I was a bit shocked, but not too much.

- It's not public yet, but it soon will be. The UE and Hungary will make a statement probably tomorrow.

- Hungary?

- Yes. The gate opened there. We don't have many details, but they contacted us, so I'm passing the news.

He paused for a moment, looking at me carefully. My expression didn't change much, and I didn't really say anything.

- So? What do you think - he asked eventually.

- That it's the third one so far.

- Third? Do you think the one in Russia is real?

- Yeah, I do. They can keep secrets, and have resources to do so. Besides, I don't see a reason for them to fabricate this. I think it's real and they want to seize it, but can't because people on the other side are too tough for that.

- How strong do you think they are? Do you think we will have a problem?

I shrugged my shoulders.

- Strong enough to keep foot soldiers at bay, but we here could do that too easily. I just didn't want to bother, so I used the barriers. Why are you asking? Are you afraid, or something?

He shrugged his shoulders.

- I just wanted to know what I can expect if the conflict occurs.

I thought for a moment about what he said.

- There won't be a conflict. At least not until people have assessed the straight behind each gate. Nobody will swing their stick if they are not sure of how much damage they can deal with it, because the other side might be more powerful, and they might retaliate.

- I guess you are right. I just hope we have the biggest stick.

I smiled at him.

- We were the first to open the gate. That indicates something.

- I hope so. I also hope that we soon will find out what is behind those gates exactly. What kind of people...

- Yeah... I wouldn't say no to that kind of information - I agreed.

- I wonder how many more gates will open...

- Who knows. Maybe several, maybe none. Only the future will tell.

- So It wasn't as bad news as I thought - he admitted. - I have to say, I started to really worry, with the rumors of Russian gate, and now this.

- You, or your government?

He winked at me.

- Me and my government are one and the same thing - he smiled. - Anyway...

He stood up and extended a hand for me to shake. I did that.

- It's time for me. Thanks for the conversation, Peter.

- Your welcome, but next time just say straight away what this is about...

- Sure - he agreed.

I shadow walked him back to the city, and we immediately split apart. He didn't wait, and headed straight to the gate hall, while I didn't really knew what to do. Tihana was still on my mind, and even the information about the new gate didn't change that.

I was worried that I didn't reach her properly, and she will try to do the same thing again, so I did the best thing I could think of, transformed into a crow, and kept observing the filming crew.

She didn't appear, and the whole practice was so boring, that I finally started wondering if maybe one of those gates that opened is leading to the city where I met with Alexandra and the rest. I started wondering if she and Slaven somehow managed to keep up their split leadership over the people out there.

Considering the fact that I literally had to pull them out of the hole their terrible luck dug for them, and help them get strong enough to properly deal with the situation they were in, the chances were very slim. They simply were too much behind Ark, and probably the other cities, so whatever was behind those two gates, was not them.

Which was also kinda intriguing. Considering the fact that I was now hunting ghosts and was ahead of everybody in my world, the chances of us being somehow subdued by stronger hunters were very slim, so I wasn't worried, but I still wanted to know what people were there, and what powers they had.

I kept going in circles, high in the sky, until the time for the school ended, and I flew down straight to the research facility.

Just as I entered the building, Tihana showed herself in the corridor, so I waited for her. She passed by me completely ignoring me.

- I believe we should talk - I started, but she didn't stop.

She kept walking and left the building, so I rushed after her.

- Hey, wait! - I tried to grab her by the shoulder, but she moved it rapidly and escaped my grasp. - Tihana!

My shout finally made her stop.

- What?! - she yelled.

- We need to talk.

- No, we don't! In the end, you are going to decide anyway, and I don't have anything to say! - she kept shouting, with tears forming in her eyes.

- It's not like that...

- It is!

- It's just that the school is important, and you can't just drop it because some people, whose names you will forget next year, are in town.

- But all I do in school! My grades are good, I've been working so hard, but all I get is more work!

- Ok... How about you will keep going to school like you used to, while those people are shooting their show, but when the next one comes, I'll let you watch? If those streamers come, you might even show them around, how about that?historical

- Really? - she asked wiping the tears off her cheeks.

- Yes.

She smiled, but immediately tried to hide it by looking down, at her feet. Back then, I had no idea how much those words will cost me in the future.

- I have homework to do - she said. - Can I go?

- Yeah...

She left, heading towards Boris's place. I watched her for a moment and then turned, to go back inside. Sudarshana was already standing in the open doors, she started clapping.

- Good job mister dad.

I sighed.

- It's sometimes soo damn hard...

- How about I brighten your mood?

I moved few steps towards her, and grabbed gently her arm, then pulled her closer.

- I would love that - I said, and kissed her.

She laughed, as our lips touched.

- Get me home - she whispered.

I shadow walked us to my place and immediately took her to my room.

The day came to an end with 24 345 220 points remaining on my account, and 21 class points.