Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZHVRPqSJY
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s4GEduguL
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYHyVlbgFJ
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeE2v95ZvA
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxwuhdgY8B
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSSmX1hU1S
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBMTxkUoOm
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJiZk8Cret
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmksTe5Nk4O
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yopL5B1Co
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI3wVGuyi3
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr76G83sGSM
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVDpJjclL
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zJELcMozU
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbJjlGW19t
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX0eMhgWPI
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTU5GrHd2s
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui7y8nhTYF
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGOonIpXgh
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvd1bToOVL
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUuRSICrIV
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsJtMlH0np
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQYSgU2x79
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA97d0WlAk
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkEmnxDWBe
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rmuEkFed0
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVsaWsS6L
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpGyw2OL0Z
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOBehKvRrp
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtOF44UJxs
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwwnnQkrdI
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVNKN3jPii
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AYuKsOBHD
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs8JvEG9cA
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5QFNZXi30
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOJwBcSl63
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI4YYdzDTE
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ6TPwRMZH
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1D3qP25Tc
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzbR6AgEeY
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWlN9gV7u9
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4RY11gTUw
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxPqDlapB6
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzGnWqoYww
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Yxbu6r5n
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYPDxBoPM2
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vMBFfXgse
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XeVcL6T7b
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lqZDD2VmK
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZLxSvDpCn
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHdidmIX6q
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvbpXnAzGS
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsjcXuDvp9
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbEFqGVmic
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o0P8glIAB
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRYWvlRGaP
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y4XMEXGYw
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyilooaEj1K
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpogtAMXIo8
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyQYMuWGrs
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAupblxvJWf
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z0D7f9N1K
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zzIa7FVI1
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqHonlNWRB
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpagBwKGcV
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwrwZtCpP8
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhusrIY3Kvy
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC5TIFfcHB
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mpQ3dyuV6
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkltyumu8Dt
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObvBTfFgC
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ613z0WvOI6
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqcTZArcNK
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ60yxMSzxz
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphEVjnKSaa
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtVXeBW8Ae
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIctIKMrZvR
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uwsW6C3qW
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4C9BRGW40
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqcnaLJvAX
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUBlt3Sygm
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xNnXySOcB
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2NXAYGvQg
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDDL5V2yz8
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe9jhe4dc1
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZempRM3xQ
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhGy3zCRMf
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7gGx0Vs0Y
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSHLlsFtF4
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqetDsMhrXc
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKHdjYIXbR
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY20l7ZWOPH
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm2djptUVo
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K9YMAmUbK
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTuYrycJEd
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSMCiNZCLT
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAytCogdaNv
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGp6xDe1xx
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vESKJnSkJ
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfEpUlOzIJ
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uRUHIvPdx
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeISoatbBCO
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98J48nMhxo
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwXuZA0Ntc
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs1OUoRrk8
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0tEm6ScOO
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8V6xPuVv
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHlrpaeG6a
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFKLNgru3n
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70C0CPIMd6
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZbYBOGOgI
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3sPuD5NAD
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdwYBfFa7n
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVMTZNuL5F
course.
Vander followed the smell until he145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0zFOQ175v
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfAjmScHHF
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQax9L8ZngX
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuV5Ds7BcL
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1R7d8ECnk
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUKBnjIBv
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHSUtXDVzs
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9boptncTx
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WLnMblo81
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DSZCDN3PF
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OJv1YJVvD
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4txmbMsCK
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2aF0x1Nw
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4JbYqhFt2
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr5hH7d6X4
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFpoXvUTIR
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiCXqgIdZW
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mbgrE0uNv
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiGz4l41md
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMlQr9OzdJ
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7cOzQY74G
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7FMHIJsyt
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX4HMVqlP2
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKb1sn5t6a
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iESS8DNan
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpohGeWtbB
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd15bDp9OOy
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeBTTwRnpd
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JUEdJpTK9
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw88fyxXesi
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQfIAIftvE
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ey7IX04N
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzUeIH9K4K
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQx6sP8a70
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfN36ncdT
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQ45rnJX4
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE9ZcYvqkG
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuL1tdcySs
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI4labepCX
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsFXmRqO1d
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP8zClxEaa
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjemO2ULC0s
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb7OZw2Fzy
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJHXLoH6cM
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUfXyOUfsq
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxh2znLeCQ
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YrmWOBmaj
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdIKwsXXHi
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHDjyt8v7z
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorKDvmmBEo
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbnanM1uv6
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sMBrxjJAq
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQpLWcYET6
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWZgPavTki
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbWkzltonG
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqBSxWiNpr
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12GLWjyFw7
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkerbTziAvb
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOsnKPOPXz
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBJbDlijG2
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO6w6I1UYP
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwtCjFojGR
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyjooIiob2
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt3kUkSqJT
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZryi8R8zE
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0pkYyeQtU
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTSbDdRT21
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUx1KyXzTI
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lkzVsgrQ
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFXADQbBEA
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlLxcgSDH9
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6whpc96s8
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gi8wQJtlj
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYO66nW1Sy
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYNRMwqM7P
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlec9Xu9zPA
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0uMNv3mQv
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrbbD1W6xW
Blades?”
