Seren waited in the pantry until they heard Wilbur and his mother leave. The brought the chili flakes to Kalyani who took them in confusion.

“Oh, I don’t actually need this love. I was just trying to save you from that boy’s ignorance.” Kalyani said, putting the jar on the counter. “We all know Lord Asche has something up his sleeve for you taking over everything.”

“Out of pity.” Seren said numbly.

“No.” Kalyani said sternly. Turning around and kneeling down to look them in the eye. “He has never pitied you. You don’t need pity. You are a force of nature and never once has Lord Asche envied you. Only admired how much drive and passion you have.” Seren stared at her numbly only to hear a scream from the main hall. The two of them ran to the entry hall, meeting Mrs. Houper and Eric at the stairs.

“Something stung me!” Lady Summers screamed. Holding her neck.

“Ow!” Wilbur yelled, suddenly slapping his shoulder. “It just stung me!”

“You should leave!” Seren yelled, suddenly all eyes turned to them. “I thought I saw a nest of wasps in the doorframe. You might have disturbed them.”

“I hate this house!” Their aunt screamed and yanked Wilbur out of the house. Seren let out a breath and tried to creep away upstairs before anyone noticed.

“Serenity.” Eric turned. “What was that?”

“I saw a nest. I didn’t think it was in a place where it’d bother anyone.” Seren said, choosing their words carefully. “But I guess her screaming proved me wrong.”

“In that case, call an exterminator.” Eric said warily to Mrs. Houper. “Seren?”

“Mm-hmm?” Seren clapped their hands together and rocked anxiously back and forth.

“Is there something you wanna tell me?” He asked in that knowing tone that made Seren sweat. They looked in his eyes, trying to figure out what he knew, if he knew and was giving them a chance to come clean.

“I don’t think so?” Seren said finally. Knowing how unsure they sounded. “I can’t think of anything I know that you don’t already?” They knew that was cheap, but it was the only thing they could think of to say that wasn’t just admitting to everything.

“Okay, if, you’re sure.” Eric said, still staring. Seren wondered if he knew something was up but needed proof.

“I am. I’m going to change now; I fell asleep before I could.” Seren said, retreating upstairs as fast as they could. Their door was now wide open, and they feared their secret was found out. They ran into their room and shut the door. Looking at the nest.

“I need the Waterbearer, now.” Seren said, storming over to the nest. The sprites hummed aggressively but the Waterbearer appeared.

“Look, I’ll let you guys stay here and I’m glad you guys are so prepared to protect me. But we need some ground rules.”

“Ground rules?” The Waterbearer asked. “I’m not familiar.”

“It means we need to have an understanding about when you can and can’t defend me. I’m able to defend myself in most if not all circumstances and I don’t need protection from my.” Seren paused, hesitating at calling the Summers their family. “Look. You can’t attack people that come in the house unless I specifically call for you to help me. Okay? Can we agree on that?”

“What about the nest?” The Waterbearer asked. Seren looked at it and consented.

“You can defend this room. That’s fair.” Seren said. “Can we agree?”

“Yes, we agree. I shall tell my warriors.” The Waterbearer said. “But you must understand, you will have ladies who will follow you in case you are in peril.”

“Ah.” Seren sighed holding their face. “Okay. Fine.”

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“Wonderful.” The Waterbearer returned to her nest and Seren shook their head, this was quickly becoming a nightmare. They grabbed their pajamas ready to get comfortable and spend the rest of the evening in the library rereading their favorite comfort book. Wandering into the bathroom to change.

“Dinner!” Mrs. Houper called up the stairs after Seren had finished changing.

“Coming!” Seren called back. Ducking into their room and tossing their clothes onto their bed. Though not everything made it onto the bed. As they came down the stairs they paused, thinking about the staff trying to clean their room and getting attacked.

“Mrs. Houper?” Seren said, realizing too late their voice was way too loud.

“Yes?” She asked surprised. Seren cleared their throat.

“I don’t want anyone going in my room. Not even to clean it. Please.” They said, trying to sound commanding and not like a whiny petulant teen.

“Oh. Sure. Any reason why?” Mrs. Houper asked.

