Evan was halfway through folding laundry—a task he’d been putting off for days—when the now-familiar hum of a portal filled his living room. He froze, a pair of mismatched socks in hand, and turned toward the shimmering light that was forming in the corner. The portal’s glow spilled across the walls, and a moment later, Seralith stepped through with her usual grace. Her white and gold robes flowed as though caught in an otherworldly breeze, and her violet eyes found him immediately, calm but undeniably commanding.

  Evan sighed, tossing the socks onto the couch. “You know, I’m starting to think I should install a welcome mat over there,” he said, gesturing toward the corner of the room. “Maybe a little sign that says ‘No shoes in the house.’”

  Seralith’s lips curved into a faint smile as she stepped fully into the room. “I will endeavor to be more considerate of your customs,” she replied, her tone tinged with amusement. “But I suspect your humor is a defense mechanism.”

  Evan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Wow. Straight to the therapy session, huh?”

  “I find that time is often best spent directly addressing the matter at hand,” Seralith said, her expression softening slightly. “And I have an important matter to discuss with you, Evan.”

  He gestured toward the couch, though he doubted she’d actually sit. “Alright, let’s hear it. What’s going on?”

  Seralith remained standing, her presence filling the room as she began. “Two weeks from now, I wish for you to join Lyrin on a mission of great importance. It will require your skills, both as a warrior and as a strategist.”

  Evan crossed his arms, his interest piqued but wary. “Alright. What’s the job?”

  “A valuable artifact has been stolen from one of my temples,” Seralith explained, her voice steady but edged with a note of tension. “The mercenaries responsible have retreated to a forested ruin deep within Velanthor. They are currently awaiting payment for their services, but that payment will never arrive. My other agents have intercepted and detained their employers.”

  Evan nodded slowly, already piecing the situation together. “So, they’re stuck. But I’m guessing that means they’re also desperate—and probably armed to the teeth.”

  “Precisely,” Seralith said. “I am sending Lyrin, accompanied by a small force of Temple Guards, to infiltrate the forest and recover the artifact. Your presence would provide additional support and ensure the mission’s success.”

  Evan frowned, considering the logistics. “A week-long mission, huh? That’s a lot of time to be away. I’ll need to make arrangements with my son, my job... not to mention explaining why I’m disappearing for days.”

  “I understand the burden this places upon you,” Seralith said, her tone softening. “Which is why I am giving you two weeks to prepare. I do not ask this lightly, Evan. Your contributions to my cause have already proven invaluable.”

  Evan rubbed the back of his neck, glancing toward the folded laundry as he mulled it over. “Look, I’m not saying no. This sounds like... well, like something I can actually help with. A plan, a clear objective—it’s better than reacting to whatever gets thrown my way. But if I’m going to be gone for that long, I’m going to need a larger payout. I’ve got responsibilities here, and I need to make sure everything’s covered.”

  Seralith inclined her head, her expression unreadable for a moment before she nodded. “Very well. I will adjust your compensation accordingly. You have my word.”

  Evan let out a breath, his posture relaxing slightly. “Alright. I’ll figure out the logistics on my end, and I’ll let you know in a week.”

  “Thank you, Evan,” Seralith said, her voice warm with genuine gratitude. “This mission is vital not only to my temple but to the balance of Velanthor itself. The artifact must not remain in the hands of those who would misuse its power.”

  He nodded, his mind already racing with everything he’d need to arrange. “Understood. And I’m glad to have something... significant to work toward. I’ll make it happen.”

  Seralith gave him a faint smile, her expression softening further. “Lyrin will be pleased to have you by her side. You bring more to this fight than you realize, Evan.” With that, she stepped back toward the portal, the shimmering light casting her figure in an ethereal glow. “I will see you soon.”

  And then, just as quickly as she’d arrived, she was gone.

  Evan stood there for a moment, staring at the now-empty corner of his living room. He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. “A week in a forest ruin with mercenaries and magical artifacts,” he muttered to himself. “No big deal, right?”

