The landscape continued to morph as we journeyed on, transitioning from expansive plains to dense forests punctuated by winding roads. A few hours into the drive, hunger pangs began to announce themselves, and as if on cue, we stumbled upon a sign that read, "Molly's Diner - Homemade Eats."

Molly's was every bit the vintage charm you'd expect from a small-town diner. With its faded pastel blue paint and neon sign featuring a flipping pancake, it beckoned travelers and locals alike.

Parking the RV, we stepped into the diner, which buzzed with life. Locals exchanged gossip while travelers like us sought a respite from the road. Christi's eyes darted around, taking in the scene with wonder.

The jovial waitress, adorned in a polka-dotted apron, gestured towards an open booth. "Seat yourself wherever you fancy," she called out.

Settling into a booth by the window, I eagerly scanned the menu. "I'm craving some chicken and waffles," I told Christi with a twinkle in my eye. "It's been ages since I had some, they are my favorite.”

Christi seemed amused. "Chicken... and waffles? With gravy?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "It's a comfort dish for me. You're in for a treat."

As the waitress approached, I didn't even glance at the menu. "I will take a double order of chicken and waffles for me, please. And whatever she wants" I emphasized. Christi opted for a stack of pancakes with bacon on the side.

The aroma wafted over before the plate even landed in front of me. But as I eyed my dish, confusion set in. Beside the plate sat a bottle of Log Cabin syrup. "Where's the gravy?" I lamented.

Christi tried to suppress her laughter. "Looks like they serve it the other way here."

The waitress, overhearing my remark, chipped in apologetically, "Oh, honey, around these parts, we pair it with syrup. But I can get you some gravy if you'd like."

I smiled, a touch embarrassed. "It's fine. I should've specified. I'm just used to having it with gravy back home."

Giving the syrupy version a go, I found the sweet and savory mix intriguing, though my heart still yearned for the gravy.

As we wrapped up our meal, we transitioned from light-hearted banter about the diner's retro aesthetic to discussing the next steps in our plan.

"The cabin's not much further," I began, taking a sip of my coffee. "It's nestled deep in the woods, quite secluded. Perfect for training and laying low. And Damon's pack will be nearby, keeping a vigilant watch."

Christi nodded, soaking in the details. "It sounds exciting. I can’t wait to see where we are going to live."

Exiting the diner after thanking our waitress, the sun was beginning its descent, painting the world in a soft gold. The promise of a new chapter awaited, and with renewed spirits, we headed towards our cabin sanctuary.

The winding roads led us deeper into the forest. The dense canopy above filtered the setting sun's light into playful patterns on the asphalt. As the miles continued, the bustle of civilization seemed a distant memory.

"Christi," I began, hands firmly on the wheel, "there's something I should tell you about the cabin. I had it built a few years ago as a kind of... escape. You know, when things in the city got too noisy."

Her eyes widened with curiosity, "Is it big?"

I smiled, biting my lip a bit. "Well, when I say 'cabin,' I might be underselling it slightly."

Her face lit up with excitement. "Like a castle?"

"Something like that," I teased.

And she soon found out.

As we approached the property, the 'cabin' began to reveal itself. Standing majestically among the trees, the log mansion towered over the surrounding forest, seamlessly blending luxury with the rugged beauty of nature. Grand windows stretched from floor to ceiling, capturing the essence of the woods. An expansive balcony wrapped around the upper floor, offering panoramic views of the landscape.

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Christi pressed her face to the window, eyes round as saucers. "That's... our cabin? It's like a giant treehouse!"

I chuckled. "It's been my secret hideaway, but I've never actually stayed here since it was built."

Her jaw dropped in awe, "It's so cool! It's like... like a fairy-tale house!"

Driving up the stone-paved driveway, state-of-the-art security cameras tracked our movement, their subtle presence reassuring me of the place's security. I had spared no expense in ensuring the cabin was both comfortable and safe.

Stepping inside, we were greeted by a grand entrance hall, with polished wooden floors reflecting the soft light of modern chandeliers. The living area boasted comfy sofas, a huge stone fireplace, and a wall of windows that let the outside in. The kitchen had all the shiny gadgets, and the dining area looked like it was straight out of a princess movie.

We walked through the rooms, Christi's little footsteps echoing with wonder. Every so often, she'd exclaim at a new discovery – the big bathtub, the fluffy beds, the indoor pool. "This is the bestest house ever, Mara!" she declared, her eyes sparkling with amazement.

