― You… Nothing is ever exactly easy in your life, is it? ― said the lady, calmly, as she stirred the tea in her cup.

― Not really. ― Moon laughed dryly.

Evanora smiled fondly at her. Moon resembled her when she was younger. The old guardian held her hands on the table.

― Things will get better… Be sure of that.

― I hope so… ― Moon bit her lip. ― I’m tired…

The lady smiled at Moon, empathizing with the witch’s current situation. It wasn’t easy for a vanik to lose her powers and then regain them so painfully.

― Tell me, Moon… Earlier, when you saw him pass through those gates, how did you feel? After all this time?

Moon sighed, looking into her tea as if some answer or solution would emerge from the bottom of the mug. She took a sip of it, the liquid going down hot.

― It hurt. A lot.

― Why?

Moon sighed again.

― There’s a part of me… that desperately wants to run into his arms, ignore everything else, and just… be with him. But there’s another part that’s angry, furious, and regretful… It wasn’t fair for me to lose my powers just to bring him back. It’s as if meeting him was the breaking point of my life. Everything got messed up after that party…

Evanora sighs, holding Moon’s hands, caressing them as if she were her daughter, comforting her.

― Things are about to change, Moon. Unfortunately, there’s a war out there. Whatever the cause or motive, you’re the only one who can stop it.

― Me?

― Yes. Trust your instincts.

― If I do this, I’ll be hated.

Evanora shrugged.

― And if you don’t, you’ll be hated just the same. Don’t worry about what they think. Those who know you will understand your actions.

Moon nods.

And then she remembers something… that perhaps Evanora could clarify.

― Can I ask you something? Is it true that I’m… a hybrid?

― You know… I’ve always found that word strange. To name a unique mixture of two different races… And an extremely rare one… Demons are very rare… ― said Evanora, taking a sip of her tea. ― You’re a hybrid. That will make sense to you, given the way your mother treated you… Eventually, you’ll find your biological mother. But, believe me, it all sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

― When I stop to think about it… it makes sense. The demons… do they still exist and live among us?

― They used to. They were extinguished and erased from the history books. Your mother was one of the last living ones.

― I always thought that Noira was something evil, trapped inside me.

― She wasn’t… She was just your dark side trying to gain strength… But always a part of you. Don’t forget that we need the darkness to see the light…

― Is she… alive? ― Moon asked, feeling her chest constrict in agony. She then closed her hand into a fist and hit herself on the head. ― What a stupid question…

― In a way, yes, she’s alive. As I said, she’s part of you. I don’t know how, but I think there’s a way for you to become one with her. But I imagine it will be difficult. It will awaken the true form of your powers… And that requires a great deal of control. But I think you can handle it…

― And how do I do that? How do I fully recover my powers?

― You won’t like it one bit. ― Evanora smiles.

Moon stares at her. Whatever the way, she would do it. She would do anything to regain her powers, to feel Noira again, even if it was her essence.

She needed to be herself again.

― Cinnamon… ― Evanora smiled, sipping more tea. ― Cinnamon tastes great, you know? It goes with a lot of things… But its greatest benefit to you is that, if you let go of your pride, just a little, and let yourself be carried away by the smell of cinnamon… Well, completing the connection will do you both good…

― Of course… It had to involve him…

― Moon… he’s the key to your life. Just as you are to his. ― Evanora laughed. ― He’s feeling guilty.

Moon closed her mouth tightly, shaking her head. She wasn’t ready to have such a deep conversation with him yet. Thinking about it, she decided to change the subject.

― Why is my brother a target, then?

― You keep slipping out of that man’s hands…

― And what about that witch?

― Oh, that woman… She’s wicked. There’s something about vaniks being a great source of vitality, you know that. I don’t know much about magic, dear, but she probably wants your brother so she can live longer or maybe to strengthen her power… Lucky for him he has someone like Griffin Sutherland. Just like Gray, Griffin will do anything for him…

― As if Gray had ever done anything for me or protected me…

― You think Gray never protected you? The moment he knew who you were to him, Moon… You became everything, the reason he breathes, if I may say so. He always kept his eyes on you.

― And how do you know that?

― I’m a guardian. Apart from Dafoe and me, there must be three or four others in the world. I know things. He knew that you had left that house to save that friend of yours. He was watching you from afar, ready to save you if necessary. He was the one who found your brother and told your uncle where the boy was. He did a lot for you… Now, Griffin, well… He’s stubborn and stupid. Bad combination.

Evanora’s words echoed in Moon’s mind.

― So, basically, if I give him… us, a chance, I’ll get my powers back? ― Moon murmured, interlacing her fingers.

― Your powers will return as soon as the two of you complete the bonding.

― Complete? You mean… ah, great… ― Moon rested her head in her hands, closing her eyes and sighing. ― Why am I not destined for a normal life? A peaceful one?

― Because, right from the start, you were destined for great things. ― Evanora continued sipping her tea while staring intently at the witch. ― By the way… I have to admit I’m curious to meet him in person.

― He’s in the room… ― Moon pointed to a door behind them. ― Probably asleep…

― I doubt it.

― Huh?

― Darling, you’re not the only one who can feel his scent. He can feel yours too… And as a dynami… it must be torturous for him to smell you, to be so close and yet not even be able to touch you. I feel sorry for him…

― Really, Evanora? You’re on his side?

― I’m not on anyone’s side, darling, no. But pray that Josiah doesn’t get attached to him…

― Ah… ― Moon starts to laugh. ― That would be the worst scenario that could happen right now…

Suddenly, the door creaked as Gray came out, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

― Oh, I’m sorry… Am I interrupting? ― his voice was hoarse.

