Aspen sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Kate. That's why... I'm telling you, it's stupid to go back to the castle when you already know that your sister Ivy died for you! Please, don't let her sacrifice fall in vain..." he said in a gentle voice, trying hard not to make things worst for her.

Kate shut off her eyes for a few seconds, recalling everything that happened on the night they made their escape. She was blindfolded during that time and she heard the splashing of something like liquid on the barrier and it smells something odd...now that she remembered it...that must be her sister's blood!

Fresh tears sprang in her eyes as a strong wave of sadness and feeling of loss enveloped her consciousness. She just loses two members of her beloved family! Dammit, how was she supposed to live now? Knowing that her youngest sister was inside the castle and needs her help! It was making her panic! Worst, she can't do anything to help her youngest sister!

Aargh! Why does her family hit by bad luck one after another? Was their family cursed?

Then all of a sudden...an idea popped into her mind! Her distraught face brightened up a bit. She was sure that Ella was taken as prisoner by the vampires right now. Which means, her sister is safe for now. But for how long? That's a tough question that has no answer as of this moment. She was hoping against hope that the vampires were not harming her sister yet. She needs to go back to the castle...ASAP!

Aspen was studying Kate's face, and he saw the changes in her features. What this girl is planning now?

Kate looked at Aspen. "I have some questions for you. Please answer them truthfully..."

"Okay, bring them on!" Aspen said.

"My sister's Ivy's blood was effective in opening the barrier. Which means my blood and that of my sister Ella also works the same?"

Aspen nodded his head. "Yes..."

Kate holds the necklace on her neck. "Can this necklace take me to the castle?"

Aspen looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Young lady, what are you trying to do?" he asked, getting suspicious of her motives and her questions.

Kate smiled. "Nothing...I'm just trying to find a solution to my problem," she said. If I will instruct this necklace to take me to the castle...would it obey me?" She was pondering about the idea. But even if the necklace won't take her to the castle, she can always go back to that place by hiring a wagon. She has four golden fruits that she can sell in Thorn Spring Village, she will have lots of money by then.

She looked at Aspen. "You told me that you want to explore the world. Go now and leave me alone. I can take care of myself," she said. She knows that he will always object to her coming back to the castle. As long he will stay by her side she won't be able to go back to the castle to save her sister. So, he has to go!

Aspen doesn't like Kate's question at all. Whatever she's planning in her mind, it will only bring her back to the castle. She must be planning to save her sister the moment he will leave the house. Therefore, he can't leave right now.

This girl was entrusted by Esmeralda to him, she's now his responsibility. If her aunt and her youngest sister were in the house, then he won't hesitate to leave right away. But now that bad things happened and Kate was now alone on her own, she's prone to making stupid decisions. It's something that he can't allow to happen.

Before Ivy lost consciousness, he made an oath to her, that he will make sure that Kate will go home safely to their village and never go back to the castle. He won't let Ivy's sacrifice fall in vain.

Kate looked at his face, confused. "Why are you still not leaving, Aspen?" she asked.

Aspen shrugged his shoulder. "I will just stay here for the night, then tomorrow morning, I'll take my leave," he said.

Kate was pouting. "Fine, you can sleep in my room. I will sleep in my aunt's room," she said.

"Okay," Aspen replied.

She turned around going to the room. Aspen directed his hands on Kate's back, freezing her in the process.

Kate was shocked to discover that she can no longer move any parts of her body! What the hell! What's going on?

Aspen stood in front of Kate. "I'm sorry dear, I'm not stupid. I know what you're thinking. You think that I didn't know - that you are planning to go back to the castle? Well...I have to beat you to it. I have to bring you back to the mountain, you will be safe there," he informed her of his next move.

He holds the belt in his hands and commanded it ... "Portal, take me back to Immortal Vearah's place!"

A few seconds later...

The neon portal opening, the size of a big hole appeared out of nowhere inside the house. Aspen picked up Kate easily and carry her into the portal.

Then the portal disappeared.

~

A few minutes later.

Aspen and Kate appeared in front of Vearah's house. "Anybody home?" he shouted.

Vearah and Esmeralda rushed out of the house to see who is the visitor, the voice was familiar to them. The two women were surprised to see Aspen carrying Kate in his arms.

"What happened to her?" Esmeralda asked worriedly.

"I freeze Kate temporarily," he answered and entered the house and put her in the chair, then he took out Kate's necklace from her neck and gave it to Esmeralda.

"But why?" Vearah asked Aspen.

"When we arrived at Kate's house. We learned that her Aunt Margie was bitten by a poisonous snake in the forest and passed away. After the burial, Ella went to the castle to inform her sisters that their aunt already passed away. And we both know what already happened to Ella. Kate was planning to go to the castle to save her sister and wants me to leave her. So, I decided that the best thing to do is to bring her back here so that you can help her decide what's the best thing to do with her current situation," Aspen said. He then directed his hands to Kate and unfreeze her.

Kate glared at Aspen. Hmph! She wants to smack his head right now!

He just smiled at her. "Jeez, you're so heavy! I have to go to the fruit garden to find something to eat, 'coz I'm starving just by carrying you," he chuckled and left.

Esmeralda released a deep sigh and went to Kate's side. "I'm sorry that your aunt passed away," she said softly.

Kate hugged Esmeralda and broke into a hysterical sob. "Granny...my aunt passed away and Ella was already in the castle, and sister Ivy also died inside the castle to save me. What I'm gonna do now? I'm alone and I have no power to save my sister in the castle. What I'm gonna do now?" she said between sobs.

Esmeralda and Vearah looked at each other.

"H-how did you know that your sister Ivy died saving you?" Esmeralda asked.

"Aspen told me! He told me that my sister Ivy sacrificed her blood and her life so that the blazing barrier will open up allowing us to escape the castle. He told me that he can't allow my sister's sacrifice to fall in vain. So, the only way to prevent me from returning to the castle is to bring me back here!" she grumbled.

Esmeralda sighed heavily. "Don't blame Aspen, he only wants the best for you. He and I swore on Ivy's death bed that we will never allow you to come back to the castle. He was only sticking to his promise on your sister," she explained.

"Granny, I never wanted to go back to the castle! But if going back is the only way to save my sister Ella then I will do it!" Kate said.

Esmeralda gave the necklace back to Vearah and looked at Kate. "You can't have it for now," she said. "Child, going back to the castle without a solid plan is like suicide. We need to think of a better plan on how to save your sister without losing our lives," he explained.

Kate's face brightened up. "A-are you going to help me, Granny?" she asked in an expectant voice.

"Yes, but let's not rush it. We should do a lot of brainstorming before we will execute the plan. Going back to the castle to save someone is not a picnic in the park considering that we need a good amount of blood from you to escape the place, that if we go on that route. Right now, your blood and that of your sister can open the blazing barrier, therefore, we must think thoroughly how the rescue can be done with no casualty on our side as much possible," Esmeralda elaborated further.

Vearah's brow knitted together. "Are you going back inside the castle, Esme?" she asked, alarmed.

Esmeralda sighed. "If there is another way, I won't go back to that place. But we need to save an innocent girl's life before it's too late," she responded.

It's now Vearah's turn to sigh.

Esmeralda looked at Kate. "Rest assured child that we are going to think of a better plan. Just calm down and don't make any stupid decisions that you will only regret later, okay?"

Kate nodded her head. "Yes, Granny!" she said.

"Okay, you can rest in the room or you can join Aspen in the fruit garden. I and my mentor will try to think of a better plan..." Esmeralda said.

The two women left Kate and entered Vearah's room.

Kate exited the house and sauntered towards the fruit garden.