"Dealing with the mess," Vander replied, his voice ge unapologetic as their eyes remained locked. "I was ing for you, but Silco got there first."

  "Were you actually ing for me?" Orion challenged sharply, his voice rising with accusation. "Or were you c again because you didn't want to endahose closest to you!"

  Ses of the Last Drop from Are fshed through his mind, where despite Marcus st into the bar, Vaill did nothing.

  He heard the stories from the street though, and it only agitated him more.

  The kids' eyes drifted back to Vander. Orion could see his eyes visibly shake. Perhaps Vander didn't like the idea of Orioing doubt about his character in front of the kids.

  Vander's expression darkened as he closed the gap, being more fierce. Anger simmered behind his wolf-like gre as he loomed over Orion's lithe figure, casting a dark shadow over him.

  "We fought our way to the bridge," Vander said, his voice low and dangerous. "I lost my closest friends trying to save you."

  Orion's eyes widened. "What?"

  "I talked with Greysoh wao save you." Vander tinued, his eyes clouded with memories of the past. "Everyone lost somethihat night. We lost Benzo... The gang was hurt, and Powder's mental state was devastated."

  Leaning closer, h inches away from Orion's face, Vander's tobacd liquor-sted breath pierced his nose.

  "Do you want to keep spouting nonsense about your suffering while you were dang around in Ionia's magical fields?"

  "Don't twist the truth to defend yourself." Orioed, his toting as his head gestured toward the gang. "You only acted after they got hurt. Because of your indecisiveness- and your family- I've been the oing fucked up."

  "I was your fug afterthought, Vander! After everything and everyone else!"

  A sharp sp resounded as Vander, like in the past, ked him across the head.

  Cggor and Mylo sucked in air sharply, their eyes wide as they looked at each other, unsure if they should act or how to react.

  Vi flinched, startled by the sudden a and Powder let out a high-pitched squeak, stepping behind her sister.

  "Your family?" Vander repeated, his voice rough and full of disbelief as he leaned back, log eyes with Orion. "Your family? If that's the case, then go."

  "Sure..." Orion muttered, his body tensing with eyes shut tight and fists starting to ch as the shod pailed in.

  Vawitched at the response and unfolded his arms, his eyes widening in arm. He khat look, and he realized what he just did.

  "...But first-"

  A brilliant blue fsh tore through the room, the air crag as everyone shrieked and stumbled ba arm. Vander's body was sent hurling backward, nding on the floor between the gang.

  Vander coughed in pain as he y on his back. One hand clutched his stomach, the other braced him as he struggled to sit up, his face t in pain.

  "Vander!" Vi cried out as she ran to his side, her eyes wide with worry and fear.

  The rest of the gang stood frozen, their expressions locked in shock, uo process what had just happened.

  Orion struck Vander?

  "Stop fug hitting me." Orion spat, his gaze no longer friendly or filled with the warmth of the reunion.

  The room plunged into a razor-thin silehe tension suffog, as if even the slightest movement could shatter it.

  Without another word, Orion turned on his heel and picked up his mask. The door creaked as it swung shut behind him, leaving the family in a shattered, fused, and stuillness.