Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyGzJarzlU
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5rylguU6
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JFvdZnOB5
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDflaxTVp2
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUfW7Gf5ak
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqUNGFq0Gm
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjnRKk4TgF
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmJI55PBpr
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkkYpJpwdX
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjWuNxQgHs
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7iPGzuARt
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDnMUhnrrt
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqdhSTvXl2
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezY8dJGENY
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdrabJSeuo
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh0c4f08Tb
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHMBWE81lX
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMe3Gmynu0
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgbN12Hthz
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx2w3mRx0W
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY9PEZcNdu
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmJ73EYqVa
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADtlKvldFE
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct06KwQK63
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdXo2ybTao
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfBPYc9MrK
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiORRaSe9Po
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml35eemIs8
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZhzAoPuK
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbQ0cnlfe7
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLRq0OriFw
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWzLsMNpiC
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjvz3aqjBb
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ITFoI5bD
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATW0vka7OX
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX3e0Od5EY
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2o36EktD9
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY8rzcPyqU
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfdw8up6Wq
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF45LthSXvM
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQYnF6QCQJ
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefgah5Fz4p
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K7MGYz0zF
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcflvcaQ3G
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzaJR0QQtX
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDL36SgneX
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZac7VHuWoY
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48wok3kSKj
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrENf2rQHc
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHnIw1Eeq5
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV8SDb1p7x
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxbLhWLVvM
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77HrWGxAlf
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDopciqucE5
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJUWGuNafQ
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMX5Ln2ogt
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUGKCtxrI9
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCt6KlfvQK
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw82RTBilYG
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONZloaVKJF
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclsnuNtHPB
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ89fxxuAq
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiW1w8IdSH
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW8ATzdFYV
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PshKc9wJc
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLU9UKferW
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiG6zv4zah
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5SKMAejRB
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP8g3V9zm7
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QkCYuafRD
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hegpxIzyW
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYKOx5NUXO
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj2HP3ETui
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzhq1upfAv
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GAQDHhoQB
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTvHaeePE8
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn7nrzfQ3C
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wOB8LMy07
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5Fe0XVxYq
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GBixbUIlq
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HCA3gQS7l
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR0yfyBV4m
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfrfLKmghx
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa0niAhlKM
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SObMWwMnC
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj0QHYVnif
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwXr7Auztt
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpGBw2PZnT
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM81DWAggTV
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IAAOIs7E4
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4YzBI8siN
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh0taSwyHA
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq63ODXqefw
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp4t76A5Ha
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJgidliRx3
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9b6L2EiK
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BC9xfYk0J
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDn1UlLNA4
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzKvcZiyx0
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj9XfS9o5k
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSQ1Pll83B
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW319rGoCrv
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJWA4EPLFo
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rHTpi2Ci7
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNThjSla9p
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6OWXG6og5
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ULwPLjcl
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTPdhjUw49
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5XS9oEE7i
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nqeWCQhHd
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvOm3ac2Vx
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvhiNUPFvM
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIsmx3xIyG
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZgiTPkEd
course.
Vander followed the smell until he9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZziGao9FOQ
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWh2NVuNKj
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPOuYHg0Hs
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDE4Jq5SZF
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pn3pPQybN
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXbLoas6sN
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI52Vngnzg
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbiaAlND28
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyszajaCmox
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsAnpRnK30
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLQ0yx6fbq
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdh8CSENEB
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijDQMphSDq
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjpjXHXblW
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNDjV9DkMb
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj8mAbVQFx
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dFwuDSYSC
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1XjIFZbhr
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU7wM6kq6M
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRCQvRjtyX
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYfkKMW6ri
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzeIdqEZQp
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrMo1NrI7i
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXX2VHtVaP
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dGGr89vog
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKooFF6Nuf
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0ZjcaQqrY
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfBYOwLm7h
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuPoVA7zyI
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLSaSoKOsd
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqZF7uGjMx
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZzHs19bNP
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tSjOGxRJr
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq9CR98npR
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDAgvRYFWX
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6DSHuOB2
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE0jtCgfcK
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgmm51GmnS
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufmUsrLwgS
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctrQhdM6Bt
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrg2v1t5pK
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJLxaNYx60
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDAyq3DzMQ
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4dAnlKDKi
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsewTxt8NLj
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS4N1w37NG
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXJCavUoL4
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4QuHBxjzp
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bf2n9Q8eq
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEsIJAnTI9
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSfQf2HGXk
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbczOSMgwJ
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLzSm3HCAW
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcyeuoKjTs
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeCF1nfH9D
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHOOpQiAer
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWkkV5pZ7h
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlQ2L9ob11
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ696h3ADPM7
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eOBXAqyz9
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCGd1Q1UjE
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqmHkghiR4
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr5QyuR9zm
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhKEIJMzco
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBowlKFlzC
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxhIXNaie1
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcE75v7oac
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeESGc95z9
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JlpKITBNT
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun00FwtZkX
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDsnUsGXq0
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkOHzstwTc
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfZwLNwPXl
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJP5N9j9uR
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5k69vWo4O
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpdpABkze0
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliyMIQSEzA
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP6ecbic2j
Blades?”
