Damovotsk, Molkovia, Earth.

Demian's P.O.V.

After an unknown amount of time, Sera's voice started resounding in his ears. “Babe, I've got a question.” To which he responded absentmindedly, still pondering over the new information he just acquired. “Yeah?” “I've been thinking about something... You didn't tell me if you could Soul Bond with multiple people...”

“I think I can, but why are you asking?” He turned his gaze toward her who still had her face toward the direction where her mother went. “How many times can you do it?” Shaking his head, he answered while becoming more and more suspicious as to the reason why she kept asking about that particular aspect of his power.

“I don't know. I just know for now I can only have one bond. But also that the more I grow in strength, the more people I can bond with. Well, 'know' may be a bit of an exaggeration. It's more like an intuition. It's similar to the way I knew how to bond with you earlier.” Turning her face toward him with a smile adorning her face, she asked. “The Entity didn't give you more info on your powers?”

“He was pretty vague about it. He said I'll find out about the details as I'll go along. More fun that way, he said.” Giggling at his words, she replied. “I'm really getting more and more curious about that 'guy'.” Smiling at her, he declared with confidence. “As long as we reach a certain level of power, we'll probably be able to meet 'him'.”

She let out a soft grunt in assent but did not continue talking. However, Demian was slightly curious. “Love, why did you ask about the number of Soul Bonds I can have?” Since he was not dense, he had an idea about the reason, but he still wanted to make sure.

She shook her head at his words and stated. “Just something I'm hesitating about. I'll let you know when I've made my decision. You also need to tell me when you get access to a new bond.” Stroking her hand gently with his thumb, he responded softly with all the gentleness he could muster. “Will do, Love.”

She had a weak smile on her face and from the bond, the young man could sense the struggle happening in his lover's mind. He could easily guess its cause, but he chose to not comment on it. A tacit agreement seemed to have been established between the two of them and he did not want to break it. That and it would be too awkward. 'I'll wait for her to mention it. That's a bit spineless on my part, but no one's perfect...' He thought, both amused and embarrassed at his own reaction.

The tilt of his charming lover's head betrayed her curiosity at what she was certainly feeling from the bond. However, just like him, she did not speak a word about it and instead chose to chat about mundane subjects, like which stores they should visit to get their new furniture to replace the missing ones.

Around 10 minutes later, the two noticed Adeliya and Bryn coming back from the balcony, Demian visually and Sera with the noises they were making. The young man observed his older cousin's face and spotted disappointment hidden through a mask of indifference. Of course, it was only because he knew her well, coupled with the previous conversation that he could recognize it.

In any case, no one mentioned what happened previously, and instead, Adeliya started with the statement. “We need to deal with Petrovich and find out his true reason as to why he's targeting us so fiercely. Do you have any idea, sweetie?” She said while her face was turned toward the tall and muscular woman.

The latter pondered for a moment before saying. “About your second question, I think I've got a clue, but it's nothing certain.” “We're listening.” Her mother said. A sigh escaped his oldest cousin before she explained. “Remember that Danilovich guy?” Tilting her head in confusion, Adeliya asked. “The one from Molvograd?”

Nodding her head, Bryn responded. “That's him. He's been bothering me for years to work for him...” “What?! You told me he gave up after the first time!” Adeliya exclaimed indignantly. “I... lied.” Looking at the fuming look on her mother's face, she quickly continued. “Mom, I just didn't want you to worry about it. I can defend myself well enough!”

Rubbing her face, his Aunt's anger seemed to vanish as she commented helplessly. “Against the people like Petrovich maybe. But against a Circle's officer from Molvograd? I doubt it.” The confusion on Bryn's face was mirrored on the other two's faces, prompting Adeliya to explain herself.

“The Crimson Circle is... scary. Don't believe that you're at the top of the world just because the media says you are. There are many people as strong as you or stronger working for the Crimson Circle and The Organizatsya.” She paused to let the information sink in. “Of course, people like Petrovich don't have access to those people. Only at the level of officers do they have that privilege.”

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Bryn however did not look convinced as she retorted. “But if that's the case, then why didn't they do anything that drastic before? They'd just need to send someone of that level to take care of us then.” Tapping her chin, Adeliya looked as confused as the others. “That's what I don't understand. Normally you'd be right. But Petrovich only started acting a month ago... There's something fishy going on and we don't have enough information to find out what it is exactly...”

Her words plunged the other three into a pensive silence until Demian intervened. “Actually, it's useless to waste our time thinking about it. It's better to find someone who does have that information.” Cocking her eyebrow, his beautiful Aunt replied. “You mean Petrovich.” It was a statement and not a question.

Nodding his head he stated. “That's exactly who I mean. Everything comes down to him. If we take him down, we both get rid of a threat and get access to some higher-level information. Of course, if Big Sis is right about that Danilovich guy, we'd still not be safe. But it's a start.” His explanation elicited nods from the three women before Sera questioned.

