Chapter 6
Vander vaguely remembered the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp669WpmXEf
feeling of being dragged up many stairs, carried down a hallway, and the warm139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJogoGa8yMN
covers of his bed. His memory of Julianna standing over him in the candlelight139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F7AQVDYf8
as she pieced together the pieces of his skin using thread, a needle, and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpOlD1pv8j
plenty of booze to disinfect everything. Shea guarded the door to keep anyone139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvbUYuBB1l
who she didn’t trust from entering, while letting out low whimpers as she139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9RermYxgn
worried for her master. He dropped into an uneasy slumber, immune to the pain139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOBoWwveho
that traveled through his body. The only solace he found was in dreams.
∙
A drop of water fell on139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4AqK8BNXE
Vander’s forehead. His eyes remained closed, but the weather was determined to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLYtUJuL3h
wake him. Several more fell on his face hitting his eyes, forehead, and mouth.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux6cowKB88
His eyes scrunched together before he slowly opened them. He was confused139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw09aW2R3Eb
because he expected to wake up in his bed with the roof of the inn above his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ978sQF8ka
head. But instead, he saw the cloudy morning sky surrounded by tall maple and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem6QyyKf9s
pine trees. He was dressed in ill-fitting rags. The pants went as far down as139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvcbvaW1vr
his shins while his shirt was in tatters. He slowly rose to his feet, his stiff139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu4obOEZyQ
muscles protesting from the sudden movement. It hadn’t been long since his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeje4IzCRw1
injuries, but time moved differently here, as it did in all the realms of the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbNGBUSKpK
Deities.
He could smell blood and sweat,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOGxuExAhx
the trademark sign of his patron goddess, Unna, Lord of the Beasts and Madness.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkzwUaPqMq
There were hundreds of beasts waiting in the woods, their red eyes focused139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1euVgAUZcI
solely on him. Any wrong move would send them into a frenzy and would tear him139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBtnb5flsX
apart. It was the rule of the jungle here, you couldn’t show fear. The first139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmH7gcaoBd
time he had come here all those years ago was almost his last, but he had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATcrpM3tia
adapted quickly killing a creature that had mistaken him for easy prey. The139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4S7qaddpm
rest fell in line, but sometimes a creature gets a little too full of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpX2G3o0Ic
themselves and must be put in their place. However, the fact that he had woken139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtExZfUUoK
up here meant the ruler of the forest had grabbed him, no one them would go139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW2d8yasao
against her orders.
He got to his feet then started139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4RTw2XEJS
to walk along the path laid out for him. He ignored the biting pain in his feet139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs0qc52swR
from sticks, stones, and dead leaves scattered around. His blood scented the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn11rTU01k
ground marking him as the forests now. He knew that when he died he would wind139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIzwsVCKhS
up here, the same as all the other beasts. This was the forest laying claim to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDh4P6fK1
him for its mistress.
He walked for what seemed like139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3omI1gwIgI
hours, but he didn’t get tired, hungry, or thirsty. He just put one step in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qdzfa0sOE
front of the other. It had started to rain, but he kept it going until the sun139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxvA4sMHOq
had set in this domain and the creatures around him grew quiet. The woods139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAgPDC995p
became thicker, and the normal brown trees turned blood red. The sky darkened139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY588Tx7mq3
then the moon appeared illuminating the woods in a blueish glow. He heard139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOgxiRhc7j
running water coming from his left. He turned to walk into the woods towards139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftKwd9XPUx
the waterfall where he knew Unna would be. He saw a large white wolf walking in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6i3yzsoKs
step with him. The creature was twice the size of Vander with white-blue fur139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpTRMhrkmR
and deep red eyes.
