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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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The Long Wait (Season 6) Chapter 15

Zerstoerer Shrugged

Fandom: Grimm

Pairing: Sean Renard/OFC

The Long Wait Masterlist

A/N: The group work together to get Nick and Eve back, setting off a chain of events.

***Monroe & Rosalee’s House***

After settling the kids in the living room, the adults moved to the dining room to look over Adalind’s mother’s books. “This is a waste of time.” Adalind told Sean, the frustration in her voice was clear. “I know how to get in there.”

Sean continued flicking through the book that Eve had used to pass through the mirror. “Well, then if you can get in, I can get in.”

Adalind shook her head. “No. It’s hexenbiest blood. Not zauberbiest blood. There’s a difference”

Sean huffed. “Then we find a way. Because I’m not letting this thing get anywhere near my daughter.” Sean said as Monroe entered the dining room, a large tome in hand.

“Here it is.” Monroe said as placed the book before Adalind and Sean. “My family bible. Wesen version, passed down on my father’s side since 1598. The Abrahamic belief is that the dead go to a specific plain of existence after death, and the hell is ruled by a fallen angel.”

Sean shook his head. “This is not the time for bible study.”

“No, no, no, this is apropos.” Monroe said quickly. “If we think of this other place as that plain, and skull guy as the fallen angel.” Monroe opened the book to a specific page. “Aka, the devil, Satan, Lucifer, whatever you want to call him. I mean, maybe it’s not hell per se…”

Sean and Adalind looked closely at the page Monroe was gesturing to. “It looks a lot like it.” Sean commented.

“It’s different.” Monroe told him. “There’s no lava, there’s no fire, no brimstone. It’s a garden.” Sean gave him a look. “Now, I’m not saying the Garden of Eden, but I’m not not saying the Garden of Eden.” The blutbad inhaled before continuing. “The prophecy heralds a world overrun by beasts, but I think the fires of hell rage within the beast. Not on the land.”

Adalind frowned in confusion, as she looked at an image on the next page. “I thought the devil carried a pitchfork.”

“Well, technically it’s a trident. I mean, he’s not a farmer. Or, if he is, he’s the scorched soul kind.”

“Well, whatever this is, it certainly doesn’t have any prongs.” Sean noted looking at the image. Some kind of humainoid beast holding a staff.

Adalind nodded. “Mm, it looks more like a staff.”

“Yeah, this is all really interesting. I don’t think it’s helping us get to where he is.”

A look crossed Monroe’s face. “I think I know how to do that, but, I don’t think you’re gonna like it.” He said, his voice dropping as he glanced towards the living room before gesturing for Sean and Adalind to follow him to the kitchen. The two looked at him expectantly. “What did your friend call Diana?”

“The Shaphat.” Sean answered, arms crossing his chest as he looked at the blutbad.

Monroe nodded. “Right, and if what she suggests is true, my thinking is, Diana’s got a lot of clout in this Other Place.” Sean and Adalind looked at him sceptically. “She can do some pretty amazing things, like, appear in places she isn’t and reading markings on a cloth that we can’t see. She already knew about the Other Place, and, she knows something wicked this way coming. So, if anyone can open the door –.”

Adalind cut him off abruptly. “No, absolutely not.”

“If we just give her the stick.” Monroe was trying to explain himself.

Sean shook his head. “No, she’s not going in there.” Sean told him.

“I’m not saying for her to go there. I’m saying to let her open the mirror the way that Nick did, and then Renard and I can go in there and get Nick and Eve back.”

***The Spice Shop***

Rosalee, Hank, and Wu gathered in the basement, looking through the books available, praying they would find some answer to their dilemma. Hank was pacing around, book in hand. “Nothing about the Other Place, but the Zoroastrians believe there will be a 3000 year struggle between good and evil.” He said coming to set his book down on the table. “Which ends with a final assault by Azi Dahaka.”

Wu gestured to his own book. “Ragnarok brings a huge flood, ah…um…the sky is on fire, and all life gets swallowed by wolves.” He sighed. “So, I guess if you’re a wolf, that’s good news.”

Rosalee frowned as she looked over her own book. “There is something from Slavic paganism about protecting Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. But if left unprotected, Little Bear supposedly gets devoured by the Doomsday hound.”

Wu groaned. “Let me guess, we’re all doomed.”

Rosalee gave him a look. Hank sighed. “Anything to suggest how to stop the problem we’re dealing with.”

“Not really.” Rosalee said looking disappointed.

The three of them turned back to their individual resources, barely getting through a page when Hank spoke up again, gesturing to the book set out in front of him. “Look at this. Looks like our skull guy.” Frowning, Rosalee moved around the table to stand beside Hank. She peered closely at the book. “It’s German, I think.”

“Not modern German.” Rosalee informed him. “This looks much older. My guess is its Althochdeutsch.”

Wu looked at her. “You read Altochdeutsch?”

Rosalee shook her head as she quickly moved back to her laptop. “No, but the internet can.” The two men waited as Rosalee opened up a web browser and navigated to a specific page. “Finstarnessi ubil fahan means…evil darkness trapped.”

“Can’t say that makes me feel any better.” Wu deadpanned.

Hank nodded as he looked back at the book. “Grimm ziohan.” Hank glanced at Rosalee. “Well, at least we know one word.”

Rosalee nodded as she turned her attention back to the webpage. “Ziohan means to pull.”

Wu and Hank’s confused expressions matched Rosalee’s. “Grimm pull what?”

“Barn kwena.” Wu said, giving Rosalee the next couple of words.

Rosalee’s eyes widened slightly. “Child wife.”

“Back to the Shaphat.” Wu commented as he looked back at the book.

“Grimm pull child wife?” Hank queried. It wasn’t making any sense to them.

“Try, folgen enti fliohan.”

“Follow and flee.”

“Ok, so…if we’re unscribing this correctly.” Wu said slowly, trying to put the clues together, trying to make sense of it all. “Grimm pull, child wife, follow and flee, means what?”

“Release the evil into the Other Place.”

“And it needs a Grimm to pull something to follow and flee.” Rosalee said.

“Ok, does that mean it needs a Grimm to get him out of the place he’s trapped in?”

Hank nodded slowly. “Out of there and into here, so he can get Diana.”

Hank looked at Rosalee, noticing her eyes widening. “Oh my god, what’s today?”

Hank glanced at his watch. “It’s past midnight, so December 24th.”

Rosalee was starting to panic as she looked over the computer program, she and Eve had used to determine what the symbols from the cloth meant. “Oh my god, that’s the day.” She told them. Hank and Wu looked confused. “That’s the day that was predicted that the planets would align and something very bad was gonna happen. This is why the skull guy went after Eve now, so that she would go after him now, so Nick would go after her now.”

Hank nodded. “So, it could use the Grimm to get here and get Diana.”

“Ok, we cannot open any portal for Nick and Eve.” Wu said.

“’Cause they won’t be coming back alone.”

***Monroe & Rosalee’s House***

“I’m going in there. I’m the only who can.” Adalind insisted to Sean and Monroe.

Sean shook his head. “Look, I’m not so sure. You may be able to open it, but it might be possible for me to go in instead of you.”

As the three discussed what to do, they were unaware that Diana had woken up. The young girl quietly rose from the couch and walked over to the dining room table. Slowly, she reached into the ancient box and pulled out the stick. Diana wanted to help; she knew she could help.