“But now we need to find a way to get him. I mean, he's probably protected by a few bodyguards. And if we act when there are people around, I'm pretty sure we'd instantly be arrested by the police.” Bryn then claimed. “I could probably take care of the bodyguards alone if they're at the same level as last time. But if they're close to my level, it'll become difficult.”

Scratching his cheek offhandedly, Demian started thinking out loud. “To be as safe as possible, we need to expect the worst. In this case, what's the worst configuration?” To which Adeliya replied. “For him to have one or more Supes with him. Even just one would be enough to destroy us, unless...” Her voice fell into a whisper as she looked at Demian and added after a second of silence.

“Unless the Supe in question is a Telepath. In that case, Dem could easily take care of him or her thanks to his Mind Shield. The three of us would still be in danger though.” Briefly glancing at Sera before turning back to him, Adeliya then asked a question that seemed crucially important. “Since you've both got the Soul Bond. Does that mean that Sera's protected as well?”

Nodding his head, he replied. “As far as I know, yes. Of course, since I don't have any telepathic power, I can't be certain.” “Noted.” She replied before Sera interrupted. “You know, if it's the worst that can happen, then it's not that hard to avoid that possibility.”

“You got an idea?” Bryn asked while the three were intently listening. “Simple. We just need to gather information as to what his habits are. Then we find a way to bring the guy to the place of our choosing. Then we snatch him. Easy, isn't it?” Chuckling at her question, the young man replied with a teasing remark.

“I guess reading all those novels and watching all those TV series and movies paid off, didn't they?” His words drew an adorable frown on her face after which she retorted with a semi-angry tone. “I'm serious, Dem! If we gather information, then plan and finally act, we'll be safe.”

Letting out a sigh at her reaction, he squeezed her hand softly and said in a gentle tone. “I didn't mean to say your way was bad, Love. It's just that anything could go wrong if we follow your plan. No, we need something more definitive. Something that can at least alleviate the danger if things go to shit during the snatching part.”

The frown on Sera's face seemed to evaporate after he explained himself before Adeliya and Bryn looked at him with an interested look, while the former asked. “From your words, you seem to have a solution.” Nodding his head, he replied. “I do. It's not perfect since there are cons to it, but it's the best one I came up with.”

Pausing for a second to gather his thoughts, he then continued. “The best way I see is for me to grow thanks to my physiology perk. Not only that but by abusing my soul perk, Sera will grow alongside me. If we both reach around Big Sis Level in terms of strength, then that means we'll be a lot safer. Although Sera might not be able to fight because of her eyes, she would still be a lot less vulnerable.”

Gazing at the three, he added. “Of course, we should use Sis' method of gathering information and planning afterward at the same time.” His words brought pensive looks on all three women's faces for a while before Bryn stated. “If we wait, we'd expose ourselves to any attack from Petrovich. Did you consider that?”

Nodding his head, Demian retorted. “I did. But it's actually a 'good' thing. At least, we know what to expect from the guy: Normal goons with pistols. I'm guessing the most he could muster would be automatic rifles. It's dangerous, I admit, but it's much better than risking having a Supe from the Capital against us.”

“That makes sense.” She replied, halting for a brief moment before asking. “So, we do nothing.” Gazing at the three women, the young man exclaimed. “Unless you girls have a better idea?” They all shook their heads at his question, prompting him to continue. “Training it is then! But before that, why don't we go get new furniture. It feels weird to be in the living room without being able to lie on the sofa.”

His joking remark made Adeliya and Sera chuckle while Bryn only smiled in amusement. 'She seems calmer but I doubt she's gotten over everything. I hope she'll feel better soon. I don't like seeing her like that...' He thought while surreptitiously glancing at his oldest cousin's face.

Shaking his head to remove his useless thoughts, he declared while standing up. “I'll go get dressed.” “I'm coming with you!” Sera claimed hastily, bringing a smile to both him and his Aunt, the latter echoing his statement about changing clothes. It only took a few minutes for everyone to ready themselves and reach the entrance door.

Locking the door behind them, they quickly reached their personal garage after using their elevator and arriving underground. While the group was walking to reach the Toyota's side, Adeliya threw a glance at the Chevrolet Impala and remarked with a smile adorning her face. “While we're outside, we might as well go to a driving school to sign you up, Dem. With your driving proficiency, it won't take that long for you to get your license.”

Nodding his head firmly, he exclaimed. “With what happened yesterday, I completely forgot about that! But you're right, as long as the school doesn't make me waste too much time, then I'll get the license quickly.” As the four entered the Rav4, Adeliya replied. “Don't worry about that. I know someone who owns a driving school that can help with that. You'll need to show them your skills first, but I'm sure they won't make you go through the 'mandatory' 20 hours of driving.”

“That'd be perfect!” He replied while the car started moving toward their next destination.