Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSY0uwrEfJ
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfl5dJrrIc
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6BF0EcwpR
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ObvXw3I1M
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3pQ3XXTkA
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwIEv0jM7
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Rf1RHkrI
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQabOHaCjGw
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9lS5I97qk
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA744rYLYkX
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsvG0e4V3Q
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OVNqTRgwA
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vw1AIAsp4
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzluOt3A3c
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITDCqCERKT
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbgnj1rufR
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGGMoO7y9b
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldAzIkPShD
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKfkusEju8
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpyeIdgaM8
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0ZKz4YxMk
there?”
“Once the others told me what had39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mPeqo7BvG
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm1s7Vrs7O
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6vbdFblsu
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqh29PxTBp
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH07mtJS0zF
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Eyo2FusDA
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK1lTkHkrh
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom9qt5qedB
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7DP1vUKYK
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QH13kQfKJ
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeKYlMlXBl
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5OjbVOVW6
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMjgKpwS6N
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QEOThLcKk
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY1gvssY7A
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRriW2IxGj
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz0rdmY783
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEG6PmpMLd
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMWnd1iMOk
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAETAdbrfPR
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06om34rW08
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNOV4yLlKK
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67FbNZ7iaF
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZgkvZkTEf
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb0oFQZDB8
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbundQ9zbs
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJicY6JX7fV
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgYi43aaNk
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr1AFsrrsk
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Zi7r9pWF
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJUDS0Yra9
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtOmXAF4cI
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mWAqq1IgF
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZeHGucXAt
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWefGQAvuZ
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L4bJJNaZb
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUq0hWjMJ5
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2yFjPeBqq
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6noCPIpLv
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQuAsmKB2F
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjPIxJr9EC
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IK16AIucS
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa80cGBj3AP
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LNMoDL9Il
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFkTpwHEa
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdYfuRVg8r
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooRwPqeQn9
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupt484nr4a
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymsC3sTTPP
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEmMntQHtz
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafmPO7PDYf
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgAIa5JjoR
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSsVbYzgCC
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHcDnfvigf
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDPqACRYNb
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbIvUcKM1B
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtbt9ocKRB
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpd9soGsaX
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TnCLSGb6a
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxKVxXlnfU
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyBKII2u9e
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWh7EJPJbn
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFYROd55ks
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQXzcdwrMd
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM9bqewwJo
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uoJXRpuby
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr8E7NZJeZ
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV4OjAc49X
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ9XCtaUsI
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsUta4BrNn
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeOX9fidyN
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYRLWs5xNb
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdldu8hRdwL
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WSAtjGxHr
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfEpZsKcpe
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuBCfds9Jo
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTHCuhtDbE
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtmVnvJL3p
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykz6hvyHPy
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHtkc0YOUs
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK08iOwY1Xn
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BCAyoAy9h
told him.
“So, you think they went after you39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciqaZx7cFm
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZVrUtCq2y
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Md7zVuWb
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncJny3PRE8
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjGN6totOI
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvVX6wkzlG
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tk81Dido6
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ylpdmpPuP
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySv1KAKlvo
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye2sMu3M90
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wwzkBsIaP
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKnetcvEWc
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtbzVR4KhN
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83GwqLTp37
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeEg9NjlDf
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWnAUze865
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrAWEuY24P
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4vv0S4RX6
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy4U7S2xmu
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7NCAFSTl
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CbkE8dFmf
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsXFCQNheU
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIHBPYV2u5
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjUQJ8wI5D
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0kt008u0O
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhtkGcj7Xt
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpH93Jeb9a
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlljz1zrop
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70HAGtj5C8
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjPYJxEK4F
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHby3p2ehGO
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsovcVfbrwQ
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNCaU0W5x8
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBjKnaWbpq
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLmJ7Qqvi
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE4p8hqfLd
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp1p8QgpuH
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt73uGLe8Tn
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJMaOATKIz
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuFvHOtA7G
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeH0hE6ceh
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV6DOMyOsU
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpzJoMCdMM
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEAXRu8pHd
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTsSZkgx1r
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTkcYG3jj3
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tKUdeEvS5
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvThrSIp98
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BWImbAoMt
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k7zDgtfCJ
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq3JonWsD4
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpDKrgdXDT
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfPPyJnZxh
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgjpmzmM51
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jjf3l6gAA
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE8rjuBQmR
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsHiA7L5gE
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2b48G2p6S
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvB7cmYBzj
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTiTa4ab2o
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4OVDvWLkP
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduXREYGaHK
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqchf8LQmQr
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHJICQSYug
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKnEj5tdGN
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Qms9pxkk
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB9VJFAyC5
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCoUflQmT1
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuGdeE7r8M
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QMPz5Adi2
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12lwyvH4FG
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ceNhcbU5g
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFMwRzy0Fh
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4OaPJmq2k
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXx85BMRIM
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fDVMG4CDR
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6ra96yRVd
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrkkCFUAGs
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNqGwVEzdc
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZUeCUYg6A
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUXWOmDBzl
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTSPV67S6u
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D6pk7lmLD
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiId6mTlrr
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJZRSGe1vn
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLTbuxhQj5
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RElbVvU2v
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Mtw7ZGIf
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPLvJn4kzu
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe8id2s9QN
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn1GB1e27G
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5IOZHn5lg
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCjLA0uOQA
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm4IRqqn3j
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3Wg2hCQ1K
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LsWF6Dpg9
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNZoTuooqh
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSMbrmuctZ
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQSXQTQjQD
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJYzLZOMa7
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdFGyBnjl9
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl9z6YBrhH
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1uMqREnRi
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQjUfCnWTv
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw7vwDpORB
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJIWjeAU9l
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2boMyPVW8g
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVeG2e5vlf
not at all.”
“This has been written for a39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl0WT5Cc0p
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjwBTeFBK1
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZufXdecIB
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkZKplDNcu
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“Since I was a child.” Mari39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt6xJmmNUr
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMaiYngEYH
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKoRFTicfY
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrfnL6haP7
her to her bed.
