I expected things to become slightly more normal. I know, in my situation, there couldn't really be something called 'normal' anymore, but I hoped for my normal. Normal, which meant I don't have to face something crazy every two weeks.

Obviously, things didn't go as I wanted. Some events were pleasantly surprising, others not really. It started the very next day, when the three of us ate breakfast, Tihana left for school, and I had to wash the dishes after.

- I'll help you - Celestine said.

She had the same loose blue dress which almost costed me my jaw. She was, to put it mildly, distracting. Especially when it was just the two of us in the kitchen, washing the bowls after morning oatmeal.

- Sure - I agreed

As I was already picking stuff off the table, I heard the sound of the door closing behind my daughter.

Then I carried everything to the sink, with the brunette by my side, and when I was about to start, she bumped into me with her hip, pushing me slightly to the side, as she laughed. I stepped out, making space for her. She, still smiling, began washing. I was directed to the wiping.

Her action surprised me a little because I didn't expect her to do such a move, especially because of how shy she proved to be, but I guess through those few days, she grew more comfortable around me.

- I need to earn my living here - she said to me.

I chuckled after her words.

- Don't laugh - she pouted.

- How can I not laugh, when you are so adorable? - I asked her.

She in response gave me a bowl that she just washed, and looked me straight in the eyes,

- I've been called many things, but never adorable - she said. - I kinda like it.

I took it from her hands, but she didn't let go of it immediately, just staring at me. I noticed hesitation, and a moment later, she let go. I took it wiped, then turned to her for another one. Then she kissed me out of the blue but immediately stepped back, biting on her lips.

I noticed the panic in her eyes. She clearly didn't know if what she did was a good thing or a devastating thing. I cleared out those thoughts, by stepping forward and kissing her back.

She put her hand on my chest, and I placed mine on her waist.

"I need to speak with you" Voice of the Great one resonated in my mind.

"Fucking mother...!", was my initial response.

"What?" He asked confused.

"Nothing!", I growled at him.

Then I had to separate myself from Celestine. It surprised her.

- I need to go - I told her.

She opened her eyes wide like she just thought that the emotional rollercoaster she was going through derailed completely.

- I explain every... some... later. I just need to go. It's very important. And very, fucking, annoying! - I added with fury. - Please wait. I hope... I hope we can continue later.

Her lips curved slowly into a smile, then she nodded, biting on her lips again.

Mad like hell, I shadow walked to Loistavadvaar, where I assumed the meeting would happen. The Great One appeared immediately after me.

- We have a problem - I began the conversation without beating around the bush.

- What now? Can't we have a freaking week without problems? - I growled at him.

He was surprised by my reaction. Taken aback.

- Just say it... - I added.

- On the outskirts of the imperium, a few research vessels received a psionic signal. It was strong, despite coming from a very far. The discovery was observed by many ships sent there later. Everybody believes that's a very powerful psionic entity, slowly moving toward the empire. My opposition already made attempts to contact it, to try and form an alliance, because they believe it will be able to rival Ixa's powers - he explained.

- What? - I frowned my eyebrows. - Did it send some kind of message? I don't understand.

- No. It was just a wave of psychic powers. Harmless, yet strong. Like it wanted to announce itself - he cleared my confusion.

- So it's not hostile? - I asked.

- It's too soon to say. Maybe it is just probing, trying to figure out who we are. I believe that it was the fight with Ixa, that made it notice us. After all, we used powerful psionic abilities left and right, out there. It would be easy to detect even from very far away. If the estimations are true, that something could spot us from an unimaginable distance. We should be wary because we don't know if it's a friend or foe.

- You are trying to say, that we should prepare for both eventualities? - I asked.historical

- Yes. Even if it's not hostile, my political opponents might try to use that entity against me. After all, they still think I'm Ixa.

I sighed. Heavily. Just when things with Celestine became interesting, something like that had to happen. I could feel my blood boiling with anger.

- Fuck! FUCK! - I yelled at the top of my lungs, surprising The Great One once again.

He didn't say anything to my weird reaction, just watched.

- Sorry - I said after a moment, which I needed to calm down. - I was just in the middle of something, and what you said ruined my plans...

- I know it's not easy, but great power, like yours...

- Means money and bitches. Yeah, I heard that one too - I butted into his sentence.

- I'll live you alone, so you can deal with your emotions - he said after that. - I'll keep you informed about the situation.

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared.

- FUCK! - I yelled again, then I shadow walked back to my kitchen.

Celestine was there, still washing the dishes. One glance at me told her that I was completely pissed. She stopped her work but was hesitant to say anything.

- I just received bad information. Very damn bad... - I explained myself.

- If there is something I can do to help... - she started, but didn't finish, as I moved forward, grabbed her, and kissed again.

There was very much something she could do. Very, very much...