Anastasia Vandemeer had long, flowing silver hair with a slightly dark sheen. The girl was beautiful, and she reminded Evantra of Uriel with her unfailingly symmetrical features, and effortless beauty.

  Or that was how she had looked in the pictures, when Evantra had looked her up.

  In place of the young woman she was expecting, Evantra frowned as she regarded the tall young man standing in the driveway to the Alvarez home. Unlike Anastasia, he looked slightly ungainly, his nose deviating slightly to the right, and he lacked the confidence that the girl had possessed in her photos.

  That’s definitely not Anastasia.

  She protectively ushered Lucas behind her.

  Before she could retreat back into the church, the young man turned in her direction, giving her a friendly, shy wave and a smile. He broke into a somewhat awkward jog across the driveway, coming up to the boundary of her property.

  “Hi there! Are you Evantra? I’m here for the viewing. I’ve come in place of my sister, Anastasia. She… couldn’t make it.”

  Evantra stared blankly at him for a moment as he scratched at the back of his neck.

  “Yeah, uh… most people have that reaction when I tell them we’re related. I don’t blame you.”

  “No, I—”

  He raised his hands placatingly, an easy smile on his face.

  “It’s all good, that’s far from the worst reaction I’ve had, it’s practically a compliment. Hi there!”

  The man smoothly regarded Lucas, ignoring Evantra’s momentary stupor, giving him a friendly wave and a warm smile. Lucas shyly waved back at him.

  “No, I definitely didn’t mean to imply that. It’s nice to meet you, what was your name?”

  “Joe.”

  Evantra raised her eyebrows.

  “Alright, now that surprised me. Gonna be honest, I was expecting something like Constantin, or maybe Mustislav.”

  Joe Vandemeer chuckled in response.

  “Appreciate the candour, my family definitely are colourful characters. So is Fluffelz. Emphasis on the “Z”.

  "Hey there, wanna see my cat?” he withdrew his phone from his pocket, crouching down and reaching out to Lucas. The little boy stepped forward, curiosity overwhelming his shyness, as she stared in awe at the cybernetically enhanced black cat.

  Hmm… this might be easier than expected.

  “Want to take a look inside?”

  The young man shrugged.

  “Full disclosure? My parents are pretty set on the purchase. They’ve always loved the uh… charm of Wisptown. Finding a place so recently Veiltouched was the cherry on top. You should be able to squeeze them to about 500k comfortably, don’t ask for less. Don’t worry about the viewing, it’s just a formality.”

  Evantra stared at Joe, who continued flicking through pictures of Fluffelz.

  “Right then um…”

  “Hey, tell you what, I’ll even try to persuade them up to 500k for you. In exchange, take me around to some of your bakeries? Are there any decent ones around here?”

  Evantra exchanged an incredulous look with Lucas.

  “Bakeries?”

  ---

  Evantra scratched at her chin as she tried to puzzle out the mystery that was Joe Vandemeer.

  Unlike his sister, there wasn’t even a hint of cybernetic or bionetic enhancement to be found. The unerring symmetry on Anastasia’s face hinted at the work of an experienced skinsculptor. She didn’t doubt that if the girl had aspirations to become a Ghostslayer, she also possessed cybernetic enhancements, especially if her parents were as loaded as they seemed.

  Instead, Joe had dirty blond hair that was cut short, neat and trim. He was wearing a simple pair of dark denim jeans, which paired with a grey shirt. He was currently staring intently into the storefront, with a notebook in his hands, jotting down notes as he regarded the products on display.

  A simple, down-to-earth guy with a passion for… bread?

  Evantra would sooner believe that Carmen was a good flirt.

  “Mr Joe? Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure, Lucas! Shoot away.”

  Joe beamed down at Lucas, whom Evantra had still elected to keep close to her side.

  There is such a thing as being too unfailingly nice.

  There’s nothing more suspicious than that.

  “Why did you want to look at bread?”

  “See uh… How do I say this… I sort of lied to my parents.”

  Here we go. Mask off.

  “I told them that I wanted to be a Ghostslayer. To get enhancements like my sister and all that… I didn’t enrol with the academy though. I’m setting up a bakery.”

  Oh.

  “Cool!”

  Somehow, Lucas seemed even more impressed at the prospect of the man setting up his own small business than the Ghostslayer academy. Evantra couldn’t have been more proud. Still, she had to admit that she was taken just as off-guard.

  “Actually… It’s because I’m a coward.”

  Evantra froze, turning to look at Joe.

  “Look, it’s alright. I’ve got the opportunity. The funds, the safety net. That’s as much of a superpower as awakening as one of those Magical Girls and Guardians, right? And yet I’m choosing not to, that makes it all the more wors—”

  “No!”

  Evantra and Joe turned to Lucas in surprise at the boy’s sudden outburst.

