The person responsible for trying to turn me into a slave was standing in front of me. Heat washed off him in waves and his silver eyes bore holes into my head. I was expecting to see anger, and fury.

There was only indifference.

“Are you accepting the claim?” Ignatius’s icy voice sent a shiver down my spine.

We stared at each other. The man was expecting an answer right now, and I wasn't sure how he would react to not getting one.

A single chirp broke through my thoughts. Gold tilted his head at Ignatius and preened his chest, his wings opening wide on my shoulder.

His actions broke the stalemate.

"No, I'm not, sir.” I kept my tone firm, but respectful.

There was no need to anger the man and then leave Bob to deal with the consequences.

Ignatius’s fire mana shifted, waves of it collapsing into themselves around his body. I braced myself for a spell, but nothing came.

"Then you're not worth my time.” He narrowed his eyes. "An opportunity has come your way. Be sure that you don't reject it."

An opportunity?

Maybe he thought that I didn't know what the claim was. Or perhaps he genuinely thought slavery to the Gesti was better than my current life.

Either way, I wasn't having it.

There was a pinch on my shoulder as Gold tightened his grip, and Ignatius looked down at me, waiting for a response.

There was a rustling of movement behind him as Bob glanced at me and shook his head. I could read his intentions clearly. This wasn't a fight that he wanted me to pick.

I was in the middle of Gesti territory, next to one of the immortal household members themselves. Picking a fight with him here could only go badly.

For myself, and for my family.

Ignatius continued to gaze at me, brushing a strand of silk and silver hair over his shoulder.

Then, he shifted.

Throughout the room a pulse of power cracked into reality. Pure mana gathered in droves around him, and a force more powerful than I'd seen in a single person coalesced at his fingertips.

I took a step back, my eyes widening at the sudden spike in power.

"So, you can see it." Ignatius straightened. "Interesting.”

He smiled, a gesture ever so slight and menacing. It snaked across his lips and then the indifference was replaced with something else.

Cold and calculating curiosity.

"You may go now, Andross.” Bob’s voice interrupted his brother’s actions.

It cut through the tension, and I heard a tremor in his voice.

Ignatius tensed and turned to face the golem. His power redirected towards Bob, and I could see fury flashing over his features.

Bob ignored him, looking at me.

"I said you may go. Do not make me say it twice." Bob’s voice turned cold. "We will not be seeing each other again. And you are not welcome back in this museum.”

Bob gestured with his hand for me to leave. He’d know best what to do in this situation, and how he would fare.

I felt a hand clasp around my wrist. There was a blur in the air next to me.

It was Gerial.

Ignatius’s mana flowed through the room and across my skin and hair as it made its way toward the man himself. Within seconds the exhibition felt like a cultivation room.

But he didn't attack.

If I fought back, I would only be making things worse for me, and for Bob. The golem would have to live with the consequences of what I did if I reacted.

He didn't have the luxury of leaving and never looking back.

There was another tug at my wrist, and I sighed.

"I thank you for your time, sir.” I gave Bob a low bow. "I hope the Gesti family continues to remain prosperous.”

Gold squawked at them as well.

A smile touched Bob’s lips and he winked at me.

He mouthed a single sentence. It’ll be okay.

I walked towards the corridor exit, Ignatius's eyes on my back the entire time. I could see the mana floating around him, whispering in anticipation. I looked over my shoulder, and the last thing I saw was his lips curling up in a smile, a faint whisper of triumph crossing his features.

Then I turned the corner and the gathered power disappeared.

Ignatius had only brought it out to strike fear in me. Even if I couldn't see it, I would be able to feel the pressure from the sheer density of mana in the air.

It may have even hurt me, if I wasn't used to feeling so much mana in one place.

“Gerial.” I kept my voice low. "We’re going to have a talk.”

“If it's about going back there, then that's not possible.” He replied

I could see the blur beside me looking at me cautiously. He didn't want me running back in there and committing a grave mistake.

He didn't have to worry.

“It's not that.” I shook my head.

I knew the consequences of going back into that room. Gerial had said it himself. If the Gesti attacked me, then the church would have no choice but to retaliate.

