Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKI0eFtUul
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvStzNKwUPn
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdADXHxYUU
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjR4ivFixf
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURVz2H4pvz
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPJHyrGh2P
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE9WB76600
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHhIsG5Txu
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREtWfBzXIK
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGw9es4KTS
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yv8LJXmmU
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDT3SZQg24
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5L3eNWiCc
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K7hxsI7XE
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWnRo0Q1Kx
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2S2I2rMae
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33S4ANQhy5
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Y59r5vOy
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSLVDEGBU8
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaXj3eVQua
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB6HqX3qQA
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOSnppFfK1
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueknLWXO4r
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo6Uy2xDLK
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37gK5Z1pZI
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxpadtnPw3
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8PGcihtB
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FWvKSkdJn
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07s8HBmjK
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIkLyK8BsE
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnVzryYxvq
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR6F9rnFKV
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1wVhudqbW
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg2XMRymWY
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X3lg62DDo
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhTKGNaCas
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTLQMRME49
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz9VscBc4j
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB7U6tNBEf
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfkGw16zMH
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp2DJyAzrj
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKzPNCLqWE
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY0IOngLsV
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oooZCoj17
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Empnfbdt
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmDqxBX1AM
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5r8W4ln37
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U5Bmk0cSd
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdCiKB0nKD
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCQnQcYbX6
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwqSOczWqK
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQhGscY4Z1
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUkIcCqAoK
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFcwWWs46G
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtWFESq9XV
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8AfFPW0sP
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlgiJIC2v9
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLnWNHtP24
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5kNhdqbbU
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUpE2NPKr6
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1LVvUgUmB
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKQluGgZPW
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMt0IpugOw
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy6rnuCFus
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3YqrJY0kX
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Z9KoBhvN
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1cCa4IIId
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqipjJxzjc
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Axehan8l
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qTSrAw6zZ
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77H0D1Lx2l
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVl31yl9GF
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXyjSwzhtk
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A5pVTeVUh
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi891UUbuP7
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4uk5l2x3
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRemE5Blbd0
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVr8JkSZuj
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTKdZLDyao
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyTa7WBio1
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM1jc1K3sS
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eYLvGw5Js
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kbsUPrTw6
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZHMY3PPm6
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKeYAZX8EJ
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulVsAdwjAs
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbgXMj5kZA
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPolVSqFcn
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkfYA06OhE
said.
“You come here when you need141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVfNe4T71k
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fssuoQ9Kl
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpKoMgqJqM
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6y8S4ksl6
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz1ICV04mz
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nY9EmWPJy
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB38yrerXV
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObRgemNUhz
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5HI5ljd2t
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETVEqTY9oD
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxfBuE5QJZ
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATgMYZaeQD
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yxSH7BEqe
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1SGDERyqY
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFZQGdqzyz
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj2PPbEExS
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFpb78OPiL
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1aOmzm5Rm
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcbrfRFt3d
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV3krE2kEe
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvuefxfjqj
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9xocaefLc
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiibhXu1fl
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXmwZ19Jog
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXt6i0RyzX
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZiXfatdHZ
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NBhQQSOqH
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PrAhsbHj3
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb7RQNTXaK
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9g1idQN96
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaongAW8L9W
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2t0bTZ60L
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JiC05PLBe
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUY1qFxgP8
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosOyJsCyFs
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKSLvqsPey
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPCozlJ4WL
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbBI6aEeFY
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiv825HtMh
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH7s6Ab6j0
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqa0aFEv0g
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwC1JwDBje
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy0ct81Lld
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw7YNnZyEb
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3SvN8Gw9B
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sf38YufHj
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGxr0xOF9L
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0mnasBxuf
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsUZKLVAur
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFTSmyZZAn
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwwILrbREH
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9TLoDY3I1
from the bed.
“Curse?” she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJS0ODrDqT
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXapyXgeZtQ
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLF5AJ7Xe4
bathroom.
“Of course I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOIoVJizbe
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz31jekEEqx
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6FBrx6W5z
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpZIkzyWQx
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fQjjY1pTT
eyes.
“The rumors, for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ucUE2tRco
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZJ3lanCms
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdFQVWK3p2
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrT2oNCJ0g
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOOmWkLOpq
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo8IsC2SzG
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4plApgXCXV
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWIYxMbFoG
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6LZdaAdsw
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCJhNggN0v
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8I6Cl8J3u
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb5hplYCf0
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EIoUBPSh5
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4td2dObQiF
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxDO9tScU6
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnalIOW8Qy
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrnRHwuvrh
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMnLADyoqu
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXOWSXn7np
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWIhWlouS9
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGGNmZc6K
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l520HHGuX
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpdJjV4MSx
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eb7Omdbgl
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtULOj9wCcx
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RUtZMvMJf
settle for something on the way.
