“The Peak?” Oswin asked, but knew without needing clarification that’s what her sister meant. She appeared thoughtful, thinking over all she had been able to see when she’d managed to climb to the top of it and smiling when she thought about Jetta, too. “Well, most of the Vulcans stay at the foothills rather than climbing up the summit every day, but there are a couple of them who chose to just stay at the top, too. The Prime Minister, for one.” Oswin still hadn’t formally met the large mare with the spotted rump, but there had been something comforting in seeing the pattern, for it made her think of her father or brother. “And we have a sister there! Her name is Jetta, she’s awesome. Apparently dad had a girlfriend Vulcan. Supposedly we have another sister named Adelheid, but she isn’t at the Peak. Oh, and a little brother named Argento.” It had sort of been a tiny blessing in disguise to find a little bit of family in the Peak of all places.

“There’s no general right now,” Oswin said offhandedly. “I’m thinking if I prove myself, maybe that’s what I can be one day.” It was all she’d ever fantasized about; Oswin, some sort of hero ready to storm in and punch the bad guy in the face to save whoever needed saving. “Would have been nice to train under someone but, I’ll figure it out.” She smiled a bit wider with that flash of mischievous behavior glittering in her blue eyes.

She was pleasantly surprised to hear Vita Nova not only knew of Nephilim, but also where he lived. “Oh! Awesome, thank you, Nova. That helps so much.” Oswin wasn’t completely blind, however, and had noticed her sister’s slight shift in mood. She didn’t know what could have caused it and would have never been able to guess in her wildest dreams. Was she sad Oswin would have to leave Salem?

“Hey, Nova, if you ever want to come visit me in the Peak, you know I’d be thrilled to see you, yeah? And I’ll make sure to come visit you here, too.” Her voice had gone a touch softer, not quite so boisterous and animated as she often talked. Her blue eyes searched her sister’s face and a little smile quirked her mouth. “Now that I know where you’re at, you’re never going to get rid of me.”