― Not at all. Sit down and have some tea with us… ― Evanora invited him cheerfully, despite Moon’s glances.

― No, I don’t think so…

― Sit down ― Moon stood up, taking another mug from the cupboard to pour him tea. ― Here.

― Thank you. ― Gray sat down next to her, pouring himself some tea. ― Is that what I smell like to you? Cinnamon?

Moon choked on her tea, coughing non-stop. While Evanora simply laughed at her reaction, Gray was really worried and began to gently pat her back.

― I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…

― Were you…? Oh, forget it… ― she pulled away from his touch. ― Forget you heard that. ― she wiped the corners of her mouth while keeping her breathing steady.

― I’m so sorry.

― You two are an interesting combination! ― Evanora suddenly exclaimed, making them both shy. ― You make me miss my youth… ― she sighed. ― As I said, I’m not as enigmatic as that old man. So, you: stop being so mean. You need to learn to listen and forgive. And you… ― she now pointed at Gray. ― You don’t have to be so soft, afraid that she’ll hate you. She’s a rebel. She’ll always find a reason to be angry with you. Be yourself.

― I don’t think she’ll like the real me. ― Gray’s voice suddenly became deeper, more serious. ― If, from now on, I acted the way I really want to, we’d be packing your things to go back to Berkshire tomorrow morning. You’d live with me, so I could keep you safe while we go after Caelan. I’d ask my father to organize a traditional ceremony for us so that I could have you officially. So that everyone would know that you’re mine, in every sense. ― His cold tone was enough to provoke an awkward silence in the room. ― I’m not just overprotective. I’m possessive, jealous… Everything you hate.

All the while, Moon kept her head down, still staring at the rest of the tea in her cup, scratching her hand as a reminder to herself that she was there. That this was happening.

― This…

― It’s not going to happen, I know it… ― he said. ― The only reason I’m not dragging you back with me is because I respect you and I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do. But don’t test my patience, Moon… I’m about to lose it. ― In a single sip, he finished off the tea. ― I’m not going to talk about the past anymore, or why you left… It was your choice. But as long as we’re meant to be, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe, whether you like it or not. Including your family.

When she saw him walking towards the exit, unsure of what his next actions would be, she couldn’t help but wonder where he was going.

― Josiah is the leader of Mendraria, right? I should say hello. I’m in his territory now, aren’t I? ― he smiled. ― Besides, Griffin’s around somewhere…

Moon just watched him go. Quietly.

― I like him. ― Evanora said. ― And I think Josiah will like him too…

― Good. Is there any way I can escape from here without being noticed?

The old guardian laughed out loud, wiping away her tears too. Evanora stayed for a few more minutes but soon went home.

Moon stared at the old wall clock hanging next to the fridge. The ticking was annoying. It was getting late. She crawled into bed but didn’t lock her house. She didn’t want to wait for Gray, she wouldn’t know what to say when she saw him.

All she knew was that what she was feeling was unbearable pain.

Moon turned from side to side in bed, sometimes staring at the window, sometimes at the closet. It was midnight when she decided there was no point in trying to sleep. When she got up to leave the room, she noticed that Gray was asleep on the floor.

After drinking several glasses of water, her eyes wandered around the small living room, stopping at a large dark brown cupboard she had. A piece of furniture she had never opened since she moved here.

Until today.

Inside, she hid all the memories she had of Berkshire and her family, as well as the birthday presents she received the day she left, still unopened.

Her trembling hands hesitantly reached for the door, opened it, and took the presents out. Moon sat down on the floor near the sofa and sighed heavily, before unwrapping the yellow bow that held the two boxes together. There was a small letter attached to it.

“Hey, honey! You can see this one’s better wrapped, can’t you? Looks like Gun’s a lot better at this stuff than I am… We think you’ll love what’s inside the bigger box and you’ll definitely keep it for the rest of your life… It’s something he says is precious. I thought so too when he showed it to me. So the biggest one is his, and I couldn’t think of anything that could compare, so please forgive me if my gift to you is much simpler and humbler. But I want you to remember that the three of us will never be apart. Your brother wants me to tell you again how much he… we love you. Come back soon!”

Moon felt her emotions welling up, but, out of habit, she just looked up and blinked her eyes repeatedly, fighting the urge to cry.

Slowly she opened the smaller box, where she found a thin, leather bracelet with three metal letters: an ‘M’, a ‘G’, and a ‘D’, attached to an infinity symbol.

She smiled fondly at the bracelet and didn’t think twice about clumsily putting it on her left wrist. She then began to open the larger box, which seemed heavy. Inside, she found a large book and realized, once she opened it, that it was a photo album with family photos. The first picture showed her hugging Gun on the day he arrived in Berkshire.

She didn’t realize she was crying until she saw a tear stain on the white paper next to the photo. She hastily covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle the crying, but it got worse. Moon was now crying uncontrollably; her mind clouded with distant memories of her parents, her uncle, and her brother.

For her, it was always leaving or being left.

She desperately hugged her knees, wanting, once and for all, not to feel so alone. Not to feel so weak.

She even lost Noira on the way.

Moon hid her face between her knees, sobbing harder and harder.

A short while later, she was enveloped by the smell of cinnamon and felt strong arms embracing her.

― I missed them so much… I’m so selfish…

― You’re not selfish at all… ― Gray hugged her tightly, trying to calm her down.

― Why do I always lose everyone?

― Apart from your parents, you haven’t lost anyone… Damion hasn’t given up hope of finding you again. Gunner came after you, dragged Gus along… ― he wiped away her tears, laughing when he saw how strangely she was clinging to him. ― And I’m here, love. You’ll never lose me. Never.