At 3:00 AM, the blast doors of the Moon Cave groaned open. Ethan was on his feet instantly, his handgun drawn, placing himself between the entrance and the bedroom where Emily slept.
But it wasn't an enemy. It was his mother, looking impeccable even in the dead of night, followed by a man who looked like he had been dragged through a hedge backward.
"Put the g*n away, Ethan," Beatrice commanded, striding into the living area. "You’re terrifying the help."
Ethan lowered the weapon but didn't holster it. He eyed the stranger.
The man was young, maybe late twenties, with messy dark hair and glasses that were held together by tape. He wore a trench coat that smelled of sulfur, old books, and... something else. Something wild.
"This is Kael," Beatrice introduced. "He is the foremost expert