Back in the kitchen, Monroe nodded as the phone started to ring. “Ok, I think you’re right.” He told Adalind as dug his phone out of his pocket. “I think you’re the only option, we should do it, but you should, like, have a rope tied around you or something.” He turned his attention to the person on the other end. “Hey, what’s up?”

Rosalee’s voice came through. “Monroe, stop what you’re doing.”

Monroe frowned, feeling confused. “Well, why? I mean, I think we found a –.”

“Stop what you’re doing.” Rosalee said forcefully. “We can’t open the portal. It needs Nick to go through so that it can.”

Adalind glanced towards the dining room as she heard what sounded like thunder and/or lightening coming from it. “Diana!” She screamed, moving quickly towards the room.

Sean followed quickly. “Diana!”

Monroe’s eyes widened. “No, no. Don’t open it!” He yelled.

“No, Diana!”

“Close it! Close it!”

Sean grabbed Diana by the waist, trying to pull her away from the mirror. It was harder than expected.

“Diana, stop! Stop!”

Back at the Spice Shop, Rosalee stared at Hank and Wu in horror. “Oh my god, I think we’re too late.” She said making her way to the stairs, the two men following close behind.

A loud explosion rang out at Monroe and Rosalee’s as the mirror exploded, sending glass flying. Nick and Eve came flying out of nowhere, landing hard on the floor.

“Eve, Nick!” Monroe cried out.

Sean glanced down at his daughter. “Diana.”

Diana looked the two laying on the floor. “Mommy, it worked. I got Nick back for you.”

Adalind nodded, her eyes wide. “Yes, you did.”

As Adalind moved over to Nick, Sean turned Diana to face him, taking her face in his hands. “Diana. Are you ok?”

Diana nodded. “I’m ok, Dad.” She assured him.

Adalind knelt down beside Nick, pulling him into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re ok.”

Monroe was helping Eve stand up. She looked around at them, confused. “What happened?”

“Diana used the stick.” Sean informed her.

Monroe shook his head. “I…I don’t think that’s such a good thing. I mean, you guys are back, and that’s a good thing. But Rosalee said…”

Adalind looked at him, confused. “What?”

“She said not to open the portal ‘cause you wouldn’t come back alone.”

Nick’s eyes widened and he glanced around. “Are we alone?”

“Seems like it.” Sean answered.

“Whatever tried to piggyback a ride probably didn’t stand a chance.” Monroe said, trying to be optimistic despite clearly being panicked. “Because the mirror, like, totally shattered, so….”

Nick stepped away from Adalind to approach Eve. “You’re not woged.” He told her.

Eve’s eyes widened. She looked at her hands, which moved up to feel her neck. “I didn’t feel it change.”

The front door banged open, revealing Hank and Wu, guns drawn. “Nick!” Hank called out as Rosalee followed the men in.

Rosalee ran straight to her husband, throwing her arms around him. “Oh my god.” She said breathlessly. “What happened?”

“Everyone’s ok.” Hank said looking relieved.

Wu looked confused. “Wait? Skull guys not here?”

Rosalee looked at the broken mirror. “Nobody came back with them?”

“Well, uh, no, but look at the mirror.”

Rosalee glanced at Hank and Wu. “God, maybe the book was wrong.”

Monroe looked at her. “Why did you call me and tell me not to open the portal? I mean, what did you find out?”

Rosalee addressed Nick, who had been placing the stick back into its box. “Nick, we think you were tricked.”

“By skull guy.” Wu interjected.

Eve frowned as Nick came to stand beside her. “He was there. We were trying to kill him.”

Nick had a contemplative look on his face. “He could’ve killed us, but he didn’t.”

“No, he needed you there to open the way from his side, so he could cross over with you.” Hank informed them.

Rosalee nodded in agreement. “This day was predicted by all the symbols on the cloth.” She added. “We think that everything is supposed to happen today. December 24th.”

Eve rubbed her forehead, appearing almost in pain. Meanwhile, Sean’s grip on Diana’s shoulders tightened slightly. “Wait, did he follow you here?”

Eve shrugged. “I don’t know.” She said faintly.

“Maybe he didn’t make it here, as predicted.” Wu suggested.

Nick clenched his jaw. “We better hope he didn’t.”

“It’s the perfect storm. So, skull face lured Eve to him, using her as bait for Nick, allowing him to hitchhike here.” Wu said as the group were debriefing.

Monroe stood up from where he and Rosalee were cleaning up the glass. “And the hitchhiker didn’t need a guide to this galaxy. He just needed a Grimm.”

Rosalee looked contemplative. “Well, we could be wrong.” She said with a frown. “I mean, I’m not fluent in Althochdeutsch, and internet translators aren’t the most reliable things in the world.”

“But if you’re right and this is all in some old Grimm book, that means this could be predetermined.” Monroe said looking alarmed.

Hank frowned. “We’re talking fate?” He asked.

Monroe nodded. “Yeah. In a weird way, which of course means…” He paused, thinking about it. “This conversation was supposed to be.”

The rest of the group gave Monroe a strange look. Wu spoke up. “Ok, this is one big existential migraine.”

Adalind looked at Nick and Eve, her hand gentle stroking the top of Diana’s head. “What was it like there?”

“It was a lot like the Black Forest.” Nick answered glancing at Monroe.

“Where we found the stick?”

Nick nodded. “Yeah. It was actually beautiful. Except there were woged wesen everywhere.”

“They were woged all the time?” Rosalee slowly asked.

“Even after they died.” Eve answered.

Monroe let out a breath. “Oh, Lordy, Lordy, this sounds a lot like my family bible.” The others looked at him. “A beautiful place overrun by beasts where the fires of hell rage within.”

Eve nodded. “Close enough to what we saw.”

Monroe sighed as Rosalee addressed Nick and Eve. “Was there anybody else there besides wesen?”

“There were people. Very primitive.” Eve replied.

Nick nodded in agreement. “They called anyone who wasn’t wesen Gehfleisch.”

Monroe looked surprised. “I’m sorry, they called you what?”

“You know that?” Hank asked.

“No, but I can translate it.” Monroe answered. “It means walking meat. They spoke German?”

“That’s sort of all we heard.” Eve said.

“It’s probably what Zerstoerer had in mind for us.” Nick commented looking at Eve.

Sean looked at Nick. “Zerstoerer?”

“Zerstoerer, that means destroyer.”

“That’s what they call skull man in the Other Place, and they were all terrified of him.” Eve informed the group.

Nick nodded. “Very tall. Green eyes. Was carrying a very powerful staff.”

Diana suddenly sat up, looking at Eve. “You’re different now.”

Eve looked at her in confusion. “What?”

Diana frowned slightly as she looked Eve over. “I think part of you stayed in the Other Place.”

Adalind stood up looking at Eve in concern. “Do you feel different?”

Eve looked baffled. “I…I don’t know.” She said slowly. “I…I guess a little bit.”

Eve tried to woge, however nothing happened. Monroe exchanged a look with Rosalee. Eve looked worried. “I can’t feel it.” Her eyes started to glisten with tears. “It’s gone.”

“She’s not a hexenbiest anymore.” Adalind confirmed.

“Ok, isn’t this a good thing?” He asked Eve tentatively.

“I don’t know…I mean, I think it is.” Eve said slowly. The expression on her face reflecting that she was unsure if it was a good or bad thing. Her gaze fell on Nick. “None of us are who we used to be.”

