They retired to their rooms shortly after, on edge. Xavier checked Gaia’s room, then their room, then motioned Alaric and Thea in. “I’ll wait outside,” Xavier said. “I know you need some time alone.” “Thanks, Zay,” Alaric and Thea said. Thea attacked Alaric as soon as he shut the door. He attacke

After the group ate breakfast the next morning, they went out to the backyard. Gaia sat by a tree and leaned against it, meditating. Xavier sat in the grass and started absorbing Life from the Earth. Thea and Alaric stripped, shifted, and ran around the yard to stretch their legs. After a while,

“Thank you,” he said slowly. “Bronson,” John said. Bronson looked over at him. “John,” he said. “I can see you.” John went to him and took his hand. It seemed to calm him further. “How long?” “Only two years,” John said, emotion in his voice. Bronson smiled at him. “But how?” “A gift,” John sai

“What triggered the change? How did it happen?” Bronson said. “He offered himself to her,” Xavier said. “The change started when she accepted.” He wondered if that’s what had happened to him. He was devoted to Thea as soon as she fixed his brain. Thea felt responsible for him even before that. Ther

“Ugh!” Thea stomped her feet as she pumped in their room the next morning. “Don’t they have air conditioning here? Fans? I’d take a fan.” Alaric and Xavier looked at her with concern. “I can go find out,” Xavier said. “No. I’m sorry. I think I’m just irritable being away from Kai and Con.” Al