"We can stay in Gesti Sky.” Gerial’s voice floated towards me. “That man is done with you. He thinks he won.”

That was exactly my issue.

Problem after problem kept cropping up, and I wasn't strong enough, or influential enough to tackle them. Eli had kidnapped me easily, Oubliez had gotten through my defenses, and now Ignatius had forced me to back down.

This is unacceptable.

There was a solution that didn't involve me fighting for my life or running away.

I needed the powers that being a Marked one provided.

The training, the resources, and the influence.

“How do I speed up my verification?”

It was time for me to get the Church of the Crijik on my side.

****

It's surprising how much an evening with my grandma could take away the tension of the morning and afternoon.

It had been early morning when I’d gone to the museum. The mess at Koshima had pushed the day into the afternoon, and the rest of the time was spent on the promised hang out with my grandma.

We were in the ice-cream aviary, finishing off the night with a dessert.

"They’re all one regent?” I stared at the birds around us. “Including the ones outside?”

I hadn't been able to spot that at all.

"No- no- no, not every bird in Gesti Sky.” My grandma shook her head. "Just the ones in this room. They are connected to the regent that looks like a tree. They have to return to it every few minutes to recharge their mana.”

The amount of knowledge she held, and the genuine fun of having an ordinary evening, gave my heart a welcome distraction.

The only thing that worried me was what had happened to Bob.

The man had looked like he knew what he was doing, but I couldn't be sure that wasn't an act.

"Should we head back inside, grandson?" My grandma looked at me in concern.

I'd been zoning in and out of all of our conversations.

"I'm fine, thanks grandma." I shook my head. "I was just thinking I should get myself some more dessert.”

By the time I got back to the hotel, I'd had my fill and so had Gold.

Gerial was right. Nothing had stopped me from staying in Gesti Sky. Ignatius thought that he had cowed me. In his mind every second I spent in his territory was another that I spent as a nervous wreck.

He was severely mistaken.

This was the most comfortable I'd been in a long time. I sat back on my sofa, revelling in the quiet of the hotel room.

Gold was nestled on the table, a nest of rocks and dirt underneath him. He'd had his own fill of dessert, but still turned to me and squawked.

“You greedy bird.” I chuckled.

I fed him a treat anyway.

There was a knock at my door and my head shot up.

William and Amanda were due back soon, and Gerial was contacting the church to let them know about my decision.

"Come in!” I shouted.

The door creaked open slowly, and a pair of bright blue eyes entered my vision.

"Hey hey." Roxxy gave me a wave.

Her blonde hair draped over her shoulders as she closed the door behind her and made her way into the room. The moment she reached me she kicked her shoes off and sat down on the other side of the sofa.

“This was a heck of a day.” She shuffled into a comfortable position. “Like, I think that was the most intense day of my life.”

I glanced at her, a smile dancing on my lips.

Her words were refreshing. She was bubbling with excitement, and I could see a gleam in her eye.

She wanted to talk about the day, and she wasn't even hiding it like she usually did. Unlike the others, Roxxy had only been there for the good parts.

However, I'd seen how worried she was when she thought Amanda was in danger. She’d gone out of her way to try and help her friend, ignoring everything else around her.

I wouldn't fault her for being excited now that everyone was safe.

“Tell me about it.” I looked at her and saw her pouting at my response. "No, really, that's not a dismissal, I want you to tell me about it.”

Roxxy’s lips parted into a beaming smile.

“Okay, so, am I crazy or was that a Gesti I met? Also, how did you save Amanda? Also- also, why did I have to hear about it from William?”

Her voice shot out words and questions like a mini gun, and without realising it I was caught up in her enthusiasm.

It was nice.

And refreshing.

“— and that's how Gold saved the day.” I concluded my story.

The puffer nodded his head humbly as Roxxy stared at him.

"Gold can use regents?” She examined the bird closely. “I thought he was just really smart.”

I paused.

Gold looked at me with narrowed eyes and shook his head in disappointment.

On second thought, Roxxy didn't know about that yet.

I’d forgotten about it in my excitement, but she didn't know a lot of the things that my other friends knew about.

Gold, myself, and Gerial.

One crazy bird, and two Marked ones.