Their attention was returned to Diana who was almost starting to hyperventilate. Adalind returned to sit beside Diana on the couch. “What’s wrong?” She asked her daughter.

“You ok?” Sean asked her.

Diana shook her head, looking distressed. “No. No, no, no, no.” She said before letting out a little shriek. Adalind pulled her into her, holding her tightly as Diana whimpered. Sean gently rubbed her arm, trying to console her. “He’s coming! He’s coming! He’s coming.”

“Honey, you’re safe.” Sean told her.

“You’re safe. You’re safe.” Adalind added softly.

Diana was not to be consoled. “He’s coming! He’s coming!” She kept crying. All they could do was look on helplessly.

“He’s here.”

Diana’s words sent a chill throughout the adults surrounding her. Although she had calmed down somewhat, she was still distressed. Others looked at each other, their expressions a mixture of fear, panic, and concern.

“Honey, we’re not gonna let anything happen to you, ok?” Sean told her.

“Don’t let him find me.” Diana pleaded. “Please, don’t let him find me.”

Nick crouched down in front of Diana. “Do you know where he is?” He quietly asked her. Diana shook her head. Nick gently rested him hand on her shoulder. “We’ll protect you, no matter what.” He assured her. “You’re safe. I promise.”

Hank nodded in agreement. “All of us.”

Diana and Adalind looked up as Wu spoke up as well. “We’re not letting anybody near you.”

Briefly glancing at the others, Adalind addressed her daughter. “Honey, come with me, ok? Come on.” She said. The two stood up and left the room.

Sean stood up as well, looking at the others. His wife’s family. The people he had a rocky history with due to his own actions. Yet, they were willing to protect his daughter. He finally addressed his brother-in-law. “I spoke to my Russian friend.” He briefly glanced at the others. “They showed me the room.”

“And the stick.” Wu added.

“We told him everything Nick.” Rosalee informed him.

Monroe nodded. “His friend has reason to believe that this Zerstoerer guy is after Diana.”

“Now, there’s a prophecy about something called a Shaphat.” Sean said.

“A child bride for evil.” Rosalee said solemnly.

Sean clenched his jaw. “I’m not letting that thing anywhere near my daughter.”

“You and Adalind need to hide her.” Nick stated.

Rosalee sighed. “Zerstoerer has connected with Eve and you in your loft, so that’s out. He connected with Eve in the spice shop, so I don’t really trust that place either.”

“There’s Lorelei and Renard’s or maybe here.” Monroe suggested.

Sean sighed, shaking his head. “No, there’s no safe place.”

Nick seemed to be thinking about it. His eyes widened slightly. “I know exactly the place you can hide her.”

“Where?” Sean asked.

“The cabin in the woods where all of this first started.” Nick answered.

Monroe frowned slightly. “Where I took you to find that postman who kidnapped the little girl?”

Nick nodded. “Exactly.” He looked at Sean. “And where you gave me the key.”

“Well, if Zerstoerer finds us there, we’re gonna be too far to get any help.” Sean pointed out.

“None of us are connected to the cabin anyway, not in a way he’d know about.”

“Yeah, but he might just be connected to Diana anyway. You know, like how he found Eve and then you.” Monroe reminded them.

“Then, it doesn’t matter where we hide her.” Hank said.

“Ok, well, is there some way we can camouflage her?” Wu asked.

Rosalee nodded. “I think there might be a way to make her invisible to him.”

Sean looked at her. “The Nuukh Suens?”

“You know it?”

“Yeah, my mother used it on me more than once when I was a child.”

“Yeah, it’s seven herbs, the sete ervas, ground into a powder and used with a nazar, the evil eye charm.” Rosalee informed them. “When a hexenbiest administers it, it conceals the child from harm coming its way.”

“It worked for me, I think.” Sean noted. “The Royals were looking for me, and they never found me, so…”

“I have an old bracelet with a nazar on it, and I’m pretty sure we have all the herbs here.” Rosalee said, glancing at Monroe before she walked off towards the kitchen.

“What did you guys do with the books?” Eve asked. “I wanna find out as much as I can about Zerstoerer.”

“In the cellar, we left them out and open.” Hank answered.

“We were kind of in a hurry to get here.” Wu explained.

“Rosalee and I will go with you.” Monroe told Eve.

Eve shook her head. “No, if Zerstoerer is connected to me, I should go alone.”

“No.” Nick said emphatically. “None of us are doing anything alone.”

“Wu and I can go to the precinct and see if the Zerstoerer came through.” Hank suggested. “I’m sure, wherever it was, somebody had to notice.”

Wu nodded. “Yeah. I bet he’s hard to miss.” He said before the two men headed off.

As Wu and Hank exited the house, Nick went to check on Adalind and Diana. Leaving Diana to sleep, curled up on a chair, Adalind approached Nick. “I’m taking you somewhere to hide Diana.” Nick informed her.

“I’m not leaving you.”

Nick sighed. “You can’t stay with me. It’s not safe.”

“I’ll be there.” Sean said, joining them. “I won’t let this thing anywhere near us.”

“And Rosalee’s making something to shield Diana.” Nick told Adalind.

Sean nodded. “The Nuukh Suens.”

Adalind sighed, considering it. “That could work.” She sighed again. “And I guess the safest place for Diana, is the safest place for Kelly.”

“Hey, guys, I got the stuff we need.” Rosalee called out to them.

Diana was woken up and returned to the living room. It was explained to her what they intended to do. Diana looked a little cautious. “It’s not gonna hurt, is it?”

“Nope.”

“No, not at all.” Sean assured her. “You know, my mom used it on me when I was your age.”

Rosalee looked at Adalind. “You should probably do this.” She said, handing the jar of powdered herbs to her.

The nazar was added and the mixture in the jar slowly turned into a glowing blue mist. “Ok. Here we go.” Adalind said before looking at Diana. “Just think of it as fairy dust.”

Diana gave her a look. “Mom, there’s no such things as fairies.”

Adalind smiled at her. “I forgot. Stand up and close your eyes.” Diana did as instructed. After woging, Adalind raised the jar, tipping it and allowing the blue mist to cascade down over Diana. Eventually, the mist disappeared. “Ok.” Adalind said as she woged back. “You can open them.”

Diana slowly opened her eyes. “Is that it?” She asked, looking confused. “I didn’t feel anything.”

Sean smiled at her. “Well, that’s good.”

Monroe nodded in agreement. “Yeah, sometimes it’s a very good thing not to feel anything.”

“We should get going.” Nick informed them, his expression serious.

The only light sources at the old cabin in the middle of the woods was the moonlight, the light from the car’s headlights, and, once they were turned on, the lanterns. The cabin wasn’t in the best condition, it appeared to have been untouched and was slowly being reclaimed by nature. As Nick got out of his car, he glanced around at the cabin. “This is where it all started for me.” He commented as she moved to get Kelly from the back seat. This cabin was the location of his first showdown with a wesen.

Sean had exited his own car, hearing Nick words, he nodded. “Yeah, it’s got some pretty fond memories here too.” He commented, recalling that his first showdown with Nick had occurred here. When Sean made the choice to align with Nick.

Adalind looked at Sean in confusion. “What were you doing here?”

Sean opened the door to help Diana out of his car. “Come on, honey. Here we go.” He glanced at Adalind. “Nick and I meet up here to settle our differences about the key.”

“Oh.” Adalind said faintly. “That.”