  He shook his head, a small, wry smile tugging at his lips as he turned back to the laundry. If nothing else, he thought, his life was never boring anymore. But as his thoughts drifted to Lyrin and the prospect of working alongside her again, he felt a flicker of something else—anticipation. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he’d face them head-on. And he wouldn’t be facing them alone.

  —-----

  Evan sat in his car in the parking lot outside work, gripping the steering wheel as he mentally rehearsed the conversation he was about to have. His boss, Cindy, was generally understanding, but asking for a week off with short notice was going to be a tough sell. Especially since he’d have to fabricate a story to cover the real reason for his absence. He sighed, popping a mint into his mouth before stepping out of the car and heading into the building.

  The office was already humming with activity when he arrived. Engineers bustled between desks, monitors glowed with technical schematics, and the smell of burnt coffee lingered in the air. Evan made his way to Cindy’s office, knocking lightly on the open door.

  “Evan,” Cindy said, looking up from her computer. She leaned back in her chair, giving him a quick once-over. “You’re here early. What’s up?”

  “Got a minute?” Evan asked, stepping inside. He closed the door behind him, which immediately made her raise an eyebrow.

  “I don’t like where this is going,” she said with a smirk, folding her arms. “What’s on your mind?”

  He chuckled nervously, sitting down across from her. “Well, I’ve got kind of an unusual request. I need to take a week off—starting in two weeks.”

  Cindy’s smirk faded as her eyebrows shot up. “A *week*? At short notice?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “You know we’re in the middle of wrapping up the Fitzgerald project, right? This is crunch time, Evan.”

  “I know, I know,” he said quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “And I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. It’s just... an old friend of mine reached out. Someone I haven’t seen in years. We used to be really close, but life kind of got in the way, you know? Anyway, he’s got this narrow window of availability, and he invited me on this camping trip. It’s something we used to do all the time, and I’d hate to miss the chance to reconnect.”

  Cindy’s expression softened slightly, but her concern didn’t entirely fade. “Camping, huh? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type.”

  Evan shrugged, forcing a grin. “I’m full of surprises. But seriously, it’s more about the nostalgia than anything else. We used to go every summer when we were younger, and it’s been... well, it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like that.”

  She leaned back in her chair, studying him for a moment. “I get it, Evan, but you’ve been taking a lot of time off lately. I’m not saying no, but I need to know you’ll be able to pick up where you left off when you get back. The team can’t afford to lose momentum.”

  “I completely understand,” he said, nodding earnestly. “Look, I’ll make sure everything is in order before I go. I’ll tie up any loose ends on the Fitzgerald project, and I’ll even check in remotely if there’s an emergency.”

  Cindy raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to check in from the middle of the woods?”

  “Well,” Evan said, scratching the back of his neck, “I might be able to find some signal here and there. It’s not *that* remote.”

  She sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile. “You’re a terrible liar, you know that?”

  Evan froze for a split second, his heart skipping a beat. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you’ve never been good at sugarcoating things. You wear your nerves on your sleeve,” she said, leaning forward again. “But... I can tell this means a lot to you. So, fine. Take the week. Just make sure you’re squared away before you go, and don’t leave me hanging when you get back.”

  Relief flooded through him, and he smiled. “Thanks, Cindy. I really appreciate it. And I promise, I won’t let you down.”

  “You’d better not,” she said, pointing a finger at him. “Now get out of here before I change my mind.”

  Evan stood, giving her a quick nod. “Thanks again. I owe you one.”

  As he left her office and made his way back to his desk, he let out a long breath. The story had worked—for now. But as he sat down and stared at his open laptop, the weight of the lie lingered in the back of his mind. He shook it off, focusing instead on the task ahead. Two weeks to prepare. Two weeks to make sure everything was in place before he disappeared into Velanthor again.

  And this time, he thought, he’d make sure it was worth it.

