I stared at Bob. My mind raced with possibilities, and Gerial grimaced beside me. I’d jumped the gun, and now it was my turn to respond. The sound of little Bob’s pen scratching against paper filled the silence.

Bob’s question was a trap.

He was a member of an immortal household, and I was a commoner. At least, that's what he thought.

I took a deep breath.

"Even if you sent the claim, I'll do what I always intended to do.” I spoke. “I'll ignore it.”

My eyes watched Bob's features carefully. The man’s lips parted into a smile. His calm demeanor was unchanged.

"The fact that you've come here today suggests that you can't.” He propped his chin on his palm. “But that’s only to be expected. I was worried you'd be out for blood.”

His posture was relaxed, and it looked like nothing I said would faze him.

A lick of anger rose up in my heart. This man hadn't even known my name before sending the claim. I would be burdened by its existence for the rest of my life.

Or worse, I could have accepted it by accident before knowing what it was.

“I care about my life more than revenge, or vengeance.” I calmed my heart. "Ignoring it is the only option. You said it yourself. I can't reject the claim, or I'll be ostracised. And I won’t accept it. I can’t.”

Tension pulled at my mind and a headache flowed through my brain. I wanted to tell him where his household could shove their claim.

Revenge was sounding incredibly tempting to my heart.

Instead, I kept my cool.

He knew I would never accept it willingly. I needed to know he wouldn't take drastic actions to make me open the claim.

It was a good sign that he hadn't ambushed me with a group of people.

This way I could say what I needed to and go. I would leave knowing that I had made my stance clear.

I wouldn't be bullied into slavery.

"Is it such a bad idea to accept the claim?” Bob stroked his chin. “Normally, I'd always say yes, but I didn't know you were talking about a Gesti claim."

I didn't interrupt him, his words sending a wave of confusion through my heart.

In my mind the claim could only be a bad thing.

"Think about it closely." Bob gestured at the building around us. “My household is one of the biggest in the world. Reputation. Riches. Fame. There is a reason that we've grown so high. People want to work for us. They have for the past thousand years.”

He waved his hand across the table and items appeared.

A stack of gold coins materialised in front of me, its glittering surface bouncing the lights of the room back at me.

It was more money than I had ever seen in my life. A normal family could live for years in a nice city with this.

Next to the pile was a symbol. It glowed gently, waves of pressure washing from it.

The Gesti crest.

Being near it was enough for me to feel its power. It pulsed gently against my body and skin. Only four households in the world had a symbol like this.

The Gesti had grown into a concept. The crest represented the world’s acknowledgement of their significance.

"I like you.” Bob spread his hands out openly. “You're clearly smart, and you’re angry, but not rushing headstrong into a fight.

If you accept the claim, we could work things out. I would make sure of it. Any job you could ever imagine would be available to you.” He held up a coin. “Poverty would become a distant memory.”

He closed his fingers over the coin, and it disappeared. The pile went along with it, but the crest stayed.

“The known world will welcome you with open arms if you represent our name.” He smiled. “You would be able to see your family without trouble, and your mother would be able to leave the house.”

There was no doubt in his voice. Or emotion of any kind. All that was driving his words was confidence.

He knew what he was saying was true.

I knew it as well.

The thought had occurred to me briefly over the past few days. There was a reason why the claim was so devastating. The Gesti were powerful. If I ignored the claim nothing would happen, but if I rejected it, I would be isolated because of how influential they were.

If I claimed it, then I would be part of that influence.

I could reap its benefits.

If I worked for an immortal household, I would be aligning myself with a group at the pinnacle of the world.

“You're being nicer about this than I thought you'd be.” I admitted.” I held my hand out and grabbed the crest. “I don't want to lead you on. This offer is amazing, but I can't accept it.”

I examined the crest with interest. The first time I'd seen it was when the Gesti had sent a necklace to my grandma, terrifying her. She worked with the Gesti, but it wasn't an equal partnership.

It came at a price.

Her freedom, and mine.

The claim meant that I would have to do whatever the Gesti told me to.

I couldn't go anywhere else or align myself with others.

That wasn't because I would be a Gesti employee. It was because they would be stealing Gesti property.

"Those people working for you had a choice. I don't.” I pressed the crest down onto the table. “You're selling me a lifetime of slavery and trying to hide it under a coating of gold paint.”