To my surprise, I didn't find myself averse to the idea of telling her about my status. I would just need some more time to get to know her.

Then again, I couldn't tell her about my Marked one status even if I wanted to. I didn't want to risk it while I was inside Gesti territory, but I could work on some of the other things.

"Well, he is a special type of bird.” I scratched Gold’s neck. "In fact, there's a couple of things I haven't told you yet.”

"Oh, really?” Roxxy’s eyes twinkled. “Do tell.”

She leaned forward and I shot her a conspiratorial look.

“William is scared of dirt.” I gave her the important details first. "Also, I'm younger than I look. A lot younger.”

I watched Roxxy carefully to gauge her reaction.

Shs was indifferent. No. There was an emotion on her face, but it wasn't confusion, it was mischief.

"I already knew that.” A grin played on her lips. “Both the dirt and the age thing.”

"You did?" I didn't hide my surprise.

How had she known?

Amanda and William wouldn't have told her. Gerial was a rock when it came to these sorts of things. Agni barely talked to Roxxy. The two couldn't even hold a proper conversation.

That left one culprit to give away my mystery.

Gold hit his head under his wing as I turned my gaze towards him. The puffer knew he was guilty, and now he knew that I knew.

He let out a muffled chirp.

Not a big deal.

I couldn't understand it, but I grasped the basic meaning from context.

"When did he tell you?" I turned my attention back to Roxxy.

I wasn't going to punish Gold. Unlike the other secrets, this one wasn't that important. The only thing that held me back from telling people was my worry of how they’d perceive me.

"He let it slip during one of his jokes.” Roxxy wriggled back into the cushions. “I didn't tell the others that part, but he asked me to keep it a secret that he'd told me.”

Gold stood up from the nest and walked a few steps away from me, embarrassed.

I didn't mind. My main concern was how Roxxy would react.

“It doesn't matter to me." She read my mind. “Besides, I'm a rock. Nothing you could say would surprise me.”

She had no idea.

“I take that as a personal challenge.” I raised an eyebrow at her. “I hope you're prepared to have your mind blown when the time comes.”

“Bring it on.” She poked her tongue out at me.

The conversation devolved from there. Roxxy didn't ask any more questions about the Gesti, although I had a lot of questions myself about the situation.

Bob had discovered the memory of the first night within humanity.

Then he died.

Was that a coincidence? Or was there something more to it?

I’d memorised The entire conversation we’d had with each other, and I intended to replay it in my mind over and over again until I came up with a satisfactory answer.

"What’s up?” Roxxy asked.

I paused.

The situation with the Gesti and the first night wasn't something I wanted to talk about, but something about her reaction to my age piqued my curiosity.

Both Amanda and Roxxy were fine with young people getting older

What about the other way around?

People couldn't reincarnate in this world. That didn't mean they couldn't get younger.

"I was just thinking." I propped my chin up on my hand. “Can people reverse their ages too? So they're older but look younger?”

Roxxy’s eyes glimmered in excitement.

"They can!" Her voice rose. "Both skills and concoctions exist for that kind of thing. If you've got the money, you can turn yourself back into a baby.”

Huh.

It wasn't the same as reincarnation, but it was similar.

Would people react the same way to my old age as they would to my young age?

It was one of the only secrets I had left that I hadn't told my closest friends. More importantly, it was one of the only secrets I hadn't told them that directly affected their perception of me.

The concept of reincarnation was a lot to take in.

Alternate universes and coming back to life after death was intense. Not to mention the baby they'd been hanging out with was actually an older man.

It felt wrong to keep it a secret, but it also felt hard to tell them.

"How do people usually react to those age-reversers?” I asked.

“With jealousy. At least I do.” Roxxy huffed and crossed her arms. “Those kinds of concoctions cost more than most noble families can afford. Don’t even get me started on the price for that kind of skill. That can't even be purchased.”

Oh?

That sounded like a pretty good response to me.

"If I met someone like that—”

Roxxy’s sentence was cut off by a knock on the door.

"Come on in!” I shouted.

The door opened, revealing Gerial, William, Agni, and Amanda.

"We’re back.” Gerial waved.

