LANCE COULDN'T help but feel as though he had forgotten something. It's an itch at the back of his mind that never goes away. He tried to ignore it while treading the path he took with the Old Sy but the man's appearance only made him more troubled than he already is at the moment.

The old man lost weight drastically. It even looked tragic now that he's clad in a large lump of cloth. He still smell like rotten plants. It's suspicious why he still needs these medicinal plants if he has a heightened immunity because of his shifter genes.


'Maybe it's because he's old?' Lance gave the old man a smile and asked, "I don't hear you speaking to me casually. Is there anything wrong? Are you uncomfortable with me?

"Oh... " The man looked beyond relief. His toothy smile welcomed Lance' eyes. "You look nice. Like an obedient kid. You talk to me sometimes unlike that Joaquin inside that cabin. Tell... tell you. I gotta warn you about him."

"Ah, so he's the one who offended you?" Lance wouldn't believe it. "That's strange. He's never bad with people. He's kind. Maybe you were mistaken?"


"That's what he lets you guys see but in private, he hates everyone. Even the kids! He often hurts them! I was just afraid to go out and save them!" He talked nonstop. The chappy lips was filled with crack. "He tried to poison me once with food but I threw it away by the window. I've seen vile people but no one compares to his lack of empathy towards an old man!"

Lance stopped dead on his tracks and inhaled deeply. "That's truly horrifying. I'd never imagine him doing that."


'He's not lying.' Lance was baffled with this revelation. 'How come he can spout these words without reeking of lies?'

"Can you elaborate the things you've heard inside the room? I work for him outside. So I never really got the chance to witness it in person," he asked with a concerned appearance. The man looked grateful to him. Seems like he's been waiting to tell this to somebody. He blabbered without hesitation.

"He's forcing the children to be quiet! They were all crying because the food stinks like poison but he forced them to eat! He said something about being the most powerful blue wolf, whatever that is. I can swear to god right now, Lance, that that man is crazy!"

Lance didn't turn his back to face him. He would not be able to stop the hate from spreading on his face. Anyone who talks like that about Joaquin won't receive respect from him. "Since when did you start suspecting Joaquin? I never see you talking to him or the kids."

"From the day I met him. I can't come close to them now. You should've seen how that man looks at me like he's planning something bad. You know, I'm easily scared." The Old Sy grinned. The uncomfortable twitch of his fingers made everything more eerie than it probably should. "Fortunately, I had someone telling me what I need to know. They can never be wrong. Joaquin is a freak, Lance. I'm warning you now before you sacrifice your life for nothing. I know you work for him."

'The way Joaquin looks at you? But he's blind.'

He had an inkling that the Old Sy is hiding something from them. He's been stuck in illusions created by someone who's clearly capable of breaking the protective barrier of this place. That scares Lance. It was stupid to leave Joaquin and the children alone with a man like this. He might hurt them because it was the voice's order to him.

'I need to alert his father.' Lance has no control over this. He needs help to decide what's best.

Adarmus had once old him that he doesn't need to come to his home unless Joaquin is in a dire situation. A powerful person is involved and he had no idea who could target Joaquin this close. He knew that Joaquin is a rare blue wolf. This has to be an emergency.

THE SOLEMN room had a monotonous sound of footsteps invading Adarmus' time alone to think. He raised his head and stared directly at Lance's eyes. The child never changed that much. Adarmus squinted. "I'm busy. Tell him I'm not available. I'll come visit him next week."

Lance huffed. "This is not about that. You were never a responsible father anyway. Last night, an old man reported hearing altered voices where Joaquin is hurting the children in the cabin. I know that can never be true. The old man has a thick scent of medicinal plants around him and he's been losing weight since the day he came to Joaquin's house. You know as well as I do that these are the symptoms of being controlled."

Adarmus lowered his head. The large sofa he's currently sat has an alluring color of gold and glitters. He looked like a diety. His pensive tone distracted Lance. "What if Joaquin is really hurting them? What if the one who was wrong is him and not the old man?"

Adarmus will be shocked but he wouldn't say that he never expected it. Joaquin is a good kid. But he doesn't know the things that might delude his mind and make him a villain. 'It runs in his blood.'

Lance couldn't believe what he just heard. "Adarmus, can you fucking hear yourself? He's your son! You know him! How can he do that?"

'Good. What a great surprise!' He gnashed his teeth. 'I came here for nothing. Was this supposed to go and let the situation rise? This is about Joaquin!'

"As you've said, he's my son. I know him and the things he's able to do." He smiled wanly. "It's just a possibility, why do you have to make me look bad, Lance? I'm his father."

Lance laughed. "Then act like a real one."

Adarmus shut his mouth and glared at him. He knew the person who's possibly the mastermind of this mess. No one can break into his barrier unnoticed except when it's 'Him'. He always know his weakness. 'He' always make Adarmus feel inferior to him.

'Are you really going to hurt him to get the retaliation that you want?' He bit his lips. The taste of blood disgusted him. "What do I do with him, Lance? What do I do? Tell me."

"Show yourself to him." The kid ranted. "Stop hiding in this apathetic environment and visit your son! He needs your protection right now."

Lance's mind has a one track mind for making sure Joaquin is fine. It has been imbeded in his soul. Adarmus couldn't defend himself to the kid. He would never understand his side.

"You don't even look convinced. Why ask if you won't consider it?"

"He's successfully mated now, right?" He asked, "How did it go?"

"They are unbelievably happy with each other. He's smiling more often now."

Adarmus became relieved. "That woman is not bad. She's thoughtful."

Lance shook his head. "You're not going to do something with this issue?"

'He wants to meet his son.' Adarmus fixed the hem of his clothes. 'Why would I stop him?'

"Go back but don't tell Joaquin about this. Let me handle this myself. He's going to waste his time thinking about unesessary things." He sighed. "I'll fix the wards this evening. I'll tell you what time. Someone can break through the blood pact that I made. This only means I need yours to strengthen the foundation of the barrier."

"Someone can break through your blood sacrifice?" Lance paled. He swallowed. "Is it... is it Joaquin's mother? Is she going back to finally see him? She can get pass the barrier using her blood connection with Joaquin. That— oh, god."

"Why are you excited? You think this is a good omen? No. That person tried to control someone inside into hurting Joaquin. Do you think they can be trusted?"

Adarmus flexed his fingers. "Go home and don't stare at Joaquin when you get back. You have an itchy mouth. You tend to tell him everything. Remember who's your real boss."

He extended his arms to touch Lance's forehead. Light bursted from his fingers. It transferred to Lance in a steady manner. The kid didn't flinch. His eyes is open but they were unfocused.

"You're being too nosy." Adarmus said, "I should have removed that when I created you, Lance. Curiosity was never a good sign."

Adarmus knew that so well. He's still facing the consequences 'til now. "It's not late to modify you, right?"

He smiled. Adarmus could not. He lost his right to Lance when the kid died last time. Now only the Fates can decide to extend or shorten his life.

'I can't get close to Joaquin and Lance is not mine anymore.' It's not going to be a lie to say that he only has himself now.

'It's going to be okay tomorrow.'

Lance left with an uncomfortable expression. Transferring powers can be painful sometimes. The kid never benefitted from it but he willingly does it for Joaquin.

'Did I break you too, Lance? The way I destroyed my own son?'

He's scared to know the answer.