My emotions rose and I saw that all of his attention was focused on me.

“I will say this as clearly as possible. I don't care about the money, the reputation, or the Gesti household. No matter what you offered me, I would never work with you.” My voice was strong, and my tone firm. "My life isn't for sale, and it isn’t yours to claim.”

My words broke through the surroundings and the empty chambers turned it into a bellow that swept through the exhibits beyond.

Bob's expression was unreadable.

His head lifted up and his arms furled. Then there was a shift. It started as a slight twitch of his cheek and a widening of his smile.

A rumble escaped his chest and flowed into the air.

He was laughing.

The sound reverberated across the walls, bouncing off the painting and echoing in my ears. Little Bob stopped writing, looking up towards Bob and then at me. Gerial’s body tensed beside me as the laughter continued.

Then it stopped. Its final ripples died down as his expression filled with joy.

"Your mother said those exact same words the day we first met.” Bob’s fingers rapped against the table. "Except that she swore a lot more.”

His words took the wind out of my sail. I paused, my heartbeat quickening.

"What are you talking about?” My voice came out a whisper.

Had the Gesti tried to claim my mum?

Bob held his hand up, his expression kind.

"Don't misunderstand, she was someone I was trying to recruit. There was no claim. I wouldn't dare.” Bob’s smile danced playfully on his lips. “I wanted her on my team, and she didn't want to work as someone's employee. Did she never tell you that? That doesn't surprise me.”

I sat back and processed his words

She hadn't told me that.

My mum had never said what she did for work. And she hadn't wanted to talk about what had happened or what she’d done.

She'd never had a job while I'd been alive. Knowing how powerful the Gesti were, it didn't surprise me.

Nobody would want to work with somebody that killed a Gesti household member.

"It feels like you're trying to get a rise out of me. But other than that, you've been nothing but polite." I responded carefully. “I've said my piece. Perhaps it's better that we finish now and go our separate ways.”

Bob didn't react to my words.

He wasn't unhappy that his provocation hadn't worked, and he wasn't surprised. He'd wanted to get a reaction, and I wasn't giving it to him.

"Yes. You're very mature for a three-year-old.” He raised an eyebrow at me. "That surprised me. The Jâl bloodline doesn't give boosted physical attributes.

“Or maybe it does, and they never revealed that to the world.” I responded. “I would like to get the chance to find out, one day.”

My dad had already explained to me that the bloodline didn’t, but Bob didn't need to know that.

I glanced at Gerial, and he looked back at me and gave me a nod. The Gesti weren't making a move, and there wasn't anything or anyone suspicious in the area.

Bob knew my intentions and I'd stated them as firmly as I could.

I wouldn't accept the claim.

There was nothing more to be gained in this meeting. If Bob was hoping for a slip up then he wouldn't get one.

“I think I've made myself clear.” I pushed my hands against the table and stood up. “I will be leaving now, thank you for your time. It has been an honour talking to one of the esteemed Gesti household.”

Gerial rose beside me. There was no need for us to wait for Bob’s permission. Not when this was an unofficial meetup. We stepped around the table.

I took a step towards the cordoned exit.

Then another.

Bob didn't move from his seat.

I took one final glance at the painting. Its flames and destruction once again teased my mind. I’d never seen the destroyed mansion before, but it gnawed at my thoughts.

“Wait.” Bob spoke. “Please.”

There was a crack, and I froze.

Gerial stopped halfway into the corridor, his feet sliding to a halt. His gaze slid over to my back.

A shadow loomed over me from behind.

It was Bob.

The sound I’d heard lingered in the air. He had broken something behind me. I couldn't see what.

“It's a pity that things are so tense between us. I truly feel that we haven't talked enough.” His voice swept over me. "It's a wonderful piece, isn't it?”

I didn't move. His presence sent a shiver down my spine, although he wasn't emitting any pressure or magic. He stepped beside me, his eyes staring up at the painting.

There was no anger in them, or fury.

Only sadness.

“I thought little Bob wanted your claim, but I think he sensed the connection between myself and your family. This painting represents that connection.” His hands clasped behind his back. “Lindria painted it.”

My mother had?

Gerial’s hand twitched and I gave him a subtle nod. Bob couldn't do anything to me, but he clearly wasn't done with me yet.

This conversation wasn't going the way I thought it would.