Ritoru, if legends were to be139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAvqbihMhY
believed, was the first human to accept Unna’s blessing. He had lived as a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOzG5VVcxH
tyrant, slaying anyone who crossed his path and offered his victims life for139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WWIbz20Sh
the deity. In exchange for his loyalty, she made him into this creature forever139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEbe205acM
to serve her and kill those unworthy. The truth was, she had prayed for his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61NSIGL8ep
weakness and need to be stronger. Promising power beyond his wildest dreams, he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16XsfG9hSw
accepted it without understanding the consequences. Now he was a prisoner of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fAVP7Wd3L
his own making waiting for the day he gets released from his own personal hell.
They walked for a little while139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2c6FcOaMh
until the trees thinned out revealing a small pool that was being bathed in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AjBymvpPG
moonlight. There was a small rock formation above the moon with a light trickle139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Q0NFuyy2
of water cascading down into the pool creating a ripple effect. The water was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXOHxZYIhM
crystal clear, and you could see little, tiny fishes swimming around in the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglCH9rFwyK
depths. No matter how much he wanted to go into the crystal blue water, he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04pHy3pON4
couldn’t. This was Unna’s pool and going in without her permission was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDFtPMTfE7
tantamount to suicide. So, he sat down and waited.
Within the middle of the pool139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf7asUEkYw
large ripples began to emerge. Moments later a pale woman burst out whipping139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmZN9vvHqj
her black hair over her shoulders tossing water behind her. Even though he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEWbdca4ZH
couldn’t see her face, Unna’s nickname as a seductress wasn’t wrong. She had a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tfrF2m4FX
thin body, that was surprisingly filled with muscle. She was graceful and curvy139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnh9bCrrqy
but eyed you up in the way a hunter looks at prey. Even now, sitting on the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuvNCqrhWK
ground, Vander was aroused and based on the coy smile she tossed at him over139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfpyV4zKkm
her shoulder, revealing long pointed canines, she noticed.
She took her time leaving the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD94B9Is3B
pool, swaying side by side as she walked towards him. Her thighs rubbed139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelVn0qGZA6
together as her breasts moved slightly with the movement. As she stepped out139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x9atl33wG
from the pool, a sleeveless black dress with a low-cut neckline and a slit down139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlrJcx7AV5
the left leg. Some how she looked even better with clothes on.
“You’re a naughty boy.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCuapxFeLn
smiled. “You are thinking all sorts of dangerous thoughts aren’t you?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfAAXpTuoN
He stood up as she walked over towards him. She looked at a finger under his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvJ64gxzb5
chin and pulled him so close that their mouths were almost touching. “You139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIjSChTkaZ
want to don’t you Vander? It’s alright, I’ll give you everything you could have139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENyO03Um8R
ever wanted in a woman. So, how about it?” It would be easy for him to give139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ3HfdjTgx
her all of him and many times he was tempted, but he knew what happened to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0evvNyJQy
those who couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t end up like them.
“Why have you brought me here?”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq7eDna3d8
he asked. Sighing with frustration, Unna let him go. It was so sudden that he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYgkaQogB2
fell back on the ground. She towered over him then placed a bare foot on his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVmFRXpPVs
chest. He could see her dress, so he quickly looked away.
“You’re annoying you know that.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjav6p74iiM
snorted. “At first the chase was fun, but now I’m growing bored of it.”
“It’s not my fault you chosen me139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QhJoscELU
to be your champion.” Vander snorted. She bent down over him and stuck her139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS1BDAfYCg
fingers to his side. He let out a hiss of pain as she dug her fingers into the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDTDIFiBwY
side where Leon had cut him. Her hand was covered in blood as she brought it up139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhspSzuRmx
to her mouth then licked her fingers clean.
“I taste poison in your blood,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZHa9aLeNd
Vander.” She grinned.
“Poison?” he asked. “What139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFimHAtbw8
kind of poison?”
“Do you know why you come here139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAESERLXFfc
Vander?” she asked. She stepped off him then walked behind him. He rolled139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv7DSY0OQz
over and got to his feet as her throne appeared out of thin air. The throne was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPReSrli7h
made from pure white bone. They said it was the bones of all she killed in the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jlPDw7KWh
war, but it was hard to tell. They had all fused together to create the throne139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpaA49sLx9
and it was difficult to pull out individual pieces.
