Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQO8pbvump
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAilaVc9Ro
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ie8bWPSi8
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu5ruL9JX4
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRHAfwk2zL
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCmPFrMDl
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRWxtFj1lu
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD1uF7D5Ec
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX4pcjguqB
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEGmvs2Ogu
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqWHXN0FST
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZGjO5nsJM
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2pVVXwTO5
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc2ueBvqem
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbLXncFPIc
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ8mBgac5K
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeAM3DSqoR
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknbiYUZTMY
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzxt1xkT7r
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E5e8DTA05
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZbKOBMopv
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAlJvhnxbK
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiPMnZLdzz
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4zkI6Um9K
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxwFo0ydgZ
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhl3A7QkTT
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvRbKSmlYk
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdju7Bw7GMm
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I6YWtweLy
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QTkfAl12w
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn5MLzv7RQ
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P0B3dlzBw
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLvXrQRxh
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasmHAJXh6n
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5woqPfLXb
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xaYC9HqEg
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYmeW65q5U
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnVeYzAB60
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ686HGjp2FI
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMHSASpAKc
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc7mU2lzof
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHuFYWEWtw
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8hrWKlP37
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2RAwllsTe
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmriNdfoxv
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1cs2756t
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO0n6inWOs
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwQLon7HBa
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pxA8Yyfxq
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoonwyB9GqL
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFG3AitbAI
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCXhDHuesu
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXKDMLBk5R
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkbj56sj8R
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rorGZS7X9
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunTKRnoiK3
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOn8w0vbp5
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH3C4IQpee
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOszOwTw9M
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpgZBJGu9e
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfl8Z3TXiQ
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bEjDcqQg5
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwrORwudRf
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpgNqImXRG
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaNGlJUVSt
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMmke7V2cT
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtYTXXTCQf
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjpSc0SLHn
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgKCBRdqkF
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJTn9R7aGg
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQqiamq0f9
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSerrh8PQt
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUirMfdoWo4
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIzSjZNbM
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRsHc1Fjbz
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iso8i49Wc
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSscUBHgnH
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7onAgo3hcN
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkHVqADnfU
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYWMFeHO2h
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnhj6zLHX7
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYXlnfpqSD
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOXJiv3gSY
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0uOT2JPwb
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj6mghnOkS
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P5aeiah6w
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC7R1xqAMg
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyyPHrPnnr
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy6NjQ3YYn
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPX9TPea6S
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCM5aoUaqT
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOkauWVFq4
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyhn5KgI8d
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGy6mVzoe3
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9P1UF6nnx
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q2s8YdPeL
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6BnUqYZ5z
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdufp5KUkP
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA3lKKQAPg
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAOaa990hZ
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyhWxJnBlo
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYfSqrKie8
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d45JSjKU0
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpf5mOwKS6
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCH4OFcQNO
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8amVBwR1G
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlsdIcK5Id
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm33FblIQJf
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4q1ERkLD7
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYxNToOXi6
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkpn5NwJLp
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mKhytchUS
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCavlByEF3
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofUzAcyKr3
course.
Vander followed the smell until he26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIi9yDMjqa
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLiDtGoUCv
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7ZSUAD4ne
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGgBW4Y168
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE39yEzd8X
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjhl9n6JNG
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W76PdFnBl
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnv1gDa2bx
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmIUvcaSJX
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqNomLeBl
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATAPClhyfF
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpRnGoLLg7
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt626RxFS0
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaJMQXV4Sr
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNps9KtNAP
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDW763dl2d
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxB5wQzmz3
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20EdSYZrdJ
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ldSr7nT5
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjNR88KVc5
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEnKadxjls
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJpmVKtXki
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz7lEKlILm
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeiJGiTZKM
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscmeOfrF5E
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OvvbXeaqD
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yWaguHS4g
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu5QGEoEJT
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfJ5tbQbuF
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MUuhthoxI
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmbqPWLufu
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4cEeP0WHC
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX1SMmRDfi
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUS7wEL3yT
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhETJT3adXc
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTZk5kZILi
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLom3Mv7l7n
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNq9svwpYu
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxztKS4kXJ
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52enRnqTWx
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OI65TCX8t
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rn2GyEYL5
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKJWRS9GAX
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJAYRqT8TA
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYjakGBA2s
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXXtTejGGa
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxbm6dfJkN
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkod71q9UIw
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhDLUoDZHy
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFuAlRRaXN
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Kv3jY8Zt
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQowfgwZZKF
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkpVwKQmy6
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkbidqtF3R
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsliDFaqX3I
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7twViBX2S
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7LIMe1tDd
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfWNPX0Ma
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKFb4x1tW0
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiTvKuO0JM
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejj6nKI0h
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzrsyQne5P
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKuNQelE4X
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsop2EorCd
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4806yRYHC
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHdx3BUSyT
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡens0GHyfks
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uTCYL5oR3
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIxml4HE5F
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5kG0CPDJz
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlrLew726F
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBeagNFIof
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8WneRhk5h
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuQA6nZeZk
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzK1fM0QpM
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqkANZG4eD
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeba3ADYIS
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXpyG1zgRn
Blades?”