His reactions were mellow compared to what I had expected. I hadn't been nice to him and he hadn't given way to me, but he hadn't tried to kill me. Or enforce the claim.

In fact, it sounded like he was genuinely trying to have a normal conversation. Like he had at the rollercoaster island.

That confused me.

If he had sent me the claim, then I expected him to try and open it the moment he laid eyes on me. I knew that the Gesti had the ability to call it out of my inventory.

I'd even expected him to give me another claim to activate when I wasn't expecting it. None of that had happened.

He hadn't even summoned any men to force me to open it.

All things considered; he had taken my rejection well.

"I didn't know my mum was a painter.” The words flowed smoothly out of my mouth.

The floor squeaked as I turned away from the exit towards the painting. Bob’s silver hair flowed at the corner of my vision.

I searched the wall for a signature.

There was none. The painting was as wide as the wall, and just as high, but it contained only the image of the mansion and flames.

"She was the concept decoder. This is a painting created by a connection magician. Myself, in fact.” Bob sighed. "It's a pity that we never finished it.”

I couldn't tell whether he was lying to keep me here or being genuine.

I'd considered that my mother had worked for the Gesti. It was one of the only ways for her to get near a member. The immortal household didn't mingle with the public often.

They were similar to Gerial in that regard.

“You told me that she rejected your offer.” I saw the obvious flaw in his words.

Bob chuckled and a small shape came between me and him.

It was little Bob.

He held a drawing in his hand and held it up to the painting, comparing the two. I could see he had drawn flames, but his setting was different.

It was amateur work at best, but he looked proud of it.

“That was because I asked her to work for me. Not with me. I didn't make that mistake the second time.” Bob turned towards me. “That’s how she became my business partner.”

I blinked in surprise.

Being partners with a member of the Gesti household was a big deal.

Despite my situation, I couldn't hold back my curiosity. This man wasn't threatening me or trying to pull me in with bribes.

He was offering information freely.

"If you want to leave, you can. I won't stop you.” He glanced at the corridor. “But I will say, I was looking forward to this day.”

I hesitated.

This was the best scenario I could ask for. He had given me his blessing to leave, and there were no hard feelings between us.

But, despite a rocky start, this was still the man I had met with his son.

My fingers tapped my side pensively, and I saw Gerial tap back. Our guards were still surrounding the building, undetected by Bob. Or at least ignored by him.

I moved my body and faced him.

“I don't have much time.” I tilted my head. "But I can stay for a few minutes.”

“That's fantastic.” His lips parted into a smile. “Come, sit.”

He waved his hand in the air and the space around me filled with objects.

Three large chairs appeared.

"I've been looking forward to this conversation for a long time, so I hope you forgive me if I force the topic a little. Smalltalk has never been my forte.”

I hooked my fingers around the top of the chair nearest to me.

Each one of them was made out of the same material as the chairs little Bob had brought out and was strong enough to carry a golem’s weight without buckling.

Little Bob sat down immediately, and the remaining two chairs were intended for Bob and me.

There wasn't one for Gerial.

"I must apologise in advance.” Bob looked at Gerial. “What I say next must stay between myself and Mr Silver.”

Gerial turned to me, a curious expression on his face. This had been considered, but I would make the judgement call on whether or not I'd stay alone with Bob.

"It's alright." I said. “Don't go too far.”

He nodded his head, not arguing against my decision.

Both of us knew I wasn’t truly alone.

Gerial walked down the corridor, stopping at the cordon of ropes. Then the sounds slowly disappeared as he made his way toward the next exhibit. He stopped just before it.

I could see him with my mana sense, leaning against the end of the corridor wall.

For some reason I couldn't see little Bob, or the older Bob.

"That boy is terrifying.” Bob was waving goodbye to Gerial.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

Bob's posture was relaxing now that we were alone, and he lifted his chair, moving it closer to mine.

"I'll be the first to admit that I never expected us to have this conversation, but I find it fitting.” He laid back and rested his hands behind his head. "Imagine my surprise when I discovered who you were. I'm not sure why little Bob could sense you, but not me.”

“How?” I looked at the golem.

Little Bob looked up at me. He had a sparkle in his silver eyes.

His drawing was gone, a new blank page in his hand.

"Connection magic isn't just a name. Everyone has connections, and we are the people that can see through them.” Bob twirled his finger and a swirl of connection mana appeared by his side. "I thought he wanted your claim. It turns out he wanted to show you our work."

