"So maybe, running into a fire was a bad idea?" I agreed-kind of.

"Of course it was a bad idea. You had NO plan. No idea how to keep from getting hurt or saving the girl you were trying to rescue in the first place."

"Right definitely a bad idea." I felt semi-refreshed after the world's fastest shower. I sipped at the chamomile tea my sister made for me and sunk further into the couch at the corner of the coffee shop. Lila shared a look with Stella. Then they both looked at me. Stella spoke first.

"Tell me what happened in your own words."

I stared at the light colored liquid in my cup and tried to put all the feelings into words. It all sounded lame in my head but I knew I could trust them to listen and not judge.

"I could hear her crying softly. Even through the flames. I heard her call for her mom. I could feel her fear and sadness. She felt so lost and all she wanted was someone to help her. To make it stop. The fear leaked from her and it felt so familiar."

I clutched the ring around my neck and licked my lips.

"I had to help her. My brain went all fuzzy and I just started running toward her. But it wasn't reckless...not in my mind. I would have been okay. I knew I would but I just needed to help her. I don't have some death wish."

They both nodded but didn't say anything. They probably knew I would stop talking if they interrupted.

"This is probably going to sound lame. But I just feel so lost sometimes. Like I don't know why I'm even here. I want to be a good person and help others. I feel something calling to me. Telling me I'm meant for something. But then another part of me is like... what's the point? I can't do anything in this world. I have no real power. I have no real choices. I just keep living in this fog of moving forward. I feel like if I stop then I'll just fade away. I need to have meaning. I have to do something for people that can't help themselves. I just don't have any clue on how to do that. It's not like there is an instruction manual. Wait...did you guys get one? Something that tells you how to be proper humans and I just lost mine before you found me? That's messed up sis. You should share."

I didn't look at their faces. Any kindness might have made me cry. I didn't want to cry I just wanted to find myself.

Lila didn't let my shot at humor distract her.

"You aren't the only one that feels lost. I feel like that too. I think most people do in some way or another. That's why I have the shop and why I have Stella and you. You help people just by being you. The smiles you give every morning give me hope. Mr. Han treats you like a daughter and there are so many humans and others that you have helped with your business. You never charge them despite always claiming you need money." 

Everything she said made sense. It helped a little but I still couldn't help the way I felt. I nodded for her. Hoping she would take that as agreement and let it go for now. I placed the cup on the counter.

"I have to go. The council officer is still waiting for me and I need to see what they found out from the victim."

"Here." Lila tossed me something in a wrapper. Then the smell hit me and all the hunger from before came raging back as my stomach practically roared.

"My favorite? With extra cheese?"

"Of course who do you take me for?" Lila beemd and and Stella laughed.

"You are the best."

"I know." Lila shrugged and fake dusted off her shoulder. "Be safe out there."

"Remember your breathing." Stella shouted after me as I retreated out the door.

I nodded to Francis and we headed to Damon's office. I munched on the sandwich and offered half to my driver. He declined and my stomach growled its appreciation. My cheeks heated and I watched the creatures and people pass in the window. The city's colors took my breath away. banners from different worlds, shops, and people of all shapes, hues, and races milled around. I don't remember what my universe consisted of before but this suited me just fine.

Francis parked the car and I went through the double glass doors of the Council Officer building. The receptionist's eyes widened and I saluted as I walked past them.

"He's expecting me."

At least I didn't smell anymore. I weaved through the cubicles and found Damon's office. All three were sitting inside and I couldn't wait to see what they found out.

I gave a small knock even though they could all see me through the glass.

"What's shaking?"

The young woman blinked at me as I waited.

"Katherine, this is Miss Eva." Damon stated in a tone of voice he never used when he introduced me. Ever.

"Hello." She reached out a hand for me to shake.

I rubbed my palm on my jeans before taking it. "Nice to meet you Eva. Call me Kat."

She grinned up at me. Her large blue eyes accented her freckled face and Chestnut colored hair. What a cutie pie.

"Ben, would you take Eva to the safe house we discussed. I'll fill in Katherine."

"Sure, let's go love. I'm bet you're tired. I'll have Luke stay with you after we get you taken care of."

Judging from the fresh clothes on both of them Luke must be his Beta.

She nodded, "Thank you."

Ben stopped next to me. "I'm going to get her settled then we should meet up after Damon talks to you."

"Alright."

The door clicked behind them. Mixed emotions tore at me whenever I ended up alone with Damon. I held an anger for him I didn't understand but also a tiny bit of attraction that proved even more confusing.

"What did you learn?" The silence proved irritating.

"Eva doesn't remmeber a lot. She said she pretended to be passed out and heard things. Women cryig in the background. Voices talking about tributes, magic and old beings. They want to bring back a God."

"Bring back? I thought that we created them. That some of the things we thought were gods were just others with a lot of magical power."

"That is all true. No other has a clear understanding of where magic came from or how the multiverse came to be or collapsed. From what Eva said. They want to bring back one of the Originals. What or who that is, is unknown to me or the higher ups."

"Whoa, how would anyone even know how to do that? It's not like you can get an instruction manual that dates back to the beginning of time."

"Magic is unpredictable and has rules. Anything can be possible with enough of it. Eva has been awakened. The flames came from her source of magic. Humans have an unparalleled aptitude for imagination and magic capacity. Women especially. I believe they are using the women to try and bring back the God."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I thought we were supposed to be protected. There are laws for this kind of thing. What is the council doing?" 

"Laws only work if people chose to follow them. Goodness only prevails if good people keep doing good."

"That doesn't answer any of my questions." I growled. Life could be such Bullsnot.

"You need to breathe." His voice even irritated me. So calm and condescending.

Glass cracked behind me and I jumped. I turned to see what had caused it.

"The building is old. It's settling." Damon offered.

"How are we going to help them?"

"Magic makes ripples. I can feel it."

"Great so we just have to wait till they use someone else and hope we get there in time to save her?"

"It's what we have right now."

"Wait, how did you not get burned?"

"Fire is my friend."

"That's it? Fire is my friend." I mocked him.

He ignored me like pro and continued, "I'm going to be staying with you. Lila agreed."

"What?!"