"Wow, no 'Nice to see you' or 'How you been'." Eda said, mock hurt, "I would've expected a little more, great uncle Caleb."

"Answer the question." Belos said.

"Named after your grandfather, the Human." Eda said, "One of the two humans that ended up in this realm all those centuries ago."

"I said, answer the question."

"Or what? You going to hit me too?" Eda asked, glaring at him, "She doesn't want to see you, and quite frankly, I can't blame her."

"You're a criminal, I can bring you in and take my daughter back." Belos said.

"And that will only push her away more." Eda said, pointing her staff against his chest, "Leave, or I'll make you."

Belos took a step back.

"I'll be back for her, I promise you that." Belos said.

"Try and be a better fucking dad, and maybe I'll consider it." Eda said, "And I promise you, if I ever hear about how you hit my little cousin again, I will kill you. I know she could easily be a better leader than you."

Belos scowled.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Belos asked.

"Yeah... a Philip Wittebane wannabe." Eda said.

"Do NOT call me that!" Belos said, "What he did to my grandfather was disgusting and horrific!"

"And what about what he did to your wife?" Eda asked quietly enough that Luz wouldn't hear, "You think I didn't know he's still alive? You think I don't know what he wants?"

"If you know what he wants, then you know that she is safer at the castle." Belos said.

"With you? I don't think so." Eda said, "I won't let him near her, and I won't let him have the portal either."

Belos looked down at Eda for what felt like hours.

"You better be right." He said, summoning one of Eda's wanted posters, "From now on, you're a free woman, but make no mistake, if she is hurt, that amnesty will go away."

Belos turned and began to walk away, when Eda called out.

"What's the point of the sigils anyway?"

Belos stopped and looked back at Eda.

"They have a use, and that will save everyone." Belos said, before looking away, "If he comes by and tries anything... let me know."

Eda nodded, and even though Belos couldn't see her nod, he knew she did. He kept walking until he was well out of sight.

"I-I-is he gone?" Luz asked.

Eda turned around and saw Luz on the second to last step, seeing the dark bruise on her cheek.

"Don't worry kid, he's gone." Eda said.

"G-g-good." Luz said, "I... I don't want to see him right now."

Luz walked over to the couch and sat down.

"I just don't understand why he's so different than he was before mom died." Luz said.

Eda sat next to Luz and put an arm around her.

"Sometimes, death can change people." Eda said, "Do you remember the day Lilith went missing?"

Luz looked at Eda and nodded. Eda closed her eyes and folded her hands in her lap.

"I... I refused to leave my house, I refused to eat, hell, I even refused to get up in the morning." Eda said, "Not that I slept anyway. The very last time I spoke to Lily we were having an argument, I honestly don't even remember what it was about... and now she's gone. I don't know if she's alive... I honestly doubt it, it's been almost two years. The point is, sometimes things happen, and it will change us for a long time... if Lily was here, I would have hugged her, I would've cried and told her how much I miss her, I would've told her that she was the greatest sister ever. I-"

Eda closed her eyes and started to sniffle a little bit. She felt something hold her and looked down to see Luz hugging her. Eda smiled and ruffled Luz's hair.

"Why don't you go wake up King while I make breakfast?" Eda asked, "We both know how he feels if he doesn't do your stupid little comedy hour before you leave for school."

"Okay, Eda." Luz said.

Luz walked up the stairs and Eda just watched her go. Eda looked back at her hands and just sat there.

'I wish you were here, Lily.' Eda thought, 'Titan, I miss you so much.'


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