Chapter 17

“Next in line?”

Lida smiled faintly. “Yeah, I was a little surprised too when I found out yesterday.”

Ria shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the revelation. “It’s not that big of a deal,” she said, taking another bite of her waffle. “Just a fancy title.”

The respectful nods, the urgent summons, Vizi practically groveling—it all suddenly clicked into place.

“Wait ... so Crescent is currently led by...?”

“Adira ... Ria’s mother,” Lida supplied.

Mark felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. This is getting way out of hand.

“So,” Lida said, her tone laced with curiosity, “any idea what Adira wants to talk to you about so urgently?”

“I don’t know,” Ria replied with a sigh. “She tends to overreact sometimes. Makes a big deal out of nothing.”

“I’ll give her that.”

Ria’s head snapped up. “Wait, You know my mom?”

“We’ve met a few times,” Lida explained. “We’re not exactly close, but we’ve crossed paths in the past. Business, mostly. Adira has ... a strong presence, let’s say. Crescent’s traditions can be challenging to navigate.”

Ria raised an eyebrow. “You mean she’s stubborn.”

“Not the word I would use,” Lida replied diplomatically, though the slight quirk of her lips betrayed amusement.

Mark, meanwhile, was still trying to wrap his head around everything. He felt like someone had dropped him into the middle of a movie halfway through.

“Hold on,” he interrupted, his brain catching up to the conversation. “So, does this mean we’re, like, having breakfast with royalty or something?”

Lida smirked. “Kind of, yeah.”

“Oh, please,” Ria scoffed, rolling her eyes. “They are just ceremonious if you ask me. Just some old bygone traditions. My mom likes to hang onto them. The whole ‘next in line’ thing is more of a formality than anything else.”

“Still ... in this world, those ‘bygone traditions,’ as you call them, still hold a lot of weight. People tend to take lineage and leadership seriously. And Crescent ... well, let’s just say they take their traditions very seriously. They value their history, their hierarchy.”

“That’s their problem, not mine.”

“Maybe,” Lida said, tilting her head. “But pretending it’s nothing won’t make it go away, does it?”

“Whatever,” Ria said, getting up. “More waffles, anyone?”

Mark stared at her retreating figure, his mind still reeling. Her mother runs Crescent. Next in line. What the actual fuck?

Lida watched him, her eyes narrowed slightly. “You’re awfully calm about this.”

He shrugged, trying to appear more nonchalant than he felt. “It’s definitely ... something. But honestly, I’m used to it.”

“Used to what?”

“Well, you know ... This whole secrecy thing. You also never tell me anything anyway. I practically need a crowbar to pry any information out of you! I’ve learned to pick my battles. It’s kinda our thing at this point, right?”

“I’m just trying to pro—”

“Protect me, I know,” he said, cutting her off before she could launch into another one of her ’it’s for your own good’ speeches.

Guilt flickered across Lida’s face, and Mark instantly regretted his sharp tone.

He didn’t want to fight with her, not today. He’d come here to celebrate, to cheer her up, not to rehash old arguments.

“Just leave it, Lida. It’s fine. Really. It’s a lot to take in, sure, but it’s not like knowing about it changes anything, right? Let’s just enjoy our breakfast. We can argue about all this other stuff later.”

“Right,” Lida said, smiling softly. “Always the peacemaker.”

“Well, I had a good teacher,” he grinned, getting up to refill his plate.

Mark surveyed the buffet table, piling his plate high with a second round of bacon, sausage, and a fluffy Belgian waffle that was calling his name. He spotted Ria in the dessert section, her plate practically overflowing with a mountain of pastries, cakes, and what looked suspiciously like a slice of pecan pie.

“Seriously, Ria? You’re going into a sugar coma.”

“Hey, I need my sugar rush in the morning,” she said, grabbing a strawberry tart. “Want one?”

“This isn’t a rush,” he said, his eyes widening at the sheer amount of sugar on her plate. “This is a full-blown sugar invasion.”

“Don’t judge my dietary choices,” she said, popping the tart into her mouth. “Besides, these are freshly baked, made with locally sourced ingredients.”

Mark rolled his eyes as she hummed happily.

“All that sugar can’t be good for you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have a fast metabolism. It all goes straight to my genius brain.”

“Genius brain, huh?” He chuckled. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Of course. It takes a lot of brainpower to be this awesome.”

“Right ... Because ‘awesome’ and ‘genius’ are synonymous.”

“They are in my world,” Ria retorted, offering him another tart. “Try it. It’ll change your life.”