“Yeah, we both decided it couldn’t fall into your hands.” Sean told her.

“When you were working for the Royals.” Nick added.

Adalind smiled slightly. “That was before I had a baby with you.” She looked at Sean. “Or you.”

“Simpler times.” Nick commented.

As they entered the cabin, Adalind noted that it looked like nobody had been there in years. Sean questioned what had happened to the owner. “He was my first blutbad.” Nick recalled.

Sean nodded. “I assumed you didn’t arrest him.”

Nick knelt down on the floor, tossing the mat on it aside to reveal a trapdoor. “He didn’t give us much of a choice.” Nick informed him as he opened the trapdoor. Glancing at the others, lantern lighting the way, Nick began his make his way down the stairs to the cellar.

The others followed him cautiously. The lantern light revealed a four-poster bed, still made up. “That’s a pretty bed.” Diana commented. “Did a girl live here?”

Nick nodded slowly. “Not for long.” He answered. Thankfully.

Diana looked up at her parents. “How long do we have to stay here?”

There was silence from them for a moment before Sean spoke up as he set Kelly on the bed. “I’m not sure honey.”

“We have to keep you safe.” Adalind said quietly.

Diana looked worried. “So, he won’t find me here?”

Sean gently stroked the top of her head and Diana turned to look at him. “Hey, he’s never gonna find you, ok.”

“No, he won’t.” Nick agreed. He sighed. “I’m going back to the precinct to help Hank and Wu. Call me if you need anything.” He looked at Kelly, completely unaware of what was going on. “I love you, son.” Tearing his gaze from his son, he looked at his soulmate. Adalind, her eyes bright, stepped into his arms, holding him tightly.

***Spice Shop***

Monroe, Rosalee, and Eve had been surprised when Trubel arrived. It had been weeks since they had last seen the young Grimm. HW had recalled her to places unknown to continue the fight to take Black Claw down. And now she had returned, just when she was needed the most.

“So, this Zestoerer guy has Moses’ staff?” Trubel asked looking a little sceptical. “I mean, the Moses?”

Monroe nodded. “Possibly.”

“Or the Ruyi Jingu Bang wielded by the immortal monkey king Sun Wukong.” Lorelei’s voice came from the phone. Despite being unable to be actively involved, the youngest Grimm was doing what she could from home.

“Or the Kaladanda, the Staff of Death used by the god Yama in Hindu mythology.” Eve added, glancing up from the laptop.

Monroe groaned in frustration. “The point is, it could any one of these things or all of them combined. We don’t….”

“And this big stick is supposed to help him make Diana his child bride and destroy the world as we know it.” Trubel sighed. “So, long story short, we just have to destroy the Destroyer dude or we’re toast.”

“Pretty much.” Lorelei told her.

“There’s still something about Zerstoerer’s staff that’s bothering me.” Eve said, her brow furrowed in thought. “It was completely cracked up, as if it had been put back together by a lot of different pieces, and not one of all these texts references anything like that.”

Rosalee nodded. “Yeah, something about that bothers me too. I mean, if it’s as all powerful as it’s supposed to be, and belonged to all the people it supposedly belonged to…”

“Then how did this Zerstoerer guy get his hands on it?” Lorelei finished.

“I was just reading about this. There’s a prophecy.” Monroe said, pausing as moved to grab a book. “About a staff with the power of the gods and it can’t be destroyed.” He started flicking through the book. “Hang on. Right here, I got it. I got it. The staff was broken into 100 pieces and scattered throughout the world to its powers out of the hands of evil.”

“Do we think that’s the staff Zerstoerer has?” Eve asked.

Monroe shrugged. “It sure sounds like it, don’t you think?”

“What if he put all the pieces back together before he got trapped back in the Other Place?” Rosalee queried.

“Nick couldn’t even get into the Other Place without the stick.” Eve noted solemly. “What if the stick is a missing part of the staff?”

Monroe’s eyes widened. “Oh my god. What if the stick we found in the Black Forest was actually buried by the Crusaders to keep the staff from ever regaining its full powers?”

“Maybe that’s what Zerstoerer is here for.” Rosalee said.

“I hope we’re wrong.” Eve said as she pulled out her phone. “’Cause if we’re right.”

“Zerstoerer’s coming for the stick….” Lorelei noted sounding concerned.

“That Nick has with him right now.” Trubel finished for her.

When Nick arrived at the spice shop, he was surprised to see Trubel there. It had been weeks since he had seen her; unsure if she was still alive. Nick looked at Trubel as they pulled apart after hugging each other tightly. “When did you get here?” He asked her.

“Just today.”

“What about Black Claw?”

“Black Claw’s done.” Trubel answered. “The wars over.”

“There’s nothing left?” Nick asked in surprise.

Trubel nodded. “Every cell was destroyed. But that’s not why I’m here.” Nick looked at her in confusion. “I came because I had a feeling something terrible was happening. Looks like I may be right.”

Trubel turned to look at the others. “Which takes us to the stick.” Monroe said, a book in hand.

“We think it’s a missing part, possibly the only missing part left of Zerstoerer’s staff.” Eve informed him.

Nick frowned. “What?”

Monroe nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that would explain a lot.” Nick looked at him and Monroe continued. “Especially because historically, there are tons of examples of things with extreme power being taken apart.”

“Like the pyramid in Giza – the capstone is missing.” Rosalee stated.

Lorelei spoke up through the phone. “Or the myth of Osiris, whose body was cut into pieces and then put back together so that he could rule.”

“Basically, we think that is why the Crusaders buried the stick.” Monroe told him.

Eve nodded. “And that’s why there were so many cracks in Zerstoerer’s staff.”

“And he sure as hell better not get a hold of the stick you and Monroe found.”

“From what we’ve been reading, if this staff ever gets put back together, he’ll be unstoppable.” Rosalee noted.

Nick sighed as he reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. “It’s Hank.” He answered it, putting it on speaker. “What have you got?”

“We just got a hit on the APB. He’s still in the area. We’re headed back to the precinct.”

Nick nodded. “I’ll meet you there.” He ended the call, returning his phone to his pocket.

“Where was this guy?” Trubel asked, referring to one of Zerstoerer’s victims.

“Under the Hawthorne Bridge.”

Trubel nodded. “Then that’s where I’m heading.”

“If you see Zerstoerer, don’t do anything. Call me.” Nick told her sternly.

The two were headed towards the stairs when Eve approached Nick. “Whatever you do, don’t let that stick out of your control. It may be the only power you have against him.”

A/N: There was so much I wanted to include but would find it hard to write. Hopefully you guys are happy with this. I also tried to not have any on particular point of view in this chapter. It was a struggle. Apologies for taking so long to update. My health has been a little bitch.

Next Part

Taglist: @zoexme, @nu1freakshow, @star-yawnznn, @bella250

Banner by @cafekitsune

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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you know you’re a writer when…

you spend 30 minutes choosing the perfect synonym for “said” only to change it back to “said.”

you google “how long does it take to bleed out” at 3 a.m. and now the FBI is probably watching you.

you write one sentence, stare at it, rewrite it 14 times, and somehow end up back at the original version.

