Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorltzrGflQ
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJomhIG0Vk
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZkbL8iphf
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMXHc4b8dV
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l23nGiHnl
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1uQEv88J
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKN9gOTAJm
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu9YUoc4fM
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bjDeU0Dak
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT84LA5wVd
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjTFf8z4RX
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJSVi1IBM
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5w5zmVtnt
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKf4jzPn1e
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgwnzcJIWW
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ802iexsMxl
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LCknyNvv7
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVeDHcAMSm
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4GZi0j4Kz
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeHnU3LYzt
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaCQbhg9Kz
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHnGI9ulOT
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f5uh29WLS
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9T6JhA38B
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ANzAalWks
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Or0UD25Cl
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDqXWSQOTS
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0utKAPYndg
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQhWCqnHyQ
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlwtgBY9S7
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TeDKk62BH
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9y9x69tF8
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBDArZRcC5
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVRtj1Jgns
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0uT1ReStI
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2lGtF3wj9
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR8g2zxrCy
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrRHovGTxl
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkgu0SwLZe
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7yAnA5Sl0
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJaMaL3UbY
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMnxrX0D9l
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt6KIBeWat
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR9UABozkl
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWn33vNjnj
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs0EnXJsNP
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Yqw5yzRE
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1KNyNfRw9
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeiC8rmHh9
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34geXoTbha
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XNFeHXRIL
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP3lOAV4nw
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2pPlC9gaQ
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pIsxLbUUG
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMZIZFfblC
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmX0bBWJX7
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hu1R26iBE
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N4RNCr3Ql
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfyPDwLy3x
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMhA9GMVdx
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyxROodYdx
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJKNwtjVi
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Hwz0msov
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMY0UF9Nbf
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFEgudU43q
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF8alAm8v9
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sMKJv2wyY
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNegjJUvX9
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zytJD7Gqk
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlrCUN1mDP
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljsN8ybXUy
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfV7ztfV03
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSh8GCfMA0
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlODeAzTBgj
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkI8JqSrSP
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeanK1dL56
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa5gh4Gsci
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOI24e1OBo
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2EMC1Dlac
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv1OcyAx2E
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVcJSA4BCE
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUzYeGZXm9
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIDDmF1Cq5
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0bSao1LJr
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoJk9G2v5b
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm49PhLh4X
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtug3BAc86
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKqdodQbKM
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZK4eh5oPq
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ4AVzlcxf
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErROI3jp6j
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx2PbO2oC8
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmvWlUTn60
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpipNM2YOwm
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbRryeW8m2
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN98yyoLfQ3
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja8br9dnHK
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh64htpNy6
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyzrGlG91K
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaksBk5vg1m
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RPnKsoB0Y
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2MCtgn9La
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EpGcKevvN
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QWNWFVDce
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbQvxggMuT
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcenecmkRh1
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wTuBjTtXf
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDWr0NV3th
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59w5uWjexi
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAjyw0GNvP
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFilRVm5tOn
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSLjgtArS4
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshlgORMc2H
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHFtrQrqQS
course.
Vander followed the smell until he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNMyYWeUZt
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm5oCv6TBm
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lLbenYtPj
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhJAKUeVeX
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVazmOrzB9
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnadSeiHs3i
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg01vVXuR1
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaUCXMS9Oi
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Er4vZzbE
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SROADEFNm
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhCjix2PAJ
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnlSBCbeaB
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LIJzNf3uc
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYLQWWWYjg
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJAeO8c8rF
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgOsCJQEWX
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aj9ZwWKdN
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KBaR1V46L
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4ztWiOxyj
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDDCvgCXCm
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvnjgmXitw
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf0G5Dduoa
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvUya9qgBT
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm2Kherdj3
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqJMBUUGRZ
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRWUYMG0TU
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROiigHalI2
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtTdvUmno
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGVCafQDtq
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfmp1jzTHR
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy3RaAkPGH
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjXzdb1EID
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLcwfDP7vo
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kddn3wmPe
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq2EmKndfm
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWInVeUuokT
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDwfKKkABp
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfx2ugXTWT
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF1p08ryUg
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4lGHumpXN
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIsxTSAAli
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWS1YGvsDl
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Px7JZax7T
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDshFQd40A
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaUn4aaJbL
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhaz5QkKDp
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64HVjQfsF0
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WXdxJ99Bi
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoXPfXICRu
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4lw5SmD9K
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaSTGwISUh
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQlKjUh9GL
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcdMvDhdXs
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF0JHiyemx
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeMPj9Klpt
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb162hbo2le
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTDAU9jord
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgmNHvtXQm
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7arVePFxD
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvztK4QFBG
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDBecbHWjC
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14lr82sX6B
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1NxvlaerK
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G04ja45u2
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj84oQH2UA
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVnyINEs80
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoEm3Bny8y
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIjNbDYenM
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJoVfijIqf
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ93HtxOQgi
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkySOAB1yYG
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzmA9HBCVz
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQODPHAPUhB
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyMrDthfcy
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ss2IDtO9
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrI0ERnWQE
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBHnSq6GDl
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3liSKviqYM
Blades?”
