Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvdWUId3p3
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6oUYJiPqq
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8xQOgTZrt
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uGaSO8rBw
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8vU7446PK
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqPD1dcIIb
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh5b8dZKQe
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aeHvU0YRJ
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcIi5VAOvd
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe4CFtT4EG
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0e6Cf3Af8
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhv3vq2y5a
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn9OT3fCU7
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExllNJRG1T
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTcjLZNbiy
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTxsfZOSnJ
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3xe4Ow4eh
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKv8NNLlMw
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHOCibgWes
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp04Y2lcWK
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lKayXUahb
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRh0tJtpid
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCqEn34QZc
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFHSue0J8k
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CQQiZLbBG
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j160HFbVh
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TrA2X2Wbm
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKP2w45nwG
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTt2JtOlJL
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn1DCW8CSr
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfczXsUkcQL
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6x9Nw2irV
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95hhQV6HXe
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Eag07oNa9
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHX4D3MXDu
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiehgMokWcM
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SIptRbdSH
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBegJPXGKw
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T2Ob9ybYL
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJQXjULWF2
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHlWGhghF2
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pz3eHbNPf
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV1K6D2jc0
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkxWITFb31
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCRmbaeP6V
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIelY3pJVL4
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC0KZL3vPY
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNkflNGx1c
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLtd0ypysv
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVwXsvCW7T
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKnu6fEafw
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXX4WV2KIQ
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooDheqnEKi
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvtnBoskdz
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9NDL9n1mb
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28T5CvurTT
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80AObHPE4u
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIqv86cn9C
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVirFSnD4FJ
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ5CFedaGi
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R71LUlFSH
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ofqv0V7J8
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjW5tMXUgD
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9QNiC4yS2
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7qQdFHcr9
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe97QhemkO
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxARy6rc8G
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ2CXIqvJl
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBhDq1a4PY
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d9c7dXITg
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUKRQEjdBY
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDrv1BTGAR
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0uPBpj4Dc
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsBedoVqUq
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENLYuslJDH
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkUExJhbuT
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb7z9XWTgN
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTN6yHIzIA
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgAT8TGVRf
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8y9Grs8Ak
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y5pxNX001
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRksltjGgWV
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7jpis0ci
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaaszbPquu
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Sgcld1mp
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRuGK1R1Fz
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRR80Bm0eN
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8beFUO4FBw
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p2Az4y4F2
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv77RRnsrp5
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKCmA17gOR
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RAe4l8ZCw
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy3AKyxRdz
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNqlkdIwJE
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxyvx43I7R
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Ycfuatdf
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX07AZKAF2
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kYZTVdAZ7
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMguCy10z2
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yt2bzRhIn
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdaJlTd3kL
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kS66qLNKX
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aJE9kv4lb
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqCgMqgPVg
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3LXTVAPMk
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezM6rz0YJZ
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEkRqbD1Z6
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2wsFa64Gg
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvXPV8X6bW
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13TleJKv1p
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F0qMuuEix
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoF81B3Blv
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdhA859adR
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj6DpW4a5j
course.
Vander followed the smell until he41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGMfFyipG7
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ32hfNCfrt
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPPQWqZecM
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmbZJNSn9d
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX9U55occc
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY8UnLSa7B
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi6faNJdLb
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yeKuQvrIY
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAkiDuPGd7
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDxAdgMzDf
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq4GsVXX3j
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl5NQK85Ls
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKr6sWHvmP
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf6hUquDjK
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH9CKFSvHD
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmsMbidpgs
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp503lUl79
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9iQB2Mj1C
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kb7cDe8Ge
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDgrngvJ3m
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQEdmVgg3n
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xUffCNqTV
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZWgy9QuWC
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrD0yCjHQ6
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfrt6hv7pI
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUojvBAxcb
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZybTfwXgOK
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMXmUpyBul
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTaQ7y30lk
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkYXAsWavT
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNj9A75MTH
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYIhmrEsnV
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mh78UHuTC
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycB2JhPZx8
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS0LXISVJo
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lg1smVJ5E
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQFyFrs6CT
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lgFs0MxKe
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQrBUuAxK
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmcCx5Rmnx
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx731EPaaGz
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfED2jjGL6
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXwA7Dl9QD
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY0dQ5ObrC
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tCX9t254k
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSOGNDIISs
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjESAPmbBLp
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ22u93ocyX
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQKjXbJ7kc
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVfugLpSZa
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhTNrArGcd
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfROuuu03Da
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIh1yviU8A
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLWp9GlF6L
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMutspGngN
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mXt7aWO5h
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lYPuRTQpT
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QOMtJqqtm
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF0UfwyEQP
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vckfxyDcZ
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxW7qhZEga
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl0WsrXOjA
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJB4wZVlZ0
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPxthL4wgd
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPUd5WjivT
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl86JwPj4JM
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FDkyRACii
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhdPKAj6FV
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ8xhroXFa
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvCtF62E2s
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZySBBXmwg
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jFqTf2kcX
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFr1MfxCHW
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5G5dmXiqw
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAq3hup1Cp
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDyfpe9sdb
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2VDLCkXAE
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWeZfi1Oav
Blades?”