“I assume you will tell me.” He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt6q9GXjuZ
said.
“You come here when you need139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakWE8dWQ9b
something from me.” She explained. “It doesn’t have to be a conscious139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHSpF1Dd7x
need; it can be a subconscious need. Whether it be to get healed, needing some139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HE4rGxo6h
answers to a question, or getting your rocks off. It’s always something and I’m139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCYBPHdF9B
getting tired of it.”
“What is it I can do for you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhDRiL0Lex
then?”
“Give in to your demons.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8vdVdee23
laughed. ”Give in just once and I will heal you.”
“If I give in, I’ll end up closer139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwv596b3Qs
to becoming one of your slaves.” He growled. “I will not go down that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb6ZSoR2e5
path, no matter what.”
“You don’t have a choice, Vander.”139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡansxuasqRy
She got up from her throne and grabbed him by the neck. She lifted him off139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYziozNhanX
the ground and brought him close to her. “Once you said yes to me, your139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evteIXxEY
future was already written. You are mine.” She dropped him gasping and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYguicpPkxm
wheezing to the ground. “However, you still have a role to play, one of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHM7xzEEdY
which my grandmother has already told you about, so I cannot let you die here.”
She snapped139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOKHrMp0bo
her fingers and a searing pain erupted from his side. He thrashed and screamed139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fpd21sh4M
as the flame coursed through him. His body began to twitch and squirm as his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEdudilTHy
blood began to boil. As quickly as it started, it ended. He lay on the ground139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa6qIPWtnE
breathing heavily as steam rose from him.
“Remember Vander,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sg2Tt7KSV
you are promised to me and no other. Go. Fulfill your role, now begone.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTefsUvHv53
waved her hand. His body flew backwards, out of the woods, then slammed back139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q5lDeokdc
into his own body. “I will be waiting.” Her voice echoed in his head. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKx461jiKk
opened his eyes.
∙
There was a large139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNAPhq3U73
weight pushing down into his chest. His vision was still foggy, likely from139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsRj6sECnz
both passing out and the poison that had infected him. There was a warm white139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPdsxjpyqA
presence there. He slowly reached out his hand to rub Shea’s head. She bolted139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhihuB4skMd
straight up and began licking his face in earnest. She jumped up and down139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WoAE3NQgV
happily barely missing Vander’s body with each step.
“I’m so happy139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEVKK907zG
you are awake.” she barked. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s all that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HMVw75k8m
racket?” Vander looked over to see Julianna staring groggily at the bed from139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25awqgWT9g
his desk chair. A blanket had been dragged out from the closet and placed over139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuG5hvVSOj
here. She stared at him for a moment, bewilderment on her face, before she139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKidNfh8yy
jumped up and ran towards him. He didn’t have time to admire her wearing the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofHORxkHQ
sheer night gown before she launched herself at him.
“You’re awake,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrSOrTKBmQ
I’m so happy.” He felt tears splash on his face as she sobbed into him. He139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK5Mhm2owS
placed his hand on the top of her head.
“It wasn’t that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NKg34CUd2
bad of a wound.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure why you’re so worried about me.”
“You idiot.” She139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxA2YMfclt
growled. “You have been out for about a day. For awhile you got very feverish,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq85vJXhJh8
and your breathing became shallow. I would have brought a doctor in to take139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCZqY1zJ0L
care of you, but Shea stopped me.”
“I smelled139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvwYssHO9L
poison in your blood.” Shea said. “If you’ll let me, I’ll rip that boy139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vUPQcHbkM
apart for trying to kill you.”
“Leon seemed to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6B0GTU89i
have poisoned his weapon sometime before running me through.” Vander explained.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwQjJSUfhO
“If it was anyone else, they likely would have died.” Vander went to get up139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BuSkiKap9
from the bed, but Julianna pushed him back down.
