Sitting on the stretcher, side by side, were Gus and Gunner.

Gus kept his head down, embarrassed. Gunner was different. He no longer looked like the young man she had left behind, full of life, always smiling, kind… His gaze was hard.

Something was wrong.

― What had happened? ― Moon put her hand on her brother’s head, stroking it. A simple gesture that made Gunner burst into tears.

She looked at Gus, but he shrugged.

― I’ll leave you two alone…

Moon sighed.

― Gun… I need you to talk to me… Dr. Evans said you had a smell mixed in with yours… You’re very weak now. And you’re hurt. Do you want to explain what happened? Because I’m sure you used your magic on Gus to convince him to come here…

Gunner bit his lower lip and turned his face away.

― I ran away.

― Why did you run away? What happened?

Gunner put his hands to his face, wiping away the tears.

― Our uncle was suspicious of your trip from the start. He went to Yellowtail Bay to look for you and when he didn’t find you, he went crazy. And you ignoring his calls only made matters worse… He started to think you were dead. Somehow, somewhere… ― Gunner was breathing hard.

― That’s still not enough reason for you to run away… ― she replied. ― And it doesn’t explain how you found us…

― Reason? Uncle Dam started drinking. A lot. Many nights he didn’t come home. It got to the point where Mrs. Sutherland offered me to stay with them because she was worried about me. I didn’t want to stay with them… that hut was my home. Along with you and our uncle, but… That guy, Casey… He told me I should accept because the North had announced a war against us because of… you. And because of me.

― When was that?

― A couple of months ago… Gus helped me take my things to the Sutherland mansion. He promised to keep an eye on our uncle. It wasn’t so bad until a couple of weeks ago…

― What happened?

― As soon as you left, I went to college, as agreed… But, because I was with the Sutherlands, some people at college started… saying some things.

― Say what?

― A girl from another class asked me out… and I turned her down. They said I was self-interested and that I didn't accept because she wasn’t rich… And then they found out I was your brother, and they started saying that everything bad Caelan was doing was our fault, that we should die… It all got worse when he went there…

― He?

― Griffin showed up there one day. Reese told his family at home… Then Griffin came to my college and, well, you can imagine… He almost got arrested. His family was shocked, except Mr. Brock, for some reason. Reese didn’t speak to me for a week… And our uncle…

― I never imagined that Reese was a prejudiced person…

― He’s not. Reese was angry with me because I kept it a secret from him… Uncle Dam was angry with everyone who said anything…

― Gun, I’m sorry about all this… But we can’t change people and their opinions. You’re more mature than that. Why did you run away and how did you find me?

― The Sutherlands started talking about marriage! Marriage, can you believe it? And an official ceremony to recognize me as their son’s true mate and all that shit without even asking me what I thought… Fuck, Moon, we’ve never even talked and you want me to marry the guy?

― You ran away from the Sutherlands to avoid a wedding? Something you could have used words for, but you preferred to use your powers on Gus?

― I used words, when I cast the spell on Gus.

― Gun! ― Moon shouts and slaps him on the arm. ― That’s not how it works, we can’t use our powers like that…

― Why not? I haven’t hurt anyone… I think…

― Gun, how did you know where to find me?

The boy lowered his head and started playing with his fingers. At the moment, Gunner was sorry. Sorry that he now found himself in a situation where he would have to tell his sister things he didn’t know, and shouldn’t have…

― It was Casey. He helped me get here.

― Wait… ― Moon starts pacing back and forth, her hands on her hips. ― Does Casey know about Mendraria? If he knew we were here, why did he keep quiet? And why do you smell like Griffin?

Dr. Evans stood up, holding his clipboard, and approached.

― Bexley, who’s Casey?

― A reliable person. Gun?

― Casey told me that if you’d come here, of all places, you must have had a good reason. And since Ada, Hux and Ace are with you, it was nothing to worry about. He gave me instructions and money, as well as lending me a car and this… strange bracelet. ― Gunner showed his wrist with a golden bracelet that had a shiny red crystal hanging from it. ― He said it would protect me from anyone who tried to hurt me… But I don’t know how to drive, so I cast a spell on Gus…

― Where’s the car? ― Dr. Evans asked.

― Still in Berkshire. I was supposed to be here yesterday afternoon. I was going to leave in the middle of the night, without anyone knowing… With Gus, obviously. But Griffin suddenly showed up, saying he felt something strange and tried to drag me somewhere… We had a huge fight. He got angry, said he’d mark me to make me stay and I sort of lost it… I used my powers against him. ― Gunner grimaced. ― But he was surprised by my strength. Well done for underestimating me…

― Griffin is strong too. I’m sure your powers didn’t last long on him. ― Huxley suddenly appeared, much calmer now. ― He lost you a few towns away. Ada will pick him up and then the three of you will leave. Your little escapade has just put this whole place in danger. ― His stern voice sent shivers down the young man’s spine.

