THE MANOR RESTS IN SERENE STILLNESS. While conversation was scarce the silence was far from empty. The gentle rustle of a breeze made its way through the partially open windows it carried in the sweet fragrance of flowers from the garden. The occasional crackle of embers in the fireplace, where a dwindling fire emitted a warm comforting glow.

Weary and worn out the witches found solace within the manor. Sylvia and Santiago rested in the bedrooms upstairs.

Etienne had yet to leave Sylvia’s side and could be heard from time to time limping down the hall on his crutches to check in on the boy as well. Most of the others had returned home after the police finished questioning them.

Settled into the breakfast nook in an upholstered chair Guadalupe stirred her coffee with a quick word of thanks to the red-haired girl for bringing her more sugar.

This was the safest place by far to regroup.

Rosenia had made no complaints about welcoming them into their home. Even when Eliana appeared on her doorstep she did not voice any opposition.

The woman stopped in the door as Rosenia led her to the kitchen.

Lupe met the gaze of her former rival. “Eliana.”

“Guadalupe.” She replied flatly, her heels clicked against the hardwood as she settled in opposite her on the round table. “How is he?”

“Resting. He’ll recover, he always does.” Lupe cradled the warm mug in her palms. “He shouldn’t have to deal with this mess. He’s just a kid.”

“From what I’ve seen of Santiago, he hasn’t been a child for a long time.” Eliana said.

Lupe’s eyes watered.

“Hey, give her a break.” Alejo said sternly.

“She’s a grown woman who can fight her own battles. It’s about time she started to.” Eliana gaze fixed sourly on her.

“It’s fine Alejo. She’s right.” Lupe said, “I’m not a good mother. I’ve failed him in so many ways. He suffered more than he ever should have had to because of my pride.”

No matter how bad things got. Guadalupe had always told herself that in keeping Santiago away from the world his father tried so hard to escape that she was doing right by Vicente. Now as her son laid upstairs after nearly dying a third time there were no delusions or substances that could change the reality of how badly she had failed.

Mia set a cup in front of Eliana, filling it with the steaming liquid. Before she pulled up a chair next to Rosenia.

“This is only the beginning.” Rosenia interjected soberly, “If we are to protect him in the inevitable battles yet to come, we need to work together. For the sake of these children, we need to put aside our differences.”

“I’m perfectly capable of despising you both and still working competently as a team.” Eliana shrugged, “I digress, for the children I will at least act as those I don’t want to skin the two of you.”

“The devil you know, and all that.” Alejo snorted.

Eliana frowned.

“I think we’re going to need something stronger than coffee.” Mia quickly excused herself.

“We need to look into the benefactor for these witches.” Rosenia said.

“Benefactors.” Eliana corrected. “The three stooges were all pledged to the Shen.”

They were an old family, with a reach that extended across the continent. Even out in the states their name held enough weight to make a threat. They have long been set in their ways. Never started a conflict yet were quick and efficient in ending one. Further down the line Eliana knew they would either be a hindrance or an ally depending on how Santiago was able to leverage his fathers ties with them.

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Louis, however, was a turncoat. He had spurned the Shen in favor of a generous offer given by the same person who hired Wes. That in itself was interesting to Eliana. The pool of potential enemies dwindled significantly in the face of convincing anyone to turn on the ancient family.

“Shen? Vicente was always on good terms with them.” Guadalupe said clearly taken aback.

“And they remain so. Apparently, they were under orders to refrain from using lethal force to bring Santiago in. Clearly Louis didn’t follow those instructions.” Eliana said dismissively. “I reached out to Hong-Chie about it, and he fessed up quickly. They were going to bind the boy.”

“Why?” Alejo asked not even fully understanding what binding meant.

“To take away the threat while also not murdering the son of a former friend.” Said Eliana. “Shen family’s memory is long. Make a friend in them, you and your kin will never cease to receive their blessings. Make an enemy of them and they will ensure your bloodline ends.”

“How did they even know about Santiago?” Guadalupe said.

“When he awakened for the first time. They have their ways of sensing these things.” Said Eliana.

Without the shielding of the pendant that power was likely felt by others. It was a hard truth all of them understood far too well.

Rosenia sighed, “Then this Wesley was hired for the simple purpose of stealing his powers.”

Worse still was the very public show that became of the battle. Footage of the incident was all over the internet. Santiago’s face plastered for the world to see. A face anyone who had ever known Vicente would recognize.

The difference was Santiago did not command the fear and respect that his father did.

From what Rosenia could tell of Eliana’s demeanor they shared the same fear.

His burgeoning power would invite challenge. Not all of which he was capable of handling. Some not even they would be able to.

“As soon as he wakes up, we’re going to be on a flight back home.” Eliana said.

“No.” Santiago said, leaning heavily in the doorway.

Lupe rushed to him. The boy winced as she looped an arm around him to support his weight. “You should be in bed!”

“I’m fine. A little sore, but I’ll live.” Santiago ambled over easing into the seat, “I’m not leaving. I can’t protect anyone if I’m a thousand miles away. Whoever is after me, knows me. Knows things about me that I never told anyone.”

“What do you mean?” Eliana said.

“The seat he had Sylvia in wasn’t a random chair. It was grandma’s chair.”

“Grandma.” Eliana repeated with skepticism for all her knowledge neither one paternal or maternal grandparents were still living.

“She wasn’t his grandmother, we called her that.” Lupe sat in stunned disbelief who could have known something so obscure. It was years ago.

“Whoever it is, still got what they wanted.” Eliana said to Santiago, “You out in the open. The blood is in the water now and the sharks will be circling.”

“I’m aware.” Santiago replied coolly, “I need to get a handle on these powers. I won’t be able to focus on what I need to do if I’m worried about everyone here. You said you’d be willing to teach me. I need you to do that here.”

“I can have people sent to look after your friends, that is no issue.” Eliana said dismissively.

“I don’t trust you.” Santiago said.

Eliana’s honeyed eyes flashed with indignation. “Have I not proven myself enough?”

Santiago smiled, “You’ve got a hair trigger temperament Eliana and you have a vendetta against my mother. I can’t trust you. Not completely.”

“At least you are finally beginning to see sense.” Said Rosenia.

“I don’t trust you either. If anything less than I do her.” He motioned at Eliana who let out a smug laugh, “You’ve done nothing but lie to me since I got here. I am definitely not entrusting the well being of the people I care about most to either one of you.”

“Rosenia is good—” Lupe said.

“Mom, you're a shit judge of character.” Santiago said.

She gaped at him.

“As I said. I’m not leaving.” He turned to Eliana, “That’s the way it is.”

She crossed her arms clearly dissatisfied with his request, “Very well. I will not be able to offer you the same level of protection here as I would there. Be aware of that.”

“Noted,” Santiago said. “There’s one more thing I need from you.”

“Hm?”

“I need you to train my friends too.”

“Absolutely not.” Eliana snapped, “I’m not going to waste my time on these defunct witchlings.”

“I’m down for that.” Alejo gave a shrug, the happiness of seeing his friend coming back into his own had him swelling with pride.

“I’m not sure that would be best or even safe.” Guadelupe said.

Eliana’s eyes narrowed. “The things I will teach you are not a game to be played. It will involve hard work, discipline, and an endurance that not everyone is capable of.”

“Maybe not where you come from.” Alejo said, “But we ain’t built to break.”

“It’s all or nothing Eliana. You’re either all in or you’re going home.” Santiago stared at her unflinching.

He had no intention of playing by anyone else’s rules anymore. If it was the people he loved on the line. He was going to call the shots.

She gaped at him, full lips curled into a smile. “Very well Santiago. I’m all in.”