Revealing the past

Ignatius and Luna made their way to the mayor's office, their footsteps echoing in the grand hallway. They were there to renew the permits and zoning rights for Silvi's Coffee Shop, a routine task that had brought them to this place many times before. The office was bustling with activity, the air filled with the sounds of ringing phones and hushed conversations.

As they approached the reception desk, Ignatius couldn't help but notice a heated discussion taking place in one of the nearby offices. The voices of a man and a woman carried through the closed door, growing louder with each passing moment.

"Linda Grey," Luna whispered to Ignatius, her eyes narrowing. "She's a town council member. I've seen her around."

"Let's focus on our task for now," Ignatius replied.

They handed their paperwork to the receptionist and waited for the documents. Meanwhile, the argument in the office continued to escalate.

"I won't stand for this, Linda!" the man's voice boomed. "You can't keep pushing these projects through without proper oversight."

Linda Grey's voice was sharp and determined. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under. These initiatives are vital for the town's health and development."

"Or maybe you're lining your pockets," the man retorted. "I've heard the rumours, Linda. Accepting bribes for zoning permits and construction projects?"

Luna's eyes widened, and she glanced at Ignatius. "Did you hear that? She's accused of accepting bribes."

Ignatius nodded, his expression serious. "This could connect to the mayor's murder. We need to investigate further."

Once their permits were renewed, Ignatius and Luna left the mayor's office, their minds racing with the implications of what they had heard. They decided to visit Elysia, who was busy at the police headquarters.

As they arrived, they saw Elysia arresting a man for stealing from businesses at night. She cuffed him with practised ease and led him to a waiting police officer.

"Elysia," Luna called out, hurrying over to her.

Elysia turned, her expression brightening as she saw her friends. "Ignatius, Luna! What brings you here?"

"We need to talk to you," Ignatius said, his tone serious. "We overheard something at the mayor's office that could be a valid lead to his murder."

Elysia's eyes narrowed with interest. "Let's go somewhere more private."

They went to Silvi's Coffee Shop, where they could talk without fear of being overheard. Magnus had been doubling down on his insistence. That Elysia should stay away from Luna and especially Ignatius. Making this secret meeting even more meaningful.

Once seated in a quiet corner of the coffee shop. Ignatius recounted what they had heard at the mayor's office.

"Luna and I were renewing the permits for the coffee shop," Ignatius began. "We overheard a heated argument between Linda Grey, a town council member, and another man. He accused her of accepting bribes for zoning permits and construction projects."

Elysia's eyes widened. "If those accusations are true, it could be a significant lead in the mayor's murder. We need to look into this further."

Luna nodded in agreement. "Linda frequently visited Mayor John Silvan to discuss town health initiatives. What if those visits were a cover for something more sinister?"

Ignatius leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "We need to find concrete evidence. If Linda Grey is involved in the mayor's murder, we have to expose her."

As they discussed their plan, their camaraderie was evident. They shared a determination to uncover the truth and bring justice to Mayor Sullivan's memory.

"Elysia, we need your help," Ignatius said, his tone earnest. "Can you look into Linda Grey's activities and see any evidence of bribery or corruption?"

Elysia nodded, her resolve firm. "I'll dig into her background and see what I can find. In the meantime, we should watch her and see if she makes any suspicious moves."

Their meeting continued late into the evening. The warm ambience of the coffee shop. Providing a comforting backdrop to their intense conversation. They knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but they were ready to face it together.

They went upstairs Ignatius holding Elysia and Luna's hands. Ignatius closed the door to his room. Three hours passed.

Anderson had outdone himself. The maids stayed for dinner, and Zarkon had replaced their previous table with a bigger one. As the family steadily grew, Anderson's wife and kids also joined. The maids had wool dresses on. To Anderson's dismay, Morgan and Barbara became fast friends with his wife.

The night air was cool and refreshing as they walked through the town's quiet streets. The stars twinkled above, casting a gentle light on their path.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Ignatius said, his voice filled with confidence. "We'll uncover the truth and bring justice to Mayor Silvan."

Luna and Elysia nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting the same determination. They stopped near Elysia's house, standing in the shadow of a neighbour's house. Elysia kissed them, letting go of Ignatius. She used a shadow step to enter her home. Ignatius and Luna walked hand in hand back home. A dark shadow followed them. Zarkon smiled as he looked at Elysia's home.

Ignatius rose early, the first light of dawn filtering through the curtains. He had been working tirelessly on his new novel, and his planning was almost finished. Today, he decided to visit the library to gather some final references. As he walked through the quiet streets, his mind filled with thoughts of his story.

Upon entering the library, Ignatius spotted Clair. He approached her, hoping to exchange a few words, but she gave him a cold stare and turned away without a word. His heart sank, and he felt a pang of hurt. Christie appeared and took his arm, leading him away from the library.

"Don't let her get to you," Christie said, her presence comforting.

Ignatius nodded, trying to shake off the disappointment. "Let's spend the day together." He suggested, wanting to distract himself from the encounter with Clair.

