My Dearest Seraphina,

  My mentor, Gideon Solarin, has passed on and left the Cathedral to me.

  I am to be the new leader of this branch of the Order. I know I should be proud, but I feel like I’m getting roped back into a nightmare I can’t escape from. You never really leave the Order of Vigilance and it certainly never leaves you. After Serena’s death, my team disbanded and I haven't been able to face this place, nevermind the people I used to call my friends.

  Hector and Andrea decided to go off and be a family with their son Orion. They welcomed a beautiful daughter, Astra, into the world.

  Magnus and Hilde got a divorce, and Erik stayed with his father, as Hilde became unfit to look after the child. Magnus had her commited, which admittedly was probably too much.

  Chase joined the military, deciding that all he was good for was bringing death. I haven’t heard from him since, and probably never will.

  Magnus had told me that Griffin had been the one who orchestrated Serena’s death, and that it was supposed to be him. Not a day goes by where I wouldn’t trade Magnus for Serena, as horrible as that sounds. But I can't believe that to be the case. Griffin was not some kind of criminal mastermind, and if he was, he paid with his own life as well.

  When I first came back down here and flicked on the lights in the Cathedral, it was painful. So many old memories and ghosts. But Gideon had told me that the Progenitors have need of me, and that I must begin to train more students. I’ve received orders that I’m to recruit as young as sixteen. They’ll just be kids; younger even than when my team had started.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  As you already know, the last few years have been tough on me. I went searching to find myself, and was lucky enough to reconnect with you.

  I remember when we first met, when you came to the Cathedral on behalf of the Non-Human Protection Services. You had been brave enough to ask your enemy for help to make a sanctuary for non-humans. Gideon had turned you away, but you had caught my attention. My team had always been happy to work with you, despite the Order's directive.

  Now it looks like we’ll be working together on and off, as the Progenitors and the Elders are trying to make negotiations for peace.

  But it seems like something horrible is stirring. When isn’t it though?

  I have already started pulling files for recruitment. The Order has eyes everywhere it would seem, and there are lists of potential Chosen to sift through. I can only imagine you have your hands full too.

  Sitting here writing, I realize just how small I am in all of this. How alone I feel. It’s important to me that you know how much you mean to me. I know we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d both like, but the time spent together are the brightest moments of my life.

  I know that I’m the farthest thing from perfect. I know that one day, I’ll pass on and you’ll still be here. I praise the Gods every day that we found each other and for all the time I have with you.

  Your smile is like dawn breaking, bright and welcoming. Your gorgeous eyes see things in me that I’ll never understand, but somehow you cherish. There has never been another thing on this planet that allures me as much as you. I adore you.

  I guess I just wanted to see the words on a page. To see my feelings in writing. If you only knew how many times I stared out my window with you on my mind.

  I hope I get to see you soon.

  Love,

  Anders Pendragon

  Master of the Cathedral,

  Order of Vigilance, Ontario Branch