Stars twinkled overhead as James held up his hand, blocking out the moon with his thumb, comparing the size and marveling at the distance. The broken orbital body nearly didn't fit behind his thumb with how it splintered. Three large chunks had many smaller pieces drifting around them, all held together by some force.

The top of the apartment building that he had claimed that night, and all of the previous nights had been cleaned off and set up with his own little camp. A small bedroll and thin blanket made the nights comfortable as he was left alone. It wasn't hard to be alone when he could hide his soul from the others and venture off as he pleased.

He was savoring the peace when he heard familiar steps exiting the staircase behind him. Lowering his hand, he didn't glance back. "They ran out of women so they sent my brother to me?"

Mender stopped by his side and watched the stars. "Beautiful, aren't they?"

"They are," James said softly. His clothes fluttered with the warm winds of the night, forming them tight against his body. "I never knew until recently."

"None of us did."

Lowering his gaze, James settled on the distant center of the city. "You never answered my question."

Mender turned to him fully. "You know why they sent me." Reaching out, he touched James's arm. Warm energy pulsed from his palm, filling James's soul before retreating. "Your cracks are pretty much healed."

"I had help filling them." James wanted to snort and laugh but held himself back. He knew Luna had manipulated him the last week, making the other ladies spend time with him. Amber did everything she could to show that she wanted a relationship with him, up to, sitting on his lap naked. That's when he knew what they were up to. The feeling of his cracks filling with desire was clear and he nearly gave in. He likely would have if he spent the night in the same bed as her. Instead, he ran away to be in the city and claimed his spot on the roof of the apartment.

"I heard you didn't take advantage of them," Mender stated.

"Nearly did," James admitted. "But when you know you are being manipulated, it's easy to avoid what they want."

"Your angry."

"Yes." He hadn't avoided any of them except at night, and he let them change him a fraction of what they were trying to do. Instead, he grew distant and numb to their desire. Even now, he felt distant from who he once was. Oddly, there was one of the ladies that he still couldn't stop thinking about.

"You're smiling," Mender pointed out.

"I am," James agreed.

"That tells me it didn't go completely wrong."

With a small nod, James let his thoughts travel to Zenaria. She was the only one that didn't throw herself at him. She simply wanted to read the few books they had found intact. The pages were nearly illegible, but she still begged him to read them. They had both enjoyed the simple stories of knights and princesses that they understood were for children.

"What are you going to do now?" Mender asked.

James shrugged as he relaxed. "Aren't you here to convince me to stop running away?"

"No. I'm here as your brother and ear."

"You don't agree with what they did."

Shaking his head, Mender turned back to the stars. "Your soul and mind were fragile and they took advantage of that to change your personality. I understand why they kept you from the fighting as we all saw how that was changing you. But throwing themselves at you sexually just to keep you occupied wasn't the way to do things."

"The damage is already done," James stated matter of fact.

"You aren't fully healed yet," Mender said. "You could still sway yourself."

"And if I don't want to?" James honestly didn't know what he wanted. He felt detached from the others enough that he could focus on the problems of avenging his people and destroying the nest, and maybe even sealing the rents. He didn't feel the need to constantly check on his team, or to make sure Luna and Amber were in harmony.

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"Do you still care?" Mender asked.

James didn't answer which was enough for Mender's shoulders to slump.

Standing strong again, Mender pointed out the brightest star. "I've always been fond of that one. I wonder what my ancestors called it?"

James watched the star for a few moments. "I wonder if my people wondered the same thing. It's a pretty star."

Closing one eye, Mender held up this thumb. "How far away do you think they are? What's it like beyond our clouds?"

"Peaceful," James whispered. "I bet it's peaceful."

"I'm not taking that bet." Chuckling, Mender lowered his hand. "Should I let them come up now?"

James glanced at the stairs and the waiting souls. Everyone had come to talk to him and had been waiting patiently. "Only Luna for now."

Nodding, Mender grabbed his shoulder. "If you need me to take her away, all you have to do is ask. I'm not here for them, but for you, James. Just like you would be there for me and my sister."

"Thank you." James touched the hand before turning back to the stars.

Mender retreated and James could hear him sharing a few words with the others before Luna came out. Her soft steps were filled with nervousness as she stopped by his side.

"When did you figure it out?"