"Grab a seat.” I gestured at the surroundings. “Today’s topic is young old people.”

"Young old people?" Amanda tilted her head.

She made her way toward the sofa with Agni on her shoulder.

Roxxy and I shuffled back on either side to make room for her and she sat down between us. Agni hopped off her head and onto the table, joining Gold and staring up at me.

She chirped.

You. Young. Old.

I stared at her, but she turned her attention away from me and towards Gold.

How much did the phoenix see? What did she know?

"I've met quite a few people like that.” William’s voice interrupted me.

He took possession of the chair beside the sofa.

"It's interesting to see the opposite of my situation.” He melted in the chair with an exhausted groan. “The youngest I've met was a teenager. Or I suppose I should say the oldest. He was still running his business and wasn't willing to give it up.”

“I've met quite a few too.” Gerial’s head popped into my vision.

His body was hidden behind a chair he was dragging toward us. He placed it next to William’s and sat down.

"They’re not too common, but then again, neither are w— you two.” He covered his mouth.

I smacked my palm against my forehead. He’d saved himself by throwing me under the bus.

It was lucky that Roxxy already knew.

The day passed quickly after that. I had a lot of questions, and I intended to get the answers for them, but that would take time.

There was one last thing I wanted to do while at Gesti Sky.

****

The rays of the morning sun didn't wake me up. Instead, there was only the night sky greeting me through the hotel window.

Good.

I got ready, the dark of the night still there when I left my hotel room. Gold nestled drowsily on my shoulder, getting his last winks of beauty sleep.

Amanda was already in the hallway, waiting for us with Agni.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I'm not that bad.” Amanda huffed. “You can just wake me up if I sleep in.”

“Last time I did that you set me on fire.”

I chuckled at her expression.

"What's this about a fire?” Gerial’s chipper voice entered my ears.

His hotel room door opened, and he strode towards us.

“Nothing!” Amanda’s response bounced off the walls. "Oops, that was a little loud."

The doors to the two other rooms opened at the same time.

"Yes, it was." William spoke dryly.

"Don't worry, I was already awake. Barely.” Roxxy yawned. "I don't think I've been up this early in my entire life."

"It'll be worth it." I smiled.

We tapped our fingers against our key cards and with a bright flash of light we teleported out into Gesti Sky.

My feet landed on solid air, and I jolted for a second as my body lost its balance. The teleportation had taken us directly to the middle of the sky.

Just as intended.

A pair of hands grasped my arm.

"Woah, that was trippy.” Roxxy clung to me as she gazed across the surroundings.

Underneath us was pure night air, the sky perfectly clear. The dark of the night was slowly being replaced by a gentle light and I could see the trees and mountains unveiling themselves underneath our feet.

It was dawn.

"Are you okay?" I asked Roxxy.

“Yeah, and I'm definitely wide awake now.” She stepped to the side.

"I found the bench.” Gerial’s voice floated through the air.

We looked toward him and saw him pointing at the air. In front of him was one of the benches that littered the skies.

"Perfect." I moved toward it.

A faint glow joined me as Amanda, Agni and William stepped over to the bench. Soon, we were all gathered around it, Roxxy and William standing at the back and Amanda, Gerial and me sitting at the front.

We had come to see the sunrise from the middle of the sky.

I'd told Amanda that I thought the view would look good from here, and the others had agreed to give it a try.

Gerial raised his hand and a sphere appeared in the air. It hovered in mid-air and then moved in front of me. It buzzed softly, a small glow coming from a circle on its surface.

“Is that a recording sphere?” I gazed at the device.

It floated away from my grasp and moved in front of the bench to better see us all.

"Of course, I’ve always wanted a picture with friends.” Gerial smiled.

We got into comfortable positions and after a few minutes of waiting the first golden-orange ray of sunlight pierced through the darkness.

It was quickly joined by more radiant light that spread out across the sky. There was nothing blocking our eyesight, the horizon spreading out as far as our eyes could see.

Mountains grasped at the sun, and beyond them a shimmering body of water reflected orange across its surface.

"Okay, this is pretty great." William’s voice broke the silence.

I smiled as I looked around at my friends. I agreed with him.

The view was beautiful.