The garden behind the house that also led to the range shot was beautiful in its own way and full of green life and multiple colours. In the centre, a glass roof gave shade to the stone white bench where Edward and Amber sat. 

“As I already told Holmes, Edward,” said Wolflight, “I am afraid there’s no cure for the illness.” 

The back door of the house opened, and Victor ran through the side of the garden into the woods. Wolflight sighed, tightening her hands. Edward took in the bright glared glow of her eyes. She wasn’t lying. He knew her feats, and he respected the woman for it. One of the few powerful sorceresses that live in this world stood before him, helpless in front of this parasite dark entity that had taken over his ward. 

“The boy lived. Most die if the foetus and the Veil don’t merge. We both know that, well, better than anyone.” Wolflight paused. “Maybe, just maybe, if we...” 

“That is the boy’s decision now,” Edward replied as the wise woman came closer to him. Hugging her, Edward lowered his face, touching her forehead with his chin. 

“He needs to learn how to control this power. Or lose it all together.” 

“What if we take that thing out? There’s got to be a way, right?” Edward begged, separating himself from Wolflight. 

“He’ll die if we do,” she muttered. 

Edward nodded as she glanced fearlessly back at him and pursed his lips. 

“Excuse my son,” Mr Waltz came into the garden leaning against the white stone walls adding tobacco to a pipe, “he is not taking this whole thing seriously.” He gritted his teeth. “But I may have suppressed the Veil in him for now. I brew a potion—” 

“Blood magic?” Wolflight asked abruptly. Mr Waltz raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly. “What have you done, Sherlock?” 

“I’m not turning him into a vampire.” He brought the pipe to his lips. “I used dragon blood as the ingredient,” he confessed. 

Edward’s very soul felt the power of those words. His father could not let his son go. Edward knew he would not let him die, and it didn’t matter if they sent him to the Void for his actions. 

“Do you understand what you’ve done?” Wolflight put a hand on his shoulder. “Your son will have a cursed life.” 

“I will do whatever it takes to save my son. No price is too high to pay.” At this, Wolflight nodded. “I trust that you both respect my decision.” 

Sherlock and Edward locked eyes. She responded in silence and walked outside. Edward soon turned and followed her out into the forest.