Chapter XXIII

The locals, as well as the Greeks and the Americans, were discussing everything the Skins had told them, all studying the map.

• This is the map Morguen gave us. —They open the map on the living room floor.

"Morguen?" Elian asks, bringing a piece of cake to his mouth.

"That's the name of the Skin who helped us, and who apparently helped you too," says Ciro.

—I didn't know they had names.

—I would have liked to go with you —says Darío.

—You must be packing to return to Athens and take the girls. Good! Here, here, and here, they say they arrive this way.

—he points to each spot—. I suggest we attack the burrows from behind.

—It's not honorable.

—What they do isn't either.

"I support Elián," says Jonathan, who is arriving with a piece of cake. "What a delicious cake!"

—Until you deign to come down.

—Don't say anything to Elián, leave the boy alone.

• "At peace?" he says in an annoyed tone.

"Yes, peace. He's single and has every right to be. He's also a good candidate, as long as she doesn't reject him, everything will be fine." Jonathan thanked Ciro for his support while putting on an innocent face.

—I already gave you my word not to talk to him about love until I finished university,

• You better.
• But you haven't said anything about being friends. And she already knows what I am, she's not afraid of me, and I agree to be my friend—take a seat—but the issue is different, not my feelings toward your youngest daughter.
• True, true.
• Leave me and my people in the burrows—he points to the map—I have acquaintances in almost all of those areas.

—I'll go with you, I'm sure my dad won't get mad, on the contrary, those bastards owe us many lives.

—No problem for me, you know you're welcome, Omar.

—Thanks, buddy. Griego, one question. Have you heard from any Peruvians or Argentinians?

—I don't mess with them. For a little over a hundred years they've made it very clear to me that I should go to hell. However, Alessandro has contacted me to tell me that they've killed several of them, almost eradicating the problem, but he wants to go when we locate that Zacchaeus.

Jonathan looks at the map and starts speaking in his dialect. Omar follows the conversation, noticing that the Greeks are looking at them with a look of incomprehension.

• You've already done so much for us, I recommend you go to Europe and leave this in our hands.

—That's right, this is more than personal, it's revenge — says Omar — but when you find that idiot, cut him open for me.

—I give you my word.

Elian's passion

"Perfect!" Jonathan jumps up. "It's decided. I'll go home to get the others ready. I'll be waiting for you, Omar."

• Sure my friend, see you there.

—If you'll excuse me, I'm going to say goodbye —a silly, lovelorn smile appears on his face, Elián just rolls his eyes, which amuses his younger brothers and Omar.

—Okay, kids! Have a good trip. I'll go, but my nanny will get everything ready. —He waves to the two younger ones. —Elián, I'm really sorry about what happened to you, but I'm glad you're back to doing what you did before. —He gives him a big hug. Elián is just grateful.

—The Sonorans leave the house, the Greeks stay talking, while three young people talk upstairs.

• So when we find that and finish it, I'll come see you, okay?

—Of course. I'm excited to go to Greece. It's a trip Mom and I have been wanting to take.

—Now you and Elena will do it.

—It's not the same (sorry Elena) but I'll try to enjoy it.

—When are you leaving, Jon Jon?

—In the afternoon, I don't want to cross the desert in the middle of the day.

"That gives us time to leave, right?" Elena suggests.

"If Elián doesn't say anything else, where do you want to go?" the two shout, Emilia retreats to the bathroom.

—You already told her you want her for yourself.

—No, not yet. I gave my word to your dad that I won't talk to him about love for a few years. Besides, I don't think it's the best time... I'm afraid to tell him and have the same thing happen to him as with his mom.

—I don't think it's different, I don't have your experience with love, I haven't gotten my love yet, but you should tell him.

• What do I say? "Emilia, I know this isn't the right time, much less are you in the mood for a relationship, but I want to tell you that I've fallen at your feet. I love you with all my heart. If it were up to me right now, I'd mark you and take you with me, with the possibility that one day you'll decide to be like me and be my partner for life."
• Fuck you!
• “Oh my goodness!” Jonathan says.
• Me? You about me? I...erm...well, I've never had a boyfriend. I don't know what you do in a relationship (What do you do, Elena?).

—Yes, but nothing serious. I mean, I've never been involved with anyone.

—But how did I mark you? My mom hits dad, but I don't remember hitting you.

"I can't even explain it. I guess it was everything: your crying, your pain, your scent. It's very rare for this to happen between humans and werewolves. Usually, there must be something that triggers the mark, like your mom did with your dad."