"Little thing?" Julie's voice carried a note of offense as Cerilla's words hit her ears. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and anger. "What on earth is that supposed to imply?" she demanded, her steps purposeful as she closed the distance to Cerilla. Tension radiated from her clenched fists, poised as though she might lash out.
48Please respect copyright.PENANANTBpGTMLkU
"Huh?" Julie's questioning gaze shifted downward, landing on Tora's arm that held her back from advancing any further.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAA84SzfZ1i6
"Let's keep things civil, you two," Tora interjected, his tone taking on a parenting-like authority.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAhwIsmlMWhv
48Please respect copyright.PENANARHqyO5fqDh
"Cerilla," Tora's voice held a commanding edge as he stepped past her. "I need you to escort her home." His words hung in the air, laden with a sense of responsibility.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAnKsY2T7E1I
"Really..." Cerilla's tone dripped with boredom, as if she were being burdened with a task she had no interest in.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAIylV7agbCu
"Yes, really!" Tora's frustration tinged his voice with an edge. He couldn't mask his annoyance at Cerilla's lackadaisical attitude. "She's not safe out here. So, could you actually do your job for once?"
48Please respect copyright.PENANAShcao4QXKY
With a roll of her eyes, Cerilla seemed to relent. "Fine... So I'm guessing she's one of us then, right?"
48Please respect copyright.PENANAqB5yZucC4K
48Please respect copyright.PENANAYt6ZaIIYE8
Tora's lips curved into a sly smirk, his gaze flickering back to Cerilla. "Yes, indeed she is."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAcgwaakDeTo
"I'm not going," Julie's voice carried determination.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAI05hHPv3dR
Tora and Cerilla both turned to face Julie, who stood resolute and alone. "I have to find Trevor!" Her words came out in a fervent yell. "Or have you all conveniently forgotten?" She shot a pointed look at Tora. "We can't abandon him. We need to save him!"
48Please respect copyright.PENANAakr7kSktVu
Tora regarded Julie with a mix of empathy and understanding, releasing a heavy sigh. "I've told you before, when someone's been corrupted, when their body is taken over by a creature from another world, there's no way to rescue them."
48Please respect copyright.PENANA9EO4NTCv3L
Julie shook her head, denying the reality that was presented to her. "No, that can't be true. I won't accept your non-..."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAQbNmlYmESj
"That's enough," Cerilla interjected, scooping Julie up and slinging her over her shoulder. "My task is just to get her home, right?" Cerilla glanced at Tora for confirmation.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAOH1Hm2mSKv
"Correct. Do that, and we'll settle things in a battle at another time," Tora agreed, his eyes fixed on Julie's futile struggles within Cerilla's hold.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAqMjCUt3khi
"Remember your promise, fire slinger," Cerilla retorted, dismissing Julie's attempts to break free. "Stop struggling or you'll end up biting your tongue."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAN8kuqOfZi1
48Please respect copyright.PENANAJSz2BSWaNy
"What?" Julie's confusion was cut short as she found herself soaring hundreds of feet into the air, her panic turning into a terrified scream. "WHAT THE HELL!" she screamed, the reality of her situation sinking in.
48Please respect copyright.PENANARMP9AcfzzB
"You're so loud, all from a little jump," Cerilla remarked casually.
48Please respect copyright.PENANA4227RXbzf7
"A jump?!" Julie's incredulous voice quivered. "That settles it – you're not human. No human can do something like that."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAjyJxw300rZ
Cerilla's reply was matter-of-fact, her tone almost indifferent. "You're right. I'm not entirely human. I'm a half-breed, just like you."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAVDpe6Ullc8
Julie's voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend. "I can't do anything like that!"