“You’re still139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw04PKJSzCA
wounded, you should rest and let me get the soldiers to bring Leon in.” Vander139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcERIhgbfa
grabbed her hand causing her to flinch. Sighing, he lifted his shirt to show139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadq0Ub1K6K
her that the stitches had disappeared, and the wound had closed. Shocked, she139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMHpDhnwkg
gingerly traced her fingers tips over the fresh scar, but he didn’t wince once139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnqiidGDU8
from discomfort or pain. “How?” she whispered.
“Part of my139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIIKq7OaNE
curse.” He picked her up quickly causing her to let out a small squeak of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G3i6GXzp8
surprise. He flipped her around, so she was where he was just lying. They139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4iQxnnMO8
stared at each other for a second before Vander broke eye contact and got up139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl92ZXvTiD
from the bed.
“Curse?” she139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqs0x2ZgrG
asked. “What curse?”
“There’s no way139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwSC9sjA7E
you haven’t heard the rumors.” Vander chuckled to himself as he walked into the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmAFWVZn8I
bathroom.
“Of course I139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQUBC6kaXl
heard the rumors.” She said. He heard her feet hit the ground then followed him139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0eQfYJiKL
into the bathroom. He let the water run for a while before removing his clothes139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH0oHf6Oz2
and dropping them in a pile. “You have no shame huh?” He looked over his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORJImEa4eV
shoulder to see her eyeing him up and down with a mischievous gleam in her139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mdj4QrC04
eyes.
“The rumors, for139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUz1DtS3oN
the most part, are true, Julianna.” He said. “No good would come from getting139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4DjcBPakv
too involved with me.”
“I’m not looking139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHcFk5RTgq
for anything serious.” She shrugged off her night gown. “I have an inn to run,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21mZsgejxs
but I think some thanks is an order and besides,” she looked below his waist.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEa4IZa6QE
“I think you might like to blow off some steam as well.”
“Can’t really139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDaHS981hF
argue with that logic.” He shrugged. He stepped aside then held out his hand to139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdy5kabbAb
help her into the tub.
She embraced him,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVnvPdgcJE
placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her face. He wrapped139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrD0Z25ubn
his arms around her waist and planted his lips onto hers. Their tongues flicked139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsqJEcpzE3
against one another as she opened her mouth inviting him deeper inside. Suddenly139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzVfz84p6F
the lust he felt while being near Unna surfaced and he allowed himself to give139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssO39u02TZ
into his base desires. At first Julianna was surprised, but after a moment she139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBYMvEw8II
met him thrust for thrust. Their bodies mingled together as the haze overtook139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbDTithXP0
them, allowing their instincts to take over.
It was morning139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYupMTCnae
before Vander woke. Julianna had already gone, the spot on the bed still warm139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ17xeOOXp
from where she had fallen asleep next to him. His body ached and he spotted139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPdObfrRZI
several new scratches that he would have to do his best to hide lest his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgGFGNApdU
grandfather see them. He quickly pulled on his shirt, pants, and boots. Before139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW9zLaZJxv
he left he put on his jacket then grabbed his sword from the closet.
The bar had been139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbbIyhiCpo
tidied up since last night’s shit show. The tables were back to where they had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZor1ZYGGxT
been and there were no signs of the fight at all, not even the blood that fell139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1LGtnAyaC
from Leon’s arm or Vander’s side. Julianna was behind the bar cleaning dishes. When139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUQ0u2iQmF
she heard him enter the bottom floor, she looked up, gave him a small smile,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60dQGx7Q9r
then went back to her work. He debated about getting something to eat, but he139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCc7IXPtw
was already late to see his grandfather, so he decided to skip a warm meal and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGRsd8BSIH
settle for something on the way.
The streets of139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbwqGXxOCx
Eluvia were quiet this early in the morning. The sun hadn’t yet peaked over the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ6iRbjjAm
horizon, so the streets were still dark, but gradually lightening. The furnace139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP2BSKV21c
was on at the bakery a couple of streets over, so he knocked on the window and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLukTcijIK
waved one of the workers over. A sweaty man unlocked the door then poked his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeJxcGvy1W
head out.
