The next morning Alexis woke up to find herself on Sybil's couch. Remembering the story of Grimald's soul being split into three pieces caused her to continue laying on the couch and think. In her opinion their top priority should be putting is soul back together and breaking his curse, doing that would mean The Order has no way to control him and any power they have would be gone.
"Alexis?" Sybil's soft voice broke through her train of thought. "Would you like something to eat?"
Alexis just nodded her head, trying not to use her voice to much knowing there was still a lot of healing left to do.
"How does your throat and face feel today?"
Alexis raised her hand and made a 'so so' motion. It was still sore but not near as bad as last night. Sybil nodded her head and made her way back into the kitchen, the banging of pots and pans told Alexis she was making something to eat.
"Alexis come to the table dear."
Once seated at the table Alexis served a small breakfast of pancakes with a side of pain killers to help with her pain and swelling. After taking the medication Alexis began to eat and without realizing reached up and began playing with the rings that hung around her neck.
"Sybil!"
The croaky yell caused Sybil to jump in fright and stare at Alexis in shock.
"Shelia, w-we should g-go see Sh-Shelta!"
Sybil's eyebrows drew together in confusion.
"Why?"
Alexis explained as quickly as she could how Shelta had told her about the rings and who she could and couldn't trust.
"Sh-she might b-be able to t-tell us how t-to fix this!"
"It's worth a shot. Go do your hair and change, we will leave as soon as your-," before Sybil could finish her sentence Alexis was up and halfway to the bathroom.
It took no time at all before Alexis was bouncing on her feet waiting for Sybil to come to the door so they could leave. She was anxious to get to Shelta's shop because honestly this was their only lead to finding a solution to Grimald's problems. Once in the car Alexis quietly looked out the window feeling anxious and even scared. This was a total shot in the dark so what if it didn't work?
"Alexis, we are here. You ready to do this?"
"S-Sybil," Alexis whispered, "what if th-this doesn't w-work?"
With a sigh Sybil responded, "Then we look for another solution. This isn't going to be easy, but I can see how much you care for Grimald, so I know you won't give up, and neither will I."
Alexis felt new found determination begin to fill her, pushing aside her fear. Grimald was willing to put his life in danger for her so she was willing to face disappointment for him.
The ringing of the bell signaled Shelta that someone had entered her shop.
"Welcome back Alexa dear," She greeted. "I see you brought Sybil with you."
Shelta paused and said, "You're distressed."
Alexis nodded and before anything else could be said Shelta locked up the shop and ushered them to the back of the shop, completely out of sight.
"W-we need h-help."
"With Grimald I assume."
"Yes," Sybil answered. "Is it possible to put Grimald's soul back together?"
Alexis waited in anticipation hating the silence that surrounded them. She was hoping that Shelta would jump and immediately say yes, but she knew that was wishful thinking.
"There is a way, but it is extremely difficult. I have done it on humans before but never a creature like Grimald, so I can't guarantee success. I would need the items his would was separated into before we could do anything."
"We can provide that. When could we do this? The sooner the better."
Shelta sighed and plopped herself down into a plush chair and gestured for them to sit as well.
"The process itself is relatively simple. But Grimald would need to be willing to face his past and the traumatic events that caused the splitting of his soul. It won't be a quick process either, I can't guarantee that one night will be enough to put the pieces back together."
"What a-about h-his c-curse? I-is there a w-way to undo th-that?" Alexis asked.
"Well if we are successful in putting his soul back together, that alone would break his curse. You see his curse was placed on him after his soul was split and the priest had full control. Once that piece is put back and purified if you will, the curse will no longer exist. This would undo what was done."
Alexis was excited by this news. It was the most promising thing they had heard since these events began to unfold and it gave her hope. Grimald could end his suffering.
"What do you mean purify his soul?" Sybil questioned.
"Well the problem with the piece that the priest took is was cursed. The piece that Alexis currently carries was given willingly and out of love. The piece that the priest controlled needs to have the curse 'cast out of it' if you will and scrubbed clean of the dark deeds it was used to fulfill. Like I said it isn't an easy task, but if Grimald is willing to face his past and forgive himself for the things he could not control, then we have a very good shot and breaking his curse and making him whole."
Sybil and Alexis looked at each other, one with a smile that split her face in half and the other with a look of relief. Neither of them could wait to go home and relay this news to Grimald, but what Sybil knew was that convincing him to give this a try would not be easy. He had been given false hope in the past and it crushed him when things never worked out. After so many failed attempts, she knew that he had given up. All she could hope for was now that he had Alexis in his life, he would realize he something worth fighting for, something that was worth taking a risk for.