“this scene is so important” but you have no idea what the scene actually is or why it’s important.

you come up with the best story ideas… in the shower… with no way to write them down.

your characters feel like real people but also you’re like “who are these guys and what do they want from me?”

your brain says “start writing!” but instead you reorganize your desk, reread your notes, and spend two hours naming a side character who shows up once.

you’ve cried over your WIP exactly 67 times and will do it again because the pain is the point.

you reread something you wrote and think, “wow, did i peak as a writer three months ago?”

every writing session begins with the sacred ritual of scrolling social media, opening unnecessary tabs, and procrastinating until panic sets in.

you have no idea how long a chapter should be, so you just… vibe.

you can’t watch tv or movies without mentally critiquing the plot, dialogue, and pacing.

your writing playlist is 98% vibes, 2% songs you’ll actually listen to while writing.

you keep a “murder notebook” but swear it’s not suspicious because it’s for your novel (probably).

the phrase “just one more draft” is your eternal mantra, even though you’ve rewritten this thing more times than you can count.

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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i sit down to write and suddenly i am the most distracted human alive. the chair is uncomfortable. my coffee is too hot. my playlist isn't quite the vibe. i need to research what victorian houses smelled like in 1872 for exactly 45 minutes even though my story takes place in space. and yet the moment i'm trying to fall asleep? every single sentence i've ever needed just lines up perfectly in my brain like some kind of creative parade i'll never get back.

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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mikaela-granger · 5 months ago

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sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four

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mikaela-granger · 6 months ago

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Daryl Dixon Kissing Daydreams— A little look inside Daryl’s memories of kissing his favorite person in the world.

Details: Daryl Dixon x reader (no pronouns are used but there is one instance that I use the word princess), suggestive but overall, just some lovely sweetness! wc: 2k, slightly proofread— my apologies about any misspells, I just really want to get this out and get back to writing!!!

A/N: Let’s get back into things. ♡ I hope you’re all doing well. With love from writella. ♡

Daryl Dixon loves kissing.

He’d never admit it though— albeit that is a weird thing to admit out of nowhere— and he’s never said it out loud— albeit that is a weird thing to say out loud in most normal instances as well— but either way, he does. He really, really does.

Ironically, it’s his fifth favorite form of affection.

The first is acts of service. He doesn’t call it that though. He probably doesn’t even know the phrase. To him, it’s just being useful. Helping, or as he’d pronounce it, helpin’, or jus helpin’ awut.

This includes hunting to feed others, preparing food (even though he’s awful at it other than roasting things on a fire, so everyone agrees, just hunting), remembering things you like and getting them when and if he can find them, thoughtful gifts that remind him of you— basically any stones or trinkets he finds on his journeys, finding shelter if need be, keeping you safe and warm— even at the expense of himself, fixing things, taking the time to teaching you survival skills you want to learn, the sort.

The second is beating the shit out of people in his loved ones honor. Walkers, “Saviors,” men named Negan, basically, anyone out to kill you. He didn’t like seeing people hurt his friends, but he does enjoy when he gets to fuck people up in case it happens. To that, a subconscious part of Daryl’s brain says thank god there are no therapists in town; or, that they are either too scared to speak to him or have not gotten the chance to speak to him so he doesn’t have to reckon with the fact that his not-so-secret thirst for punching and shooting arrows at people might be just a little too high.

The third is listening. He didn’t know he was good at this until you told him. He doesn’t interrupt and he is not quick to judge, you had said, “or really you just know how to keep the mean things to yourself.” He smiled at that. He realized that yes, he is a silent judger, but he’s also pretty open-minded. He liked that about himself, and he found out because of you. It made him feel nice.

Also, if you were wondering, yes, you may have noticed that these three forms of affection can all be argued as kinds of acts of service, but again, Daryl doesn’t know phrases like that, and even if he did or if he was classifying any of his interests or skills, beating people up and shooting things with arrows would always be in its category.

The fourth is hugging– another one he wouldn’t admit out loud. He’d never say he needed a hug, but wouldn’t deny a friend one, and they became more meaningful to him after moments he’d thought he’d never see them again, or see you again. Hugs became incredibly important then. It made him realize that hugging was also the first form of intimate, physical touch that he ever felt comfortable with. He obviously didn’t grow up in an affectionate home, but he was at least used to getting a pat on the back from Meryl when he caught something good to eat, said something Meryl thought was funny, or did whatever Meryl told him to do “right the first time.” Seldomly though, if Meryl was in one of his good moods, he’d give Daryl an actual hug, one of those nice, brotherly ones. Maybe Meryl was laughing with his friends when saw Daryl, beckoning him over, hugging him by the side saying, “Hey little brother,” as he tussles Daryl’s hair; or at night, when Meryl stumbles in as a sleepy-go-lucky-drunk, lazily throwing his chest and arms around Daryl, telling him, “I love you.” He knew never to take it that seriously in those moments, but he did, he couldn’t help it even if he was good at making it look like he didn’t from the outside. The only other time Meryl would do or say that is when one or both of them got it from their dad. Nevermore did they feel closer, as if they were one half of the other, than in moments like those. Daryl felt almost bad for liking it. He used to have to earn affection, he realized. He’s almost ready to talk about it. With you. You give him so much so freely. He’s shocked and sometimes terrified by it. But your helping, your saving, your listening, your hugging– it made him feel ready to speak. It is what also helped him learn his last favorite form of affection, the one mentioned above and only saved for you, the fifth–

–kissing.

One of his favorite places to kiss you is by your fireplace. You two would sit on the rug and you’d ask him to drag the coffee table to where you sat. The two of you ate dinner there sometimes, near the fire on a cold winter evening, or you used it as a place to set down your drinks and whatever game you two were playing, or to use as a resting spot for your elbows as he listened to you talk for what felt like an enchanting forever.

He never tired of your voice as you spoke about your old favorite tv shows and movies and books that he had never watched or read, listening with no interruption– as he always does– or waiting for moments to ask you questions or follow-up questions about this character or that and you’d answer with as much as your memory recalled. You’d make yourself laugh with how silly and passionate you got over these things and he would smile softly, blue eyes glowing in the firelight because he liked hearing you speak, he liked everything you had to say.

It’s moments like this when your smiles catch one another’s and your eyes lock a few seconds longer than before because there is nothing else left to place your gaze on that Daryl places his hand on yours or on your leg and you know that means he wants you closer. His hand moves to your face and his thumb gently swipes and caresses your jaw and you both stay there for a moment, looking at each other. You move in slowly and you kiss him so soft and and tender and tentatively like a princess. His princess. The one who made everything so lovely and magical to what he thought of as his weird and jagged gremlin self.

Daryl gets excited during the times you decide to initiate. It makes him feel courageous when you’re courageous. He grabs you by the waist, pulling you closer, taking control as he slips his tongue in your mouth.

You sigh, warmth and happiness surrounding you as you allow him to take control. Grabbing your head as gently as his rough hands would allow, he sets you on the rug, giving you pecks before looking down at you one last time, seeing the fire illuminate your face with red and orange— the colors of his heart and mind when he’s around you— and then, finally, places himself atop of you and goes back to kissing you. Once again, he slides his tongue in your mouth, wordlessly telling you how much he loves you and how much he loves this. His hands trail down from your waist to your neck as you grab his and play with his hair as you kiss into the night until your mouths are sore.

Daryl also remembers your first kiss. You were angry with him, or at least that’s what he thought. But it was more so frustration, a tinge of disappointment. You were falling for him, desperately so whether you wanted to admit it or not, but it’s so hard to fall for someone not willing to open their heart— you can only be so patient. So, uncharacteristically, at least when it came to him, you got in his face, you got loud, you told him how you felt. Not that you loved him, no, not yet. You told him he’s closed off, that you couldn’t take it anymore, that you wanted him to be honest, to be real, to just say how he felt anytime, all the time, whenever he wanted. You never took him as fearful, but still, thoughtlessly, as your faces almost touched, you asked, “What are you so afraid of, Daryl? It’s only me.”

