― Dad, Griffin told me to come straight here.

Artur was with Ace, both anticipating some bad news.

― Eric Cerdaville just called me. ― Brock said nothing after that, quietly waiting for his son’s reaction.

― What does he want? ― Artur asks, breaking the silence, and holding back his worry, knowing exactly who that man was.

― He started some small talk about wanting to ally with Berkshire, with the sole purpose of improving the economy on both sides. ― Brock spoke slowly, turning the fountain pen between his fingers.

― Wait… ― Artur says as he leaves the room, soon coming back while dragging a cork-board, full of correlated information in colored lines, with Casey and Huxley in tow. ― I told you I was good at gathering information… You just need help from the right people. ― he said. ― This is what we know so far: the Bexleys were killed because Elijah, Moon’s father, refused Eric's offer… ― Artur says.

― Moon’s father? ― Ace asks confused.

― Yes. They wanted Moon, a vanik, to breed stronger alphas. But Elijah didn’t tell him about her whereabouts. Her father asked Damon to get her out of there. ― Casey completes Artur’s speech.

― Then what? He went crazy with the rejection and killed innocent people? What an asshole… ― Griffin interrupts.

― Moon was already gone, thanks to Damion. Elijah told Eric he had no idea where his daughter was but Eric didn’t believe him. Anyway... Not satisfied, and knowing that Moon was alive, somewhere, he sent men all over the continent looking for her. ― Artur says.

― But! ― Casey lifts his fingers, calling the men’s attention. ― Damion is pretty smart. That guy was born a strategist, he was in charge of the whole Northern army.

― Exactly. And since the Cerdaville has connections all over the world, it's no wonder they had a connection with the Hunt. ― Huxley shows them a list of all the people who could be considered allies to the Cerdaville.

― Fuck! ― Griffin suddenly exclaimed. ― We all forgot, but it was the Brock family who pushed the council to accept the Hunt family to live here in Berkshire, do you guys remember that?

― And we know their youngest, TJ, is a friend of Archie’s. So… the Brocks are involved in this sick hunt? ― Artur asks, pointing to Archie's family photo on the mural.

― Very likely. We think that the injuries inflicted on Gus Rothery were merely a trap. ― Casey continues, as he goes to the medium-sized television in the corner of the office, and plugs in a pen drive, showing a recording of a camera from the alley.

― I won't even ask why this camera exists in that alley… ― Griffin comments.

― Better not. But this guy played with his luck. How could he be sure that Moon would find Gus? ― Brock wonders, tapping his pen lightly on the table.

― She’s a witch. According to my research, witches have a much sharper perception than dynamis. Plus, she’s precisely a vanik, which makes it higher. ― Casey says. ― And she’s someone with a very strong sense of protection, so, when an innocent person needs help, she’s strongly encouraged to find them. That's why Moon was able to find Gus.

― But it didn't come to anything. Dafoe would never let Moon get hurt. ― Griffin says.

― That’s why, as it took her a while to feel Rothery’s life vanishing, they thought the information given to TJ was wrong, so they dumped Rothery there. But Moon, like a different being, so to speak, has a distinct smell to others. When they realized that she was outside the building, and, therefore, far from Dafoe’s protection, they came back. ― Casey continues to explain his findings and theories.

― But the old man did his magic, and they all forgot about that day. ― Artur recalls.

― Exactly. But, that doesn't explain anything about Archie kidnapping her now… ― Ace comments.

― Yes, and no. ― a voice caught them by surprise from the door, carrying a flash drive and ignoring everyone as he went to the screen and connected it. ― This guy is terrible at hiding his tracks. Eric will be disappointed…

― Zane, what did you find? ― Brock interrupted the whispering, staring at the man.

― That. ― Zane points to the screen, and a recording of an encounter between Archie’s parents and Caelan, Eric’s son, appears. ― Caelan paid one million for the service. We need all members of Velum. Now.

Moon was someone who often found herself lost in thoughts about her future. Things like where she would be, what her life would be like…

Most of the time, though, for being a vanik, her future always had some kind of bad omen lurking around her mind, as if making a statement: ‘you’re a vanik… you’re bound to catastrophes’.

Of course, she would ignore those thoughts, after all, it was her life to begin with. She owned it. Every single act, word said or situation was her choice. And she always chose it carefully.

After so many years of longing for her brother, the choice she was forced to make was clear: keep Gunner safe, even if it cost her life. One thing she didn’t know, though, it’s that Noira would never let her die.

After being thrown into a bed, a pretty old one, ranging from her every movement, a chain was attached to her wrists and legs, imprisoning her to the metallic headboard. A while later, she faintly heard her name being called.

― Dafoe? How did you get in here?

― Miss Bexley, I'm projecting myself and risking a lot, but I need you to listen to me. No matter what he does or how much he hurts you, you need to hang on. Stay strong. Soon you’ll be safe and sound, all right? ― Dafoe whispers, hiding in a corner of the room so that no one sees him in the hallway.

