Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ3JWeyfNs
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7pc4K6pfA
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaLg5wkhVX
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeMQxGtdHr
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFitTe46Pa
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinpjiwQe6F
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzu9t9nIl8
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSC9dlwtG6
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoxoZbrYpQ
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR29kuQgLO
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bNsmA5yUs
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV6LpKu4Lg
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1u5yep97g
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwjUn411Pw
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3KIAy3FR7
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oUEh11JBt
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyTzKba6Ek
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR84m2ykDI
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfYr0Gxksp
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYuWP5NlF2
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzGbX1p3P7
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vFEXzHqGp
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp6wnDSVSx
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofzw2LqLsl
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3d4lFJhiD
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dtmDcPTZm
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGCbdNHp5r
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BQuJMEC2u
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh9LduXoaf
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqW2XPnVLd
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDpsA3gEc6
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9npeWdsFl9
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlTKsosIOq
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7jyLUBWp3
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgzbbamqfa
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcb2896txf
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGPvYCvfKG
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIihNiTKJBE
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQme90ylh
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk54vqUnnCW
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQutYX3TAz
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBZLHPvQQt
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiKYdLbsUf
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc3w4Qub2E
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi1cPWzRAG
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDpjbsjGw6
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNb7ZNbx2F
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1aMgfaoPr
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQB7HMzmjg
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIdL7clFkD
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIoBa8G65K
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFooSwZprd
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm00XAlOKIV
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmtadPEdbK
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fCt2Q2lCh
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7rHIyRDKg
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdnC9OV8fW
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL7QzEBI66
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahESwrFBUl
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxyK5u92WA
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmkV31hq7j
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6t0dF8yL4
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrCXIP6IPz
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eYiHznEPn
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBXNzdDVMn
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxJErfEXeq
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVCAd2eX3j
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Oy5L5SLB
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyeqJ8bQ8q
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwx5Tiq1vd
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtNK917PxJ
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj8G2tAJ3A
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdkzOR01MM
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoart7tyRuY
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdBrft02xE
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD3HzJm4dE
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4AskYaiY7
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWi8teHedb
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzPeDAi36A
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzTpYzYDVR
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5t07fxmJc
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYp6j2QPTm
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfviHeu5ho
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP1zoA2BLT
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XUYIjnrn2
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioayoBGupo
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR0Gmt7WRj
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0rfeF4E5m
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MCL2B5zgL
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9wlCrLHGN
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCHZYIpV8f
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFTtGE1qlW
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAo6Ht9C2M
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna48x3YsEz
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBW75x8Ewz
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCVUkUhIEf
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIhHo5kbXJ
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7jwubuOki
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxKCuNwMs6
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CjZaYW6gT
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVeFYqK0ud
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3XnhUSZjK
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89cqa5dU8s
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RfEtY6WfN
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bh8I4o1LZ
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg96ezLt1k
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdp0imwGku
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebYqT5qM2I
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjazu0UI1IC
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhkl2TWSHH
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnIrlAkrkx
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oDsEa5Jjb
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oLm1Fj2G9
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZrkAwjHyG
course.
Vander followed the smell until he37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoAWmUW3HF
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirfL32rgaw
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZqIWomuko
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXRJhAxVHl
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO0Ck1W4rK
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYgliLOXcY
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEWQFwH1zJ
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5r3Qh4B9I
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UGPzog4UC
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjlAHeXKvW
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIzmksCYUV
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCB25XC1Ji
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApzlohVvLm
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FZekxWZVv
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIJOIPYhkN
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFds1iDj69o
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSiMaGBqZM
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf0wxQlxis
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C2BemGcvh
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDtD8KhARB
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgC3cB7aim
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxOobgJnK7
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg7hM4dVqW
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlHZGA7HkU
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjN47c7R0x
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ399sKc3UVY
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisTGmlQ4Lg
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahZxQcTDJ2
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rQESNI0oI
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx922cT7l0
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHhaQblUIw
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIvswG4KRD
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBypa4dcRa
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98qZo0lESs
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ787JDiwABB
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdzROQlKtv
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFlssQy2iX
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjiemkSd6N
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6W6PucRz3
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRAUFjuEbd
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BDv6KN2hn
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu1UR34SDL
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXWsyjiaxj
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS8xNZmC6V
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQSMJfQY5E
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbFquonMDn
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsOn2PuHyf
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDMPH9rNmU
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69bBg4alQr
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBDLPJ1h58
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35oL6xrH8I
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl9S0Ckt9f
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKslfNFK7R
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zhO0Yug0N
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnpMWEk5mA
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk5QDMyTt7
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrj2v8mtea
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboJkYzWPlk
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg3ThOXNFv
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCanKMzQxR1
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5InknA6qF
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxjVgI2F0o
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Usqne6rM
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNdsLCCqXf
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vbjqI0Noi
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0vaiRGhl2
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGxeoBQLPI
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIga4O4l5Ox
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yYTIxHq4u
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KjYcU5Fjg
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXb73B4Lxa
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUWdXzYikV
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl8vPK4BaY
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBru3PJKRy
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C7fztF1ln
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzAGijd7Rs
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7aarWqzqF
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cPL3Nr9hn
Blades?”
