After leaving the pub, the group stepped into a waiting carriage. Aiden's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the remarkable creature tethered to the front. It resembled a horse in shape, yet its body was entirely composed of shimmering water, translucent and rippling as though stirred by an invisible breeze. The creature's mane cascaded like a waterfall, and droplets occasionally trickled from its liquid frame, only to disappear before touching the ground.
Mrs. Caleena smiled at Aiden's awe. "Beautiful, isn't it? We call them 'Aquines.' They've been pulling carriages in Soleil for centuries."
Aiden nodded mutely, stepping into the carriage behind her.
The interior was plush, lined with soft white cushions and gold trim, which reminded him of the opulent cars back home, but this one floated as though cradled by air. When the Aquine began to move, the carriage glided effortlessly, its frame hovering above the cobblestone streets without a sound.
The ride was smooth and serene, taking them through a quaint neighbourhood. Rows of medium-sized homes lined the streets, their gardens carefully tended, and lanterns glowing warmly in the evening light.
Aiden leaned slightly out of the window, taking in the sights. Each house seemed to exude a sense of comfort and belonging. Yet as they approached their destination, one house stood in stark contrast to the others.
The Caleena home was a modest two-storey building, positioned directly against the sun's path. Unlike its neighbours, which were bathed in soft light, the Caleena house was shrouded in deep, cool shadows. Its silhouette loomed quietly, mysterious yet inviting in its own way.
As the carriage slowed, the Aquine's liquid form shimmered brighter before dissolving into a glittering puddle, leaving the carriage hovering for a moment before it gently lowered to the ground. Mr. Caleena stepped out first, offering a hand to his wife. "Welcome home," he said simply.
Aiden followed, his shoes landing softly on the cobblestones as he gazed up at the house. Vesper caught his expression and gestured toward the door. "This will be your home for the time being. You'll stay here until Solana season begins."
Solana season?" Aiden asked, his brow furrowed.
Adrian, who had been stretching after the ride, straightened up. "It's when the sun reaches its highest peak in Soleil. During that time, Karatula stones absorb its energy, which powers everything here. It's a big deal—kind of like the turning of the seasons It's started by the Solstice Day."
Before Aiden could respond, Mrs. Caleena was already moving toward the kitchen, her sleeves rolled up. "Dinner will be ready soon," she said over her shoulder.
Inside, the house was as cosy as it appeared from the outside. The warm wooden floors and simple furnishings gave it a welcoming charm, though the air carried an unfamiliar mix of herbs and spices. Aiden lingered near the living room, his eyes darting around as he took in the space.
"Come on," Adrian said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'll show you your room."
The room was simple but comfortable, with two twin beds set up on opposite walls. Adrian's bed was slightly rumpled, a small stack of books and trinkets crowding his nightstand. The bed on the other side was neatly made, with fresh blankets and pillows that Adrian had clearly prepared beforehand.
"This is us," Adrian said with a shrug. "You can take that bed. I sorted it all out before we went to Earth. Figured you'd need a proper place to crash. Though it's not as comfortable as your bed in Earth, I assume."
Aiden looked around the room, taking in the comfort of it all. It was so different from his life back home. He couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude toward Adrian.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "You've been so kind to me... even though I'm a Chase."
Adrian shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "It's not a big deal. Honestly, it's the bare minimum anyone should do."
Those words hit Aiden harder than he expected. He thought about his family—how kindness was more a tool than a virtue in the Chase household.
The contrast made his chest ache.
Dinner was soon ready, the warm aroma filling the house. The four of them gathered at the table, where Mrs. Caleena served roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and fresh bread still warm from the oven. The meal was quiet but comforting, the clinking of cutlery the only sound until Adrian broke the silence.
"So Da," he said cautiously, glancing at his father, "what did you see in the newspaper earlier?"
Vesper's expression darkened, his hand pausing mid-cut.
He set his fork down with deliberate care. "You need not concern yourself with that, son," he said firmly, his tone that leaves nothing for argument.
Adrian looked like he wanted to protest but thought better of it, sinking back into his seat.
That night, as the house fell silent, Aiden found himself lying awake in bed. The soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint patterns on the walls. Sleep came slowly, but when it did, Aiden was once again standing before the great tree.
Unlike the nightmares he often had the past few days, immediately seeing the place he yearned all those nights brought him peace. The gnarled branches reached out like open arms, and the golden light filtering through the leaves felt warm and inviting. Aiden rested a hand on the rough bark, feeling an inexplicable sense of safety.