Moon nods her head quickly to say she understands, even if the guardian's words are running wild in her mind. 

― Who's coming?

― We'll do our best to get there before Cerdaville. I know you don't understand very well what's going on, so pay attention: you are an exceptional vanik. The power you possess is indescribable. The Cerdaville are interested in you mixing your pure blood with theirs and thus, breed powerful dynamis. That's why they murdered your family: because your father didn't tell them about your whereabouts. He protected you till his last breath. My time is running out... He’s close to you. Stay calm.

With that, Dafoe disappears, leaving a slight trace of smoke in the air. Moon tries to scramble out of the chains, but it only hurts her wrists even more.

― Fuck! This hurts like hell… ― she stares at the ceiling, sighing. ― I’m tired, I’m fucking thirsty… I’m pissed. ― Moon hisses.

― And ready to kill someone…

― Exactly.

― It’s been a week… How come we’re not progressing? ― Artur screams as he throws his pen across the room.

― Art, chill. ― Griffin said, serving himself some coffee.

― Chill? You’re asking me to chill? She’s my best friend! ― he yells, again, raking his hair in desperation.

― Here. ― Huxley suddenly appears with a cup of iced tea and delivers it to him, who instantly calms down as his tongue savors it. ― I’ve got something just now… Seems like the Cerdaville kid, Caelan, suddenly arranged his things for a quick trip.

― To where? ― Casey chimes in.

― He hasn't told anyone. But I’ve got someone in his shadow, so I think we’ll be updated soon.

― Good. ― Artur says, looking at his hands, thoughtful.

― Hey, Artur… ― Griffin calls him in a low voice. ― How’s the boy doing?

― What boy?

― Moon’s brother. ― Griffin sips his coffee.

― He’s doing his best to keep his calm, you know? But I’m worried… he’s eating less and less each time I go there… He looks so… ragged.

Griffin hums, crossing his arms.

― Why are you asking? ― Artur knows his brother doesn’t care about anyone. Not like this.

― Can’t I be worried about someone?

― This is so not like you. ― Ace says. ― You… ― Ace stares at him for a while. Then he gets it. ― Huh. ― he chuckles.

― If you’re truly worried, then it’s good. It shows that, after all, you’re human. ― Casey says.

― Ha, ha, very funny, guys. ― Griffin says, unamused. ― Where is Gray, by the way?

― No idea…

.

.

A few miles from the Atlantis house, in the warmth of her home, May Sutherland watches the news in the living room. The dark green couch shaped in an L gives her enough space to be almost laid down. The Byrd family was famous now.

― Moon wasn’t wrong, after all… ― May says, grinning.

Recently, her husband shared some surprising news he found out from one of the affiliates of SL Co.; he knew he had to share it with his wise wife, given she always had the best intuition and knowledge on how to deal with these types of problems discreetly.

Reese couldn’t stop laughing when he heard that Bailey’s family was, in fact, the one responsible for the half-million hole in the subsidiary's balance sheet. This was found thanks to Artur when he took place in the financial department. The one who was in charge died mysteriously.

― Go ahead, Mother. Say it. ― Gray threw himself beside her on the couch and stared at the TV.

May chuckled before happily complying with his request.

― I told you so... That family is no good.

― It was just time for them to be exposed. ― Gray says, nonchalantly. ― I’m gonna take a quick shower, and I’ll head out again.

― Did you find any clues that’ll lead you to her? ― May asks.

― Not yet… But I do feel I’m close…

― Honey, come here… ― May points to her lap. A bit dissatisfied, Gray ends up laying his head on her lap, like he used to when he was a child. ― It’s been a long time since we had some face-to-face talk, right? ― she caresses his hair.

― I’m not a kid anymore, so…

― So what? You’re still my son. ― May speaks tenderly. ― Can I ask you how are you feeling towards Moon?

― Why?

― Well… We all learned history at some point, right?

― Right… ― he clenches his jaw. ― I like her… a lot. She’s interesting. There’s something in her that fascinates me, it’s beyond our connection… And it scares me.

― Did you tell her that?

Gray shakes his head.

― She never gives me many opportunities to say anything… I’m going crazy not knowing where she is, or how is-

― You’re gonna find her. I know you will. ― May says. ― Be careful out there, ok?

Gray chuckles as he stands up.

― As long as I find her, I’ll be fine.

― Call Griffin if you need help. He’s the only one who’s up to your… level. ― May smiles at her.

Gray nods and starts climbing the stairs, to his old bedroom, when he feels something.

He suddenly stopped, taking both hands to his chest.

A sharp pain traveled through his body straight to his chest, constricting him, and leaving him gasping for air.

― I can’t breathe…

His limp body fell as he drifted into darkness.