The tunnel was dark and damp. Not more than once, Maha complained about the water dripping from the ceiling. Each time, everyone responded with, "Shut up, Maha". They encountered no one, not that they expected to, and they did not see any end to the tunnel. The whole way, Garry checked for hidden exits, but found nothing. On what Thia counted as the fourth day of walking in the tunnel, she decided to question Jen to see if he knew anything.

"Have you ever used this tunnel?" Thia asked.

Jen smiled. Since they had entered the tunnel, he always seemed to be smiling. "Many times. Mostly to visit you in your stone room."

"Okay. And where did you enter the tunnel?"

His smile got even bigger. "From your stone room."

Thia growled. "Where is the other side of the tunnel?"

Jen laughed and avoided the question. "It's funny when you get angry." He thought for a moment before saying, "How old are you?" When she didn't say anything, he guessed. "Hmm, sixteen? Fifteen maybe?"

She decided to humor him and asked, "What's your final guess."

"Fifteen."

It was Thia's turn to laugh. "Stars, no! I'm only thirteen. And I guess that you are fourteen."

He looked surprised at her guess. "How did you know?"

"I actually got it right? Well, I guess I'm better at guessing ages than you are. Take a guess as to how old the others are."

For a long time, they played guess the age for various people. When they got to guessing the ages of Thia's parents, she wondered, "Who are your parents? Or, where do you live? What's your last name?"

"That's a lot of questions," Jen said. "I'll answer one every day. So, what is today's question?"

"You really do enjoy making me mad, don't you?" Thia muttered. "I guess today's question is, who are your parents?"

"Luan and Mona," he answered curtly.

"You're not going to tell me their last name?" Thia asked.

"Nope. That's a question for another day."

---

The next day, they awoke to sounds of screaming. They all jolted awake.

"Where is that coming from?" Thia asked.

"HQ," Jen answered, though she hadn't asked him. "The exit isn't far. Something must be wrong."

"I wasn't talking to you," she muttered. "Alright, Rikan, lead with Grom in front of you. Try to avoid all conflict, if possible."

As they finally stepped out of the tunnel and into the light of what looked like a security room, they all gasped in horror. There was blood and bodies everywhere. It was worse than anything they had ever seen. And, standing in the middle of the room, was a girl with dark skin and brown eyes. Her black hair was down to her waist, and she wore all black. She was holding a bloody knife and laughed when she saw their group. She walked towards them slowly, like a cat about to pounce.

Thia leaned toward Jen. "Before we die, what's your last name?"

The girl laughed again. She stepped closer to Jen and said, "Little brother! How nice of you to join me."

Thia gaped at him. "That's your sister?"

"Daeva Park, in the flesh," she said, and giggled like a madwoman.

"Jen, this is your sister?" she asked again.

Jen sighed. "Yes. And my last name is Park."

The meaning of their last name finally sunk in. "Park," Thia whispered in horror. "Aimery Park. You're related to Aimery Park!"

He sighed again. "We're half-siblings. I never met him, you know. I was only born a year before you."

"But you're half-Lunar," she said.

"Yeah. My mom was Earthen. Aimery's mom had died a few years back. My dad met her when some Earthens came to visit after Levana was killed."

At the sound of Levana's name, Daeva screeched, a shrill sound that almost caused them all to go deaf. "Never use her name!"

Thia smiled despite herself. She had found a weakness and also had an idea of who planted letumosis on Luna. She wished she had kept her smile to herself when Daeva did something horrible.

She twitched her wrist and in a blink of an eye, her knife took Grom's head off his shoulders. The knife flew back to her, and she caught it and stored it in her sleeve. Ruby hid her face in her hands as the head rolled to a stop at Daeva's feet. She kicked it as she stalked closer to their group.

"Little brother," she cooed. She traced a finger on Jen's chin. Her focus then swiveled to Thia. "Princess." Daeva slid her finger across Thia's cheek and though her nails were not sharp, she cut the skin and blood trickled from the thin wound. "Now, little brother. I am willing to make you a deal."

Jen's face became stone so that Thia couldn't read his expression. "What deal, sister?" He said the last word with such venom that Daeva spat at him.

"You will come with me, and all your little friends will live," she announced.

"This lady cuts right to the chase," Leo muttered.

Daeva shot him a look while she waited for Jen's response.

"What happens if I don't go with you?" He asked coolly.

"Then you will die," she hissed. "The little Princess will die. And I will make you watch." Her voice became sly as she said, "I know how you feel about her. But you could come with me and everyone will be fine. It is your choice."

Jen glanced at Thia before answering, "I accept." He glanced at Thia again before adding, "There is something I must do first."

"Okay. I'll wait in the tunnel. But don't try to run away." Daeva walked into the tunnel as Jen stepped closer to Thia and took her hand.

"Please don't be mad at me," he whispered. He stepped closer until their toes were touching.

Thia felt herself breathing harder. "What are you doing?" she whispered back.

Jen didn't answer. Instead, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Thia's before pulling away. Thia felt very confused as he walked away into the tunnel.

"I told you they had relationship issues," she heard Garry mumble. But she ignored it. All she could think about was Jen.

That was the boy that had kidnapped her. That was the boy who had unintentionally taught her to use her powers. That was the boy she had hated with all of her being. That was the boy who was related to a murderer.

So when had things changed?

A/N:

Hi!! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter.

Do you like my cliffhangers? To be a good author, one must be evil and torture their readers. 😈😈 (Just kidding 😋)

What do you think about Thia and Jen? What about Daeva? I'll leave you to imagine what will become of their relationship.💕

Bye!

~Bookworm 😜