Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwI7VkqwBH
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS2afb6EcX
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DD4hIemL5
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytsjR15eVT
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFKkufPHGh
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyqlx7cXub
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSSZlA63rM
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLTQMcrfSg
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCNl78c3CW
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVPjLZHM7F
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjAJ7uTZOr
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Rod0eD6K
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTegSmEklt
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMALFS2hQbE
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdQpEZ1OVR
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQKgK5Go4e
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpHJgOCz8M
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmhCe2ACLd
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfmQQJBvxl
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8jSaFmALv
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagcbxaiaRJ
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZT7YYZr1
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLCdpxlL91
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu02Uet04F
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPFJjlB07p
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4ADR2xSL8
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXCMaLmVOg
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiPC01bOX9
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5qeNHyfWE
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP6L0MBnj4
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSb4naXd3a
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLjSAexrDW
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoFjopgbe2
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vpTKRnzdl
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFMYXtiD0x
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnUNf2Mhay
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuZi1SJQS0
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD71jmVF7GR
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCrJARR3gp
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMnSRz1JKO
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs9c8Pgz95
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F4R4DOzTf
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkVDzXE5wf
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEfehc4b3N
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK7mnDqVzn
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UBuq8g6Bl
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJuFMWaBCQ
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekaZRGP8mf
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCdKClHrA
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj4fza6XJf
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHs43Rvwpn
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jyD7uQeB4
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf0mAfWgRL
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41843AXiMW
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6CvVrjNEV
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrngXQ8IFHR
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinBGzoWrAl
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjLcVp4SPP
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RJrAQBidM
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl8xeaS1d8
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgHj3KMoZt
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26KRnihiTd
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qkq1s5exL
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3rRQNXjqk
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHUIjRWsYt
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JOKitMgHQ
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmAK4jL6ZU
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMxf08vUB6
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInkMoxqprW
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPiRna9ajR
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyErKlAKNpy
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wsAc2NkVB
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydYBoOTsxd
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i6NvOOpkV
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrnsGqygnD
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi3OQlUxDa
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrcFsicN5h
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BJK4lGphs
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZAICpGkyy
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KDZj7olS5
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8mJsTHExW
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIdTWr6b40
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPWoFg86kX
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WQJI8LQU7
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3VAMBWSit
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ku8PgIRm2
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEShfndAs9
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrGyDDpMIa
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2assnFzPJ
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYY7ij0gxB
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88CsU3o7Rd
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocgXu0Ed2i
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UYxqdy1bS
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnZdiySdO6
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsWRJAIeEC
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡope4LvXN4x
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBhTtuFGfT
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizNHEAGjjv
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr9PcouBHx
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvUDnyE5nr
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LnTXcQB4Q
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesQ5wUVpW3
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KoBKIEgyr
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyihaDeRy4j
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQfSn5XNYu
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTMeIrqDXM
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93SpqP4kp5
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3bUyYd8Xh
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiFLt4eJ81
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeokFXUXkG
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xYWREDUH9
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3eOqYKf2
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurYEB0SHWp
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMYzuCqSzH
course.
Vander followed the smell until he101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJLp0MIFMa
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprlNnde5zO
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Anz3nTXH
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg3AoZ79xg
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAmhPUQGZ4
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML5I6nMlWc
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6CvaGRIHZ
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwc62RMWJ5
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIm5dKShUn
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2vL4Zgkv8
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCasYyx83uL
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv45160rcTz
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIWABLb7h
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL17696pIs0
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaicybBY1F
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxESP1iQSB
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqQNDUdjGa
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u2paT42uC
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2heDHfhcF
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4AtNZ7ls4
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiZHcv8ruw
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdVfLSCFL4
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9aWg6ycv3
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE6HBC2f1A
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycETgpAftd
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5flN6ljl3S
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunZds595qF
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlg7g7k6Ck
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iqXo76CxH
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSaPAA3kMh
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy3yBUKrkc
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEBUI66xvU
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUGyJJSodu
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqDhCicVK2
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4pdSgRqEu
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgzeCvmfCL
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIzTTRU6kf
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKanmQeqdg7
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1VynHtYVL
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMvLAHboQB
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxtUjSnmos
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEJNVXb5eR
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZbTvaJdo
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNpU78Bskf
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL93kdrvc6C
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb9tWm9xq2
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOLU8P2LQS
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ54csvKjW
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlvZvibEz7
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJhDntUV4C
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPfXNCsNTY
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVunts10aCR
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIk8SNmPcy
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoERxI9bsD
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLijPIRZBe1
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl7DjUW88D
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Aeoxl4vgf
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdUP6GYyie
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vKAgCHA41
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyECcVtHZc
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOFIZnKWxB
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ERIQPKaDd
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH3sp2GEiv
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJAiEI7Ogt
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wDZ4V0YZv
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pHz1kiTe3
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFemaZQP4Vo
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8WnTtnpkq
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGuWXOQzXL
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmnFNtMOCo
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEdVqIwdB8
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0NFASUNDs
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRWlxWhjf3
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb7lmulhus
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH7a2pyjJe
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCYHnZiyDD
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQyPfIw1P2
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pupriqdr7
Blades?”