He bit into it, his eyes widening slightly. “Hmm, not bad.”

“See? Told ya.”

“Still, pace yourself. You don’t need all that sugar.” He reached for a chocolate croissant, but she swatted his hand away.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“I don’t share my sweets. Be grateful I gave you a tart.”

“So this is how royalty behaves, huh? Self-entitled, stingy with the desserts...”

Ria’s smile faltered. “Wait, are you mad at me?”

“Mad? No, not mad. Just ... surprised. I wish you’d told me, that’s all.”

“I thought about it,” Ria admitted, her voice softening. “But you were so freaked out about the bond, I didn’t know how you’d react to this, too.”

She has a point. Mark remembered his initial reaction, the fear, the confusion, the urge to run. He’d been a mess.

“It’s fine, Ria,” he said, reassuring her. “I get it. But ... are you really, like, royalty or something?”

“No!” She rolled her eyes. “I told you, it’s just a title. A formality. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“I don’t know,” he said, eyes sparkling. “I can totally see you as one. Bossing people around, demanding insane things...”

“Seriously?”

“What? I think it suits you.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Case in point,” he said, gesturing at her mountain of desserts. “See how stingy you are with your desserts? Totally royalty behavior.”

“Go get your own,” she said, pointing towards the buffet. “But these,” she added, “are off-limits.”

And with that, she turned and headed back to their table, her mouth already full of another pastry.

Mark chuckled, shaking his head. He grabbed a clean plate and made his way to the buffet, his appetite returning now that the initial shock had worn off.

As he piled his plate high with bacon, eggs, and a suspiciously large number of pastries, his mind kept circling back. Next in line...

What does that even mean? She said it was just a title, a formality, but was it really? Titles didn’t come without expectations. Responsibilities.

What does it even mean, practically speaking? Will it affect me? And what about her mother, this Adira woman? What’s she like?

He wanted to believe Ria when she said it didn’t matter. That it wouldn’t change anything. But deep down, he wasn’t so sure.

He took a bite of his waffle, the sugary sweetness doing little to quell the nagging doubts still swirling in his head. For now, he let them drift to the background, focusing instead on the comfortable hum of conversation. Whatever Crescent meant for Ria—and for him—he’d face it when the time came.

By the time he returned to the table, Ria and Lida were bent over Ria’s phone, their heads close together.

“What are you two plotting?”

“Just showing Lida some dresses I’m thinking of buying,” Ria explained, tilting the phone so he could see.

Mark glanced at the screen, his eyes widening as he saw the price tag. “Damn, that’s expensive.”

“It is,” Ria shrugged, “but it’s silk, hand-embroidered. It’s an investment.”

“An investment in what, exactly? Your ability to bankrupt yourself?”

She simply rolled her eyes, swiping to the next picture, showing a pair of strappy heels. “I was thinking of pairing it with these. What do you think?”

“Yeah, looks good.”

“Good? That’s all you have to say? Good?”

“What else am I supposed to say?” Mark asked, his mouth full of waffle. “They’re shoes, Ria. They look good.”

Both women exchanged a look, and Lida shook her head dramatically.

“What?” he protested. “I said they looked good!”

They just smiled and went back to scrolling through the dresses, their shared amusement a silent conspiracy that excluded him.

Their breakfast spread vanished in no time, plates wiped spotless, their bellies content and satisfied. Mark paid the bill and followed the two women out into the crisp morning air, the chatter of the restaurant fading behind them.

“That was amazing, guys,” Ria said, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks.”

“It was our pleasure,” Lida replied. “We should do this again sometime.”

“I’d love that.”

“Maybe next time we should tell the restaurant to hide the desserts,” he said, nudging Ria playfully. “They’ll go bankrupt if you keep coming back for seconds.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Mark!” Lida scolded, “Be nice.”

Ria stuck her tongue out at him, then looped her arm through Lida’s, a grin on her face. “Ha! Take that.”

“Seriously, you two,” he chuckled. “I’m starting to feel a little outnumbered here.”

“Get used to it, buddy,” Ria teased. “It’s two against one now.”

He smiled, watching the two of them. It was strange, how quickly Ria had settled into his life—and how easily she and Lida got along like they’d known each other for years.

Mark grinned as he opened the car door for Lida.

“So,” he asked, once they were all settled in, “Any other plans for today?”

“I need to do a little shopping,” Ria said. “Still have a few things I need to get.”

“Sounds good,” he replied, starting the car. “Lida, you want to come?”

“Actually, I have a few errands to run.”

