The video callsted for over half an hour, and Evan only reluctantly hung up when Elysia called him home for dinner, promising to see them again tomorrow.


    As soon as the call ended, Dane immediately asked Lowell, "Was that a real snake?"


    Lowell nodded with a smile. "Yes, it was."


    Dane was shocked. "It''s such a tiny snake. Why would it scare Jove?"


    "White isn''t an ordinary little snake," Lowell said. "It''s highly venomous."


    Dane frowned. "Why does Evan have such a dangerous pet?"


    Lowell smiled back. "Evan saved White''s life, and White has saved Evan''s. They have a life-and-death bond, and their rtionship is very strong, just like you and Jove."


    "Isn''t Evan only five?" Dane asked. "How is he so skilled?"


    "He''s been trained by the best," Lowell said. "Plus, Evan is naturally gifted, so he''s very capable."


    "...My brother is two years older than Evan, but he''s not nearly as skilled."


    "You can''tpare them," Lowell said quickly. "Evan is a special case. Forget Diaz, even I''m no match for him."


    Dane was stunned. "!"


    Lowell just smiled. "Our Evan is truly incredible, but he''s also a very sweet and well- behaved kid. When you get a chance to meet, he can teach Diaz a few moves."


    Dane was dazed for a moment, then something clicked. His eyes filled with suspicion. "If he''s that powerful, why would his fathere here to learn martial arts from Sutton?"


    Lowell paused for a second before answering, "Our boss has a match against a martial artist from Thyama Sutton has fought that mar before, so our boss is here to gather information on him. "You know what they say: a little reconnaissance goes a long way."


    Dane stared at him for a moment, then seemed to ept the exnation. He was filled with curiosity about Evan and White. He really wanted to meet them...


    The sky suddenly darkened. Dane looked up. "It''s going to rain. Let''s go. I''ll take you back and pick up my brother on the way."


    "We won''t make it," Lowell said immediately. "By the time you get Diaz and head back, you''ll be caught in the downpour. Let''s go to your ce first to get the cattle and sheep settled. I''m worried Wyatt can''t handle it himself."


    He continued, "Don''t worry about me and Diaz. Diaz is safe from the rain at Sutton''s house. If it gets really bad, my boss can send a car to pick me upter, and we can give him a ride back at the same time."


    Dane thought his reasoning was sound and nodded. "Let''s go!"


    The two of them rode back toward the hillside. By the time they arrived, a strong wind was blowing, and dark clouds had gathered, signaling an immmment stom. Wyatt the crazy guy, and a few sheepdogs were already herding the animals into their pens.


    "Your foot is injured, you shouldn''t be moving around! I''ll help!" Dane said, dismounting and running toward the flock.


    Lowell watched Wyatt, frowning slightly. The man''s methodical way of herding the sheep didn''t look like the work of someone who hadpletely lost his mind. But that alone wasn''t enough to prove he wasn''t one.


    Lowell nced at the sky, and a n formed in his mind. While they were busy, he quietly made his way toward the crazy guy''s hut.


    Wyatt had been watching him. When he saw Lowell sneaking toward his home, he frowned. Seeing Lowell enter without a word, he grew suspicious. When Lowell didn''te out after several minutes, he became uneasy.


    A momentter, Wyatt called out to Dane. "Dane, I need to relieve myself."


    Dane, on the other side of the flock, called back, "Go ahead! I''ve got this!"


    Wyatt nodded and headed for his hut.


    Inside, Lowell was rummaging through the simple belongings. When he sensed someone approaching outside, his eyes narrowed.