Bob gestured at the painting with a smile on his face.

"What do you think?” He asked.

I examined the painting carefully. I'd never seen it before. I was certain of it.

A mansion. A fire. A blank sky.

“It's well done.” I examined it carefully. “I don't know enough about paintings to say anything more.”

I looked over at him and saw his excitement drop. My answer had disappointed him.

“May I ask a serious question, Bob?” I spoke slowly.

He nodded.

"Are you really a Gesti?”

The man in front of me was a complete stranger. Not only to myself, but to Gerial and our guards as well.

He had the characteristic features of the Gesti household, but nobody had seen him before.

“I'm asking because you haven't threatened me or attempted to coerce me into doing things.” I was honest with him. “I expected more resistance from the people that had bullied me into this meeting and tried to enslave me with a claim.”

These were the same people that had toyed with Amanda and scared away my family.

The contrast was disconcerting.

Bob furled his hands over his legs, taking my question in stride.

There was no anger in his expression and no refusal.

"To answer your question, I am a Gesti. And that response of yours is the usual reaction to our presence.” Bob shrugged. “Even with our years of major conquest well behind us, people assume we will take what we want because we have the power to.

"My first interaction with you was receiving your claim.” I crossed my arms. "Its existence is the literal definition of using your power to get what you want.”

The same emotions I'd seen in him when I first mentioned the claim appeared again.

Anger, annoyance, and a hint of fury.

There was a crunch as his fingers dug into the side of his chair and crushed the material in his fist.

"That is the result of a personal vendetta. Had I had a choice I would never have let it happen.” Bob pursed his lips. “Claims disgust me."

Little Bob nodded his head in agreement.

Confusion rose from my heart and spread across my features. I threaded a hand through my hair, thoughts running through my head.

It didn't make sense.

His words contradicted his actions.

"Then why would you give me one?" I asked.

"I didn't." Bob’s reply was immediate. "Nor would I ever do that to Lindria’s family. Let alone her son. I respected her too much for that.”

I stared at him.

The man was telling me a boldfaced lie. He himself had admitted only a few minutes ago that he had sent it to me.

"You told me you did." I said.

A flash of amusement crossed over his face.

"I asked you what you would do if I was that person." Bob’s voice was cheerful. “I didn’t say I was them.”

The moment I heard his words I went through the memories of the conversation in my mind.

He was right.

Pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. This entire time he had been leading me on, toying with me.

The revelation made me furious.

"My mother killed one of you." My voice cut through his cheerful demeanour. “Then your household retaliated by keeping me apart from my family and sending a claim to enslave me.

I want to make one thing clear. We aren't friends, nor am I here because I want to be. I’m here because my livelihood is being threatened for something I’ve had no part in and no control over. An act that happened before I was born.”

Bob sat back, surprise crossing over his features.

He hadn't expected my outburst.

I hadn't expected it either.

I'd been doing my best to act cordially with him, but for some reason his nice act hit me harder than if he'd been threatening me.

This man was doing his best to convince me that he was a cheerful person with no qualms against me, but that didn't matter. The only reason I was here was because the Gesti kept pushing themselves into my life.

"I'm sorry." Bob’s words were soft. “That was insensitive of me. I forgot that you're not your mother, but your own person.”

He raked his fingers across his neck, deep in thought.

"How rude of me. Perhaps I should introduce myself properly, and an explanation is in order." He looked at me. "My real name is Maxemillian. Maxemillian Gesti. I hold no grudges against you or your family, no matter what others in my family wish to believe.”

He held out his hand toward me. He wanted to shake my hand.

I gazed at it.

Then I held my hand out and shook. His skin was cold. And hard. It was the same sensation I'd felt when I shook little Bob’s hand.

I'd been so distracted by the situation that I hadn't taken the time to examine the person I was talking to. He was crushing objects with ease and was invisible to my mana sense. When I’d first met him, he had sat down on the steel chair, and it had creaked under his weight.

I don't know why I hadn't noticed it before.

The man in front of me was a golem.

“Why would your family hold a grudge against me, but not you?” A sneaking suspicion grew in my heart.

"They hate you for the same reason I don't."

Maxemillian pulled his hand back and sighed.

"Because I'm the man that your mother killed.”