---- dream world.


    Finally, an image appeared in my mindit was my father with my mother sitting on hisp.


    They were talking animatedly around a small table in the garden of the dark pce.


    My grandmother sat beside my beloved Quinn, their hands always intertwined, the beauty of the Selenia preserved only within these four walls.


    Aunt Celine was gazing toward the pces inner door, surely missing her mate.


    My steps drew closer over the grass to my beloved parents.


    Mom smiled at some silly thing, and my father, as always, had his brow furrowed.


    The intense love between them hung in the air, in every hidden gesture, in every knowing nce...


    "Mom, Dad, its better if you dont know.


    Its better for you...


    When you finish your afternoon tea, I''ll already be back..." I whispered beside them, reaching out to caress their faces.


    Like the afternoon breeze, they couldnt see me.


    suddenly, Mom went silent, and I saw a tear roll down her cheek.


    She didnt understand why she was crying out of nowhere.


    She wiped it away with a finger and lowered her head.


    My tear-filled eyes wouldnt stop overflowing, streaming uncontrobly down my cheeks, sobs escaping my lips.


    ---- I stepped back, fading awaythe connection was breaking, Suddenly, Dad stretched his hand toward me, as if trying to grab my non-existent hand.


    He shot to his feet, pulling my mother up with him, walking toward me, desperate, as if he could see me.


    But I knew it was just a fathers instinct.


    "sigrid! Sigrid! Wheres my daughter? Wheres my pup, Aldric?!" Her shouts echoed from afar, my mother calling my name, my fathers red eyes staring directly where I stood, and mea ghost fading once again from their present, still trapped in the past.


    When I came back to consciousness, I was in that cold cave again.


    I hugged my legs and criedcried like never before.


    Ipletely broke down, only to rise stronger.


    Now, I had important information in my hands.