  “You can be happy. I’m trying as well.”

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  Lucas beamed up at him, and Evantra watched as Joe’s eyes slowly widened. He looked silently towards Evantra before smiling at Lucas.

  “Say… why don’t you go in there and pick out something? Hmm? It’s on me.”

  Lucas nodded with enthusiasm and pattered into the store.

  “Can’t say I’ve met a boy like him. He was—”

  “In the Veilsurge. The same reason your parents are buying the place.”

  Joe’s expression darkened, and he crossed his arms before he surprised Evantra with a smile.

  “You know… being in those circles? With corpos at the top… You get to rub shoulders with a lot of Ghostslayers,” Joe continued, his eyes lingering on Lucas as the boy excitedly pointed to a croissant on the shelf.

  “They’re in it for any reason you could think of. Greed, power, a lust for blood. The ones I respected, feared and felt the most for were those who were doing it for others. They were never able to face the prospect that there were some things out of their control. That danger could come to their families, or to them. A lot of them were in his shoes.”

  Joe nodded.

  “I’m glad he doesn’t seem to be going down the same path.”

  Evantra smiled at that.

  “I’m glad too.”

  “That being said… I wish you the best with your goals.”

  Evantra turned to him in confusion.

  “They’re not all dreary, those Ghostslayers. Some of them managed to find a middle ground. They were just as happy as those who decided to take another path. Temperance.”

  “I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” Evantra said levelly, but Joe just smiled, gesturing to the Nagantra on her hip.

  “Great starting choice. My sis picked something a little more expensive, but she was raving about the Nagantra. Choice pick for amateur slayers. Don’t mind my rambles. Still, if you’re ever around Elsecaller city, feel free to give my bakery a visit. I’m going to put these croissants to shame one day.”

  Evantra gave the man a quick, wary glance.

  “Somehow, I don’t doubt that, Joe.”

  They fell into a comfortable silence, and Evantra’s eyes wandered to a collection of flowers that were arranged just outside of the bakery’s entrance, along with some lit candles. Frowning, she strode closer to the display, realising that it was a memorial, or tribute of some sort.

  She crouched, seeing an arrangement of photographs of a young woman. In some, she was depicted wearing an apron while working in the store, while others displayed her with her family and friends. Some, taken with children from the local school who had dropped by while on an excursion.

  For Amelia, a kind soul, who brought joy to so many.

  We miss you.

  Evantra frowned.

  She must be one of the other victims in the murders around Wisptown.

  ---

  “He was really nice, wasn’t he, Evantra?”

  “Oh, hm? Yeah, he was.”

  Lucas’ voice drew Evantra out of her thoughts as she parked her Himetachi hatchback on the side of the road, bordering the church.

  “I feel a lot better now. To see that he’s happy. Evantra?”

  “Huh? What?

  Evantra bit her lip as Lucas called her from her thoughts once more, looking down at the chocolate croissant in his hands, courtesy of Joe’s generosity.

  “Yeah. It’s nice that he was happy.”

  The last thing she would have expected was for an utterly ordinary, if somewhat pleasant discussion with quite literally, an average Joe, to disquiet her more than her recent encounters with the Veil.

  Temperance… is that even possible?

  To fight the Veil, and to find happiness at the same time?

  It’s just the wistful thinking of someone who hasn’t experienced the horrors of the Veil. Any Ghostslayer who, in good conscience, limits themselves will come to regret it.

  Ignore him, Evantra.

  Once you start thinking that way, every catalyst mastered becomes a potential stopping point. The temptation will never end. Until one day, it’ll be too late for regrets because you didn’t master just one more catalyst.

  Only those with enough power have the liberty of “temperance”.

  Shaking herself free from her thoughts, she crouched down next to Lucas and ruffled his hair.

  “Anyway, it looks like your house is as good as sold. It looks like we could be moving soon. Are you excited to see the outskirts? Not to mention…” a devilish gleam entered Evantra’s eyes.

  “We can check out your new school together.”

  A look of sheer horror crossed Lucas’ adorable expression.

  ---

  Carmen Alvarez POV

  Carmen Alvarez smiled at the man seated opposite her in the bar.

  Officer Trevor Foster, who had greeted her with an organic rose in hand and who was now dressed in a smart, black suit, had arranged for a booking at Lilyville. It was probably the only bar in Bastion – the outskirts – with a supply of organic flowers. To afford it, Carmen was certain that the owners must have had some inroads with Demeteria.

  It was more effort than practically all of her previous dates had mustered, at least since Luis’ passing. Even accounting for Evantra’s contributions.

  “Thank you for this, Trevor. Really. I know that work has been…”

  Urgh, idiota. You haven’t been on a date in years, and the first thing you mention is his work.

  Eva was right, you really are hopeless.