“Sorry, we aren’t139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfCJxHNafD
open yet.” He wiped his forehead.
“I just need a139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWAGonhlq
small roll,” Vander reached into his pocket to remove a silver coin. “Would you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSOHX14y7k
mind?” The man looked from the coin to Vander then back to the coin.
“Sure, we can139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8EmkrnNdV
spare a roll for you.” He ducked back inside, making sure to lock the door just139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pCJb178tE
in case Vander tried anything funny. He came a moment later with a hot roll139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLjBxc9rLi
wrapped up in paper. “Here you go.” He held out the roll and the two of them139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGCtV1w60D
made the trade. It was hot to the touch, it must have just come from the oven,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqeVAuaRZz
but Vander didn’t mind. He happily handed over the coin and went on his way.
The guards let139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDy0PXwBk9
him pass without issues, though some of them gave him a pitying look which was139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOsUkdcXHv
a little confusing, but he paid no mind. Bernard was waiting for him at the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jYTEKDN6b
bottom of the steps leading into the castle with his head bowed.
“Good to see you139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjuHUvEkHY
Vander.” Bernard said.
“It hasn’t been139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVJiyuGvF
long since I was here.” Vander said. “Why are you being so polite?” Bernard139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1q5XXEpCm
straightened up making sure to fix his tie which had become crooked.
“When you didn’t139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZowTmmfqO
show up yesterday we feared the worst.” Bernard explained. “Leon explained that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijlD0FZIup
you had attacked him and were wounded when he defended himself. Your139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3uZ4zCMpJ
grandfather was besides himself and Leon’s father wanted to hunt you down and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0yUgZKWRt
make you pay, but Peyton managed to calm him down.”
“Of course, that139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilWkV5bApY
little bastard would lie about something like that.” Vander clenched his hands.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwgzz9Tnn6
“Where is my grandfather? Can I see him?”
“He’s up in his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqa2TfjWsQ
office.” Bernard said. “I’m here to bring you to him, but I should warn you.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ9g6B07Bx
Leon and his father are up there right now as well. Apparently they heard word139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU7Cysv8Uw
you were coming and decided to wait. I am to take your sword please.” He held139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanotQPsEzx
out his hand.
“Am I in trouble?” Vander unbuckled his sword and139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkgjaefX07
handed it over to the King’s servant.
“Possibly, it139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1HEKntAXR
really just depends how convincing you are.” Bernard slung the sword over his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFJK5LAnS7
shoulder then escorted Vander inside.
Along the hall139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxpBG9Oj7R
leading towards his grandfather’s room, there were Blades lined up against one139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlg9rE5qJ9
wall and soldiers against the other. The air was tense as the soldiers did139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTL7GrUxQQ
their best to goad the Blades into attacking them, but it never worked. They139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYupSC514Y4
fell silent as the two of them walked past, but several soldiers reached for139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcusRHR2M2
their weapons as some form of veiled threat against him. The door to his139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl10SlTy6m
grandfather’s office was flanked by another Captain, Leyta, an older Blade139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVev7kK54Y4
several classes ahead of Vander. Jefferey Jilena was standing next to her on139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9SWPidK0
the other side of the door.
“Captain.” Leyta139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFE69wGq4R
nodded. “He’s waiting for you inside.” She opened the door then stepped back.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqzlXT0Hiz
Vander’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped through.
“You’re a dead139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7hGEhEUSC
man Vander.” Leon said smugly. He was sitting in the chair across from Charles139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9CZeSRMRT
with the arm Shea had bitten in a sling. But Vander ignored him to stare at the139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGCjtK3KKY
man who was standing by the window with his arms crossed behind his back.
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“Before we start139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lPOmEdHv5
your removal from the Blades, perhaps you can enlighten us as to why you had139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7jxlLiUEL
your bitch of a dog injure my son.” Viggo Visc, the third most powerful man in139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eeS6eGV9U
the country, turned around to face Vander. “Depending on your answer, her life139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86e7NPcsRL
will be forfeit.”