And then, he kissed you. Because it’s not “only” you, it’s because of you. You were everything. So despite bubbling anxiety that rises in his throat, he did it, he put his lips to yours and did it accidently so much more harshly than he should have, but he did it. He was honest. He was real. Because even if he didn’t say it yet, he loved you too. You almost cried when it happened. Nothing ever felt that right. As he lets go, you have so much to say but you’re speechless. All you could do is take the chance he gave you— you kissed him back, again and again.

Another one of his favorite places to kiss is behind houses Kisses behind houses were for a quick session or during the moments he’d be leaving for a trip. Sometimes the things he had to do meant there was a possibility of him dying, and while there were times that you’d journey with him, there were other times when you were needed elsewhere whether at home or on a journey of your own. This meant goodbye kisses. Passionate but bittersweet.

These are the moments he wishes more than ever that fucked you— he means had sex with you– he’s a gentleman— the night before, just in case he didn’t come back. Most of the time he cannot even think about kids. This world is crazy, and he enjoyed his freedom far too much, but there were moments, like when he thought about how he couldn’t see life without you that he did wonder about legacy, about a domestic life with you, or, if he did die, to at least leave you with a piece of him and the love you build together. But then other times he thinks, fuck, no; he always comes back and he’d never want to leave you to do something as big as raise a child on your own– you liked your freedom too, and he liked being an uncle. Either way, it was a fleeting feeling anyhow, but it did make him feel like a gross guy sometimes. Not only because he had never spoken to you about the future yet and didn’t know what you want, but especially during the times where he thinks, damn, he should have turned you over onto your stomach last night, give you something you’d really remember him by, but truly, if one likes sex, these thoughts are that one has sometimes… no one can blame him, he’s just a 40-something-year old girl, after all.

Daryl also likes taking you into the woods for a hunt or taking you on his motorcycle to find a good place to kiss. He is obsessed with privacy. He wants to feel free to be himself. And even though he does feel like he can with the core group, the real him around them is not the same as when he is the real him around you– the one who is your boyfriend and partner, the him who can also be a romantic and sexual being when you two are alone. Almost no one knows him like that and he’s never been in a rush to share or talk about his experiences. He’s not like Rick, he feels, that kind of effortless shifting between roles Rick has about him, not afraid to be open, communicative, affectionate about different areas of his life with friends. In some ways he will always still feel new to all this romance stuff, therefore, he likes to keep it to himself. So yes, sometimes since the group thinks they all have the right to walk into each other’s houses whenever they feel like it— (Daryl is actually the main culprit of this since he has had free dinners and slept in most of their couches and basements than anyone else, but we wont talk about that now)—you have made out or had sex in quite a few different places.

Moving back to the sweeter stuff, Daryl also loves forehead kisses. Giving them and reviving them. But if he was receiving he only liked it when you two were alone. In fact, he likes any kissing only when you’re alone anyway, but especially so to any kissing or affection that look super domestic. Daryl doesn’t try to look cool, but he also doesn’t need the public to know he has more emotions and ways of nurturing that people in town don’t need to know of. He doesn’t consciously consider himself a mysterious person but, ever since most people started generally liking him and talking to him– which he equally found as both pretty nice and weird– he realized he covets the fact that there are still some people who were shy, confused, or on edge by his presence. He doesn’t totally get it and sometimes he’s confused by other people’s confusion but he likes that it means he has some sort of control. You think about how people treat him versus how he is with Rick or the kids in town, or you are hilarious. People think he’s the guy who gets it done or that he’s domineering or both, and he is those things, but he’s also just a massive teddy bear that likes caring for people while also not liking people. It's the most interesting paradox.

Lastly, here is Daryl’s favorite kiss. It was one you had given him. He said it. He finally told you. You had told him a story of how someone left you, how much it hurt, how hard it is to know you’ll never get to talk to them again, to settle things, to let go the proper way now that you’re in this new world. So, in return, to make you feel less alone and to finally get it out, he told you that sometimes Meryl only ever told him he loved him when he got hurt. He told you that it felt like Meryl picked the times that cared for him, cared for him like brother should and not just sidekick or accomplice, that it was those instances and others things that had happened to him in his past with his dad or with the group in the beginning of all of this, is what made him feel he was unlovable. So many other things came out after that and even through the shock, you could see everything he said happening to him, it made sense, and your heart broke for him.

This time, you move your hand to his, you beckon him closer. Your fingers trail down his face after placing a piece of his hair to the side, caressing his. You tell him, “I’ve never had a friend like you. I’ve never had a love like you. I love you all the time. You’re always worthy.” And with that, you seal your words with a kiss.

That was when he truly knew he liked kissing. He learned what it could actually mean and feel like when it happens with someone so perfect for you— the true peace and romance of it all. He had never experienced something more beautiful.

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mikaela-granger · 6 months ago

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mikaela-granger · 6 months ago

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The Long Wait (Season 6) Chapter 14

Enemy of My Enemy

Fandom: Grimm

Pairing: Sean Renard/OFC

The Long Wait Masterlist

A/N: Sean is finally let in on what has been happening.

Includes moments from the episodes Blood Magic and Where the Wild Thing Are

***Sean’s POV***

“Hello.”

“You want to tell me about the stuff our daughter’s been drawing.” It had had taken a couple of days, but Sean finally bit the bullet and called Adalind. He needed to know more about this secret room Diana had seen.

Adalind paused for a moment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

So, she was going to play dumb. “Oh, no?” Sean said feeling frustrated. “Then I’m on my way over. We can sit Diana down and we can talk about those symbols.”

Adalind sighed. “All right, all right, all right, all right.” She said. “We don’t have to put her through all that. “

“What do those symbols mean?”

Another pause. “I don’t know.”

“And I think you’re lying.”

“I don’t care what you think, Sean. I don’t know.” Adalind told him.

Sean clenched his jaw. “I want to see this secret room.” No answer. “Damn it, Adalind, our daughter is in the centre of something big.”

Adalind sighed. “You think I don’t know that?” She asked him angrily.

“Then I need to know everything you know.” Sean retorted. Adalind paused. “Now, tell me about where the secret room is.”

“You’re gonna have to take that up with Nick. Goodbye.”

Damn it. Sean had been hoping he could avoid interacting with Nick. He hadn’t spoken to the man since that day at the precinct. The two had managed to avoid one another when Nick would come to see Lorelei and the twins. Sean could try speaking to Lorelei about those symbols and the secret room, but since it wasn’t her secret to tell she’d more than likely defer to Nick’s judgement. Sean sighed. He’d try talking to Nick.

Sean spent a few hours determining how to approach Nick about the symbols and this secret room. Slipping back into the office, Sean sent a photo of Diana’s drawing to Nick before calling the man.

“I wanna see the secret room where these symbols are.” Sean said as soon as Nick answered the phone.

“Hello to you too.”

Sean clenched his jaw. “I wanna know what the hell is going on, and why my daughter is involved in something dangerous.”

Nick paused. “Who told you it was dangerous?”

“You show me the secret room, and I’ll tell you.”

Nick scoffed. “No, it’s not gonna happen that way.”

