― Do you always leave this door open?

― If I’m staying home, then, yeah, I let the door open. I don’t see a problem with it…

― Except for the danger of someone coming in… ― Gray pulled a chair and sat in front of her at the round wooden table.

― Only someone stupid enough would try to break into a vanik’s house.

Gray nodded. He kept watching as she quietly finished her cereal, not looking at him even once; at how her hair, in a loose ponytail, would have a few strands falling to her face from time to time, and how she would tuck them behind her ears. His eyes didn’t leave her even when she got up and washed her bowl, or when she left the kitchen and walked slowly to the living room to grab her backpack and a suitcase.

Not even when she stopped in front of him and put her right index finger on his forehead.

― Should I come inside and make a mess out of your mind so you stop looking at me like that? ― she spoke in a low but threatening voice.

She felt his stares. And it was annoying her.

Gray was faster than she predicted and grabbed her wrist, tightly, pulling her to him, her face just an inch from his.

― You already messed it up, a few nights ago, in my family’s kitchen. ― he got closer to her, slowly heading to her ear, brushing their cheeks. ― My turn now.

― Let go of me.

He chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin.

― Did you know I can hear your heartbeat and the blood running through your veins? ― his grip remained firm, yet there was an unexpected gentleness in the way he held her as if he was both a predator and a protector.

― Let go. ― she tried to push him away.

His cheek brushed against hers.

― You’re lucky I’m good at holding back. ― Gray then got himself away from her. ― But I’m not that patient… 

Moon got up, silently got her bags, and followed him into the car. She was a grown woman, and she could clearly take care of herself. But she decided to follow Ace’s vision and her uncle’s request.

At least, for now.

From that moment till they reached their destination, not a single word was exchanged between them. Moon felt relieved but, somewhat, worried. She had no idea of what to expect from him… and she hated that feeling.

At any moment he could feel thirsty for her blood and hurt her. Yet, somehow, he wasn’t showing any signs of that.

― Why are we at my workplace? ― she asks when she sees the pub on her left.

― Cause I live here. ― he answers, pointing to a house on her right.

The pub was located in a very residential area. That alley was full of townhouses, each one in a different pastel color and consisting of three floors. That would mean three apartments per townhouse.

― Which floor is yours?

― Why?

Moon shrugged her shoulders. It was pure curiosity.

― The three of them are mine. ― Gray says as he leaves the car, carrying her suitcase. ― The first floor is an office. Sometimes I bring work home… The second floor is my home. Ours, for the time being…

― Thankfully, not for long… ― she muttered.

Gray caught that but pretended not to.

― What about the third floor? ― she asked.

― It’s an open space. I’ve no idea what to do there… ― he just shrugged, and went to the door.

Moon observed how close his place was to Barlows, and it got her thinking if he knew, already, that she was his mate; she’s been working there for three years already. It wouldn’t be hard to feel her scent from across the street… But she never felt anything.

― Rich people sure are something else… ― she murmured, as she took a look inside the place.

Gray’s place was a mixture of luxury and simplicity if that was possible. You could see that the furniture and the very few decorative items were expensive, but, the place didn’t have much going around.

It seemed dead in Moon's vision, as it lacked color and some touch of... life. Not that Moon was a colorful person, but the place looked like the afterlife.

Strangely enough, the whole place, decorated on a palette of black and gray, suited one hundred percent with Gray.

― A little color around here would be nice… ― she murmured.

― What?

― Oh… ― Moon was caught off guard; once again, she thought out loud. ― I mean... it's a beautiful place, all the furniture and decorations are beautiful but... you could have added some colors, you know? I feel like I'm stuck in a movie from the ’30s.

Gray leaned against the white marble counter in the kitchen and crossed his arms, looking at her from head to toe. He stayed that way for a long time, long enough for her to feel uncomfortable and lower her head.

― Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound rude.

― Make as many changes as you like. ― he finally said, sighing. ― Just let me know before you do it, so I can arrange it.

― What? ― Moon asked incredulously.

― Just don't make my house a freaking rainbow, and we'll be fine. Now, can we review some rules?

Moon tilted her head, very confused.

― Your room is the first on the right, following that hallway. Mine is the one on the left. Under no circumstances go inside my office, unless I call you there. I don’t expect a table set with food when I come home back from work, but I’d like the house to be kept clean. If someone comes by, and I’m not home, don’t open the door.

― How would I know if someone came here looking for you? I have a job too, you know?

― You won’t go to work until your uncle comes back.

― What nonsense are you talking about now?

― Damion hasn’t told you? ― he asked, and as she shook her head, he chuckled. ― Son of a bitch… ― he sighed. ― From now on, till he comes back, you won’t leave this place. If you need anything from outside, you can ask Barlow, Ace, or anyone from my family to bring it to you. You can even ask Dafoe, my trusted assistant. I’ll give you his number.

― Hell, no. I ain’t staying here without going to work… If it’s supposed to be like this, why can’t I stay at your parent's house?

― I’d never leave you alone with Griffin… That bastard has a crush on you.

― Griffin just likes to tease everyone.

― No. ― Gray was firm with his tone.

― How about Ace? I could stay with him…

― You think I’ll leave you alone with that guy?

― That guy is my friend.

― He’s still a man, nonetheless. Give up. You’re staying here.

― I won’t stop working, Gray. You can’t forbid me from going there… ― Moon laughed at how he was being ridiculous.

