INGRATE

River heaved a sigh of relief when the familiar surroundings of Sofia's living room materialized around them. Alex and his wife blinked in surprise, disoriented by the sudden shift and having to witness magic teleport them.

It seemed even though it was the second time for the man, he was yet to get over it.

"We're back," Sofia announced like they didn't already know, stretching. "Consider yourselves safe here. We'll explain everything in more detail soon, but for now, why don't you get yourselves settled? Wash all that blood away. I'm sure none of us like the smell of it.”

Alex’s wife who was still visibly shaken, seemed not in the mood for jokes or talks about showers.

She took a step closer to River, her fingers twisting around one another in shame. River knew what she was about to do, so she decided to receive her with a warm smile.

The woman, whose name River had learned was Mary mumbled an apology to River and threw her arms around River in an embrace. "I... I overreacted back