Annalena was shocked to learn about Greta. She remembered what Margarete had told her about her stepmother, and they were not pleasant things. Annalena then turned her attention to the vial in Greta's hand. The woman glanced at the vial as well before her smile continued.

"I was hoping to learn a bit more about you before we got to the vial, but I guess it can't be helped," Greta sighed as she held the vial up. Annalena stared at it, wondering if it was meant to kill her. "This little vial is the ticket to avenge my husband. It's a curious poison, mostly magic based, and only has one known cure. Although, it doesn't kill the person, it just mimics death."

"Are you planning to use that on Margarete?" Annalena guessed, worried for her. Greta laughed and shook her head.

"Not quite, but I would like to strike a bargain with you," Greta laughed.

"Why would I do that?"

"If you don't, then your friend in the hall will probably die," Greta shrugged, holding the vial firming in her hand. Annalena exhaled.

"What's the bargain?" Annalena whispered, looking up at the witch.

"I'll give you two choices, depending on how you want this to go. You can save yourself and give the poison to Margarete, and escape the forest to go back home. I will guide the hunter here to kill off the rest of the vampires," Greta offered, handing the poison vial to Annalena, who took it. It had a dark shimmery liquid inside that seemed gelatinous in nature. "Or you can take it yourself, and save everyone that lives in this castle. Although, you will never die nor fully live. You will be in limbo as Margarete watches helplessly. I don't know your situation, but I'm guessing either you are here against your will or you're here because of love."

"Will you lead the hunter away from here if I do what you say?" Annalena whispered, staring into the blackness inside the bottle.

"That can be arranged," she whispered as she produced a second vial, this one containing a pale pink liquid. "Although, you can have the hunter called off, or you can have the antidote to the poison. Maybe secure a happy ending after all."

"I see," Annalena whispered as she thought. She wondered what Margarete would want her to do and what Annalena thought was right. With a deep breath, she decided. "The antidote."

"Interesting choice," Greta answered, surprised in the answer. Annalena knew that the clan could handle the hunter, and she wanted to be able to return to life one day. Greta handed her the antidote vial with a smile, and Annalena wondered what the catch was. "Drink the poison, my dear."

"Alright," Annalena replied, removing the top off of the poison. She swallowed it quickly as she felt the numbness spread to her body. She went to open the antidote before the dizziness took over, but it vanished in her hand. Annalena looked up at Greta as the blackness started to close in. Greta laughed as she held the antidote in her hand.

"Did you really think it would be that simple? At least let me have my fun, my dear," Greta teased with another laugh. Annalena fell against the wall, her strength leaving her body, as she gritted her teeth.

"You lying witch!" Annalena hissed, now sitting on the floor. Greta sighed after her laughter, shaking her head.

"At least you saved your protector in the hall. Shame, though. I was hoping that you wanted to wipe out the clan. However, I'll stay true to my word and have him survive. Oh, and I can just imagine the face he's going to have when he wakes up and realizes that he's failed. I wonder what Margarete will do," Greta chuckled as Annalena's arms dropped to her sides, the paralysis setting in. "I'm sure wonderful things will come out of this. Finally, Margarete will experience the same pain I felt all those years ago. Sleep tight, my dear."

"You..." Annalena whispered as her mouth lost its feeling. She could see Greta staring down at her as Annalena's vision stared to fade and turn to black. She exhaled again, but her breathing steadied just before she fell unconscious and went into a limbo state.

Death without dying.

Life without living.