Whack.

  Orion stood stunned for a sed as Vander's hand clipped him across the head. Emotionally, he was deadlocked between anger and frustration, trying his hardest not to sh out.

  He knew he'd gooo far, crossed a line. Vander had held back, but the instinctual rage to respond swelled within him. Orion knew how this would end if he let loose with his magic, his body log up as he struggled for self-trol, his hands twitg at his side.

  For a split sed, a dark thought flickered- g in Vander's chest with a single magifused punch, but Orion snapped out of it to meet Vander's gre.

  "Why do you think I stopped him? Why do you think I gave it up?" Vander growled, standing inside Orion's space as if daring him to try something.

  'Clearly, he uimates me.' The dark thoughts swelled, a burning desire to retaliate resonating in his chest.

  Grabbing Orion's shoulders, Vander's voice softeinged with sympathy.

  "That rage you feel now- and when you were forced to kill- it'll eat you alive. It will cost you everything. It happeo me, and Silco's still drowning in it." Vander gave him a rough shake, his tone a mix of aggression and pleading. "It's not worth it! You'll lose everything!"

  "Vi and Powder! The ones you've fought for!" Vander barked. Benzo chimed in, his voice lighter but pointed, "And little man, too. You wao tell him his friend snapped a feral?"

  Magic fred in Orion's arms, shoving Vander's grip away with surprising force. The sheer force of it forced Vander back a step, his expression startled as Oriohed, fists trembling as he gred up at Vander.

  "Get the fue." Orion spat, frustration clear in his voice. "I get it. Do you think I'd throw it all away now?" He exhaled sharply, his gaze dropping as his shoulders slumped. "I'm just- Agh, I don't know! Bitter! I've tried so hard to hold it together… but now it's over."

  Vander nodded, speaking slowly and carefully as he studied Orion, "Good. It's better this way. Nothing good es from Silco."

  Orion's thoughts ed as memories of the Are show flooded his mind. His gaze shifted bad forth across before he let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. Silco winning would mean more chaos, Shimmer, and further degenerad decay.

  Siletled over the room as Orion's heated adrenaline ebbed. He muttered gloomily, "I'm going for a walk," before striding past them and smming the door.

  her spoke at first, only exging gnces. Finally, Benzo frowned and broke the silence.

  "Why did you let him go?"

  "I didn't..." Vander said quietly, his gaze dropping to his hands, bewildered. "He forced me off."

  "He overpowered you?" Benzo asked, disbelief pin in his voice. Vander nodded silently.

  The two exged annce before Vander muttered, "He's still hiding something... but that's enough for now."

  Benzo furrowed his brows in thought before nodding, "Aye, best not ahe boy further today." His gaze shifted to the water, chug softly. "Must be the water."

  -----------------------------

  //Evening at the Kiramman Manor//

  Cassandra sighed, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "I reported what I could. They struck us unscious repeatedly, so most of it is a blur- except for his voice. I'm certain it was Orion."

  "Orion is no longer wele here," Cassandra's voice sharpened as tinued firmly. "The unusual cause of death for their leader- and his disappearance- suggests he may have helped us. But his presence alone makes him plicit. If wets out, it could ruin our reputation. That's why he's not on the wanted list."

  Cassandra and Tobias were marked with bandages and stitches, the room clear of servants. The mood, to say the least, was heavy. Even Caitlyn struggled tue as she shifted unfortably on the sofa, though her desire to settle what she had witnessed previously burned intensely.

  "What if I talked to him? Just oing!" Caitlyn protested, trying to i reason into her voice. "We had such a good retionship-"

  "No, Caitlyn." Tobias interrupted with a firm tone, his unyielding gaze meeting hers. "Even if he was forced into the situation, it's far too dangerous now. Despite any good he's dohe fact remains- he was with such monsters."

  Caitlyn recoiled slightly as he finished with a disapproving shake of his head, "No. We ot allow it."

  "As much as I hate to admit it," Cassandra added relutly, "I do feel pity for the boy. "

  "You're assuming too much! You only heard his voice!" Caitlyn shot back defiantly.

  Tobias tered sharply, rejeg her argument. "And what other reason could he have had to be there? Talking with them? He had to have known them."

  Cassandra stood and sat o Caitlyn, pg a haly on her shoulder. "I know he meant something to you..." Cassandra began softly. "He was ye, and one of the few who enced your hobby..."

  "It's not a hobby!" Caitlyn snapped, brushing her mother's hand off her shoulder as she stood up abruptly. "This whole i proves why I want to bee an Enforcer, and you still won't listen to me! I will bee an Enforcer!"

  "Caitlyn, it's safer to follow in my footsteps," Cassandra urged, standing as well as she gestured sympathetically. "You influenuch more from a seat on the cil. You could grow the Enforcers' numbers, give them purpose. It would be helping so many more instead of being a grunt."

  "Grunt," Caitlyn scoffed bitterly, crossing her arms in disgust. "I'm sure Greyson would love to hear that."

  "Greyson is different. Cassandra replied firmly. "You wouldn't be Greyson, Caitlyn. Not at first. The Enforcer's roles are limited- they need something and someoo believe in. Caitlyn, you shape those beliefs. You be that person!"

  Cassandra tried reag out for Caitlyn's hand but Caitlyn stepped back, shaking her head with resolution. "You disgust me sometimes, Mother." Her voice was sharp with bitterness before she turo stride out of the room, Cassandra calling after her fruitlessly before sighing i.

  Tobias stood and hugged Cassandra from behind, f her with gentle words. "She is young. We were just as rebellious... Give it time."

  Cassandra pced a hand on his and leaned bato him for support. Her voice was ced with worry as she whispered faintly, "That's what I'm afraid of. She's too much like us."