I was getting worried that I was going to run out of road, Heath sat up and peered around the dark.

"This is it, we're nearly there."

It was a cute street. The houses were old but well looked after, and the smell of the ocean clouded my senses. I had missed the last sign, and wasn't sure where we were.

"Where are we?"

"Since I'm on the run now, I think it's best to hide out here. It's well guarded and since you're so famous in our community, I'm sure the leader would love to meet you."

"This leader, is it a-"

"Just park there." Heath pointed to the right, cutting me off.

It had been the most I'd gotten him to talk about this the whole way, and clearly what was coming was meant to be left as a surprise. I parked the car and we got out. I looked around, enjoying the breeze that came rushing forward to meet us. I waited as he walked ahead, no comment about ditching or hiding the car as he carried on, pausing to wave me over instead. Guess he didn't think about covering his tracks or this place was well guarded enough it didn't worry him. I hoped it was the first.

"What is this place?" I looked out at the island as we walked down onto the sand. "St Michael's Mount."

It was beautiful. A castle sat at the top of the hill like a trophy, bright and glorious. For a second I could imagine I wasn't in this world, and instead, I was looking up at the smaller version of what we knew as Mount Olympus. It was a still night, the light reflecting on the water below giving the whole area an ethereal feel. I never even knew a place like this existed. Judging from the signs and water level, we came at high tide so walking seemed out of the question, though Heath had an answer for that as he ran off down the beach a little towards a small dinghy.

"This is where we come to hide. If you're in luck, you'll meet our leader. He'll test you, of course. Freeing me proves you are worthy." Lucky me. "Civilians live here now, caretakers. He has an illusion set up so they aren't any bother."

"Good to know." 

At this point, I was fairly certain he was setting me up and either hopeful or naive enough to think I was believing everything he was saying. So long as we both had that impression of the other,  this was bound to be interesting. Then again if he was stupid enough to think I was being legit in joining them, gods help us all.