Chapter 8 - Reclaiming Missing Memories  

The air was thick with tension that Anastasia couldn't shake. She hesitated. It was late at night, and demons lurked in the shadows-but maybe that made it the perfect time. Flying under the cover of darkness, slipping through unseen pockets of sky, visiting places that could jolt Bastian's memory. He wanted this now. He needed this.

A few days ago, he wouldn't even sleep near her. After that night when he held her in his sleep, he retreated, choosing the bunks below instead. But now? Now, he was in her room, waiting on her bed. The shift had been sudden, faster than she ever expected, and yet somehow, not fast enough.

"Alright," she said, emerging from the bathroom, still toweling off her hair.

Bastian stood as she tossed the towel aside, and together, they stepped out of her room. The moment they passed the open-plan living room, the noisy chatter from everyone who was still up and about died. Every pair of eyes snapped to them.

"Excuse me, where do you think you're going, missy?" Matt's voice carried that usual mix of strictness and humor.

Wyatt cut him a sharp glare and then looked back at Anastasia. "Yes, where exactly?"

Anastasia met their stares and deadpanned, "Out."

Bastian smirked, the mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Oi, oi, oi, no, you don't," Wyatt warned, arms crossed. "I think we've all had enough excitement for one night. Maybe stay in for once?"

Anastasia planted her hands on her hips. "Dad, Bastian and I combined can handle any threat, and we're going because he wants to." She let that sink in before dropping the real bomb. "And we won't be back for a few days."

Matt shot up from the couch. "A few days?"

"Yes, Dad Number Two." Anastasia folded her arms, eyes narrowing at him.

"Oh, hell no, I forbid it." Matt crossed his arms and took his place beside Wyatt, as if forming some united front.

Wyatt arched an eyebrow at Matt, unimpressed. "Matt, I'm the father here, remember?"

Matt scoffed. "Yeah, well, you were taking too long to object, so I stepped up."

A snicker rippled through the room. Billy and Rose didn't even try to hide their amusement.

"Shut it," Matt grumbled, face heating.

Wyatt simply motioned with two fingers for Matt to sit back down.

Matt huffed but obeyed, flopping onto the couch like a scolded child. The second he did, Billy grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him-hard. Matt barely caught it before launching it right back, smacking Billy in the face.

"Real mature, Billy."

Billy grinned, unfazed. "Oh, I'm mature? You just challenged your sister like a five-year-old who got denied extra dessert."

Matt pointed at him. "You wish you were my level of responsible."

"Yeah, real responsible," Rose chimed in. "I mean, just last week, didn't you almost burn down the kitchen because you 'eyeballed' the oven temperature?"

Matt threw his hands up. "Okay, one time!"

Through the background chaos, Wyatt remained locked onto Anastasia. "A few days, Ana?"

She nodded. "Bastian wants to remember. Places seem to trigger his memories. I'm taking him to all the usual places we've been since childhood. That's not happening in one night."

Wyatt exhaled slowly, nodding. "Alright." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device. "Take this. If you run into trouble, press it."

Anastasia took the device, recognizing the emergency signal button he'd given everyone for worst-case scenarios. She didn't think they'd need it-but taking it eased her father's worry. "We'll be fine," she reassured him.

They turned for the door, but Wyatt's voice stopped them. "Bastian."

Both turned halfway to face him.

Wyatt's expression hardened. "I've said this before, but I'll say it again since you've probably forgotten." His voice dropped, each word weighted. "Look after my daughter."

Bastian held Wyatt's gaze, something unspoken passing between them. Then he nodded, his answer clear.

Matt, of course, couldn't let the moment be too serious. "And if you don't, I will find you, and I will break at least three of your bones."

Bastian smirked. "Only three? That's generous."

Billy clapped Matt on the shoulder. "You're all bark, no bite, buddy."

Matt scoffed. "Please, I'm an icon of intimidation."

Rose fake-coughed, muttering, "Drama queen."

"Excuse you, I prefer 'assertive guardian figure,'" Matt shot back.

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "Alright, we're leaving before Matt writes himself a full-action movie script."

Without another word, she and Bastian unfurled their wings and stepped into the night. Within seconds, they were airborne, cutting through the darkness, bound for the past-and the truth Bastian was desperate to reclaim.