“Yes, Brother.” I responded. Arrow pushed away from the wall standing nearer to the phone. 

“We have investigated your inquiries and found them to be half true. Only one of the Erote’s have escaped, the others refuse to tell us how it was done. I assume, Brother, that you have your theories.” Arrow nodded at the phone, glancing up at me and then quickly away. 

“Yes. Unfortunately, I could only think of one being, strong enough to release the Erote’s from our confinement and also have the motive to do such a thing.” He paused for a long moment, struggling with the words. He looked like he was going to be sick. He didn’t want to say it any more than we wanted to hear it. “I think He is behind this.” Arrow looked up, at nothing. “It’s the only possibility.” 

My soul careened, shoved back into my body as the statement ran through my mind again and again. It was a slap alright. The thought that we had gotten out, that we were free, it was the only comfort I had from the nightmares. To think that He was still playing with us, that He could. It made my stomach turn. 

I ran from the room, swinging open the bathroom door, and falling across the toilet. Barely making it. The door closed behind me and Rayen pulled back my hair. She said nothing as I heaved into the toilet. Images battered my mind, nightmares that I refused to visit. His face, His smile, His cruel mind, and the things I’d done. The things He’d made me do, made us all do. 

But we were free, we had been free. Out of His hands, out of His control. He couldn’t be doing this, He couldn’t touch us. We had made sure of that, done what we needed. We signed away our souls, burned away our humanity and got out. 

For nine years He had left us be, why now? 

My stomach was empty. I shivered, my skin prickled and though my body wanted to be sick again, there was nothing left to give. I flushed the toilet and stood, I grabbed a nearby rag and wiped off my mouth. And though my knees wanted to give out on me, I marched back into the room, trying to keep what little dignity I had left. 

I took in the wolves, they all looked ahead, pretending not to notice me. Giving me some semblance of privacy. Lupin was the only one of them that turned to me as I entered. He looked haggard, staring at me with unyielding wide eyes. I realized he could feel all I was feeling and with the Veil it must have hit him like a battering ram. But he didn’t look at me with accusation but concern, so much heartfelt worry. I tore my eyes away, I knew if I kept looking at him I would just curl up and cry. I couldn’t do that, not now. 

I walked over to Arrow and stopped in front of the table that held the phone. My brother watched me with a gentler concern, understanding. I watched him back, his pale face and eyes dilated. We both understood each other's fear, we had been scarred by the same man, just in different ways.  

“Fable?” Salem called, worry kissing his words. He too shared my scars, all of my siblings did. 

“I’m alright.” I replied. Everyone knew it was a lie, no one contradicted me. I took a deep breath. “Is this even possible? He’s bound by a magic oath, the trials are over, we won. It should be impossible.” 

“It should be.” It was all Arrow said. I sighed, there was no point arguing this.

“What do we do?” I asked, my voice firm and assertive. 

“We could plan a family vacation. I hear Philly’s a lovely city.” Salem suggested. I rubbed at my temples, a headache starting to take form.

“It’s not.” I sighed. “And even if it was, I wouldn’t allow it. We shouldn’t put all of us in one spot.” Arrow nodded agreeing. He’d use it against us, just as He always had. Salem sighed over the line.

“What would you have me do, Fable? I’ll have to inform mom and dad, the threat is too great to omit the truth. They’ll want to come to you, I want to come to you, Echo will want to come to you.” I groaned at him. 

“Right now the threat is limited, the imminent threat is the Erote. There is nothing saying that He will even make His presence known. It’s just another test, Salem, another one of His games. Arrow is with me and the wolves have offered their help, if you ask me the cards are stacked against Him.” 

“It does always seem to start out that way doesn’t it?” Arrow muttered. 

“Not helping.” I snapped, Salem sighed. 

“We’ll stay out of it, for now, Fable. And if you need any help at all, just ask.” The line crackled for a moment and then cleared. The voice of my sister-in-law coming out joyously.

“What he means to say is you better damn well ask for help when you need it, Fable. And if you don’t, I’ll know.” A small smile picked up my lips. “Also, if it makes you feel any better, Salem threw up too.”

“Adelaide.” Salem groaned, I chuckled. 

“Thanks, Addie. It does.” She giggled.

“What exactly are we dealing with here?” Arrow asked, looking down at the phone. Addie sighed.

“If you're asking whether I’ve been given a vision as to what will conspire, unfortunately I can’t confirm if any of you will survive.” I shook my head, still smiling. “However, I can tell you that it was Eros that went missing. The others remain tightly locked away.” I grimaced and nodded. 

“Of course He had to free her.” Arrow complained, I shrugged.

“Did you expect any differently?” He pursed his lips at me but said nothing. 

“Thank you, Addie.” 

“Of course.” 

“How’s Izze doing?”

“Oh, she’s great, completely over the flu. She misses you.” I smiled. 

“I miss her too.” Arrow rolled his eyes. 

“Ok ladies, there's an important discussion going on here and while I love my niece, Isabel’s info chart can be discussed at a later date.” Addie clicked her tongue. 

“Arrow sent me the photos of your wolf.” She giggled. “He’s quite impressive.” I gave Arrow a pointed look, he balked. 

“She asked.” He defended. Addie scoffed. 

“He offered.” 

“And she said yes.” Addie tsked. 

“Of course I did.” 

“Children.” Salem reprimanded, interfering in their bickering, knowing it could go on for hours. “First of all, darling, I resent the fact that you didn’t show me, and second of all, they're on speaker phone, with her wolf present.” 

“Oh, sorry.” Addie called into the phone. “But you are quite impressive.” I pursed my lips trying not to smile. 

“Thirdly,” Salem interjected loudly. “Arrow is right, there are more pressing matters.” He paused for a moment. “I would like to speak with your wolf, Fable.”