The intrigued triplets exchanged glances, not fully understanding the dynamic between Ignis and Jeff. They watched the scene without knowing what was about to happen.
Jeff, in turn, smiled maliciously. “Ignis, Ignis, Ignis... I thought I made it quite clear that I don't like people meddling in my affairs.”
Ignis crossed her arms, maintaining a firm stance. “I also thought I made it clear that I don't like to be threatened. But here we are.”
Cassian stood up, his expression serious, and asked, “Who is this, Ignis?”
Ignis looked at Jeff and explained, “This is Jeff, an old acquaintance. He and I have some unfinished business.”
Jeff gave Ignis a challenging look and said, “I hope you have a good explanation to give me.”
Ignis crossed her arms, maintaining her composure. “Let's talk outside, away from the kids. I don't want to involve them in this.”
Jeff smirked mockingly, “As you wish.”
Ignis turned to Cassian, Dorian, and Kane and said, “Take care of each other. Lock the door, and don't open it for anyone, understood?”
With that, Ignis and Jeff left the room and headed towards the parking lot. The door closed, leaving Cassian, Dorian, and Kane alone in the room.
Dorian, curious as always, asked Cassian, “Did you smell that man, Cassian?”
Cassian nodded. “Yes, it's the same wet dog smell we sensed on the night we were kidnapped.”
Kane, frowning, said, “I smelled him too.”
Dorian raised an eyebrow and asked, “Do you think he's a friend of Ignis, Cassian?”
Cassian pondered for a moment and then said, “I don't know, but there's a way for us to find out.”
He looked at the door and realized that if he went to the parking lot, hidden, he could use his enhanced abilities to eavesdrop on their conversation and observe the situation.
“Alright, I'll try to find out what they're talking about. Stay here,” said Cassian, approaching the door.
Dorian and Kane exchanged glances, and Cassian left the room for the parking lot. The boy began to focus, concentrating on his enhanced abilities. He could hear fragments of the conversation between Ignis and Jeff.
Cassian advanced cautiously down the hotel corridor towards the parking lot, using his abilities to try to pick up the conversation between Ignis and Jeff. However, the sound of footsteps behind him made him stop. Turning around, he found Dorian and Kane, who had followed him.
Cassian, somewhat exasperated, asked, “What are you two doing here?”
Dorian hurried to explain, “Kane got scared.”
Kane retorted, “I didn't get scared at all! You did!”
“Alright, you can come with me, but be quiet,” warned Cassian, continuing his journey towards the parking lot. The triplets continued to stroll until they reached the parking lot, where they hid behind a van to observe Ignis and Jeff.
Dorian, feeling the tension in the air, whispered to Cassian, “What are they saying?”
Cassian raised his hand, signaling for silence, while trying to focus even more on the distant voices. The words began to take shape in his mind, and Cassian realized that something important was being discussed between Ignis and Jeff.
“Are we far enough?” he asked, looking around.
Ignis nodded, maintaining a calculated distance. “Yes, we can talk here.”
Jeff, with clenched fists, wasted no time. “What the hell are you doing here, Ignis?”
Ignis, keeping her composure, retorted, “I could ask you the same thing.”
Jeff gritted his teeth, visibly irritated. “You're interfering with my business, Ignis.”
“Business?” Ignis, keeping her calm expression, provocatively said, “Ah, talking about Alastair's Banished, how could I forget... Are you still in this business? I thought the times of banished wolf trackers were behind you, Jeff.”
Jeff, with a dark look, replied, “Circumstances have changed. I have matters to attend to, and I won't allow you or anyone else to stand in my way.”
Ignis raised an eyebrow and inquired, “And what would be so valuable to Alastair's banished now? I thought you had found enough to live on when you did that last job.”
The triplets watched attentively, feeling the tense atmosphere of the conversation. Cassian, Dorian, and Kane were about to discover more about the events involving Ignis, Jeff, and the mysterious “Alastair's banished.”
Jeff ignored her comment and asked, “What are you doing with these children? Why are you getting involved in this?”
Ignis sighed. “They are special, Jeff. They are more than you can understand.”
Jeff scoffed, “Special? Are you sentimental now, Ignis? Since when do you care about anything other than yourself?”
Ignis remained calm. “Things change, Jeff. I am not the same anymore.”
Jeff stared at Ignis, evaluating her words. “You have always been an enigma, Ignis. But I don't believe you.”
Ignis looked into Jeff's eyes. “You don't have to believe. Just get out of the way. These kids are not part of your business.”
Jeff replied angrily, “Get out of my way, Ignis. I don't want trouble with you.”
Ignis shook her head with regret. “I'm sorry, Jeff, but I can't do that.”
Jeff, without hesitation, whistled loudly at the moon. From the darkness emerged wolves, creatures of the night ready for battle. Ignis, on the other hand, remained calm and smiled as she watched Jeff's pack gather.
“Looks like you brought the whole pack, Jeff. Impressive.”
Jeff, ready for the confrontation, said to Ignis, “You'll pay for this.”
Ignis maintained her confident posture. “I'm ready for this, Jeff. But you'll regret messing with me.”
Jeff, in turn, stared at the other werewolves surrounding him and ordered, “Attack!”
Ignis, feeling the weight of the situation, murmured a prayer to the Moon Goddess. “Moon Goddess, I seek your intercession so that I may fulfill the mission and protect the children.”
Her eyes closed for a moment, as if she were drawing strength from a higher source.
Without hesitation, Jeff lunged towards Ignis, rapidly transforming into a full-fledged werewolf during the charge. His eyes burned with fury as he prepared to strike at Ignis.
However, Ignis opened her eyes, which now radiated intensely in a radiant blue hue.