***
48Please respect copyright.PENANAbcp7FO1o6H
Tora walked through the park, his steps deliberate and unhurried, weariness etched into the lines of his face.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAtIQ9MF6FUL
"Are you going to keep skulking around like a rat, or are you finally going to make yourself known?" Tora's words were directed toward an unseen presence as his gaze fixed on the still trees ahead.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAgAcwn1sgOr
"I must admit, the rumors about you seem to hold true," a concealed voice replied.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAF49GMy7IyB
In a sudden burst of movement, a woman materialized before Tora. She stood confidently, her long blond hair seemingly like silk and her attire a sharp contrast to the casual surroundings – a white long-sleeved button-down shirt paired with tailored business attire that exuded both power and elegance and yet, Tora's expression remained unimpressed, his demeanor unwavering.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0kBk0kwR6
"My name is Deena Dawnswell," she introduced herself, her name flowing like a melody, "and I represent the Luminal Accord." A dangerous smirk touched her lips. "They've dispatched me to bring you back." Her gaze sharpened. "They're none too pleased that you failed to report in as soon as you arrived in this town."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAR9D6XAkzS0
Tora's response was a quiet chuckle. "I'm sure they're seething. Rumors do tend to mention my penchant for getting under HQ's skin."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAVrltec8yXE
Deena's eyes sparkled with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "Indeed they did. Your reputation preceded you – the tales they spoke of were both entertaining and intriguing."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6h814rCoS
For a fleeting moment, Tora's eyes gleamed with a sharp and dangerous intensity before swiftly transitioning to a composed calmness.
48Please respect copyright.PENANADLbZXdCgzI
"Shall we proceed, then?" Tora's voice carried a veneer of politeness, accompanied by a smile that seemed polite but rang hollow, lacking genuine warmth.
48Please respect copyright.PENANA3u5364KNj0
Deena's own smile persisted, seemingly unaffected, her eyes dancing with amusement at the subtle tension in the air.
***
48Please respect copyright.PENANASt0WAOIMXf
"Are you sure you want to walk? My way would've been faster," Cerilla's irritation was evident as she trailed closely behind Julie, the two of them walking at a leisurely pace down the street.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAbHESyJZemK
"Well, my way is less likely to get me killed," Julie responded dismissively, paying little attention to Cerilla's complaints.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAlK8NdxF2AA
Cerilla's words carried a matter-of-fact tone. "Your body is quite weak for a half-blood. Perhaps walking is the wisest choice."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAo4Srav2lmq
Julie halted in her tracks upon hearing those words. "So maybe I'm not one?"
48Please respect copyright.PENANA8HcahO9a9d
Standing behind Julie, Cerilla observed the young woman's self-doubt, her little frame embodying uncertainty.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAxIFqcGJjTS
"STOP BEING SO PATHETIC!" Cerilla's outburst echoed through the street as her hand slapped the back of Julie's head.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAQCzFStAA9m
"What the hell!" Julie's outcry was filled with pain as she clutched her head.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAMeMbEwV8vH
48Please respect copyright.PENANAk2zaugFEZY
"Weakness in any form gets on my nerves. Keep acting like this, and I won't hesitate to end you myself," Cerilla's threat hung in the air, her fist crackling with veined energy.
48Please respect copyright.PENANA0h4uHSlTLX
Cerilla's demeanor shifted to a calmer tone. "You are a half-breed. I, for one, struggle to sense our kind. Yet, being so close to you now, I'm entirely certain of your heritage."
48Please respect copyright.PENANA8ipxNQEQKa
Julie remained silent, continuing her walk. Cerilla walked in tandem, arriving at Julie's house where she observed as Julie ascended the front stairs.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAEvmDk7T9Jo
"I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow," Cerilla stated, her hands resting on her hips.
48Please respect copyright.PENANA4c80JFQRc5
"What?" Julie's sudden reaction spun her around to face Cerilla.
48Please respect copyright.PENANAK5zTa6dvCd
Cerilla's gaze held a seriousness that matched her words. "You're an Unregistered Half Blood in the heart of the city. You need to get registered," she explained. "And that damn bastard has made it my responsibility to ensure you comply."
48Please respect copyright.PENANAyUY6e4xbWh
"Registered for what?" Julie's confusion was palpable.
48Please respect copyright.PENANASo46I0rSvB
"The Luminal Accords," Cerilla's answer held weight, carrying a sense of gravity.
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns 15.158.61.4da2