James didn't turn to her. "The moment you sent Amber to me."

"I don't regret it. I would do it all again to keep you away from the fighting."

"Why?" he asked softly.

"Because you mean more to me than anything in the world. I saw the sneer on your face and felt your desire to kill. I couldn't bear watching you turn into that. I had to do something, and I knew you had feelings for Amber and Zenaria. I couldn't fill the void myself so I recruited."

"You wanted them to sleep with me?"

Shaking her head, she let out a soft laugh. "Are you kidding me? I wanted to kill myself for even suggesting it to them. I knew if you went all the way with them then you would continue a relationship with them. Why would I want that, James? But I promised you that I would protect you from the dangers of this world, and you would protect me. Seeing you change to a killer, I knew I needed to step in. I don't care if you blame me. If you don't want to be with me anymore. Push me away if you must. I'll go happily knowing that I prevented you from becoming what the voices wanted."

Sitting down, James let his feet hang off the edge. Another small part of the crack filled in with the honesty that she was showing. It was the feeling of her love that helped him relax further. "You care that much?" he knew it was a stupid question the moment he asked.

Joining him, she sat and dangled her legs off the edge. "I do. If it was up to me, I would run away with you and hide with you as the last of your cracks heal. Sadly, that wasn't an option before. You still desired to fight too much and we would have run into problems with the Forsaken we would come across."

"I feel numb, but this conversation is helping."

Smiling, she touched his hand nervously. When he didn't react, she curled her fingers in with his, holding him tight. "I'll continue to shower you with love, James. You broke. Your mind didn't shatter, but it cracked enough that we all knew you were changing. When we realized you were filling them in with changes, I had to act. One day, I hope you can forgive me."

Laying down, he pulled her with him. "I probably already have. Even now I can feel you filling the cracks just the smallest amount. I can't stop loving you, even though I'm still angry."

"You can always punish me for being a bad girl."

Turning to her, he watched her lick her lips seductively and he gulped. It had only been a few days since he had been with her, but the desire was still strong, if not stronger than it was before.

"If we sit up, you can bend me over your knee," she teased. "A few spankings are in order."

Another small sliver was added to the cracks as he felt the desire build. Sadly, he had to stop her. "I can feel what you are doing."

With half lidded eyes, she grabbed his collar. "What's your point? I've kept away from you for nearly a week. That's a week I haven't felt you inside me, James. Do I need to beg? I can get on my knees for you."

Meeting her gaze, he nearly leaned in and kissed her. "Since when were you so bold? You never talk like this."

Leaning in, she started kissing his neck. "Since you are more direct, I figured I'd mimic you." Her hand slid down to his crotch and cupped him. "Does this bother you?"

Shaking his head slightly, he moved in to kiss her properly when a throat cleared behind them. Scowling, Luna pulled away and turned to the nekorian and kitsune who were watching with wide eyes.

"That's really hot!" Amber hummed.

Zenaria was blushing a pretty pink in the moonlight as she held a book to her chest.

"Bedtime story?" he questioned.

Nodding, Zenaria held up the book. "I found another one. I think I'm starting to recognize some of the words."

Adjusting his pants, he glanced at Luna and they both nodded. Sitting up, he pulled himself from the ledge of the building. "Why don't you have everyone come up and I'll read the story."

Amber went back to get everyone while Zenaria moved to his side and sat down. "I'm leaving in the morning. You'll have Grace soon."

"He's going to miss you," Luna stated. "You can feel it. He doesn't want you to leave his side."

Sighing, Zenaria nodded. "I know. But he also knows that Grace needs to level up as well. I won't be far away, and I'm going to find more books for us. There has to be something in the station."

"He'd love that." Luna smiled brightly. "The way you two read together is the cutest thing I've seen."

"I'm right here you know," James protested.

"That's nice, dear." Luna waved him off.

Grumbling, James watched the rest of the group step onto the roof. Jamie beamed at him before skipping over and pushing Luna out of the way to claim his side. Holding his arm, she yawned as Mender set up sleeping rolls for each of them. Linda and Amber formed part of the circle across from him, their smiles soft as they waited.

This was what James needed. He could feel the love from each of them as he took the book from Zenaria. Flipping to the first page, he touched the yellowed pages. "A long, long time ago…"

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