Bright stars dimly illuminate the dark sky. A black squirrel cautiously steps across the snow-covered windowsills in search of shelter from the bitter cold. Crickets chirp rhythmically. The whole village is still silent and everyone is asleep. Everyone except Alana...
Some terrified screams of death abruptly awakened Alana. Distrustfully, she sits up and stares at Katinka's bed. However, Katinka is still in a deep sleep, unaware of Alana's fears. How is this possible? Had she dreamed it? She is sure she heard screams! Was it mother? Shivering, she stands up and walks slowly to the frozen window. There was no movement in the village, nor was any light lit. Everyone was still in a deep sleep. Yawning, she walks back to the bed. Sighing, she puts her head down again. This was the third night she's been awakened before dawn. "Come on Alana close your eyes and sleep a little longer" she whispers to herself. Sighing, she turns around.
A soft cry escapes her throat when she sees a young warrior lying in bed next to her. ... Hate. Why is he here again? What does he want from her? Who does he think she is? Maybe he thinks Alana is the chosen one. Maybe she is too? It would explain why everyone was acting so weird. It would explain why Jasper makes her wear that necklace. No, no, that's not possible, she denies. Alana wants to ask him so much, but it seems like her mouth has been sealed. A silent chuckle escapes his lips as Alana stares again at the white line that interrupts his eyebrow. The line that Katara made. The innocent spell that had caused so much. "So innocent" he whispers almost inaudibly and strokes her jaw. "No" Alana whispers as he kisses her neck gently. "Please" she begs softly as his hand slides down her thigh. "Why are you here?" she whispers. "That's a question for your professor" laughs Hate and lays his head on her shoulder. "Jaspar" Alana whispers softly. Hate smiles and rubs her hair from her face. "Come on Alana, I know you know... deep down. You knew all along." Alana closes her eyes. "No" she whispers and shakes her head. Hate chuckles amused. "Come on Alana, think about it" he whispers with a chuckle. "I'm asking you" Alana replies arrogantly. Hate sniffs amused and slide his lips to her ear. "All right, because you ask so politely" he mocks and continues; "I killed your father and your grandmother." Tears fill her eyes. Hate laughs amused and lifts his head. "And I don't regret it," he mocks. "This can't be" Alana whispers. Hate chuckles. "And yet it is true, you are a pathetic little orphan" Chills run down Alana's body. An orphan? And what about mother? Would he? Or is he just trying to drive her head crazy? "What do you want?" Alana asks quietly, afraid to wake Katinka. Hate takes hold of her cold-blooded. He stares into her eyes in silence. "I want to play with you" he replies teasingly. Tears sparkle in Alana's eyes as he rests his hand on her throat. "Please Hate. I have no idea who.". Hate sniffs amused. "What, who is the chosen one?" he mocks. "No, but your professor knows everything." "Please Hate, Jaspar didn't tell me anything" Hate chuckles. "Come on Alana, you and me... we're going to have so much fun" He grins and slides away from her. "For starters, I'm going to slaughter your sister, and you're going to watch" "Hate" begs Alana'" Hate laughs viciously. "Wake up" he growls and snaps his fingers.
Screaming, Alana wakes up, bathed in fear sweat. "Katinka" she roars and stares at the empty bed next to her. "Katinka?" Alana shudders. If Hate was really here... Suppose it wasn't a dream. What are Hate's gifts anyway? All this time... all the signs... She'd been in denial for so long. She was so blind. She can't be silenced... not anymore. She must stand up and tell Jaspar.. she can't be suffocated.. How could she be so ignorant? It wasn't a dream!
How did Hate know about Jasper? Why did he do that? Why is he hunting her? If he has a personal score to settle with Jaspar, he shouldn't be bothering her for this, right? Then why did he kill father? What was she going to do? Katinka... Katinka may be in danger.
Hastily she takes a virgin white dress and wraps her light body in it. The silver belt and collar sparkle softly in the dim morning light. She knocks gently on the guest room door. When there's no answer, she peeks through the crack in the door. Rodehanthe lies with his back to her. He's still asleep. She closes the door and shakes her head. "Mom" she asks and knocks on her door. There is no answer here either..; That's strange. Mother may have already been outside, feeding the chickens. Blowing, she walks to the village. Maybe Katinka was just sitting in the village. Alana shakes her head. Could she trust Jasper? But Jasper would understand. Jasper would help her. However? But if Hate really bothers her for Jaspar's acquaintance? Maybe it would be smarter to question Jaspar. And then what? So she can pass on the knowledge to Hate? Even though the whole world is in danger? But if that saves Katinka? Is it worth it?
