― This is simply ridiculous…

Moon mutters to herself as she enters the elevator and presses the button to the building terrace, without waiting for anyone.

It was just her luck that there was a restaurant there; she was starving. She sat on a table near the edge, quietly watching the sun beginning to set.

― Lost a day at work because someone can’t accept reality… ― she clicked her tongue.

A pair of hands touched her shoulder as someone got close to her ear, bringing chills.

― Would my mate mind if I joined her for lunch?

His touches started burning her; she shrugged her shoulder to get rid of it.

― Go ahead. ― she turned to watch the view.

She could see the streets of the city, slowly being illuminated by the poles as the sun went away. She was enjoying the last minutes of sunshine.

Just for a little while, she was finally relaxing. No worries.

She heard Gray ordering his food and some wine.

― So… What did you think of the council?

― The Council? Old. Unreasonable existence. Bailey’s mother made me realize why she is like that…

― Jealous?

― Jealous? ― Moon crossed her arms. ― She’s pretty. ― she nodded. ― She has a nice body, comes from a wealthy family, and still has her parents around…

― You really think that?

― Hm. But I’d rather be me. ― Moon smiled. ― Being a witch is fun… And, despite all the bad things that happened, life’s good.

― For me… You’re way prettier than her. ― Gray states.

Moon just stares at him.

― Is our connection clouding your judgment?

― Your body is also a lot greater… ― his eyes roamed her. Ravishing.

― Stop it.

Gray chuckled.

― My wealth is also yours; my family as well.

Moon turned her eyes away from him, afraid of losing control. She watched the sky for a while, before asking, and still avoiding his eyes.

― I know about me, but… How can you hold back when we’ve been living under the same roof for the last three weeks? Unless you-

― I can’t. That’s why I’m rarely home.

Moon stared at him again.

― I’m honestly afraid of losing control in your presence. I know the history involving vaniks and vampires. The last thing I want… is to drink your blood. ― he says, lowering his head. ― I understand why you’re always running away and avoiding me. But, trust me, I’d never hurt you.

When she was about to answer, a chair was pulled.

― I promise I won’t stay for long. ― Mr. Sutherland said. ― I have something for you. ― he hands Moon a black folder, with a golden V written in pretty designed calligraphy in the middle.

― What’s that?

― Your first mission. ― Gray answers for his father. ― You do know that I’m not fine with this, right?

― What’s the mission, sir? ― Moon ignored his stare.

― I need you to find someone. Truth is, Velum had been looking for this woman for more than a decade. She used to be a front-line soldier alongside Huxley. The plan was to get them both to join Velum but she disappeared. No relatives, no traces left behind. She simply vanished. If you have any doubts, whatsoever, there are a couple of important numbers you should memorize. Gray, give her Casey’s number. Zane and Hux too. ― his father said, losing himself to the view from the terrace. ― This Hotel sure has the best view in town, don’t you think?

Moon nodded.

― Our headquarters is located on the seventh floor. Come visit us once you’re finished with the mission. Gray can bring you here if anything.

― I can come on my own, it’s fine.

Brock nodded, and as a gentle breeze came, he left with no goodbyes.

Gray took the folder out of her hand and started looking at its content.

― Hm…

― What?

― You’re probably the only one who he can trust with this.

― Who do I have to find it?

― An old friend. Ada Sverige.

Moon hummed, looking at the file and reading what they knew about her.

― Speaking of friends, next time you talk to your uncle, can you let him know I found someone to the take vacant spot at the sawmill?

Moon nodded but kept thinking of when he and her uncle became friends.

― Where have you been? ― Ace yells and runs as soon as he sees Moon coming inside the pub.

― I was actually being judged by the council.

― What? Bailey was for real?

― Yeah.

― And? What happened?

― Nothing much...

― Good evening, Miss Bexley. ― Dafoe was suddenly by their side. ― How are you? Is your relationship with your mate progressing well?

― Fuck, man… ― Ace jumped from the scare.

― We’re both still alive.

Ace laughed.

― Dafoe, man, that guy is barely holding up…

Moon shook her head.

― Shut up, Ace. I’m sure that’s not why you came here… ― she looked at the old man.

― Your uncle is coming back. ― Dafoe smiled gently. ― Tonight’s looking good for some magic, right?

Moon smiled. Dafoe vanished in front of their eyes.

― What the fuck is he? ― Ace tilts his head in confusion.

― He’s a guardian. The one responsible for this town. ― the guy they saved a few nights before, Gus Rothery, had just come in. ― I came to thank you both for saving me the other night…

Moon and Ace nodded.

― It was the right thing to do… ― Moon said. ― What’s your story? Why the hell do you follow Archie around? 

― Yeah… ― Gus shook his head and took a seat by the counter. ― Well, I’m Gus Rothery, born and raised here. ― he started talking, slowly. ― My family was as strong as the Sutherlands… My parents were part of the council. They died when I was nine… our house caught fire. Then, I went to live with my aunt, but she died when I was fifteen, or maybe sixteen, I don’t remember exactly... My parents were friends with Archie’s parents and, so, they’ve been helping me since then.

― Do you owe him your life? ― Ace asked.

― No, not exactly 

― Then stop following him. See? That easy! ― Moon chuckled. ― If he was all you had as a friend, we’re available… ― Moon looked at Ace. ― Right? We’re good people.

― But if you betray us, I’ll kill you. ― Ace smiled creepily.

― That sounds good, actually… The oldest Sutherland got me a job as well.

Moon and Ace looked at him, confused.

― Oh, no, not being killed… being friends…

― Oh, ok, for a moment I thought you were a little nuts… Archie will go berserk, though...

Gus stared at them, confused and scared.

― How did you know it was Archie?

― Witch and wizard? ― Ace pointed at Moon and him.

― Right… You should have left me there…

― Why did he attack you? ― Ace asked.

― Because I said he should stop bothering you. If you haven't noticed, the Sutherlands have always kept you under their wing. Not to mention Barlow…

― Well… Artur is our friend. And he’s protective, so, it makes sense… ― Moon said.

Ace chuckled.

― And Barlow is like Santa. He takes care of the good ones.

― Yeah, he gives off that vibe… ― Gus laughed. ― Can you answer me something?

― Go ahead...

― When you grabbed his arm, back there at Barlows, I felt something coming off of you… For a moment, I thought I’d seen a thin smoke surrounding you. What kind of witch are you?

― The one with an evil friend. ― Noira says, suddenly appearing by his side. Smiling creepily as always.

Gus jumped, scared, falling to the floor.

― What the fuck?

― She’s… something. Attached to me. And no, I don’t know why. ― Moon explained.

Noira laughed.

― Always good to scare you, mortals.

Ace then stared at him and crossed his arms.

― Wait. When you said ‘the oldest Sutherland’…

― Oh, Gray.

― Gray wasn’t there… Artur was, with us. ― Ace said. ― He came home the next day… Dafoe wouldn’t tell on us, would he?

― Don’t think so… ― Moon answered, more confused than her friend. ― Does he have people keeping an eye on me?

― Why would he have people keeping an eye on you? ― Gus asked.

― He’s my mate.