The car cut through the road, leaving behind landscapes that changed with the sunset. Dorian and Kane, excited, played in the back seat, trying to dispel the monotony of the long journey. Cassian, on the other hand, gazed at the scenery through the window, lost in his own thoughts. When he faced Ignis through the rearview mirror, Cassian broke the silence.
“How much longer until we reach my father's house?” he asked, his calm voice carrying subtle anxiety.
Ignis, focused on the road, responded without taking her eyes off the path.
“It's still a bit. But considering it's getting dark, maybe it's better to stop at a hotel for the night.”
Cassian surveyed the surroundings, surprised by the early suggestion to stop. It was still early, but darkness was beginning to dominate the horizon.
“Night driving on this stretch can be tricky. Better safe than sorry,” Ignis added, implicitly responding to Cassian's doubt.
Cassian looked out the window and then to the back of the car. The road seemed calm, except for a pickup truck trailing behind them. “The road seems calm. Plus, there's only one truck behind us.”
Ignis glanced at her side-view mirror, her eyes serious.
“Who wants pizza?” Ignis interrupted, shifting the focus of the conversation.
Kane's eyes lit up, and he promptly raised his hand and shouted, “I do!” Dorian, enthusiastic, added, “With lots of cheese!”
“Alright, as soon as we stop, we'll have the biggest pizza you've ever seen,” Ignis promised, trying to lighten the mood in the car.
Along the road, a hotel appeared ahead. Ignis signaled to the side, indicating her intention to stop. Falling for Ignis's play, Cassian nodded, accepting the need for a break. The car headed to the hotel's parking lot, initiating a night that, despite the unexpected stop, held surprises the Silver siblings couldn't anticipate.
***
The hotel room was simple, with three beds lined against the wall and a small bathroom beside. Dorian and Kane, excited, rushed to choose the beds they liked the most, leaving Cassian behind, watching Ignis.
Cassian approached slowly, his eyes fixed on Ignis, who seemed lost in her own thoughts as she looked out the room's window. He hesitated before breaking the silence.
“Can I ask you something, Ignis?” Cassian asked, his tone careful.
Ignis turned to face him, nodding with a slight smile. “Of course, Cassian. You can ask.”
Cassian chose his words carefully. “Do you sleep?”
Ignis raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unexpected question. “Yes, I sleep. Why the question?”
Cassian sighed, explaining his concerns. “You always ask for a room with three beds, but I've never seen you sleep. Where do you sleep?”
Ignis gave a serene smile. “Don't worry about me, Cassian. I sleep. Sometimes, I prefer to stay awake, just observing. But rest assured, I do rest.”
As Ignis spoke, Kane approached, interrupting the conversation with an excited question. “Ignis, did you order the pizza?”
Ignis smiled at Kane, accepting the change of topic. “Not yet, Kane. I'll do it now.” She picked up the phone and left the room, leaving Cassian and the other two brothers behind.
Cassian gathered his brothers, concerned. “Don't you find Ignis strange? We've never seen her eat, sleep, or wake up.”
Kane rolled his eyes, already accustomed to Cassian's theories. “Here you go again, Cassian.”
Dorian, however, was intrigued. “What do you mean, Cassian?”
Cassian lowered his voice. “She might not be a fairy. She might be... a vampire.”
The brothers exchanged worried glances, a mix of surprise and skepticism.
“A vampire?” Kane laughed. “That's ridiculous, Cass.”
Dorian looked scared. “Is that even possible?”
Cassian insisted, looking at the door through which Ignis had exited. “Have you ever seen her eat? Sleep? Wake up? She might be protecting us for some reason, but we need to stay alert.”
Dorian pondered the idea, while Kane remained skeptical. “And if she's a vampire, Cassian? What does she want with us?”
Cassian shrugged. “I don't know. But it's strange never to see these normal things happening to her, isn't it?”
The brothers exchanged worried looks, suspicion casting a shadow over the stranger they had accepted so easily into their lives.
Dorian, looking out the window, whispered to Cassian, “How are we going to find out if she's really a vampire?”
Cassian, sporting a sly smile, replied, “Vampires hate garlic. We can order a pizza with lots of garlic and observe her reaction.”
Kane, who was sitting on the bed, made a face at the suggestion. “I don't like garlic on pizza.”
Cassian looked at Kane and argued, “It's for a good cause, Kane. You can go outside and ask her to put a lot of garlic. After all, she likes you more.”
Kane, sulking, crossed his arms. “Fine, I'll go, but you have to let me use the baseball glove you got from the Mariners' star.”
Cassian considered the proposal for a moment before agreeing. “Alright, Kane, you can use the glove. But go ahead before she finishes the order.”