  —-----------

  Evan pulled into his parents’ driveway, the familiar sight of their cozy suburban home easing some of the tension knotting his shoulders. The old oak tree in the front yard swayed gently in the breeze, its branches casting lazy shadows across the lawn. He could already see his father, Robert, tinkering with something in the garage, a flannel shirt rolled up at the sleeves and a pair of safety goggles perched on his head. The sight made Evan smile, even if he was still figuring out how to broach the subject of leaving Jason for a week.

  He stepped out of the car, Jason bounding out after him with his usual energy. “Grandpa!” Jason called, running up the driveway.

  Robert turned, his face lighting up at the sight of his grandson. “There’s my favorite partner in crime!” he said, setting down whatever tool he’d been holding and scooping Jason up into a bear hug. “You here to help me fix that old lawnmower today?”

  Jason giggled. “Maybe! But Dad says we have to talk first.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Evan chuckled, walking up the driveway as his mother, Susan, appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Evan! What a nice surprise,” she said warmly. “Come in, come in. I just made some cookies.”

  “Cookies *and* lawnmowers? You guys are spoiling Jason as usual,” Evan teased, stepping into the house with them. The scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies hit him immediately, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. No matter how chaotic his life got, this house always felt like an anchor.

  They settled into the living room, Jason already munching on a cookie as he sat cross-legged on the rug. Susan handed Evan a plate before sitting beside Robert on the couch, her sharp eyes immediately picking up on the hesitation in her son’s demeanor.

  “So,” she began, her tone light but probing, “what brings you by? You’ve got that look like you’re working up to asking us something.”

  Evan gave a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his neck. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Always,” Robert said with a grin, leaning back and crossing his arms. “Spit it out, son. What’s on your mind?”

  Evan set his cookie down, taking a deep breath. “I need a favor. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be gone for a week, and I was hoping you could look after Jason while I’m away.”

  Susan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “A whole week? That’s a long time for you to be out of town. What’s going on? Work trip?”

  Evan hesitated. He’d already known he couldn’t use the same camping story he’d told his boss—his parents knew all of his old friends, and they’d immediately ask which one he was going with. So, he decided to go with the truth. Well, part of it, anyway.

  “Not work,” he said, glancing briefly at Jason before returning his gaze to his parents. “It’s... a personal thing. I’m actually going camping with someone.”

  Robert’s face lit up with interest, and Susan’s eyes narrowed in that way they always did when she was trying to piece something together. “Someone?” she repeated, her tone sly. “As in... a girlfriend?”

  Evan sighed, already regretting his choice of words. “Yes, Mom,” he said, trying not to sound exasperated. “Her name’s Lyrin. We’ve been seeing each other for a little while now, and we’re taking a trip together.”

  Susan’s expression softened immediately, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Oh, Evan, that’s wonderful. It’s about time you let yourself have a little fun. You’ve been working so hard and taking care of Jason—you deserve this.”

  Robert leaned forward, his grin widening. “Lyrin, huh? Tell us about her. What’s she like? Where’d you meet her?”

  Evan chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s... great. Really great. Smart, kind, a little mysterious. We met through some mutual... connections.”

  “Mysterious?” Robert repeated, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean? Is she in the CIA or something?”

  Evan laughed, shaking his head. “No, nothing like that. She’s just... from a very different background. It’s part of what makes her so interesting.”

  Susan leaned forward, her curiosity clearly piqued. “Well, we’ll have to meet her soon. You can’t just drop this on us and not introduce her.”

  Evan held up his hands. “Alright, alright. I’ll bring her by sometime. But for now, can I count on you to look after Jason while I’m gone?”

  “Of course,” Susan said without hesitation. “We’d love to have him. You know how much we enjoy spending time with our grandson.”

  Robert nodded in agreement. “We’ve got it covered. You go and enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.”

  Evan felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.”

  Jason, who had been quietly listening as he munched his cookie, finally piped up. “So, does this mean I get to help Grandpa with the lawnmower *and* eat cookies all week?”

  Robert ruffled Jason’s hair. “You bet, kiddo. We’ll have a blast.”

  Evan smiled at the sight of his son beaming up at his grandfather. Despite the chaos of his double life, moments like this reminded him of what he was fighting for—a chance to build something better for Jason, for his family, and maybe even for himself.