“This is my daughter we’re talking about, and you’re putting her at risk.” Sean told him angrily.

“Share what you know. And I’ll do the same.”

Sean almost threw the phone across the room as Nick hung up on him. Damn it. Why was Nick being so difficult? Surely as a father, he knew where Sean was coming from. Where was this secret room and why couldn’t Nick just show it to him? Yet Nick wasn’t willing to show Sean the room unless Sean shared what he knew. Sean wasn’t willing to share what he knew until Nick showed him the room. Neither man trusted the other. Neither were willing to give him before the other. Sean, again, considered bringing it up with Lorelei. However, he wasn’t keen on putting his wife in the middle. Did she even know about this secret room? But, if he did speak with her about it, she may be able to convince Nick to work with him.

Sean spent the remainder of the day debating what he should do. There was a part of him that was hoping Nick would just trust that if he showed Sean this room, Sean would tell him what he knew. He knew Nick cared for Diana, surely, he could put aside his animosity towards Sean for Diana’s benefit. Or at least for his sisters. Lorelei adored Diana. Diana was her oldest child. As the hours ticked by, Sean realised that if anything was going to happen, it wouldn’t be today.

The man was resting in bed. Lorelei would be joining Amanda to take care of the twins overnight. Sean had tried going to sleep but found himself unable to. When Lorelei returned to the bedroom after feeding the twins, Sean decided to say something to her. Pulling Diana’s drawings out of his bedside draw he handed them to Lorelei. “What do you know about this secret room where Diana saw these symbols she’s been drawing?” He asked her.

Lorelei frowned, looking at the drawing as she sat on the bed. “I don’t know anything about a secret room.” She told him as she started shifting through the drawings.

Sean sighed but tried to quell his frustration. “I know the room exists. Nick and Adalind, both confirmed it. I just don’t know where. I need to see where Diana saw these symbols.”

“Sean. I’m being honest. I don’t know anything about a secret room. You seem to know more about it than I do.”

Sean looked at her closely. He believed she was being truthful about the room. “What about the symbols?” He asked.

Lorelei sighed. “You really should talk to Nick about this.”

“I tried. He won’t tell me anything.”

Lorelei bit her lip, deep in thought as she picked up one of Diana’s drawings. After a moment she sighed. “I know this one is some kind of ancient mapping of the constellations and planets.” She told him as she held up the same one, he’d given to Dasha. Lorelei glanced at the others. “These other ones might be the ones Eve drew while in some kind of a trance. I think they’re also constellations, how they were represented by different ancient civilisations.”

“Where did Eve draw them?”

Lorelei shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe at Nick and Adalind’s. She was staying with them.”

That was news to Sean. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Eve being in such close proximity to his wife and children. Especially considering her history. Evidentially uniting against a common enemy had led to Eve being returned to the fold.

“Are these symbols linked to whatever it is led to the entire group meeting at Nick and Adalind’s the other morning?”

Lorelei paused for a moment. “Yes.”

Before Sean could ask any further questions, his phone started ringing. As he grabbed it, he noticed it was Adalind. “Adalind?”

Less than an hour later, Sean and Lorelei were entering the back door of Nick and Adalind’s place. It seemed everyone was there. Everyone except Nick and Eve. Sean had only been expecting Nick and Adalind. “Well, this is a surprise.” Sean said as looked at those gathered. They may have been happy to see Lorelei, but they certainly weren’t happy to see him. “Everybody’s here.”

Monroe glared at him. “Everybody’s not here.”

“That’s why you’re here.” Hank said in a low voice.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I’m only here because of my daughter. My wife is here to make sure we don’t kill each other.”

Rosalee spoke up. “We’re here for Diana as well. And we’re for Nick and we’re here for Eve.”

“Daddy, Mama.”

Sean looked up to see Diana standing at the top of the stairs. Sean felt his expression soften at the sight of his daughter. Diana came down the stairs and ran into Sean’s arms. “I’m glad you’re here.” Diana told him.

“Me too.”

Diana looked at Adalind. “Am I going to Mama and Daddy’s?”

Adalind shook her head. “No, sweetie, Daddy’s just gonna help us find Nick and Eve.”

Diana looked back at Sean. “That would be good, Daddy. They’re in a bad place.”

Sean frowned. “Where are they?”

“The other place.”

“What other place?”

Diana looked confused at Sean’s confusion. “Through the mirror.” She said as she looked at Adalind. Sean followed her gaze to the blonde.

“It took hexenbiest blood to cross over.” Adalind informed him.

“You got a lot of catching up to do.” Monroe said.

Sean nodded. “Yeah, I guess I do.” He said slowly, glancing around at the others.

“We’ll start with the secret room.” Adalind suggested as Sean set Diana on her feet.

Diana frowned. “I thought that was supposed to be a secret.”

“Not anymore.” Adalind said as she headed to a set of stairs leading down, presumably to the basement. So, the secret room was in the house.

Sean and Lorelei followed Adalind and Diana down the stairs. The footsteps behind them let him know the others were following them as well. Once in the basement, they continued back to what appeared to have been a wine cellar. Monroe stepped forward and moved one of the shelves to the side, revealing a door which he then opened before stepping back. Sean raised an eyebrow. “That is so cool.” Lorelei said under her breath.

“How long has this been here?” Sean asked.

“It’s possible this was a cellar of an house or cabin that was here long before this area was developed.” Monroe answered. “Whoever built this house decided to keep it.”

Monroe offered Sean a flashlight. Sean accepted it, turning it on before he took a tentative step towards the room. Shining the light around it, Sean could see the room was quite large and constructed using bricks. He looked back at Monroe. “After you.”

Despite Sean insisting Lorelei stay outside, she entered the room. Adalind handed her another flashlight, directing her to shine it on the walls and the ceiling. “Wow, that’s a lot of carvings.” Lorelei commented, looking around in awe.

“So, that was all here before?”

“No. Eve carved it.” Adalind replied.

Sean frowned. “Why?”

“We don’t know and neither does she.”

Sean looked at Diana. “And you drew these because you saw them here?”

“No, I saw them on the cloth.”

“What cloth?”

Diana glanced up at Adalind. “It’s a long story.” Monroe answered for Adalind. He glanced at Lorelei and Hank who indicated he should continue. “Nick and I found something in the Black Forest.”

The Black Forest? “Wait…This have anything to do with the keys?”

Lorelei sighed. “It has everything to do with the keys.”

“You got all seven?”

“No, we got five.” Monroe replied. “But…It was enough.”

Sean shook his head. “I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it.” Hank told him.

Sean looked at Monroe. “You found what the Crusaders buried in the 12th century?”

Monroe smiled nervously. “We did.”

“What’d you find?”

There was silence as Monroe glanced up. The carvings in the stone were glowing purple. “Woah.” Monroe whispered.

“Me too.” Hank added.

“Daddy, do you like that?” Diana asked. They all looked at Diana, her eyes woged.

Adalind looked concerned. “Our daughter is connected to this, Sean. We need to figure out how.”

They returned upstairs, Monroe carrying a box he had retrieved from the room. The group gathered around the kitchen island as Monroe opened the box. “That’s the cloth, Daddy.” Diana told him as Monroe pulled an old looking piece of material out, carefully laying it out in front of Sean. “It has the symbols on it. Eve can see some of them, but only I can see them all.”

Sean glanced at her. “The same symbols you showed me in the room?”

