Theo finally had a genuine smile on his face for the first time after a long while. He glanced in the direction of his father as he drove their car. “I am glad that I could finally share with you that one secret I have been holding on to for a while now.” Theo revealed to his father.
Thomas smiled back at his son. “Well, I am just glad that I finally see a smile on your face.” He took a deep sigh as he continued. “I understand you now, son.” He nodded at Theo. “The Sakalam is not a threat to anyone. You know what? Well, maybe this is destiny.” Thomas said, which made Theo hit his brakes.
“What do you mean?” Theo asked his father with bewildered eyes. 
“I mean, perhaps we were destined to be her family. Her grandmother left her with us for a reason. Maybe she knew we could protect her.” Thomas’s reaction got livelier. He was excited to share his presumptions with his son.
Theo chuckled, seeing his dad finally on his side of the fence. “I actually like that. I am destined to protect her.” Realizing what his father said, it gave Theo a sense of being, and an actual answer to the questions in his life about why he had to be born as a witch hunter and Cara as the Sakalam. “Too bad I still can’t marry her for real.” He revealed his frustration to his father.
“What do you mean? She is already married.” Thomas replied as he squinted his eyes.
“Is it not obvious to you yet, dad? Ashton is her servant.” Theo asked his father.
Thomas laughed loudly, perhaps a little louder than he initially intended. “No shit? Look at our dear Cara. She really is the strongest of all.” He laughed some more before he continued. “The most influential businessman in the world, the richest man on earth, is her servant?” Thomas pointed out the apparent.
Theo nodded. “Well, at first I thought it was just a marriage for convenience. I mean they cannot be away from one another. To think their relationship stands a better chance than ours. At least they are clear allies while I am her immediate enemy.” He further explained as he blew out his cheeks.
Thomas covered his mouth and wanted to point out the flaw in Theo’s revelations. “Son, do you mean romantically? I mean you like her more than a sister?” He wanted clarification.
Theo sneered at his father for not catching up with his confessions. He chose not to answer and just started driving again. They headed directly to their headquarters.
Their headquarters were empty. It was only them and the caretaker of the place. Thomas sent the big bosses a notice for an emergency meeting. He could only hope to get their abrupt attention at this time of the night.
Thomas was pacing back and forth in front of the monitors, waiting for the mystery bosses. Theo went to the bar to get some beer for him and his father. He stared at the blank screens that turned on one by one while he opened the bottle of beer. This was one thing that he did not even dare ask his father; “Who the hell are these big jerks behind those masks?” he could not articulate his hatred for them out in the open.
“This better be something important, Thomas.” The man in the middle spoke with a stern voice. Theo hissed, thinking how they could just act high and mighty when they are just all the same.
“We found the Sakalam.” Thomas broke the news. The mystery bosses sat straight upon hearing Thomas’s announcement.
“Who is she?” The one at the center asked vigorously. Theo watched them from the bar as he gulped his beer. He let his father do his thing, as he was the right-hand man of the big bosses. They trust him fully.
“Cara de Luna Crafter,” Thomas said.
There was silence in the room, as if the people there were trying to absorb Thomas’s revelation.
“Ashton Crafter, he is her servant,” Thomas added.
“What? So it was that bitch who instructed the imbecile Crafter to destroy our businesses!” The one in the middle stood up as he slammed his fist on his table.
“That, I am not sure about.” Thomas lowered his head. “I’m sorry I did not know about it sooner.” His apology sounded sincere enough for the big bosses.
“Then what are you waiting for? Clean up your mess and kill her now!” The man in the middle confronted Thomas about the gaffe.
 “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. There is one more thing that you must know. We found out about the prophecy.” Thomas paused. “An ordinary witch wand cannot kill her. The wand of a faction leader is the only thing that could kill her. That is… after completing the full ritual of their coven.” He explained further.
“What a bunch of bollocks, Thomas! Do you think you can get away from something like this? I am utterly disappointed with you!” The boss in the middle continued berating Thomas.
“I- I’m not making it up!” Thomas stuttered as he answered. He somewhat expected this type of reaction from the bosses, but being grilled in the middle like this was a little too much for him. “I know I can’t kill her myself. She was my family, for god’s sake!” Thomas raised his voice. “But believe me, I am telling you the truth. If we attack her now, we will only expose our brotherhood to her group and to the rest of the world.” He explained further.
Theo could not hold his rage any longer. He stood up and went to his father’s back. “My father is telling the truth. Besides, if we attack her now, how can we impose a truce between the witches and us?” Theo made it clear that he was not keen on eliminating their supposed enemies.
“Thomas and Theo Willis, I never thought you could betray us like this.” the mystery man in the corner mumbled in disappointment.
“What betrayal? No, we are not; we are just open to having options on how to conclude this war.” Theo was stern, not minding if he would come off too self-assured.
“You may both consider yourself on leave. I canceled all your privileges and tasks until we say so.” One boss spoke more calmly, although his words were tough. This was the first time this mystery boss spoke more than he used to. He usually just lets the others talk as he listens. It sent shivers down Theo’s spine thinking who this bigger boss was. He literally just banned them without consulting others and, ironically, all the others just agreed with his decision.
Thomas tapped Theo’s shoulder. He then nodded at him. They went out quietly and opted to walk home. Their house was a few blocks away from their headquarters. “Should we tell Cara about it?” Theo asked his father.
“No. It is better we lie low for now. We should establish our stand within the brotherhood. This is the only way we can be of help to Cara.” Thomas bared his stance; even if, deep inside, the last boss is still stirring his curiosity.
Theo took a deep sigh as they continued their walk. This will be a long night for him. Knowing Cara will be assassinated soon; the thought of her getting hurt is a hard pill to swallow, even if he knows that Cara will surely survive it.
Back in the headquarters, the bosses continued with their meeting. Just a few minutes after Theo and Thomas left the headquarters, another group came in. This is the first time this group has been to the headquarters. Their assignments were always discreet and confidential, but this one was an exemption.
 “Freddie. Gather your men. This is the most important mission as yet.” The boss in the middle spoke again. The excitement in his tone was showing. Freddie and three more men sat on the seats in front of the monitor. The young men dress exquisitely, as if they were junior executives themselves. No one would ever figure out that they were just out for a witch hunt.
Freddie crossed his legs as he leaned back in his chair. He raised his thick eyebrows as if he was sure that no such news would excite him. “Tell me more.” He said in his deep voice.
“Eliminate the Sakalam. Eliminate Cara de Luna Crafter.” The boss in the middle said loud and clear.
Freddie’s eyes glowed in excitement after hearing the boss’s order. “Cara de Luna Crafter? Are you referring to that hot chic? Ashton’s wife?” He asked if he knew Ashton personally.
“Indeed, and while you are at it, please erase that Ashton Crafter from this world as well.” He added with conviction.
Freddie sneered. “Who knew I'd be getting head to head with that son of a bitch again?” He revealed his connection with Ashton. “I will have fun with his wife first, just to make his brief life on earth more miserable.”