  As he drove home later that evening, Evan couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for not telling his parents the full truth. But he pushed the thought aside. They were happy to help, and they were supportive of him taking time for himself. That was enough for now. And who knows? Maybe one day he’d find a way to introduce them to the real Lyrin. But that, he thought with a wry smile, was a problem for another day.

  Evan sat on the edge of the couch, sipping his coffee as Jason sprawled out on the living room rug, flipping through one of his favorite books on dinosaurs. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm golden hues across the room. Evan watched his son for a moment, the way his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied a particularly fierce-looking T. rex. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Jason always made things feel simple, even when they weren’t.

  But now, it was time for a conversation Evan wasn’t entirely sure how to start.

  “Hey, buddy,” Evan began, setting his mug down on the coffee table. His tone was casual, but Jason still glanced up, sensing the shift in his dad’s mood. “Can we talk for a minute?”

  Jason sat up, crossing his legs and looking at Evan with a curious expression. “What’s up?”

  Evan hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, in a couple of weeks, I’m going to be gone for a week. And that means you’ll need to spend that weekend with Grandma and Grandpa instead of with me.”

  Jason’s face scrunched up in confusion for a moment. “Wait, you’re not gonna be here?”

  “No, not that weekend,” Evan said gently. “But only that weekend. It’s just... I’ve got something important I need to do.”

  Jason tilted his head, his curiosity clearly piqued. “Is it work stuff?”

  Evan hesitated, then shook his head with a small smile. “Not exactly. Lyrin and I are going on a trip together.”

  Jason’s eyes lit up at the mention of Lyrin, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. “Ohhh, so it’s like a date? But, like, a really long date?”

  Evan chuckled, feeling a little heat rise to his cheeks. “I guess you could call it that.”

  Jason leaned back, clearly enjoying this turn of events. “You must really like her, huh? You don’t usually go away for a whole week.”

  Evan nodded, his expression softening. “Yeah, I do. She’s pretty special. But I want you to know, this doesn’t change anything between you and me. You’re still my number one, Jason. Always.”

  Jason seemed to consider this for a moment, then smiled. “That’s okay, Dad. I like Lyrin. She’s cool—kinda weird, but cool. Plus, Grandma and Grandpa always let me help with stuff, so that’ll be fun.”

  Evan let out a relieved breath, grateful for how easy Jason made things sometimes. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you being so understanding.”

  Jason’s face grew a little more serious as he added, “But when you get back, it has to be just us, okay? No Lyrin, no work—just me and you.”

  Evan smiled warmly and reached out to ruffle Jason’s hair. “Deal. Next weekend is all ours. We’ll do whatever you want—you name it.”

  Jason grinned, his earlier seriousness already melting away. “Even laser tag?”

  “Even laser tag,” Evan promised, laughing. “But you’d better be ready, because I’m not going easy on you.”

  Jason laughed, standing up and striking a mock fighting pose. “You’re gonna lose, old man!”

  Evan stood too, pretending to square up. “Old man? I’ll have you know I’ve still got some tricks up my sleeve.”

  Their laughter filled the room as they playfully sparred, Jason darting around the couch while Evan pretended to chase him. For a moment, the weight of Evan’s double life lifted, and all that mattered was the joy in his son’s laughter.

  Later that evening, as Evan tucked Jason into bed, Jason looked up at him, his expression sleepy but thoughtful. “Hey, Dad?”

  “Yeah, buddy?” Evan said, smoothing the blanket over him.

  “You and Lyrin are gonna have fun, right?”

  Evan smiled, brushing Jason’s hair back from his forehead. “Yeah, I think we will.”

  Jason nodded, his eyes already starting to close. “Good. Just don’t forget about laser tag.”

  “Never,” Evan said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Goodnight, kiddo. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Dad,” Jason murmured, his voice soft as he drifted off to sleep.

  Evan stood there for a moment, watching his son’s peaceful face. He felt a pang of guilt for not being entirely honest about where he was going and why, but he reminded himself that this mission was part of something bigger—something that would make life better for Jason in the long run.

