"It doesn't hurt because you're numb from the ice," I protest.
"Don't worry, I mind-linked my sister," says Ben. "She'll meet us there."
I nod, feeling a bit better that Bonnie will take a look at that ugly thing growing on Kelsi's head. Actually, taking care of her is also a bit of an excuse so I can focus on Kelsi instead of thinking about Liam and the other werewolves.
I don't like the way we parted. I don't like the fact that we parted at all, to be really honest. However, something tells me it was the right decision for now. Everything’s happened so fast since last night, and I need to take a step back to reconsider the whole picture. Although everything went... incredibly well between us, and we had an amazing evening together, I know this is like learning to run before we walk. I don't have all the answers to my questions and with what we just learned, it looks like those answers might even end up hurting Liam. Which is definitely the last thing I want.
Very selfishly, though, I feel a bit happy that one thing was revealed, another clue about my identity. Mara was Nephera's unborn child. It explains why no one knew about that name, only the witches could have seen it on the Witches’ Ancestral Tree. However, where did Selena see it, then?
Those words from the Water Witch haunt me too. What is a Cursed One? Is it because Clarissa was born without being a witch herself, but I am one somehow? Clarissa was sure her mother was an Earth Witch, and with all the clues we’ve got so far, I'd be keen to believe it too. So why wouldn't she be one herself...?
"We're here, ladies," Ben suddenly says.
I was curious to go back to the Purple Moon territory. Liam and I came here briefly, but since we only scouted out Sylviana's house, I didn't have a real chance to meet the local werewolves and humans. The first thing that hits me is that just like before, all the houses look the same, aligned in colorful rows. I think we arrived on the other side, where it looks more like family houses, with people in the yards. Someone is grilling a barbecue, is it Sunday morning? The smells in the air are nothing like the fishy ones from the harbor over half an hour ago. Kelsi keeps looking out the window too, just as curious as I am.
"Oh, here's my sis."
Indeed, Bonnie is waiting for us in front of a large building, her arms crossed. For once, she is not in her hospital blouse, and quite nicely dressed. She's wearing denim pants and a white embroidered top, her long red hair held by a hairband. All three of us get out of the car, and I notice she has little heels on too.
"Mara, what's with that outfit?"
I forgot I was wearing Liam's clothes... What didn't burn, to be more precise. It's been a rough morning, now that I think about it. I could really use a shower after this, I probably smell like a not-so-fresh mix of seawater, dog, and... barbecue. Is it okay to meet an Alpha looking like this?
"Hey, sis, can you take a look at Kelsi? She hit her head badly..."
"I heard what happened at the shore," says Bonnie, walking up to Kelsi to check on her. "Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah... Just tired," I sigh.
I check myself out in the car's window, and I do look like a bit of a wreck, to be honest. I'm tired, my burns still hurt a bit, and I have a lingering headache because of all that humidity earlier, most likely. Bonnie suddenly growls.
"You call yourself a bodyguard? How come you're the only one who's fine?"
Ben makes a grimace and looks down, a bit embarrassed. She's not wrong, but I really cannot blame him. It's been a tough start for everyone, and I was probably the most at fault out of the three of us. After a while, Bonnie nods.
"You're just bruised, Kelsi, from the looks of it. Here, take this. And if you still have a headache, or you feel nauseous or dizzy in any way, you tell me, okay?"
"Sure."
"What about you?" she asks me, her eyes going down to my new scars. "How come you have more of... those?"
I glance down at the black marks on my body. I know they are nothing like normal burns, which is why Bonnie can immediately tell I have been playing with fire.
"We put ice on it. I'm fine."
"You're lucky those kinds of burns are fine with ice! What are you going to do if Kelsi or Ben get burned? They don't heal like you from fire!"
All three of us are looking down now, as if we were scolded by our preschool teacher. After a while, though, Bonnie sighs and crosses her arms.
"So? Why are we here now?"
"Come on, sis, I'll update you on the way."
Still not so happy, Bonnie follows us into the Purple Moon Clan territory.
With all the people around, our arrival did attract some glances. Not only because of my appearance, but because Kelsi, Ben, and Bonnie are the ones who stand out, for once. We are clearly in a neighborhood where Caucasian skin isn't the majority. I see all shades of brown skin around us, and strangely, I can't help but glance around wondering if anyone knows me here. Is it a coincidence that Clarissa borrowed a name from a community that looked like her?
A lot of people look our way, but they don't approach or seem hostile at all. In fact, the few wolves on the grass or sidewalks barely glance our way. I would have thought that the twins' presence would agitate some of them, but in terms of territory, the Black Brothers’ territory is literally next door. I guess there's nothing too surprising, and the packs are indeed at peace in Silver City.