The streets of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKfYIKhwfN
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAuusnWklo
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWChm5SWUMy
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cE7TEx5KF
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8LMkIMkGJ
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGew1lZh1o
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkxYBcrc0H
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgVUjtphAI
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXeqMFIGC8
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNZKcP919V
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL09JiVb5O9
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV2cqZfvnK
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe37ov6MeMt
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKikrJCwVyV
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVBtwRhF1
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m9al879Ms
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKgnVmEsd
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhEMA2Dbwu
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmdbf2NUrO
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMKjtFRVg4
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShWqr8fDXH
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ7cLaQlu0
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmkzraTmLt
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIB8K6ngz1
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhEcgnvvrA
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11W2kwkcZc
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigFZHzteGV
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5VKqe2drJ
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchJYBFrLxU
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ71lHEHoBL
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lbdvqma6r
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYAfXYZIhI
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbEX0uPwhN
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyovl0lWYAY
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHPkiZhTdH
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz0VKlfEjd
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXepAxbDg8
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLwPOs0w6r
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS0ZiiwxEt
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekwATkrvKm
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8fiJi7nom
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NkpdwK6Sn
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxKGxC9XEh
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMKOHyWsGS
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi4i2soGDh
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKKgGyJ2UB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yEDKTPQPp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEutKifbnK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5PynzGPpO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECOWxkszq1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCban7ZP9lu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcwLi5Zy14
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxihzsGqFV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodwTscZyy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYxL14uf4B
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnjppGyFaC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA013h5jARq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YHbGMNm3A
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvZIeiKURT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNXtbIoHoB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdl3hvNztN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ457xHCAvtW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYmCBEF5c8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfec8JMG5Fa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlv4jACBJw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5dL8bvff1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlE0XS4IrM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf41PNKPmc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cIddTEPUG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWNLa0pdLU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHknwYDWJ5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z09kXTTOv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73VLFP993r
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgtTRXfqKf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9f4LHbtBe
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FhyhrfkZd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplkporVBC0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAZ8lyE8bl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5STV51Xlg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tzxgxbJ89
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj7PAQ2xMo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfllLqETu6e
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGy4gQNEuy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGKjOmkDhZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfmKQU1LSZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJwfit8jrK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJrhr8wxc0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAdvs8LQc7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q2aR434gG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPGvnTvmef
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0a84RByS1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgUR5maewM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdBiEzJFg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BLnGkCnjL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AJ48rF4tf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1qpVwJXEx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKt9hJfkHh
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu8gafcyE5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglNe29owFl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkJ94PJ09L
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWd1ntqB2c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhasMHj9Ya6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGOxIQQrwz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcfV7XBkks
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIF6KwhbA0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvatxj8jHh
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcZFPG2oQg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNUFgg4nlc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6RMNwvqR2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcHcceMRWg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR1BYwl5wx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9CYxfRyVi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnIq3U0W2N
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8AElBN0Hi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGO69BZ1pR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo5kl4wFjZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLYrFsWm5u
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMx7xgknC2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfHrLZiKu3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFuZPwMqzS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPXN2Twu9b
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3AePPaunK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaPI1BKV8S
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SaxmUKwJi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwod8yzjd2o
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfycjCyNxtn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzEgGIy9td
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nnNCUNuGX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2RFkiiXIZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknwAhVdaJq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8dw1VYqHn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r4sD9n9M2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y6h4KH7Jt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXbhxn4KS6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1NaQpRnP7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5bNe65Cpp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdycmsGeBm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYliEhEQZU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgCvLIgJB1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgaV2rMKGJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH18sW3GaO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRaCJp7dBJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO3Nr8kTpo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHioeTkPFfJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsYbdVXUot
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw0rcirOMz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4k8S3O75b
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCsNIYVNpa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMud7RfOHW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsOhzi9F44
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdfD3y0bG8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzk2kTVtG2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84zBvRhL47
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJr9vZRKk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hG0QIO3VR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli0rOkTMvC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KVL1s9fm1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDhMHupZSo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUeEDwMTRg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwZ2YZNArb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPlsGTlaHw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1isCPFNtz0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZC4i7GHjc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR82C1fzzKr
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgXM7fXHL4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLY3fRUyVo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoti0R58JF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9x0AYbFLX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUKaT6ftC9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRcbRGOz1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNvAlMHSw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMIE8jBRxM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP0YI5c74I
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruUQvl0qFC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugwPATpSKl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxPIzI1y5P
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdakoOD6KIk
“Before we start141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSeven6C1r
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfShKLOJSOE
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9lH0VYU7i
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNH0s90O88
will be forfeit.”
