Picking up Arlo's severed hand, Barlin then said, "We will still be staying here, awaiting Her Lordship's next command. If she bestows upon you an opportunity to atone, you must seize it and not disappoint her again."

All Arlo could do was nod in agreement.

"Yes, Elder Barlin. I will do my best…" He said, his voice muted as he continued, "I thank you for your mercy..."

Still, he knew very well that Barlin had been more than kind—he felt no pain on the stump that used to be his left hand.

It was all thanks to Barlin's Reiki protection, otherwise, the excruciating pain the moment his left hand was cut as well as the healing process would have made him wish he were dead.

For Barlin's part, he couldn't bring himself to speak the truth—having been in Nigeria for a while, he knew very well that Arlo was being unfairly blamed.

Instead, he said, "We are all Griffins, so gratitude is unnecessary. As stated before, the three of us will remain in seclusion here. Take care."

"You will rema