“Because.” Seren said but couldn’t think of a reason. “Because I don’t want them to.”

“Alright, I’ll pass the word around.” Mrs. Houper said and nodded. They held their head high as they walked into the dining room where Eric was already standing and watching them worriedly.

“Is everything all right?” He asked. “You’re being awfully secretive.”

“No, I’m not.” Seren said quickly. Holding their jaw closed tightly. “This is normal. Completely normal. Dinner?” They sat down at their spot and began serving themself food.

“Serenity, if something’s bothering you. You can talk about it.” Eric said. “Mrs. Houper is always around to listen to you. You can trust her.” Seren smiled.

“Yeah, I know. She’s always around when I need her. But I don’t right now.” Seren insisted. “I mean it, I’m okay. Just. Growing I guess.”

“If you’re sure.” Eric said, still watching their face. Seren shrugged tiredly. Eating slowly. “How was working with Wilbur? Honest thoughts.”

“Heh.” Seren scoffed, nearly choking. “He doesn’t have it. Not a bit of enforcer material in him. Both too aggressive and too soft. Never stepped foot outside the Summer district. I don’t think he’s tried foods that aren’t completely bland and tasteless based solely on how pathetic his spice palette is. That boy doesn’t even know what good coffee or tea tastes like.”

“His mother does tend to keep him close.” Eric agreed. “He seems to be taking to exploration rather well.”

“Yeah, that’s good for holidays, not great for collections. You need to read people. Gauge when force is needed, what kind of force, and how much force. This guy couldn’t read a book, much less a person.” Seren said. Rolling their eyes. “Please tell me I don’t need to take him with me again tomorrow.”

“You won’t.” Eric said. But he was avoiding looking at them in the face. Seren looked at them curiously.

“Are you okay?” They asked.

“Yeah, just thinking.” Eric said. Staring hard at the table. Seren went back to their own dinner and left it alone. Finishing up their dinner in relative silence.

“Okay, I’m finished. I’ll take in my dishes and head upstairs.” Seren said. Standing up and taking their dishes with them into the kitchen.

“Hey there kid, did you get enough to eat?” Kalyani asked as she cleaned up the dishes.

“Yeah, it was good.” Seren said robotically. Putting their dishes in the sink.

“Still bothered by what he said to you?” Kalyani asked, Seren couldn’t open their mouth.

“I’m pretty tired. I think I’m just going to go upstairs and go to bed.” Seren said and left without answering. From upstairs they could hear the adults at the bottom of the stairs talking.

“It’s strange right?” Eric asked. “They’re hiding something. I’m going to search their room.”

“No,” Mrs. Houper said. “They’re just going through puberty. This is normal. I’ve had this happen before with you and with my own children. Kids their age need privacy, the guarantee of privacy. Trust them. That’s all they want.”

“But. That’s not normal for them!” Eric insisted.

“It might be. Their cousin did have some insensitive words for them earlier.” Kalyani said.

“Insensitive things? Like what?” Eric asked, Seren could hear his temper rising.

“He said you only adopted them out of pity and that when HE inherits everything, he’ll make sure they stay on as the enforcer.” Kalyani said. “I think it’s really gotten to them.”

“Perhaps it’s coupling with something ELSE said recently?” Mrs. Houper said with a very intentional tone. There was silence.

“What about just trying to talk to them?” Eric asked.

“You could try. Teens can be stubborn; they also might soon be going through… changes.” Mrs. Houper said.

“Chan- oh.” Eric sounded small. “I am not prepared for that.”

“I gave them enough to… staunch the flow. But if they aren’t prepared, they might get very upset. Whenever you think the time is right, but their behavior might be indicative of the storm coming.” Mrs. Houper said cryptically. Seren tried to figure out what they were talking about. What storm? Why would they be upset?

“Right.” Eric sighed. Seren got the feeling they would soon be discovered if they didn’t move soon. They quietly went straight to the bathroom and started the water. They felt all sorts of squeamish and uncomfortable. They started to undress to take a bath and avoid being social for just a little bit but as they went to put their clothes in the hamper, they froze solid.