She stops walking abruptly and watches as mother runs into Jaspar his cabin. What? Why does mother go to Jasper? Would she also be looking for Katinka? Or would she have discovered Alana's secret? Cautiously, she sneaks into Jaspar's home, hoping to go unnoticed. Jaspar looks up slowly from his book. "Margareth" he greets. Margareth looks at him furiously before opening her mouth. Her voice trembles. "Did you know?" she finally utters reproachfully. "Did I know what?" Jasper asks in incomprehension. "Don't do that, Jaspar! Don't you fool with me!" Jasper coughs and looks at the wooden floor. "Damn Jaspar! You told me the kids were sisters." "That wasn't a lie," Jaspar defends. "You told me that those children needed a mother and father because their parents had died" "I didn't lie to you Margareth". 'Oh stop Jasper! Katinka's parents maybe died yeah, but you know they're not sisters!" Jaspar sighs and closes his book. "You never told me that baby.. well.. was THE baby!" Jaspar folds his hands in his lap and shakes his head. "Margareth please sit down." "No, Jaspar, he has visited me. In my dream, and he told me your dirty dark little secret. I know everything now Jaspar." Jaspar looks up in surprise. "Margareth please!" "Damn," she curses loudly. "Calm down Margareth, we can talk about it. It's not what you think, it's not the way he told it." "What's not the way he told it, Jaspar? The betrayal? The first or the second? Or who you really are?" Margaret shows a bloody bite mark on her neck. "Believe me, that's not all he left behind" she stammers and places her hand on her stomach. Jaspar bites his lip and looks at the thick book adorning his desk. "Margareth, this is just what he wants. Don't give in to the darkness. Talk to me." Alana gently pushed against the door. The conversation between Jaspar and Margareth had become too loud and hostile for her to notice. "Margareth, it's not like you think." "Did you know" Margareth roars loudly. Jaspar swallows. "Margareth." "No Jaspar, answer!" "Did you know it was his baby?!" Alana looks up. His baby? He's, her father? That means... No, this can't be! She must be wrong. Alana can't be Hate's child. And Katara her child. And yet? No, it can't! Jaspar would never keep this from her. Right? And then at last... The things she's heard so far about Jaspar give her the benefit of the doubt. Has he awakened the demons? Is that why they have been silent for eighteen years. And suddenly it all fall in its place...
"Alana child, you've come this far. Why are you so interested in them? Believe me, they're not that interesting. Ancient history. It's not that old yet. Just. Just what? I'm sorry I Just realized it's been eighteen years. I've kept this necklace aside for you. Don't look too specific, it's just something to protect you. Why do you think I need protection? Never take this off and don't let anyone know you have them. Just like her."
Everything was so clear; all the signs were so obvious, and she was so blind. For so long she had only seen what she wanted to see. While Jaspar wanted to keep it quiet, he had so often said the truth. Jasper sighs. "Yes". Tears sparked in Alana's eyes. Jaspar knew she was adopted from the start. In fact, he knew that she... She is Hate his daughter? That she. Is the chosen one? Margareth takes a deep breath and sits down in the chair behind her. In shock, she places her hands on the table. "This can't be true" she whispers. "It's true. It's all true." Jaspar stands up with a sigh and rubs Margareth's back. "It's all true," he whispers. "But I want to ask you not to look at her differently. She maybe Hate his daughter but she is nothing like him not even like her. She is good, not dark." "How can you know? You know the stories!" "They're just stories. There's nothing darkness in her. Trust me, I've been watching her closely." "Jaspar why? Why did you lie to us?" "Would you have adopted them if you knew?" Jaspar asks wisely. Before Margareth can answer, Alana shows herself. "I thought we agreed not to lie to each other" Alana hisses. "So, it's true." Both Jaspar and Margareth stared at Alana in shock. Her eyes slowly filled with tears that escaped one by one from the corners of her eyes. "Alana" whispers Mother and stands up. "No" You mustn't speak," Alana shouts loudly. Her whole-body trembles as she speaks. "It's true, isn't it?" "I'm really Hate's daughter." Jaspar nods. "Alana child I.." Alana puts her hands over her mouth. Hastily she turns and runs out of the building. "Alana" shouts Margareth hopelessly. Crying, she runs away from Jaspar's cabin. A wave of feelings, intended to overwhelm her, falls over her. It seems like her throat was filled with sand. Sand that is swallowing her voice Why is this happening? Why must she be his daughter? He was real, Jaspar had lied to her all along just like mother and father and grandmother. Father and Grandmothers are dead... Because of her! But why? And what about Katinka "Had she lied too? Crying, she runs into an old hay barn, hoping she can separate herself here.
Abruptly bumps into a muscular figure. She nervously apologizes to herself and looks through her tears at the mysterious man she bumped into, expressing her apologies. Alana catches her breath when she stares at the disguised face. The robber from Jasper's stories..Heinrich