Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEaDX1HIod
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IQGb1ROWC
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZTIDEX1qR
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5qlh239Rf
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuWMXOKS08
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVmitpvsjx
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba4uaMiRef
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhAnwtFASK
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzKezHWQaO
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwSMnOUp07
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxrULOhKNJ
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKhGRSdBQ6
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBQEhJmxgq
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi609sfyQdD
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWswda7Cfa
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlwg9o17zW
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKR5oGo9VC
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPRqHYQXeE
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ252KDCJQNy
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepQ34dpgkM
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWWynRgooC
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP63FRcXpq
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y7ww2Ocom
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO0oZ9JpEx
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrxE3ni498
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo4otqx5bY
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAIO4X6Nqa
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5AZpGKebl
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJdMDevX1m
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH0FrQpunf
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZAfqDpUjX
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFgpSrqRAv
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGESQQn3x8
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMQZTFOUKM
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDZqJlJ7Np
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfKGXVxFl6
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ0cOrnnYj
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDZ6euVSyu
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ90llSIe3e
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡontuuN34eQ
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyoFUi2hAZ
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEdb8dGOO4
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE6VbeX713
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFg2fkLNxR
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC07PC4kxKJ
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaeAS2OmDd
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wUt4Hep2F
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaoqvZmFvg
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oZHpIFQSP
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39QBbjTsBt
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjsNiwHcTG
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nqVpmmjkk
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuZd8BUGgP
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNIvSFQaAD
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XmOyXNIms
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqolfWsSzX
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGhpsCEjet
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHCZslF6Ho
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKVzW28a7X
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO0RaKNWhl
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2G06mQVT2
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOM9532rV
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHb1e9ptDy
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRCde4V7Lk
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eWQfwv74v
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9pnGyyYHb
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4YztkHhZA
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GcXVlgESZ
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBsGhfY6bQ
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzckVZ6c6i
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv23gkUZ4r
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzb3q62t5P
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb1WSSedoB
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa6vysjplk
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j5rekbI2J
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomyns7Xltx
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexzwkU6PXI
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyMfZ5JsL6
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNQ0uHOKR6
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02EOyhASS5
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnXZGpzGrj
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNg3YcmnAq
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeOlu0gsr
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj4DnnVFwi
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAjmuzBD02
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlVHspE3ym
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyXk1iwidi
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy0q22Xx18
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLvSTd0M7p
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vOKZEsz5I
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw72lpDZSk
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjpBiSVqF8
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrAUMHZ2ZR
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0yjLkrIKW
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFJQ1rn8Yi
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FPgHOCcaN
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEfbHOEVBr
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPUueDpia5
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdsTYUEMf6
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZgsSOl4bx
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIYSTSOu3t
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIXYw8LgBb
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaqkDrvmh8
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktpQwzkBQp
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpgazciKn0
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhFcemnRlb
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvspj3YLlDc
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSFsBB0S2G
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqvuBXQAgA
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTaoSMn5Qn
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW46x8m0DE
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVGKMlFfjW
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoutHHqntUj
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEFcDjdJ47
course.
Vander followed the smell until he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xflik7B56
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yZfJO3z1t
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AY7e4aO7l
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDYoOwtHNu
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSDuXspwWa
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGLUTV6TCj
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULvxgZ7Oh8
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnblqab2rmI
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmtrGlj1BE
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBB00nAyzi
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4lOnDM6tO
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg1AGSyArD
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjgCY3NbAu
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3MTO0jeW5
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUt8twLUKK
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGtDul62es
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuN97g6S2T
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a1c8DUQSz
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnxNxHLcAM
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZBaEw6JKU
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcrgiINsEF
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeHnSsvRLv
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzamqM5BCk
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmsLmEARnz
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbk3Ik8GFO
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiVDx2nKIQ
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUwJnP5sjl
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiRP9taryI
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG9pb0wPUf
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSk2O3gOtc
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PMRqznnRE
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6i2GY8Qfx
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgJgF7R6Ds
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGBiP0pccF
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2lTHi7nUb
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IqFfuPzqd
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M7X0Dcm9S
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOcsDpP6lo
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ214RxwUgkM
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZxuTu0Uow
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JwD9ySlhM
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIGYMv7AU5
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmU0KAMD9Y
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvT8eM18iU
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAeBn5P2e4
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOAjPBPrv7
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQrFxogxXN
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8M4RcOOqk
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHQcIgrS9
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfRDf1KBqx
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZj0AoV77K
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Glfpk58h
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAwQVBgqc8
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AybHK5agN
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzWjOM30Gf
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8uYRMSmHK
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o3wWI2DGU
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPuCW6yEa7
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw2U3ubCUA
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3BlMHsrtx
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGpx93a6dn
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHamwY0dCa9
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCra0xqe0B
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7jtq50KXX
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2lHOjVikc
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5BX1OWU2s
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsafuT0sv5p
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBjpVkM7ih
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZtwzqjLI
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1946zVTo2
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTOJq954yO
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gm1Ey9MrF
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh9yYzER3w
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UccBLF7W1
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFnhkL0GB2
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fdRSEvuxw
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLbcqelfze
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVBjrfbbZZ
Blades?”
