r 4: X

quiet as I finish

e expectantly, waiting for the

filed out, leaving me a

promising," he said, gathering his

tight with the mayoral

replied distractedly,

a from the night before k

on is

after she went to bed

n usual, his small body too stil

been that pa

e you li

ing on Marcus as

at were yo

with Sophia Crawford. The p

ger at his words as I spoke. "Sophia's p

n than his Luna, it becomes pack business." Marcus

They're questioni

gnaling the end of the conversa

s heading to R

a about some behavior issues

uilty voice reminded me I'd never at

g to Riley's scho

hesitated bef

Luna. Can

ugh I could hear how she was trying to sound controlled.

wn my spine as I clenc

ning tests." She hesitated befo

driving to Riley's school while

I promised, already

would lead to the hospital , my phon

The principal is waiting

wheel, torn between two roads

make it. Ollie's

a bit strange and cold. "I un

hat wasn't lost on me. The implication that

said, ignoring the guilt. "I'll see y

uiet dinner tomorrow instead. Though Riley will be disappointed..

n clearly but I still fell

making you

ttle more. Then I continued to the hospi

looking small and vulnerable in the large bed, tub

gently stroking his hair. She

said softly, app

looked confused, then he smiled weakly as reco

shocked about a little thing hu

l hand in mine, shocked at how frag

ker." He lifted his other hand, showing a

ng not to show my feelings. "Tha

oking surprised at my a

r son collected or enjoyed. I

d me proudly. "And Riley has twenty, but he cheated

linching as it presented with my crimes

e asked, his eyes already

ervation," Luna answered, her voice low and gen

" He asked hopefully

answer, Dr. Mar

en looked at me with d

od. Good of yo

hard. "How is he?" I a

dangerously low." She looked briefly at Luna. "

d her head

ng from a magical energy drain. I need to observe him with all regula

alking about immediately. "

other

my head as I stepped back. "The

changed to something of cl

l. Energy siphons are rare in nature but are also documented.

ntal does not mean it's them," I s

voice interrupted our

Just worrie

I promise not to be si

I was not able to stay the whole night when I had

are, and work on city budg

ot unexpected. But she said nothing, just continued

er in my own family. When did that happen? When did