Zenaria didn't stop running until she was back in the nest, and surrounded by the dragons and animals. Mother eyed her with interest before lowering a foot to stop her.

"James took an interest in you."

Zenaria frowned as she tried to look past the leg. Each time she shifted, Mother did as well. A few moments of dancing made her stop. "What does it matter?"

Tapping her claw on the ground, Mother bared her teeth. "It's my problem. James is my master and I will not let you women harm him further. If I have to intervene, I will remove the problem."

It felt like icy water had been dumped on her head as Zenaria shivered. The dragon before her started to stand, a low growl rising in her throat.

"You three had no right to influence him the way you did."

Zenaria forced herself to nod. Pulling out a book, she hoped she could defend herself.

"What's that?" Mother asked.

"James helped me read," the kitsune said softly. "We found books together…"

"That's all?"

"Y-yes."

Laying back down, Mother continued to tap her claw. "You had the chance to change his love for you, and you read? You found books and had him read you stories?"

Gulping, Zenaria nodded.

A small laugh escaped the dragon before she shook her head. "I did not see that coming. Maybe I reacted too harshly."

Squeaking, Zenaria tried to walk away, only for a claw to hook her shirt and pull her to a stop.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To Grace?" she questioned back.

"Not so fast," Mother growled. Getting up, Mother towered over the kitsune. "I want to know why you didn't influence him further."

Shrinking under the intense gaze of the dragon, Zenaria answered, "I didn't want him to hate me. I could tell he knew what was going on. And he's my friend. I couldn't do that to a friend. He saved me from a life of misery."

Mother bobbed her head. "Good answer. You may go."

Slinking away, Zenaria didn't dare take her eyes off the dragon as she reached the ladder down to the station. Slipping over the edge, she hurried down, letting out a deep breath as she left Mother's sight.

Holy shit, that was scary! I'm glad it wasn't Amber that came. I don't know if the nekorian would still be alive.

Resting at the bottom of the ladder, she took a few shaky breaths. She couldn't believe how close she came to dying just seconds ago.

"Zenaria?"

Turning, she forced a smile to her face. Grace was standing near the intersection with her arms crossed. "Found you!"

"I finally get to go kill something?" Grace asked.

"Yes!" Clapping her hands together, the kitsune skipped over to her friend. "Luna needs to fill you in about James when you get there. Some things happened and needless to say, I'm glad I got away before it got worse."

Grace's jaw worked to process the news, her eyes searching Zenaria's face, waiting for the joke to hit.

"I'm going to go find books!" Zenaria chirped before walking away.

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"Hold up!" Grace shouted. "What the fuck did you guys do?"

Wincing, Zenaria slowed to a stop. "Luna should be the one to tell you. Just know that you might not recognize him. That's all I'm going to say."

"Were you part of it?" Grace asked coldly.

Wavering her hand, Zenaria said, "I had him read me stories. I guess you could say I influenced him that way."

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Grace groaned. "I can't deal with this right now. Go meet with everyone while I leave." Moving to the ladder, she started to climb. "Fucking women…"

Wincing, Zenaria pulled a book out of her storage. "I should practice reading you." Letting her thoughts slip to books, she started toward the demi-humans. She wanted to ask everyone about where she could find more books.

***

James pushed his hands against the invisible force the nest was giving out. Rubbing his chin, he contemplated what to do. A pile of Forsaken corpses were littered all around, having been birthed and released on him.

How can I get past this field? There has to be an answer that doesn't involve killing hundreds of thousands of monsters to reach violet soul.

His jaw was starting to hurt for how long he had been rubbing it. The bristles of his beard rubbed his fingers raw and he likely had a bald spot.

"Figure anything out?"

Glancing over his shoulder, he found Mender walking over. "Not yet."

"We're all getting back together. Grace will be here in the morning and we want to be on the lookout for her."

Nodding, James reluctantly turned away from the nest. "I don't think I'm strong enough."

Mender fell in next to him as they started walking out of the city. "That's hard to believe. Maybe you don't have the right skill to reach it."

Humming, James thought it over. If it was as simple as learning a new Soul Skill, he could work on it. But what would he need? Was there any way of knowing?

"I don't think that's it," he said after a minute.

"We could head to the rent to kill way more Forsaken," Mender suggested.

"Not until Grace reaches level seven. I don't want to take any chances with the monsters being able to kill any of you."

Nodding, Mender pointed out the setting sun. "The sky is pretty tonight."

The tension from the day drained out of James as he followed the pointing finger. The sun hadn't quite left completely and the horizon was cast in shades of pink that colored the clouds brilliantly.

A small laugh rose in his chest as he continued to admire the view.

"What is it?" Mender asked.

Still chuckling, he said, "I'm enjoying a sunset with my brother rather than Luna. That's all."

"Are you embarrassed because I'm a man?" Mender teased. "Are we not supposed to enjoy wonderful sights?"

A louder laugh escaped him. "Just don't try to swoon me. I've been told I'm fragile at the moment."

Holding up his hands, Mender smirked. "I'm afraid you aren't my type. Although your smile is rather nice."

Shaking his head, James couldn't help but touch his lips.

Nudging him with his elbow, Mender pointed to the first stars of the night. "Do you think everyone will stay up with you tonight?"

"Most likely," James admitted. "Luna will try and drag me away for an hour at least."

"I'll plug my ears." Slowing his pace, he grabbed James's arm. "But seriously, James. Are you going to be okay spending time alone with Luna or Amber?"

Coming to a stop, James shrugged. "It's not like I hate them. I just need more time to process what they did. Everything in my head feels messed up. I don't feel like murdering the entire city and ripping souls from my enemies, but it still lingers in the back of my mind. A lot of the last week that I've been healing has been filled with flirting and seduction. I spent most of that time, pushing the women away, just to avoid the manipulation."

"Now you don't know what to feel," Mender pointed out.

"I know I'm angry," James admitted. "I just feel like I can't show it properly. I don't want to yell, scream, or rampage. I just want to be alone."

Starting their walk again, Mender studied him for several long seconds. "I think I understand. If it'll help, I can sleep in your room with you tonight, just to keep Amber and Luna away."

"No," James groaned. "I have to deal with this. I can feel myself still healing, so there's room to change. I'm scared though."

Deep within his soul, James felt like nothing would be the same again. He was warned something bad was going to happen to him, yet he never could have predicted his mind breaking, only to be filled by those closest to him. He was mending, and could feel the changes settle into place every time he interacted with people or monsters.

"Just yell for me if you need me," Mender said earnestly. "I'm not afraid to pull Luna away from you."

"Thanks." Closing his eyes for a moment, James changed subjects. "Do you think Grace will dance around the city, leaving poison over everything?"

"Yes. Yes, I do." Laughing, Mender clapped his hand on James's shoulder. "She'll only need a few days before we figure out our next step. I wonder what it'll be like when we save the world. Do you think I'll be interesting enough for a few ladies?"

"Aren't you already?" James asked.

"Not really. Compared to Jamie, I'm rather boring. I can't flirt with just anyone and have it work out. Our sister is a succubus in disguise."

Sharing a laugh, they turned the corner and let their gaze settle on the edge of the city. Maybe there was a reason to return to a city. Then again, Mender had plenty of demi-humans he could talk to.

Smiling at the thought, James let his mind relax. Things truly weren't as bad as he was thinking. He knew everyone cared for him in their own way. A broken vase couldn't be put back together without adding a bonding agent. Luna did her best with what she had, and she'd continue to be the glue that he needed in his life.

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