When Malin returned to the villa, he noticed the mouse maids were busy cleaning: "I remember we just cleaned it yesterday."
Then he saw the sand on the carpet, some dirty footprints, and some men's clothing thrown in front of the bathroom door.
It was not the man of this villa, but another man.
So Malin pushed open the bathroom door, and before he could see what was in the mist, he heard the voice of a boy in the midst of puberty: "Who is it, didn't I say not to come in?"
"Who are you?" Malin was curious. Beside him, Lorrin worked the pump of the shotgun, Fio stood with Blood Roar ready, and Melo gripped two revolvers.
"Of course I'm the master here! Who are you!" A head emerged from the mist, and Malin was taken aback—this half-grown lad looked pretty tall.
Thinking this, Malin looked down… was he really just a child?
"Malin Gaiate."
"Joe Mowish."
They declared their names at the same time, and Malin raised his eyebrows: "You're Faye's brother."