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“Oh … You’re very huggy,” Luna said, nearly strangled by the tight embrace.
“Everybody needs a hug.”
Adrian briefly hoped nobody else was watching. He’d been simply introducing Luna to everybody else as a guest, though many caught on immediately. It was there, out in the open, for all who wanted to see it.
“Sasha,” Adrian said. “Can you make sure the cabin is well-stocked for our guest?”
She broke the hug, looking doubtfully at her brother. “But we should all be celebrating this joyous occasion. I’ll cook you something wonderful.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I’m sorry,” Luna said. “We’re still figuring this whole thing out and what it means, if anything.”
Sasha loved nothing more than planning a party, so Adrian immediately saw the sorrow on her face. “So, no celebration then?”
“Maybe later, but not tonight,” Adrian replied, trying to counter with the most professional tone he could muster. “Right now, let’s make sure our guest has somewhere to sleep.”
But Adrian could hear Luna’s stomach grumbling and made note of it.
“Very well,” Sasha said. “I’ll get everything ready then.”
And she rushed off, not even bothering to lock the door. The entire time, they could still hear the nineties pop music playing from inside the house.
“She’ll be right back,” Adrian said, trying to fill dead air. “She’s going to make sure you’ve got everything you need. She’s a fast runner, though.”
Luna nodded. Adrian started to speak but was quickly cut off.
“So when you were running through the forest, were you …”
“Just silence is fine, thank you,” Luna said.
They waited twenty minutes for Sasha’s return, walking the length of the den to pass the time.
Adrian was determined to break her hardened exterior. There was something buried deep within her. He just knew it.
“Sorry. I’m back now,” Sasha called out. “Everything should be perfect. I just had to make a quick run to the market.”
“Very well,” Adrian said before looking back at his enforcers. “Do you think you could walk the path with us, then return back here once she finds her way?”
They nodded in agreement. It was a straight walk to the cabin, cutting through a small clearing and passing a large pond. The trees were far more angular and pointed here, and a small waterfall roared in the distance nearby.
Adrian gestured toward the door when they arrived. “After you,” he said.
Begrudgingly, she stepped inside, the rest of the enforcers heading back toward the den village now that they were no longer needed. He followed her in to join her, greeted immediately by the spacious and well-kept living room.
“I don’t need a tour,” she said abruptly. “If it’s all right, I just need some sleep.”
But Adrian headed toward the kitchen, opened the spice cabinet, and retrieved a large pot.
“You don’t mind spaghetti, do you?” he asked.
Luna approached him as he began cooking. “You’re not staying, are you?”
“Please, don’t mind me.”
When she didn’t respond, he took it as a sign to continue. He broke out the pasta and tomatoes and began to drain the can.
“Linens should be in the closet if you need a shower,” Adrian said. “And if there’s anything you need to make, you’ll probably find everything you need in the kitchen.”
