“Isaac!” I cried, cradling his head, “wake up!” Blackened tears dripped down my cheeks and splattered across his chest, painting his canvas with despair.

  BING! The elevator doors thrust open.

  “What's all this?” A stringy voice chimed in with laughter, snickering loudly.

  “We agreed upon halting extraneous activities in the gym,” another voice bellowed. “You know how hard that is for Treven here.”

  “I just like those fitness freaks, what can I say?” Treven remarked, his long, effortlessly straight hair hanging messily back in an bun just past his shoulders, draped above a gray henley and dark joggers. “And they just love me,” he grinned, shooting a wink in my direction.

  “We know,” the other man retorted, his expression tired, but growing serious, as he marched forward in a three piece suit, all black on black, with a pocket watch stretching down from his breast pocket as he removed his jacket. The man, with his short spiky crop of hair, and tight fade, rolled up the sleeves of his black collared shirt to reveal another bracelet, just like Isaac's.

  “Prepare yourself.”

  “Ugh,” Treven groaned, dragging his feet, “I'm so tired from last night though.”

  “Listen to your elders,” the other man fired back, his voice always monotone.

  “Elder,” Treven corrected, with a wry look, “there's only one standing right now.”

  The other man glared.

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  “Fine, Callum,” Treven relented, rolling ups his own sleeve and unveiling another bracelet as the two approached.

  “Please stand back,” Callum said dryly, as the men knelt beside Isaac, while I shuffled slightly back.

  Presenting their forearms, the two men suddenly extended their nails into sharpened claws of the wolf and pierced their own skin, letting crimson blood trickle down over Isaac's wounds.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, in a heightened state of confusion.

  “A simple transfusion,” Callum affirmed. “This bracelet. The moon need not hang high for us without it. A certain degree of control comes with it. A necessary degree of control. Without it...we are but slaves to nature.”

  I noticed Isaac's wrist, barren without the bracelet I'd just brought back, while the other two wore their own around bloodied limbs. It felt like even more of my fault at that moment.

  And just like that, the wounds on Isaac's chest started growing smaller and closing up with slowed rapidity.

  “That's...that's incredible,” I sniffled in bewildered amazement.

  “And you,” Callum started up, “you did this?”

  Stuttering, I felt on edge. “I...I didn't mean to.”

  “Impressive,” Callum remarked. “A sentient and powerful reborn.”

  “The work of yours truly,” Denaux chimed in. “Denaux--”

  “LaForge,” Callum cut in. “Yes, we're aware of you, Mr. LaForge.”

  Denaux's eyes widened at the response.

  “Huh?” I tilted my head in confusion.

  Treven chuckled and slapped Isaac across the face playfully. “Wake up, brother.”

  “We've been tracking your activities for quite some time, Mr. LaForge...but you,” Callum looked at me with dark eyes, “You've made quite an impression as well...Miss Crowley. Our brother has kept us well informed of that.”

  “He's mentioned me?”

  “Don't let his tough exterior fool you,” Treven laughed, “he's a sweetheart.”

  “Hey,” Isaac swiped Treven's hands away. “Leave me be.”

  “Isaac!” I yelped, closing on him in a tight embrace, and feeling my heart beat for what felt like the first time in a long time. What was happening to me? I hated this man...right?

  “Ugh,” he groaned, wincing in pain.

  “Sorry,” I uttered, inching back, and forgetting everything that had happened prior.

  “Ready up,” Callum looked at Isaac, “we'll not let you recuse yourself, brother. There's work at hand." Callum patted Isaac on the shoulder. "Still, you've done well here.”

  Tilting my head, I grew even more confused. “What's going on?”

  “We have much to discuss,” Callum said, “but first, a trip to the lab. The results are in. Let's have a look...shall we?”