“You sure?” he asked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

“I’m sure. You two enjoy yourselves,” she met his gaze with a small smile.

She didn’t elaborate, but the way her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest told Mark it wasn’t just groceries or dry cleaning.

“Alright, we’ll drop you off first, then.”

The drive back was a breeze, filled with the kind of easy chatter that didn’t demand his full attention. Mark let the sound of Ria and Lida’s voices wash over him, a warmth spreading through his chest.

It was a calm, peaceful morning, a welcome change from all the crazy stuff lately. I could get used to this. He enjoyed the simple normalcy of it all, the quiet drive, the easy conversation - the simple joy of being with people who mattered.

He glanced at Ria, her face lit with laughter, and Lida, her expression soft with contentment.

More days like this, he prayed.__

Mark had never been great at the whole “found family” thing. Losing his parents so young had left him wary of letting people in. But for the first time in a long while, he felt... at home.

Life with Ria was ... surprisingly domestic.

It had been three weeks since she’d moved in, and she’d already taken over half his closet and most of the counter space in bathroom. But Mark wasn’t complaining.

Dinner dates at that hole-in-the-wall Thai place Ria loved, movie nights where they’d make out in the back row (and sometimes a little more than just making out), lazy afternoons spent exploring the hidden trails in the mountains outside of town, introducing Ria to his friends, her fitting in effortlessly with his crew, her easy laughter and quick wit charming even Ron, who usually treated all of Mark’s girlfriends with a healthy dose of skepticism.

It was the first serious relationship he’d ever had, and despite the occasional flicker of doubt – Is this real? Or is it just the bond? – he was enjoying the ride.

All the things he’d worried about – awkward silences, clashing lifestyles/personalities, whole living-together thing – hadn’t materialized.

It was surprisingly easy, natural like they were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their place.

Even Lida seemed to approve, the three of them falling into a comfortable rhythm of shared meals, going on outings, and the occasional shopping trip where Mark would patiently hold their bags while they debated the merits of different shades of lipstick.

He’d learned a lot from Ria about the supernatural world, too – the hierarchy of the associations, the different types of magic, the unwritten rules that governed their society.

Most of it was stuff he’d pieced together over the years, whispers and rumors Lida had tried to shield him from, but hearing it from Ria, seeing it through her eyes, it all clicked into place, a complex tapestry of power, tradition, and centuries-old rivalries.

But the shadow of Elia still lingered, a constant reminder that their happiness was fragile. The bastard was still out there, somewhere, and Crescent, despite their resources and influence, hadn’t been able to find him. Lida suspected he had help, someone powerful enough to shield him from the association’s scrutiny.

And then there was the matter of his own powers, his mother’s legacy.

He’d been pestering Lida relentlessly about his powers, about his heritage, about his need to learn more, to become stronger. I can’t keep living in the dark. He’d argued, pleaded, even threatened to go behind her back and seek out answers on his own.

Lida, as usual, had resisted, her protective instincts battling against his growing need for independence, for knowledge.

Mark stood by the window, the city lights a distant blur, his mind churning with restless energy. He and Lida had just finished another round of their ongoing debate.

“At least tell me more about my abilities,” he pressed, his voice laced with a quiet desperation. “Even if it’s dangerous, knowing how it works, how to control it ... that’s gotta be better than stumbling around in the dark, right?”

“You have to understand, Mark. Your abilities ... they’re not just a gift—”

“I get it, Lida. I do. But that’s exactly why I need to know more. If I don’t understand what I’m capable of, how can I protect myself? Protect you? Ria?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. For some time she did not say anything.

Finally, she exhaled, the sound heavy with resignation. “Alright.”

His heart leaped. Holy shit, she agreed. He hadn’t expected her to give in so easily. This was a breakthrough. While he wasn’t ready to dive headfirst into everything, the chance to learn more about his powers, about his mother’s legacy, was a step in the right direction.

“There might be someone who can help you,” she continued, her voice thoughtful. “An old ... friend of mine. Julian. He’s ... eccentric, to say the least, but he’s knowledgeable.”

“Where can I find him?”

“He travels a lot,” she explained, “but he’s in town for a few weeks. He owns a shop downtown. It’s ... a bit unusual, but you’ll find him there.”

Julian. He filed the name away in his memory. “I’ll go first thing tomorrow.”

“Be careful, Mark. I’ve told you before, there are people who wouldn’t hesitate to exploit your abilities, to use you. Julian is trustworthy, but—”

“I know, I know,” he interrupted, eager to escape her usual lecture. “I’ll be careful. I’ll keep a low profile.”