Raven actually understood what Lucky meant and shouted cheerfully, "Bye-bye, doggy!" Natalie looked surprised. "Lucky seems to really like Ms. Webster, huh?" Cassian glanced down at the dog. "Looks like it." That was rare. Lucky barely liked anyone other than the two of them. With everyone else, she was usually cold and grumpy, sometimes even baring her teeth if she got the slightest bit annoyed. Even with Olivia, Ghania, Harold, and Roderick, Lucky only behaved because of Natalie and Cassian. Most of the time, she ignored them—or answered half-heartedly when they talked to her. But this time? She had voluntarily wagged her tail at someone. That was new. Natalie remembered the last time, too—when they first met Raven, Lucky had wagged her tail and even smiled. When they got home, Natalie poured herself a glass of spring water, then squatted down next to Lucky. "Lucky, do you like that girl?" Lucky was honest. "Not exactly like. I just feel comfortable when I look at her." Natalie blinked, then laughed. "So you do judge people by their looks." Raven was gorgeous. Even with half her face covered by that gas mask, she was stunning—honestly, prettier than Wilona, the celebrity. But Lucky shook her head. "It's not because she's pretty. She just gives off a peaceful vibe."Peaceful? You mean she has some kind of calming energy? Then why don't I feel it? Natalie frowned. Across town, Theodore returned to the Mervyn Villa with Raven in tow. He barely stepped through the door when Dave hurled his cane at him. "You idiot! Didn't I tell you to drop those foolish thoughts and stay away from the people in Villa 1?" Theodore didn't even flinch. He picked up the cane, stood, and handed it back to Dave calmly. "I know. I've dropped all my foolish thoughts now." Dave exchanged a doubtful look with Celina. "Really?" "Yeah." Theodore nodded, gave back the cane, and dropped onto the couch, rubbing his chin in thought. Sure, he couldn't take Natalie away—but that didn't mean he'd sit around doing nothing. They'd gotten lucky this time that the intruders targeted the Hollands. If it had been the Mervyns, his whole family would've been wiped out. Both families had once been equals. But now, they were falling behind. And once you start falling behind, you just keep slipping further. He had to find another way to grow stronger—fast—or they'd be crushed. The next morning, Dave and Celina noticed Theodore was gone again. Not only him—Raven was missing too. Dave nearly exploded with anger. He sent his bodyguards all over the Hillside Villa District, but they came back empty-handed. Finally, Celina found a note on Theodore's desk. "Dad, Mom, I'm taking Rae Rae to the research base. It'll be a while before we're back. Don't worry too much." Dave read it, his hands trembling. He threw the cane again. "That damn 'secret lab' of his is still running?" Celina pressed a hand to her chest. A strange sense of dread crept up inside her. After that, the Hillside Villas fell silent again. Life returned to its calm, misty routine. Three months later, early one morning, the thick fog finally began to fade. Natalie pulled open the curtains and gasped. "The time cycle's changing again!" Cassian wrapped an arm around her. "Different from the last timeline?" "Yeah," she said. "Last time, the fog lasted six months before it started to clear. Now it's only been four." Cassian squeezed her hand. "Doesn't matter. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it. We've already got everything ready for Frostfall." Natalie nodded. "Should we move the warehouse supplies into storage space before Frostfall hits?" Cassian thought for a moment. "How many days were there between the fog ending and Frostfall last time?" "Three to five days," she recalled. "Then we're good," he said. "The northern base is close, and we can take the helicopter to the southern and northwest sites. If all goes well, we'll have plenty of time." Natalie frowned. "Unless Frostfall comes early." The fog was already ahead of schedule—what if the storm came early too? "There's a chance it might hit while we're still traveling," she said. "If that happens, we'll be stuck in blizzards and freezing wind. The helicopter won't be able to fly." Cassian stayed calm. "That's fine. If Frostfall comes, we'll drive. You've still got that snowmobile, right?"Natalie nodded. "Traveling won't be a problem then—but it'll take longer." If they had to drive through the frozen northwest, down south, and then back north again, it could take more than a month. Cassian ruffled her hair and smiled. "That's okay. It's our honeymoon, remember? I don't mind if it takes a while."