Dark clouds hung over the city, turning Berkshire’s atmosphere heavy, as if the forecast of a heavy storm wasn’t just about the weather.

The streets were unusually quiet at three in the afternoon after Brock advised the citizens, after Caelan had publicly threatened the town and its inhabitants, if they didn’t hand over Moon’s location.

― I should’ve done something to prevent what happened… ― he whispered. ― If I had paid more attention, Moon would still be here, with my son… ― Brock sighed heavily. ― And now, here we are. Preparing for a war against a cold killer, without four strong dynamis and a witch who could certainly be of great help.

Brock rested his hand on the terrace railings, closing his eyes and enjoying the breeze on the terrace of the Atlantis Hotel for a few minutes.

His nose filled with the scent of vanilla as arms wrapped around his waist, hugging him carefully while the woman kissed him lightly on the neck.

― I can’t believe you made me move here with the kids… ― she laughed. ― What’s wrong, darling?

― You know what’s wrong.

― The kids will be fine. Moon too… They’ll be back, eventually. ― May was now standing on tiptoe to rest her head on his shoulder. ― Moon won’t let her uncle suffer like this.

― I’m not trying to offend anyone here, but Damion is the last thing on my mind at the moment…

― And what’s number one?

― Caelan.

― Is he coming to us yet?

― He’s in the West. Joining hands with that barbarian… ― Brock clucked his tongue. ― Without the boys and Ada too… I don’t know if we’ll be able to protect this city…

― Well, what if I told you that our dear son, Gray, sent me Hux’s new number? Would that ease your mind? I mean, he’s only a phone call away… ― she smiled sweetly at her husband.

― What would I do without you?

― Probably run after them… ― she replied, kissing him briefly. ― I’m going shopping with Reese. Tell Arthur not to be late for dinner.

― Sure.

May smiled. Halfway there, she decided to go back and took her husband’s arm.

― Tell Damion. Everything. He deserves to know… And it better be through you.

Brock nodded.

He knew she was right.

It wasn’t fair to keep Damion away from the truth about his niece… And he also needed to know that Gunner wasn’t with the Sutherlands as he assumed… Maybe the truth would get him back on track. He hated to see how his friend was losing himself more and more to alcohol.

Brock walked through the dusty streets of the city, the sun slowly beginning to set. With every step, his heart grew heavier. For some reason, Moon had kept the truth about where she was from him. She even kept in touch with her brother, but always very vaguely. She didn’t answer her uncle’s calls or reply to his messages.

When they arrived at Damion’s small house, the light in the window flickered and the sound of bottles clashing was almost deafening. Brock hesitated for a moment, but urgency pushed him inside. He found Damion sitting at the table, surrounded by empty glasses, with a lost expression and dull eyes.

― Damion. ― said Brock, trying to keep his voice steady. ― We need to talk.

Damion looked up, confusion mixed with a glimmer of hope.

― What do you want, Brock? I’m in no condition to listen to lectures.

― It’s not a lecture. It’s about your niece. ― Brock began, his voice breaking. ― We found out where she is… Where she’s been all this time.

Damion froze, the whiskey bottle stopping a few centimeters from his lips.

― Where is she? Where?

― She’s fine. Gunner went after her, dragged poor Gus along… Then Griffin went after him, and even Gray… Well, they’re all together now.

Damion looked away, as if to hide his pain.

― Where?

― Mendraria.

― I’ve never heard of it.

― It’s a ghost town… Led by an old friend of mine…

Silence fell between them, heavy. Finally, Damion let out a weary sigh, determination beginning to shine in his eyes.

― So, let’s go to them. Tell me how to get there.

Brock smiled, relieved.

― We won’t. My children will bring them back. That includes Ada and Hux. ― Brock sat down next to his friend. ― We, my friend, have more important matters. But before anything else, Dam, you need to get rid of those bottles, get this house and yourself clean.

Damion stood up, determination renewing his strength, and together they left the house, ready to face the night and the approaching shadows.

― And then what?

Brock smiled once more.

― Badlands.