After the tour, we settled in the living area, the comfort of the place wrapping around us. "We're gonna have so many adventures here!" Christi chirped, her imagination already running wild.

I pulled her into a gentle hug. "Yes, we are. This is our safe spot, Christi. Our very own enchanted castle in the woods."

And as night cloaked our fortress in the woods, the promise of safety, imagination, and new beginnings filled the air.

I settled into the plush sofa, the fireplace casting a gentle, flickering light over the room. "Christi," I began, trying to make my voice as soft and comforting as possible, "we can spend a few days just relaxing if you want. We could watch movies, play some games, you know? Just chill out and get comfortable. You deserve it before everything gets intense."

Christi, her small feet not even touching the ground from the chair, looked up at me with those big, eager eyes. "But, Mara, I wanna start now! I feel all weird inside and I wanna know why! Can we please start?"

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her enthusiasm. "Alright, little one. Here's the plan: Tomorrow, we’ll start with the sunrise, and we won’t stop until sunset. We’ll start with basic exercises – think jumping, running, and some fun games that’ll help you get stronger. As you get used to it, we’ll introduce some weights. And once you're ready, we'll venture out into the forest. The trees, the hills – all of it will be our special training ground. But remember, we’ll always take breaks, especially when you're tired or hungry. And if at any point it gets too much, you have to promise to tell me, okay?”

Christi’s pigtails bounced as she nodded eagerly. "I promise! But... um, what about the other stuff? The... magic stuff?"

"The demonic and divine powers," I clarified, "They’re... complex. Kind of like superpowers. But together, we’ll ensure you harness and control them. Without the kind of training I'm offering, it might take you several decades to learn – like until you're much older – to fully grasp their potential. But with my methods, by the time you're even thinking about college, you’ll be more than ready."

She scrunched up her little face, deep in thought. "That's really far away. But okay! I trust you."

I couldn't help but smile warmly. That trust meant everything. "You’re incredibly brave, Christi." Pulling out my phone, I began ordering all the supplies we’d need. "For our training sessions, we’ll need some special equipment and tools. They’ll be delivered to us in drones!”

Her eyes widened in excitement. "Flying boxes? That's so cool!"

I chuckled, "Absolutely! You'll see. Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow, our grand adventure begins."

Christi, though visibly excited about the training and flying boxes, was clearly drained. The events of the day, combined with the cozy ambiance of the room, were weighing heavily on her eyelids. "Mara," she murmured, "can you maybe... tuck me in?" "Of course, sweetie," I replied, guiding her to the bedroom just off the main room. As I pulled the covers up to her chin, her eyes were already closing. "Goodnight, Mara. See you at sunrise." "Goodnight, Christi. Dream sweet dreams."

Returning to the main room, I continued to scroll through my phone, ordering equipment, planning the week’s meals, and even checking weather forecasts to ensure our outdoor training wouldn’t be hampered. Just as I was finalizing an order, a notification appeared at the top of my screen.

New Email: [Anonymous]

I hesitated, cautious. Tapping on the notification, an email expanded on the screen. It contained no text, just a video attachment. Curiosity piqued, I played the clip.

The footage was grainy, likely captured from a distant security camera, but the location was unmistakable: the ruined building in central Pittsburgh that I had recently destroyed during Christi’s rescue. As the video continued, a familiar figure walked into view – Braman. His dark, confident stride was a dead giveaway, even in the low-quality footage.

As he surveyed the wreckage, he gestured to unseen figures off-camera. Moments later, several men joined him, pointing and discussing some unclear topic. What was clear, however, was Braman's involvement in Christi's abduction and on top of the slave trade he was already part of.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. The game was much bigger and more dangerous than I had initially thought. It wasn’t just about Christi; she was just one piece of a much larger puzzle. And Braman was at the center of it all.

Staring at the now blank screen, thoughts raced through my mind. How had he managed to track Christi in the first place? Why her? And what was his endgame?

The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon me. With Christi under my wing, we were targets. As protective as I felt toward her, I was also inadvertently placing her in the crosshairs of Braman’s schemes.

Sitting back on the plush sofa, I contemplated our next steps. We were no longer just training for Christi's abilities; we were preparing for a looming confrontation.

Outside, the wind rustled through the trees, and I made a silent vow to myself: No harm would come to Christi while I was around. Whatever Braman had planned, he would have to go through me first.