― Oh, I sure can, love. ― Gray walked and stopped in front of her. ― As your mate, I forbid you to leave this place, unless I let you.

Moon was so angry at how things were developing that she forgot one basic thing that happens in relationships between a vanik and a vampire: the power of order.

― Don’t do that. ― she asked. ― Don’t go fucking ordering me around. It’s not fair!

― I’m sorry. It’s for your good. ― Gray then left to his room.

For a little over a week now, Moon has been sharing that huge house with Gray.

Although she hears him leaving and getting back from work, they haven’t seen nor talked to each other since he ordered her to stay at home. 

Being who she was, she tried, several times, to leave the place; but every time, she bumped into an invisible wall. She tried to use her powers but to no avail.

Still, it wasn’t so bad, as Gray had allowed Ace to come by.

Right now, she, Ace, and Artur were sitting together on the third floor, under the stars. Ace was telling her about everything happening on the outside; for example, Barlow was renovating the second floor of the pub.

One thing that wasn’t quite sitting right with either of them was that Archie was gone.

― Don’t you have the slightest idea of why he’s gone? ― Moon asked the men.

Artur shook his head.

― No… ― Ace seemed disappointed. ― I went to see Deidra yesterday… Tried to get her help.

― Did the tea work?

― No… ― Ace answered. ― I tried to find him, but it was all pitch black…

― Is he dead? ― Artur questioned.

― I don’t know… ― Ace replied. ― Do you think Noira could help us?

 Artur looked at them confused.

― Who is Noira?

Moon and Ace stared at each other.

― A... demon? ― Ace said, kinda asking no one in particular, holding back his laugh, knowing how Artur would react.

Artur’s face was pure shock.

― What?

― Attached to me. ― Moon said. ― Calm down, she’s… cool.

Artur still had a horror look.

“I’m cool?”, Noira asked.

― Noira, do you know what’s going on? ― Moon asked.

Ace looked around.

― Is she shy or mad because you called her cool?

― But cool is a compliment, huh? ― Artur argued.

― Ostendere.

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, a dark smoke appeared on the corner of the terrace, slowly gathering into one spot and materializing a body. A woman with dark skin, long and black curly hair, and gray eyes, all in dark clothes appeared, looking quite irritated at being called.

― What... do you want? ― the woman asked, crossing her arms and leaning on the wall.

― Long time no see, pal. So, any ideas of what the hell is going on? ― Ace asked, smiling.

Artur had mixed feelings: he was scared at what he just saw, but amazed as well; not surprising, given it was his friend, after all.

― I’m not a fortune teller, in case you haven’t noticed. ― Noira whined. ― How is it that you, a witch, don’t know the art of prediction?

― Not knowing. ― Moon sarcastically answered.

Noira shrugged her shoulders, looking around. ― You’re lucky, huh… Just snatched a rich and handsome man.

― I’m stuck here, Noira. That’s far from being lucky.

― You didn’t deny thinking he’s handsome… ― she teased.

― Fuck you.

― You’re dumb. If I were you, I’d be fucking that man, day and night.

As Moon was about to retort, the bell rang through the house.

― Abscondere se. ― Moon got up and looked straight into Noira’s gray eyes, moving her hands as if getting rid of some insect and soon the demon was gone.

― Who is it? ― Artur came toward them. ― It’s late.

― Well… we gotta go down to see who it is. ― Moon said.

She began walking downstairs, being followed closely by Artur and Ace. The trio stood silent in front of the big black double door for a minute.

― Manifesto. ― Ace said, in a low voice, moving his hands slowly.

The wooden door soon became invisible, showing a man in his fifties, finely dressed up. Looking to her left, she stared at Artur.

― What is your father doing here?

― I don’t know. ― Artur moved in between his friends and opened the door, welcoming his father inside.

― Oh, son, you’re here too. Good. ― the man said and got in. I hope it’s not too late for a visit, Moon. Oh, hi Ace. ― he greeted them.

― Not at all, Mr. Sutherland. Would you like something to drink? ― she offered as she walked to the kitchen.

― Water is fine. Are you fitting in well here? I told my son to adjust his place so it’d be comfortable for you.

― Yes, it’s a good place. ― she answered.

― But? ― Mr. Sutherland smiled at her. ― Come on… I can feel there’s a ‘but’.

― But I must say that I’m quite pissed at you son for ordering me to not leave. It’s quite… enraging.

― I’m sorry about that. But, trust me, he’s doing it for your good. He takes your safety very seriously.

― Or he’s just being possessive. ― Artur said.

― Already? ― Ace chuckled. ― That’s fast, even for a vampire…

Moon shook her head. Whatever the man was there for, it surely wasn’t to talk about Gray.

― So, what brings you here? As you can see, Gray isn’t home.

― Gray’s on a mission for me. Tell me, guys, have you ever heard of Velum?

― The Latin word for Veil. ― Ace said, giving all his knowledge about it.

― Dad, are you sure? ― Artur asked.

Mr Sutherland nodded.

― Did your uncle ever tell you about it? Anything at all?

― Velum? What is that? A secret group or something? ― Moon chuckled as she shook her head in denial. A name like that would surely bring some memories if she ever heard about it.

― Kind of… ― Artur crossed his arms and chuckled.

― As expected from a witch. Your guess is right. Velum is a secret group. And I came here to officially invite you both to be part of it.