  And when this was over, he’d be back, ready to dive into laser tag and whatever else Jason wanted. Because no matter what was happening in Velanthor, Jason would always be his world.

  —

  Evan parked his car outside Sarah’s house, taking a deep breath before stepping out. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. Talking to Sarah was rarely pleasant, and he knew this topic was likely to set her off. Still, he owed her the courtesy of letting her know the change in plans, even if he wasn’t particularly looking forward to her reaction.

  He walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. It opened a moment later, and there she was—arms crossed, her expression already skeptical. “What’s this about, Evan?” she asked curtly. “I’ve got things to do.”

  Evan forced a polite smile, keeping his tone calm. “Hey, Sarah. I just wanted to let you know that in a couple of weeks, Jason will be spending the weekend with my parents instead of me.”

  She narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her expression. “What do you mean? It’s your weekend with him. Don’t tell me you’re bailing on him.”

  “I’m not bailing,” Evan said, keeping his voice even. “I’ve already talked to Jason about it, and he’s fine with it. In fact, he’s excited to spend time with my parents. He loves hanging out with them.”

  Sarah’s arms stayed crossed, but her eyebrow arched. “So, what’s the excuse this time? Work? Or is this about your girlfriend?”

  Evan sighed, already bracing himself. “Look, I’m going on a trip with Lyrin that weekend. It’s something we’ve been planning, and it’s important to me. But Jason knows about it, and he’s completely okay with it. He even told me to enjoy myself.”

  Sarah let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “Wow, Evan. So, what, your love life is more important than your son now? This is supposed to be your weekend with him—our agreed custody arrangement—and you’re just... pawning him off on your parents because you’ve got a date?”

  Evan clenched his jaw, reminding himself to stay calm. “First of all, Jason isn’t being ‘pawned off.’ He loves spending time with my parents, and they’re more than happy to have him. Second, what I do during my personal time is none of your business, Sarah. As long as Jason is safe, cared for, and happy—and he is—that’s all that matters.”

  Sarah’s eyes flashed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, of course. You’re just the perfect father now, aren’t you? Running off with your new girlfriend instead of spending time with your son.”

  Evan’s patience was wearing thin, but he kept his voice measured. “You know, Sarah, I’m not going to argue with you about this. Jason and I already talked about it, and he’s completely fine. He told me to enjoy my trip. So, unless you have some actual concern about his well-being during that weekend, this conversation doesn’t need to go any further.”

  Sarah stared at him, her lips pressed into a tight line. “It’s not about Jason’s well-being, Evan. It’s about you always thinking you can just change things whenever it suits you.”

  Evan shook his head, letting out a frustrated breath. “That’s not what this is about, and you know it. I’m not changing anything. Jason is still being cared for by people who love him, and he’s happy with the plan. You don’t get to dictate how I spend my time when he’s with me—or, in this case, with my parents. This is my decision, and it’s already made.”

  Sarah’s expression darkened, but she didn’t have a counterargument. After a tense pause, she finally huffed and threw her hands up. “Fine. Do whatever you want. You always do anyway.”

  Evan resisted the urge to respond with a snarky remark. Instead, he took a steadying breath and nodded. “Thanks for understanding,” he said, keeping his tone neutral. “Jason will be with my parents, and if anything comes up, you know they’re always happy to stay in touch.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes and stepped back, already moving to close the door. “Whatever, Evan. Just don’t come crying to me when this blows up in your face.”

  “Good talk, Sarah,” Evan muttered under his breath as the door shut. He turned and walked back to his car, exhaling slowly as he climbed in. The conversation had gone about as well as he’d expected, which was to say, not great—but at least it was over.

  As he drove away, his thoughts drifted back to Jason’s earlier enthusiasm about spending the weekend with his grandparents. He smiled faintly. Jason’s support—and his excitement for laser tag the following weekend—was all the reassurance Evan needed that he was making the right call. Let Sarah stew if she wanted to. For once, Evan was putting his own happiness into the equation, too.