“Son? My suggestion is that you clear your things out and later leave me alone with her to talk. Could we do it like this?” Sara asked.

  She intended to help him navigate the situation; they needed to face it as a family. As the situation had started to become more complex than they had suspected.

  The Hal family was imprisoned. The girl, Mari, was as well, but for different wrongdoing. She had clearly been used in a bigger scheme. Her trial was approaching, but no matter the result, her future would be complicated.

  Two days earlier, Sara had met Domini. He confirmed that the Hal family was cooperating with a research company that was officially interested in artificial energy improvements. The investigation uncovered, however, that this company had been trying to develop new weapons. Without informing Domini. Arct—he was furious.

  The whole Hal family was currently in prison. The trial was meant to be a silent one.

  Sara didn’t argue.

  It was Unio’s internal matter. Si, however, wasn’t pleased. He commented that it would backfire. The other families should see that this kind of action was punished severely, not only by imprisonment and financial fees but also by shattering the name.

  Sara sighed. She agreed with her son.

  In Unio, she noticed that long ago, a name was everything; it was more important than money. Being poor but with a great surname could still bring the best future. Being rich and with a stained surname, no good paths were available.

  But Arct made his decision. His Unio, he was their Domini; he said it was his choice.

  The consequences, though, were scattered around. Later.

  Si was not satisfied. Even Arct’s own son, Marc—Lukai; his other name was Lukai; he also commented on it already. He said it was a mistake. But Arct had decided.

  Mari Hal… her family faced serious accusations supported by solid proof, complicating her situation. It all could end up with death sentences for her parents. And she, what she had done, was so naive, so reckless. The punishment had not been decided yet.

  It was Luna that asked them to visit her. She said that Mari had to be implicated without being truly aware of the consequences. Luna said they knew each other from school; she also added that Mari was honest and behaved morally when in the past her family destroyed Luna’s friend’s future. So, Luna insisted on checking what exactly happened—that Mari did what she did.

  Si agreed.

  Sara felt confident about Luna. This girl had her heart in the right place.

  Now, she took a look around. Si was silent; he didn’t respond yet.

  The prison was located on Planet Four.

  They traveled with a small detour. Luna used the occasion to visit a friend, the one from the past scandal. This boy’s surname was Corja. Sara knew his father; he was a simple man. From what Sara was aware, when those events happened, the family was threatened and didn’t defend their youngest child. He ended up banished when he was clearly a victim. How shameful.

  Luna was meeting this boy.

  Taj was left with Lukai.

  “Son?” she asked again.

  “Mother? Yes, let’s do it as you suggest,” Si answered.

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  They were at the place minutes later; her son was a very skilled Shadow. He checked the location in advance and swirled them there quickly. They entered after the necessary checks. It was not the most heavily guarded prison, after all.

  They were still a few steps away from the Hal girl’s cell when she noticed them and started talking; she was almost shouting.

  “Si! I, I, Mari, Mari would never harm you, never! Si? I would never…”

  Sara noticed her son was surprised as his cheeks reddened. She sighed. He had to feel embarrassed to see how the Hal girl behaved, particularly in front of his own mother. Of course, there could be some other reason.

  “I did it; I, Mari, Mari did it to protect you, from rumors, from insults, for the alliance.”

  This girl sounded hysterical. Si watched her silently.

  Sara noticed that the Hal girl was in a bad state; her mind was as if disturbed. Did something happen to her, something they weren’t aware of?

  Before, her son had commented on the whole situation that, in a way, he should thank this Unio girl. He worked on ways to be immune to various poisons, and he achieved what he needed—he was immune. But he hadn’t trained himself to be immune to simply being put to sleep. ‘What a lesson,’ he had said, and Sara had agreed.

  “I care about you; it was for you, Si! It was for our love, Si?”

  This girl still didn’t notice that Si was not alone. Sara stood a little behind and observed.

  Si decided he had to speak.

  “Mari,” he started, slowly. “We met and talked a few times. You should notice, customs in Shadows are different from in Unio. The same Shadows cannot force Unio to obey our customs; the same Unio cannot force Shadows to obey your customs. I hope you noticed that we do not appreciate forced relationships. If two people want to be together, they can. If they don’t, we won’t insist. In Unio it is different. You are from an esteemed family, and your attempt, I even understand why you thought it could work.”

  The moment Si started to speak, the girl fell silent. It looked like she was trying to understand what could be next.

  Sara noticed that the Hal girl looked as if she still had hope for something, as if Si’s coming to meet her gave her some shards of hope.

  What her son said next could be perceived as harsh but was honest. Shadows appreciated honesty. Sara nodded.

  “Mari, I am disappointed in you. Gossip. They shouldn’t direct your doings. Protection? Love? Do you truly poison or force someone you love and want to protect? Mari. Think about it. About us, there is no future, as I told you before. I am marrying someone I love, and that is all. Mari? You could…”

  This girl didn’t wait for him to say anything more and started to shout again.

  “Si, no, wait, Si, I am in love with you! I am! I wouldn’t hurt you, ever! Si! No, don’t go! Si, she is not worth you; I know, they told me who you want to marry; she is not! She is nobody; you deserve better, Si? It was for your good, truly. I will tell you everything, Si? I didn’t do anything bad; I wanted to be with you. I made a mistake, Si? Si? Don’t leave me, Si?”

  Sara decided to step in. She moved closer to them, and the girl fell silent immediately.

  “Son? I suggest you leave us alone,” Sara said aloud.

  “Mari? I wish you a good life; be careful,” Si added and left.

  There was silence for a moment.

  The girl’s expression had changed—she had exaggerated when Si was near. And currently, being left with his mother, she knew the approach wouldn’t work.

  Sara sighed; the Hal girl was acting.

  She felt relieved that her son was not involved with this kind of girl.

  “Mari Hal, as my son had said. The future of Shadows Lord is settled; the wedding will soon be planned. There is nothing you can achieve with your behavior. Is that understandable?” she said and added. “I decided to talk to you because of the whole situation—what happened to your family, especially. It is also because Luna asked us to help you.”

  Sara said that to see her reaction.

  “Oh… but I didn’t intend to harm Si. I wouldn’t, ever, I swear… oh … Alena asked you to come here? My parents… I know everything… is that why Si doesn’t want to? Why they did that, I told them many times, they were making mistake after mistake. Why I listened to them, why I took what they gave me, it was the same with my brother… oh…”

  Her voice lowered; she was less disturbed, though not calm.

  Sara felt sorry for this girl.

  “Shadows cannot take you as our citizen after what you have done. But Shadows can try to improve your prospects in Unio. Think it over, Mari Hal. We are aware you met with some people from the company your parents cooperated with. Recall details; share them with Domini. It will help you, I assure you. In the future, talk to Domini only; you can also mention I was here to visit you. Your Domini will then know that Shadows are not seeking any revenge. Of course, I will inform him on my side as well.”

  Sara stopped.

  This girl was silently looking at her, as if not sure which path could be better for her.

  “Think it over. Regardless of what you did, Shadows wish you well,” Sara concluded.

  She had an additional thought. This girl should think not about what was best for her future, but what was the safest option.

  Sara needed to talk to Arct about this. With that in mind, she departed.