Dianna's POV
"Well, I can't be the only bad uncle, can I? How do we find the Guardian?" Ivan asked.
"The only way we found her last time was by bumping into a witch who knew her. Tomorrow, we'll go around Arcane City and pay visits to all the prominent witches to inquire about the Guardian," I said.
"I'm sure the witches will be thrilled to see us," Gia smiled.
"They hate us because they fear us," I said, "which will work to our advantage if we want any useful information."
"I guess we'll begin our search tomorrow, then," Eric said, and I nodded.
"I just hope none of us lose control while trying to have a peaceful conversation with the Arcane witches," I added, and all eyes turned to Ivan.
"Why are you all staring at me like that? Look at the person who spoke, Dianna is the one who always loses control, not me!" Ivan protested.
"Yes, sister always loses control, but this is about her child, so she won't mess it up," Gia said.
"Which leaves you," Eric added, "You rarely lose control, but that's only because you have none to begin with. Remember back in the '80s, when we found shelter in that small county.…"
"Yes, I remember," I said. "Ivan was supposed to get us some food but bumped into a witch outside. Instead of talking, he removed his glove and burned the whole county down... with us inside!"
"That was a long time ago. You didn't see that witch's face, she was irritating!" Ivan defended himself.
"So you burned an entire county? If we weren't immortal, we'd have burned with the villagers!" Gia exclaimed.
"Face it, Ivan, you're never at your best around witches. You always lose control," I said.
"Yes, I guess so! But can you blame me? A witch is responsible for my predicament! The Guardian is a witch, isn't she? She cursed us! Do you know what it feels like to wake up every day knowing your hands and feet constantly bring fire and lightning, covered only by spelled gloves and socks? A witch damned me into this eternal misery. So forgive me if I have no affinity for any of them!" Ivan said, standing up.
"Ivan…" I began.
"Me going with you tomorrow to find the Guardian doesn't mean I want to live, it just means I want that little Ravenson in your tummy to survive. If I find a way to die alone, I will do it happily." He paused, then turned back. "For the purpose of clarity, I will try to suppress my hatred tomorrow, but if any irritating witch pushes me too far, I won't hesitate to make them suffer." He walked out of the dining room.
"Why is he taking it so personally?" Gia sighed.
"Leave him be, Gia. Sometimes we need to give in to our frustrations to survive," I said. Eric sighed in agreement.
"We're all so broken," he muttered.
***Next Day***
"Everyone ready?" I asked as I descended the stairs to meet my siblings in the living room.
"Combat jeans, black top, ponytail, sunglasses… Which son of man do you plan on killing today, sister?" Gia asked with a smirk.
"Anyone who gets in my way," I replied.
"Where's Ivan?" I asked, noticing he wasn't in the room.
"Right here," he said, walking in.
"Great. Today we're going into the city in search of witches who might know the Guardian. Gia will go with Eric and Ivan, you'll come with me," I said.
"Is this your measly attempt to stop me from murdering any witch today, sister?" Ivan asked.
"This is important. I won't let you or your hatred for witches ruin it," I replied.
"So you're leaving me with him?! You know how much I hate being alone with this douchebag!" Gia complained.
"Douchebag?! The only reason I haven't ripped out your tongue is that you're still my sister. Call me that again, and I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!" Eric snapped.
"Oh, you're still the same—m, talk a lot, act little," Gia said. Eric chuckled.
"I did act, didn't I? When I said I'd get rid of Michael... was that all talk? Did I or did I not get rid of him?"
"Don't you dare speak of Michael!" Gia yelled.
"Okay, we're ready. Let's go," I said, ignoring the twins' squabble.
Ivan leaned closer and whispered, "Leaving them alone together won't end well."
"They can't kill each other, even if they want to. That's one perk of being immortal," I said.
I left the house with Ivan, while Eric and Gia went their own way.
Eric's POV
"So where do we start?" I asked Gia as we walked through the busy streets of Arcane City.
"I have no interest in speaking to you, Eric. I'm only enduring this because I want Dianna's child to live. Keep communication minimal," Gia said.
"Noted," I said. "There's a bar here, let's see what information we can dig up."
The shop was sparsely populated. We sat, and the bartender approached.
"Welcome to Arcane Bar Shop. Drinks, or would you like our signature coffee?" she asked.
"Hi, beautiful. Soda sounds fine, but your coffee intrigues me," I said. She smiled.
"I'll get it for you. You'll love it," she said, then turned to Gia. "Would you like some coffee too?"
"Nah, she doesn't take coffee. Just me," I said.
Gia's glare met mine. "Is this your plan? Come into a coffee shop and flirt with the bartender to find the Guardian?"
"Patience. I need an opening to communicate. Not everyone respond to blunt inquiries," I explained.
The bartender returned with my coffee.
"Thanks. Are you from this city?" I asked.
"Yes, born and raised here," she replied.
"Then maybe you can help. We're looking for a circus performer called the Guardian. Do you know where.…"
"That's her! The lady from the theater explosion!" A man shouted, pointing at Gia.
"What?!"
"You're the one with the freezing powers! I was among those you saved," he said, stepping closer.
"Stay away!" Gia warned.
"How did you do that ice wall that night? It was amazing!" he said, touching her hand.
"I said stay away!" Gia screamed. The man flew across the shop.
"She's a witch! She's a witch!" the patrons yelled.
"You messed up," I said, grabbing Gia's hand, and we ran out.