  Though… he doesn’t seem to mind.

  “Nope, no work talk. Evantra briefed me well.”

  Carmen couldn’t help but laugh, seeing the man bluntly deflect the topic of conversation while clearing his throat. The adorable man looked positively terrified.

  “Has she now?”

  Trevor shifted, scratching his neck in slight abashment.

  “To be honest… she picked out the place, and the rose. So, you have her to thank for that.”

  “You know… one of the things I value very much in a man or really anyone, is honesty. Eva might have picked them out, but it doesn’t change much. Thank you, for arranging this.”

  Trevor blushed, and Carmen giggled.

  Fun to tease as well.

  “Speaking of Evantra…”

  “Oh, she also told me not to make any mention of her tonight.”

  Carmen snorted, rolling her eyes.

  “We’ll make one exception. She… still doesn’t know, does she?”

  “About Noelle? No.”

  Carmen shifted in her seat.

  “I wish… we could just tell her.”

  “You heard her, it isn’t what Noelle wants. I respect her for it,” Trevor said softly, his eyes far away.

  “Me too. They’re so young, aren’t they?”

  Trevor returned her smile and gave her a silent nod of his head.

  “Seeing them reminds me of how old I’m getting,” Trevor grumbled under his breath.

  “You and me both. I wouldn’t worry though. You really do play the gruff, mysterious detective well. You’ve got that going for you,” Carmen winked at him, causing Trevor to bashfully avert his gaze, down into his cocktail.

  Ha. Still got it. Take that Eva.

  “Well, since we’re on the topic… Her parents. I’ve always been curious but…”

  “You’d sooner get an admission from a corpo about what atrocities they’ve committed. The girl is tighter-lipped than a CEO being cross-examined,” Carmen laughed. “Well… you should hear the details from her. It’s for her to tell you herself… but they sheltered her from a lot of the scary parts of the world, which is a feat, here in Wisptown. I think they envisioned a future for her being a preacher.”

  Trevor smiled in response.

  “I see. Parents being overprotective. Misguided with their love. I’m guessing Evantra wanted little to do with preaching?”

  Carmen scoffed, taking a sip of her drink.

  “That’s putting it mildly. I think she’d rather jump into a Veilsurge. She’s always been curious about the wider world, but… she never really got to explore it. Then, when they passed… I think she’s been shackled to their expectations. Feels like she would be betraying them if she takes a different path. That’s why I feel conflicted about her becoming a… you know. On the one hand, I’m glad she’s being true to herself, but on the other… who wants to see someone they love become a Ghostslayer?”

  Trevor nodded in understanding as Carmen continued.

  “I still don’t think she’s forgiven them for it. They passed two years ago, and she’s had it rough since. You can be surprised how much two years can change a person,” Carmen grimaced. “As you’ve seen, she judges people harshly for their mistakes. It makes connecting with others and trusting them a challenge. Although… she’s warmed up to you pretty quickly.”

  Trevor let out a small laugh.

  “We’ve had the benefit of having made our mistakes, I think. She just hasn’t had the chance to see them.”

  Carmen smiled before nodding her agreement.

  “Well… I’m curious,” Trevor began, swallowing nervously as he swirled his drink.

  “Oh?”

  “Why a bar? Evantra said it was your dream to open one in Elsecaller City.”

  “Ah, yes. Well… it’s silly,” Carmen waved off Trevor’s question as a blush rose to her cheeks.

  “No, please, I insist.”

  After taking a short sip of her drink, Carmen eventually worked up the courage.

  “I like the idea of a place where people can forget the realities of their lives. To escape the horrors of this world, both literal and fictional, to find somewhere they can be comfortable. If only for a moment. Mierda, I sound like a lit student.”

  Trevor laughed as Carmen’s expression turned into one of sheer disgust at her words.

  “No… I think I’d like to see it. What you create. Did you have a name for it?”

  “Hmm… I haven’t decided on one yet. Maybe you could help me pick it out? But enough about me, tell me about yourself, mister mysterious officer. Do you have any interesting stories during your time in the force in Elsecaller?”

  Trevor shifted uncomfortably, taking a long sip of his drink.

  “Well… Evantra told me to steer away from the work talk. I could tell you about some of the themed bars I’ve been to in the city…”

  “I don’t want to hear you mention her name one more time this evening. Our worlds don’t revolve around that little pendeja.”

  Carmen stared at him flatly, and Trevor cleared his throat, a blush rising to his cheeks.

  “Noted. I suppose I could tell you about the haunted megabuilding right here in Bastion,” he said with a sigh.

  “Really, Trevor? You’re loco. You thought I wanted to hear more about the themed bars than the haunted megabuilding? The bars can wait. We have all night.”

  Carmen and Trevor shared a laugh as they lost themselves in the warmth of their company.

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