“Yes.” Adalind added.

Sean peered closely at the cloth, frowning slightly. “I don’t see anything.” He looked up at the others. “This is what the Grimm Crusaders buried. This is what the Royal family has been looking for for centuries?”

“That. And this.” Lorelei said as she reached into the box and pulled out…a stick.

Sean raised an eyebrow. “A stick?” He asked sceptically. “They buried a stick?”

Monroe carefully took the stick from Lorelei. “It gets that reaction a lot.”

Hank jumped in. “But there’s more to it than that.”

“It’s not just any stick.” Rosalee added.

“For one thing, it can heal.” Wu informed him.

Sean looked down at the stick, wondering if they were pulling his chain. This small piece of ancient wood could heal. “The stick saved Monroe after they got back from Germany.” Lorelei told him.

“And Eve.” Rosalee added.

“How?”

Monroe shrugged. “Nobody knows. The last people who might have known were slaughtered when the Crusaders sacked Constantinople in the 13th century –1204, to be exact. And it’s how Nick was able to follow Eve into the…Other Place.”

Adalind looked at him. “Sean, if you or your friend know anything about any of this…”

Sean sighed. “I don’t know if she does or doesn’t, but we’re gonna find out. I’m gonna need a computer.”

Adalind went to grab her laptop. Sean set it up on the table, taking a seat as everyone crowded around him. Thankfully Dasha was available to take the call.

“I need to know more about this Other Place.” Dasha said once she had been briefed on the situation. “Diana, what can you tell me?”

“It’s behind the mirrors.”

“Have you been there?”

Diana shook her head. “No one should go there.”

“Is it like our world?”

“A little. But its full of wild things.”

Dasha was silent for a moment. “Schrodinger’s Cat.”

“Wait a minute, are you talking about that thought experiment with the cat in the box with the posion.”

“What are you talking about?” Sean asked.

“Exactly.” Dasha said. “Cat in a closed box with poison. 50% chance the cat will be killed by the poison or will survive.

“Right…but because the box is closed, two dimensions exist simultaneously.” Lorelei said slowly. “One where the cat is alive. One where it’s dead. And as long as the box stays closed, both realities exist.”

Dasha nodded. “It’s only when we open the box that we close off one of the dimensions.”

“So if Nick and Eve went through this other dimension…” Rosalee started to say.

“It’d be like opening the box.” Hank finished for her.

“That would not be a good thing.” Dasha informed them.

Sean thought about it. “So, if we’re alive in this world, does that mean that… in the other place, they’re not?”

Dasha shook her head. “Not necessarily. What we consider death in our world is something very different somewhere else. Or, possibly, a pre-life or an afterlife.”

“Are you talking heaven-ish, or…hellish?” Monroe asked tentatively.

“Those are just words we use for when we’re not here.” Dasha replied.

“But someone very bad lives there.” Diana added. “It has a scary face.”

Adalind spoke up. “It’s the skull guy.”

Sean looked at her in confusion. “What skull guy?”

“It’s who Nick and Eve went to kill.” Wu answered looking serious.

The silence was broken by Dasha. “Are you saying that there was someone there with a skeleton face, like, a Koschie?”

Sean looked at Adalind. “You saw this?”

Adalind shook her head. “I didn’t see it. Nick and Eve saw it.”

“But it tried to pull Eve through the mirror.” Lorelei added.

Dasha’s eyes widened, and she sighed as she stood up, turning to look out the window. “Sean. Does your daughter understand Russian?” She asked, looking back at them.

Sean glanced at Diana before looking back at Dasha. “No.”

“She could be the Shaphat.” Dasha informed him.

Sean frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Dasha moved to sit down again, sighing as she did so. “This skull guy they speak of…could be what we call the devil.”

Sean heard Lorelei exhale sharply beside him. “What?!” Sean asked.

“A lot of prophecies predict the coming of a devil.” Dasha answered. “Satan, whatever you want to call it. And it was take a Shaphat and make her his bride.”

“Son of a bitch.” Lorelei hissed.

Adalind leant down and quietly asked. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Just give me a minute.” Sean replied just as quietly, turning his attention back to Dasha. “Are telling me he wants my daughter for his bride?”

Dasha’s expression was serious. “Yes. And to have a hundred children with her. That is the prophecy.”

Sean was silent for a moment, trying to comprehend what she was telling him. “No, no, that can’t be right –.”

Dasha cut him off. “I am telling you what I know of this. And this is all the help I can give you.”

“There must be a way to stop it.”

Looking solemn, Dasha shook her head. “You should prepare for the worst.” Dasha advised him. Sean could see her eyes were glistening. “We all should. I hope to God…I am wrong.”

As Dasha ended the call and Sean closed the laptop, he felt his wife’s hand squeeze his shoulder. This was worse than anything he could ever have imagine. Some ancient evil was going to take his eldest as his wife. “So, what did she say?” Adalind asked slowly.

Sean wasn’t sure what to say, especially with Diana listening in. “It…wasn’t the best news.” Lorelei answered. That was one way of putting it.

When Sean and Adalind returned from putting Diana to bed, they found the others questioning Lorelei about what Dasha had said. Lorelei was remaining quiet, waiting for Sean and Adalind to return. Sean came to stand beside Lorelei as Adalind looked at Sean. “Ok, so what did your Russian friend say?”

Sean sighed. “This skull thing is not after Eve and it’s not after Nick. There’s been a lot of prophecies about something called Shaphat, that’s what it’s after.”

Monroe frowned. “Shaphat is a Hebrew workd, isn’t it?”

Rosalee nodded. “Yeah, I think it means something like, ‘deliverer’. It’s from the Bible in reference to Deborah, one of the few female prophets.”

“Well, in this case…it means child bride.” Sean told them.

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Hank said frowning.

Sean nodded slowly. “That’s why she was speaking in Russian.” He inhaled sharply before looking at Adalind. “This beast wants our daughter.”

“What?” Monroe cried before putting his face in his hands.

“Well, it’s not gonna get her.” Adalind said angrily.

“How do we stop him?” Rosalee asked.

Sean shook his head. “She didn’t know.” He replied.

Rosalee sighed. “Eve found her way into the other place through the books. Maybe we can find a way to stop this son of a bitch.”

“There’s still a lot of books in the shop.” Monroe said his hands dropping from his face.

Adalind nodded. “And my mom’s book is at your house with the mirror.”

“So we should split up.” Wu suggested.

“Sean, Adalind, and the kids should go to our house with Monroe.” Rosalee said before holding her hand up as Lorelei went to speak. “Lorelei, you are still recovering and have newborn twins. You need to stay home. Maybe take to the internet, see what you can find.” His wife nodded although she didn’t look happy about it.

Hank looked at Wu before looking back at Rosalee. “We’ll go to the shop.”

Adalind started heading towards the stairs. “I’ll get the kids.”

Sean went to follow Adalind but stopped when Lorelei grabbed his arm. He looked questioningly. “Whatever you do, don’t let Diana have anything to do with bringing Nick and Eve back through the mirror.” She told him quietly before spinning around and heading towards the back door.

Sean frowned as he watched her go. The others were splitting up, Rosalee following Wu and Hank out the front door, as Monroe turned to grab the box containing the stick and the cloth. Sean wasn’t sure what Lorelei was seeing, but her perception was usually spot on. If she said not to let Diana help bring Nick and Eve back, he trusted her thought process.

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