Before Moon or even Dr. Evans could say anything, an older, burly man appeared, with a thick, gray beard and well-kept short hair, wearing a black shirt with dark jeans and boots.

He had his arms crossed and a fierce expression on his face, as if he was ready to kill. He looked at each of them, before settling his eyes on Gunner.

― Gunner Bexley. ― the man looked him up and down. ― Causing trouble is in your blood, huh, Moon?

Moon crossed her arms.

― What can we do? We’re vaniks… I mean, him… not so much… ― she pointed at her brother. ― He’s afraid of becoming the monster I am…

― What? No, I-

― Relax… ― she laughed. ― What did you want with me?

― Come with me. And you… Evans, keep an eye on the boy. He won’t leave here even if his partner shows up… ― Josiah started to leave the ward, his heavy footsteps echoing through the place. ― In fact, even better… If your partner arrives… I want to have a chat with him.

The doctor nodded, asking for his help with a few things around the clinic.

Josiah looked at him once more, grunting angrily, before leaving the hut and walking to another, more distant and larger one. The hut he was in now functioned as the main base for all the operations they carried out: from hunting to defense and, on rare occasions, raids. Mendraria had no government, but it was led by none other than Josiah, and the man wanted nothing more than a peaceful life for his people and himself.

Moon calmly waited for him to explode with rage, while she leaned on a table, with him sitting near another table, cleaning a rifle that was lying on top.

― Your brother…

― Yes. The other is a friend from Berkshire…

― Why is he here?

― Many reasons… He’s easily carried away by his emotions… He’s afraid of his and his partner’s relationship developing… And he’s immature.

― Do you get carried away by your emotions too?

― I try the opposite.

― You’re not immature like him… But you’re also afraid of your partner.

― No wonder we’re brothers…

Josiah laughs.

― And your friend?

― Gus Rothery. Reliable.

― Rothery… Sounds familiar… ― Josiah scratches his beard. ― Who’s your brother’s partner?

Moon grins from ear to ear.

― You’ll be shocked when I tell you…

― So it’s someone I know. Tell me…

― My brother’s partner is none other than Griffin Sutherland. Now, tell me, who’s the unlucky one?

― Griffin. Goddess forbid I got destined to a Bexley… No offense, girl. You’re…

― I know. Not offended… ― Moon looks away, staring out of the window at the great gate of Mendraria. ― Casey, a member of Velum, knows about this place…

― Casey… I’m not surprised. Clever boy, he is…

Moon wasn’t surprised that Josiah knew him. The man seemed to know everyone in the country.

― If Casey knows about this place, my mate probably does too.

― Another dynami? Should I prepare a feast?

Moon shook his head, smiling at Josiah.

― Yes. I mean… He was a dynami, became a vampire so he wouldn’t die, but became a dynami again because of my powers… Except I don’t know if he knows about it…

― Complicated.

Moon nods.

― Just one thing… ― Josiah had a hint of amusement in his voice. ― If your partner is, in fact, a Sutherland, then trust me: he’d do anything for you. If you ask him to stay away, he will. If you ask him to come to you, he will.

― Are you implying that he’s a dog?

― If he’s anything like his father when it comes to his partner, he’ll be like a puppy, complying with your every order.

― How do you know that?

― Because the Sutherlands are old friends… Should I worry about Griffin showing up here?

― I don’t think so.

Josiah remained not only motionless but also silent, frowning as he lost himself in thought. Moon continued to stare at the older man, waiting for his next words or orders. Despite having lived in Mendraria for only six months, Moon still couldn't understand his personality.

Josiah had proved to be a very unpredictable person.

― Your brother can stay. Rothery too. For now… Things change, all the time… Now, if Griffin shows up, Huxley will be the one to deal with him. Is that clear?

― Yes, sir.

― No greater idiocy than mistreating the one the Goddess has chosen for you.

― I agree, sir.

― Are you being sarcastic with this ‘sir’ thing, Moon?

― No, sir. ― she smiled. ― Really, I understand. Do what you think is best. Should I tell Gunner about this?

― No. I want to talk with him. Call him here. And then I need you to visit Evanora.

Moon tilted her head, looking at him.

― Don’t scare him. He’s a good kid.

― Whether he’s a good boy or not, he should know right from wrong. And that some choices can put other people in danger.

― I’m starting to think that you’re connected to them in some way. Not just an old friendship…

― Use your powers, witch. Find the truth.

― That offended me… ― she hit him on the shoulder, quite hard. ― You know what’s going on…

― I feel that the future is bringing some changes… ― he looked outside as if he could see something invisible. ― Moon, one more thing.

― Yes.

― If Gray suddenly appeared at the front gate and asked to see you… What should we say?

― No matter what you say, he’ll get in… None of you will be able to stop him.