For the first time in a long while, he felt... at ease. When suddenly...
He was jolted awake by a faint noise. Blinking groggily, he sat up to find Adrian standing at the door, motioning for him to get up.
"What's going on?" Aiden whispered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Quiet!" Adrian hissed. "Get up. The lights are on downstairs, and I heard my parents talking about something."
Aiden groaned, collapsing back against his pillow. "You woke me up for that? Maybe they're just having tea and gossiping. People do that, you know."
"My parents don't just 'have tea and gossip.' This could be important."
"Important enough to interrupt my sleep?" Aiden muttered, pulling the blanket over his head. "Sounds like a 'you' problem."
Adrian stormed over and yanked the blanket off him. "Stop being a baby and get up. You're not going to want to miss this."
And you need me awake for that, why?" Aiden muttered, flopping back onto his pillow.
"Get up! You're coming with me."
"Why?"
"Because you're nosy," Adrian shot back. "Don't act like you're not curious about what they're saying. You've been side-eying my dad all day."
Aiden sat up, glaring at him. "I wasn't side-eying anyone. Maybe I just don't like sneaking around in the middle of the night."
Adrian smirked. "Yeah, because you're such a rule-follower. Remind me how you ended up here again?"
Reluctantly, Aiden sat up, shooting Adrian an unimpressed glare. "Fine. But next time, I'm charging you for my services as a late-night spy."
"Services? You've been here one night, and you're already acting like royalty again."
"Old habits die hard," Aiden quipped as he swung his legs off the bed. "You can take the boy out of the manor, but you can't take the manor out of the boy."
"Well, maybe you should try harder. Not everyone's impressed by your Chase act."
"Not everyone has to be. Just you."
"Unbelievable," Adrian muttered, turning toward the door. "Let's just go before I regret waking you up."
"Too late," Aiden said with a grin, grabbing the blanket and draping it over his shoulders like a cape. "Lead the way, oh fearless leader."
"You look ridiculous."
"And yet, somehow, I still manage to outshine you," Aiden said, gesturing at Adrian's mismatched pyjamas—a faded shirt and plaid trousers. "What are you even wearing? You look like you raided an old man's wardrobe."
"At least I don't look like I'm auditioning for some dramatic play," Adrian shot back, motioning to the blanket draped around Aiden.
"It's called fashion," Aiden said, flicking an imaginary speck off his blanket.
"It's called being stupid."
"Agree to disagree."
They reached the door and paused. Adrian shot him a serious look. "Okay, listen. No more jokes. We have to be quiet, or they'll hear us."
"Got it."
Adrian glared. "I mean it."
"Alright, alright," Aiden said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Silent as a shadow. Happy?"
"I'll be happy when you stop talking," Adrian grumbled, motioning for Aiden to follow him.
The two crept out of the room, their bickering fading into silence as they reached the stairs. A faint light glowed from the living room below, accompanied by the hushed voices of Vesper and Einya. Aiden and Adrian crouched near the edge of the staircase, straining to hear the conversation.
"Can you even hear what they're saying?" Aiden whispered.
"Not yet. Hold on," Adrian replied, leaning forward slightly.
Aiden rolled his eyes. "Great plan, genius. Let's just sit here until they see us."
"Would you shut up?" Adrian hissed. "Do you always complain this much?"
"Do you always act like you know everything?" Aiden shot back, but before Adrian could reply, Vesper's voice drifted up to them, cutting through their bickering.
"There were seventy-eight deaths today," Vesper said, his tone low and serious. "Different locations. But the one at 8 News—that was definitely the girl."
Both boys froze, their argument forgotten as they strained to hear more.
"This wasn't supposed to happen," Vesper continued, a sharp edge of frustration in his voice. "The plan was to keep the news hushed in the Chase residence-not to kill the entire station."
Einya's voice was calm but probing. "What about the other killings? Seventy-one from the station, but what about the seven in London Square?"
Vesper let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know. There must have been another group of Magi there. It's the only explanation."
Adrian and Aiden exchanged a look, the weight of Vesper's words sinking in. The deaths, the newspaper, the Chase residence- it was all connected, and none of it sounded good.
For once, neither boy had a snarky comment to offer. Instead, they retreated back to their room in tense silence, their earlier bickering now a distant memory.