Moon was humming in the kitchen while waiting for the water to boil when her phone started ringing. She lazily picked it up from the table and refused her friend’s call. The action of receiving a call and refusing it continued for a few minutes until she lost patience and picked up.

― What?

“Open the fucking door, asshole.”

― Why?

“Hey, I’ve got nothing to do with the problems between you and your dear little boyfriend, or with your brother.”, Ace was complaining non-stop at her door, which doubled his voice in her ears. “I left everything behind for you, so the least-”

― No need to rub salt in my already wounded conscience, asshole. ― she said as she opened the front door. ― Hey, why aren’t you wearing a thicker jacket? You’re not a kid anymore, Gunner. ― she scolded the young man who was hiding behind Ace. ― Come on, get in!

― I bumped into Evanora on the way… She gave us this apple pie, and said she put a lot of cinnamon in it just for you. ― Ace said as he handed her the black plastic bag. ― Are you still obsessed with cinnamon?

― Cinnamon? Why? ― Gunner asked.

― It’s his damn smell… ― she complained, without looking at Ace.

― Ah… ― her brother replied.

― Oh, Gun… You know, ever since I’ve known your sister, she’s always wanted desserts with cinnamon… That is… She’s always been craving-

― Stop. Right. There. ― she said through gritted teeth. ― I don’t like where this conversation is going…

Gunner laughed at the discussion as he calmly helped himself to a piece of pie.

― And Griffin? How’s he doing? ― she asked, glancing at him briefly.

― I don’t know…

― What do you mean I don’t know? The guy came after you like crazy.

― Oh, stop… Gray did the same, so stop teasing your brother. ― Ace cut her off. ― The right question should be: does anyone know what happened to Griffin? ― he smiled, glancing quickly at Gunner.

― You seem to know, so tell us. ― she asked.

― He’s currently tied up in… what’s the name? ― Ace pretended to think. ― Ah, yes, the arena. Will is keeping an eye on him…

Ace couldn’t stop laughing.

― Oh, shit. ― Moon let it slip, crossing her arms and looking very worried.

― He’s fucked… ― Ace was having fun with it.

― What? You told me he was fine! ― Gunner panicked.

― I’ll go and sort this out. Ace, you should have told me before… You know how Will loses his mind when it comes to this… He won’t accept anyone who rejects or mistreats a partner. Griffin may be strong, but Will… ― she sighed. ― I’ll go. Keep an eye on him…

― I’m to be blamed as well, so I should be punished too. I didn’t make it easy for him… I was always running away from him and I was cold and I-

― You were afraid. I knew you were afraid of that when I left. I should have sorted it out before I came… I think I expected too much of his mental and psychological capacity…

― We’re not your responsibility.

Moon smiles, holding the door handle, about to leave.

― Sis… ― Gunner calls out. ― Gray being here… it’s a good thing for you, isn’t it?

― Hm… Maybe…

As soon as she opens the door, she bumps into Gray. Startled, she takes a false step backwards, almost falling over. But he was quick and caught her.

Gray bent down a little, coming close to her face.

― Good? How good? ― the whisper right in her left ear made her redden. ― That good? ― he laughed.

Moon coughed, for no reason. Her throat was dry.

― I have to go. ― she walked away from him without looking back.

Gray laughed, entering the house and sitting down at the kitchen table, facing Ace sideways.

― Ace… Have I ever thanked you for running away with my partner? Mine, Ace, mine.

Ace was shocked by the statement. But deep down, he was enjoying the jealousy that his closeness to Moon was causing Gray.

― Wait… what? Oh, how I wish she were here listening to you call her that… ― he crossed his arms, watching the other man intently. ― I didn’t run away with Moon. As a friend, I decided to accompany her to a new life… And, oh yes, a new life without you.

― Oh, no… Are you two going to start fighting now? I’m out… ― Gunner complained and got up, ready to leave.

― Sit down. ― Gray said gruffly. ― Just so you know, the only thing that’s stopping you from being punished too, along with my idiot brother, is me. So, Gunner, sit down. ― he then turned to Ace. ― No matter how many lives she starts without me, I’ll always find her.