They spent the day with Morgan, enjoying each other's company and finding solace in their love. Ignatius's spirits lifted as they shared stories and laughter, the hurt from the morning fading away.

Later that week, Ignatius received an invitation to a party from one of the coffee shop suppliers. Invited along with Luna, they decided to attend. Christie, acting as his handmaid, accompanied them.

As they arrived at the grand mansion, Ignatius held Luna's hand, feeling a sense of pride and affection. The opulent surroundings and the elegant guests. Created an atmosphere of sophistication and grandeur.

Clair was entertaining a group of nobles when Ignatius and Luna entered. She spotted them but turned her head, pretending not to notice them for the entire evening. Ignatius felt a mix of frustration and sadness at her behaviour, so he focused on enjoying the party.

At the dinner table, Luna's patience wore thin. She found Clair's rude behaviour insufferable and decided to confront her. They began whispering insults at each other, the tension between them escalating.

"You're nothing but a manipulative schemer," Luna hissed, her eyes blazing with anger.

"And you're a jealous little girl," Clair retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Your ass is larger than a horse's." Luna seethed.

"Your bimbo body is your only talent whore." Clair sneered.

As the heated exchange began to turn more personal, Ignatius intervened. He took Luna's hand and excused them from the table. "I'm feeling tired after a long day of business. We'll be leaving now," he said, his tone polite but firm.

Luna followed him, her icy glare fixed on Clair as they walked down the hall. Ignatius could feel her anger radiating off her, and he knew she needed to vent.

As they stepped outside, Luna opened her mouth to speak. Ignatius silenced her with a passionate kiss. He held her tight, his arms wrapped around her. She struggled for a moment, then melted into his embrace, holding his arms as he kissed her.

Christie, watching from a distance, grinned at the scene. She knew that Ignatius's kiss was more than a gesture of affection. It was a declaration of his commitment to Luna.

They returned home, Luna silent and blushing. The passionate kiss in public had sent a clear signal to everyone involved: She belonged to Ignatius.

As they settled into the comfort of their home, Ignatius felt a sense of peace. The day's events had been challenging, but he knew that he could face anything with Luna and Christie by his side.

Luna looked at Ignatius, her eyes filled with gratitude and love. "Thank you for standing by me," she said.

Ignatius smiled, his heart swelling with affection. "Always, Luna. You're my priority."

Christie joined them, her presence a comforting reminder of their bond. Ignatius pulled both closer on the sofa. Their heads rested in the small of his neck. "We're a team," Luna said, her voice filled with warmth. "And together, we can overcome any obstacle."

The evening passed with light conversation. Christie kissed Luna, took Ignatius by the hand and pulled him up. They led him to his room.

Ayla paced back and forth before Ignatius's bed, her expression troubled. Elysia and Luna lay beside him, holding him close. Christie sat on a chair near Zarkon, sipping her coffee. Ayla seemed reluctant to speak, and her distress was evident in every step she took.

Ignatius watched her, concern in his eyes. "Ayla, what's troubling you?" he asked.

Ayla took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I... I need to tell you something. I've been keeping this secret for so long, and I fear you'll reject me."

Ignatius reached out, his voice steady and reassuring. "You can tell us anything, Ayla. We're here for you."

Ayla nodded, her resolve firming. "I ran away from the island because I was born from the great tree there. The elders decided I should be sacrificed to save the island because I looked more human than Dryad."

Elysia and Luna exchanged shocked glances, their grips tightening on Ignatius.

Ayla continued, her voice trembling. "There were bat-like creatures attacking people on the island. The elders blamed it on my presence. The second elder, who coveted the first elder's position, was the most vocal. He showed up with a crowd at my home one morning."

"What happened next?" Christie asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I fled early that day, catching a ride on a merchant ship," Ayla explained. "The man hid me on his ship, and the elders couldn't find me. But as we neared the coast, I realized the man and his crew had other ideas for me.

I jumped ship, using my dryad magic to reach the shore. The crew had rowboats, but I fled into the forest and disappeared before they could find me. I didn't want to be their slave on the ship."

As Ayla passed Ignatius, he pulled her onto the bed, holding her close. Her head rested on his chest as tears ran down her cheeks. "Now I understand why the elder came to the coffee shop. They must have heard about you through the merchants."

Ayla nodded, her tears soaking Ignatius's bare chest. "The creatures must still live on the island."

Luna caressed Ayla's back, her touch soothing. "We will investigate this phenomenon and ensure they know that Ayla belongs to us."

Ignatius's eyes darkened to a deep purple, almost black. "Yes, we will. They need to understand that Ayla is under our protection."

Elysia and Luna looked at each other, a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes. Christie stood, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, Master has a dark side to him, girls. He has a succubus lover; what do you expect?"

Ignatius smiled wryly, his arms still wrapped around Ayla. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Ayla. You are part of our family now."

Ayla looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Master. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"We're in this together," Luna said, her voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way to help and protect you from those who wish you harm."

Elysia nodded in agreement. "We'll uncover the truth about the creatures and make sure the elders understand that you are not to blame."

Christie placed her coffee cup down and joined them on the bed. "We'll face this challenge together, as a family."