Kane got up and hurried out of the room, nervous about having to lie to Ignis. Cassian and Dorian exchanged looks, both curious about how the situation would unfold.
As Kane approached Ignis outside, she ended the call with the pizzeria and turned to him, smiling. “Hey, Kane. Anything happens?”
Kane scratched his head, a bit hesitant. “It's just that... we wanted the pizza with lots of garlic.”
Ignis laughed, finding the request peculiar. “Well, you guys have interesting taste. But sure, I'll order it with lots of garlic for you.”
Kane, trying to appear casual, nodded. “Oh, yes, lots of garlic. We're big garlic fans around here.”
Ignis smiled at Kane and nodded as she continued on the phone. “Sure, I'll make sure. Lots of garlic, right?”
Kane replied enthusiastically, “Yes, lots of garlic! Thank you, Ignis!”
Ignis winked at Kane and continued her phone conversation. Kane smiled, relieved that she didn't question the unusual choice too much. Meanwhile, Cassian and Dorian watched from inside the room, anticipating the revelation that could occur during dinner.
When Kane returned to the room, Cassian asked, “How did it go?”
Kane replied, “She agreed. The pizza will come with lots of garlic. It will even scare away vampires from miles away.”
Dorian was excited about the development. “And now?”
Cassian thought for a moment before suggesting, “Now, we wait and see how she reacts when she eats.”
The three brothers sat anxiously as the night progressed, and the pizza would soon arrive. Ignis, outside, seemed oblivious to the suspicions that were beginning to arise.
***
The atmosphere in the hotel room was a mix of anxiety and anticipation when Ignis announced that the garlic-loaded pizza was on its way. Cassian, Dorian, and Kane exchanged excited glances, ready for the next phase of their peculiar investigation.
Ignis, smiling, instructed the boys, “You have twenty minutes until the pizza arrives. You can take a quick shower if you want.”
Cassian agreed, expressing gratitude. Kane, surprising everyone, said, “I'll be the first to take a shower.”
Dorian laughed and teased Kane, “I think it's the first time you're the first at something.”
As the boys headed to the bathroom, Ignis stood by the window, her eyes seemingly lost in distant thoughts. Cassian noticed and, after the shower, approached her with curiosity.
Ignis smiled at Cassian. “You're wondering about many things, aren't you?”
Cassian nodded. “The truth is, yes. Who are you, Ignis? What do you want with us?”
Ignis sighed and led Cassian outside the room, ensuring privacy for the conversation. “Cassian, you're special. Special in a way you can't even imagine.”
Cassian furrowed his brow. “Special how?”
Ignis hesitated for a moment before explaining. “You are descendants of a unique lineage of werewolves. Your father is a very powerful alpha in the Rocky Mountains, and your mother is a descendant...”
Cassian raised his eyebrows, not fully believing what he heard. “My mom said we're like everyone else, that we came into the world 'by the stork.' Why would she lie to us? Why would she lie to me?”
Ignis chuckled lightly. “It seems your mother didn't want to burden you with the weight of the truth. But now, given the circumstances, it's time for you to know.”
Before Ignis could continue her speech, the doorbell rang, interrupting the conversation. Ignis opened the door for the pizza delivery guy, who carried a large box.
“Wow, that's a huge pizza!” exclaimed Dorian at the sight of the pizza's size.
The delivery guy asked if this was where they ordered a mozzarella pizza with a lot of garlic. Ignis confirmed and asked for the price.
The delivery guy replied, “It's 25 dollars.”
Ignis took her wallet from her bag and handed the money to the delivery guy, adding a generous tip. “Thank you very much.”
The delivery guy thanked her and left the room, leaving behind the irresistible aroma of the pizza. Ignis placed the pizza on the table and smiled at the boys. “Enjoy your meal, kids!”
They gathered around the table in the room, where the pizza practically occupied all the available space. The strong smell of garlic was unmistakable.
They served themselves from the delicious pizza while Ignis watched the smiles on the boys' faces. Cassian, observing, asked Ignis if she wasn't going to take a slice for herself.
Ignis laughed and replied, “Of course, I will!”
She took a generous slice, while the triplets watched eagerly to taste the special pizza. Ignis brought the slice towards her mouth, ready to bite, when the doorbell rang once again. Ignis sighed and asked the boys to stay where they were as she went to answer it.
Kane, frustrated, muttered, “What a mess.”
The boys stayed at the table, frustrated, and Ignis headed to the door. Upon opening it, her smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. At the door, the mysterious man who had crossed paths with the triplets before.
Ignis stared at him and said firmly, “I was expecting you.”
Jeff, with a determined look, replied, “I was expecting this too.”