Chapter 15
Cuvera was super upset that Kiara105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hMZRZkQkX
had told him to stay behind while Vander escorted her around the castle. He had105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tM1MuoBQq
missed his chance to spend time with her because he was out with Vander, so she105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE83fSvJsy4
wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It felt uncomfortable being between105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKto8EmQM2
the two of them, but he felt like he had less of a choice than the prince did,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrre1Aztiy
so he did as she had asked. Eliza had opted to stay in as well, mostly to keep105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tn0choi4Y
an eye on Cuvera, but also so Vander and the princess could be given privacy. Whatever105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXDxBsIABw
for, he didn’t know, but he expected it would become clear to him soon.
He took all around the castle,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahrEzA8lGO
introduced her to as many servants as possible then she took the time to chat105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGIAca5BZR
with them for a couple of minutes to get to know their names as well as what105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG4BUxP9ZH
they did around the estate. As the future queen, he thought it was a good idea105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz8vAnoq76
for her to get close to those who served her because, as recent events could105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkla6fsAG49
attest, you never knew who might try to kill you. The tour of the castle ended105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEQPBBLtmF
in the middle of the night and in the central garden where only a few were105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFDBGzoaX1
allowed to enter.
“We can go no further.” Vander105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhyld5Y6uR
said, stopping just on the outside edge of the garden. “This is for the King105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdHJ46ZBpw
and Prince only. Not even the servants are allowed to tidy up in here.”
“Must be a special place.” Kiara105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiPMPkaxfX
beamed. Looking up into the sky, the moon could be seen shining just above the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrKDnVHUMH
garden giving it a blue-ish hue.
“This was the Queen’s project105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc01vptH9u
before she died.” Vander explained. “It’s the last thing they have from her so105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeEYvnwGvW
the two of them keep it close.”
“What was she like?” she turned to105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoTqnY159y
look at Vander. “The Queen I mean.”
“I don’t remember much about her.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl7sUVxXVs
He admitted. “She died more than a decade ago, I was still young and didn’t get105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7FMWwRmEW
to spend a lot of time with her.” He frowned, trying to remember the last time105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjFBWmfJe4
he had seen her. Kiara didn’t pressure. Instead, she just looked out into the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgJgYPNDbu
garden with a slight smile on her face. “All I can remember from her is her105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfzPuxrGIQ
smile. It was warm and inviting, it was as if nothing else mattered in that105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnhoAAJiKa
moment other than her smile.”
“She must have been special.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFiIl3umih
Kiara sighed. “I wish I could have met her.”
“She probably would have liked105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xROgarrlU
you.” Vander laughed. “She liked everyone.”
“Guess so.” The two of them sat in105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZd0Uy1MMv
awkward silence for a few minutes. He didn’t want to break it mostly because he105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp5anPWmWE
didn’t know what else to say to her. Anyone could have taken her around the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUpR5fEAru
castle, including the prince, so why did she want his company? He got his105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaWgGzu4SU
answer a few moments later when she asked:
“How long have you been the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlDDpHXo35
Ma’akti Unnatun?” he must have had a confused expression on her face prompting105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHaKKyKJ8D
her to laugh. “You don’t try to keep it a secret. I’m surprised more people105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuX3RgSnMq
don’t know.”
“It’s a closely guarded secret.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF7movhfIj
He didn’t want to tell her about Veyar’s warnings. It might freak her out, but105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKsVhDKmm9
since she knew who he was, it made no sense to lie to her. “I’ve been with her105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3KxiruwyZ
for about ten years at this point.” He suddenly wished he had Shea with him.
“I’ve heard the rumors.” She105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBUo4oBUG0
explained. “I wanted to meet the man behind the myth and see if it was true or105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTbthWYSAj
not. I had my doubts, but after meeting you in person I can feel her power105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RGZpKwgTS
radiating from inside of you.” he froze.
“Can anyone else?” he asked.
“What do you know of the Bricenian105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTrQYYgLVZ
royal family, Vander?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not much.” He admitted.
“Our line has long held the power105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDTMNismQl
of sensing the power of the deities.” She explained. “Think of it like a second105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9tGJkBvWL
sense. However, mine are heightened even further.” She held out her hand and a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqlG50HPCE
small little flame appeared. She quickly snuffed it out before anyone else105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVWcqOZ2VY
could notice.
“You have the blessing of Azta?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7JQvY8Lc9
he asked.
“That’s something that only Eliza,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHPdFLlAk0
my mother, and I know about.” She smiled sadly. “Not even the man who sired me105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnmjGOAEUE
knows this secret.”
“Sired huh?” He leaned back on the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHgmgWfpqv
bench. “I guess you have no lost love for your family either huh?” She looked105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMcfht8T6f
surprised by this admission.
“You and your grandfather seem105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vMDGMWpCK
close.” She said. “You don’t like him?”
“I wasn’t talking about him.” He105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6j1ggHr1z
clenched his hands. “My father left me when I was born, after my mother died105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt6shsH6JI
giving birth to me. My grandfather took me in and raised me here in the palace,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ooINbPp0f
but I never got to spend time enjoying myself. I was being molded to take his105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkw6GkKAdt
place, just like Cuvera becoming King at some point.”
“That’s terrible.” She sighed. “At105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIltm0ufRt
least the commander was there for you. And now you have Shea. How did you two105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTTS56MV0j
meet anyway?”
“That story and the story with105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3kDhYCnnP
Unna are the one and the same.” He said. “Since you already know my secret, I105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUujz1Ortxj
might as well tell you. It started ten years ago…”
∙
“Come on, move105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NPYM43EIm
faster!” The Blade training captain, Jeremiah, shouted. He was running ahead of105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ3Hd81Ns7
the small group of recruits. Vander was ahead of the group, but his lungs were105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPHlMjviAM
beginning to burn with exertion. They had been on this run through the woods105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWA8u6BeYI
for an hour now with no sign of slowing down. Some of the recruits had stopped105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Ew1GsuZS
to rest, only to be left behind. If they stuck to the path, they would be fine,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R9Vn2QGyJ
but you shouldn’t be out after dark. It was dangerous. Jeremiah had stopped at105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xtYkq4Mq3
the top of the hill then turned around to watch the struggling recruits.
“Take a break once you get up105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Vmp3gwtq
here.” He commanded. “We will wait for the others to catch up.”
“Yes sir!” Those who could shouted105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8016Bnyq2
at him. The rest just wheezed and waved their hands.
Vander was the second one up the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0F6oWaTLx
hill. Bree was first and was already drinking heavily from her canteen. She105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixnInF5jIc
looked over at him, smiled, then offered him the canteen. Vander wiped his105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArjb97qnLd
sweaty black hair off his face and fixed her with a small smile. They passed105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS5jkKd55A
the canteen back and forth while they waited.
Muun was the third one up the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjYL98L8YY
hill. He had removed his coat, wrapping it around his waist, showing off his105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJEMB2iX5B
muscular arms. He was the son of a blacksmith and had been working in the forge105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8fI6fEIcj
from the time he was old enough to hold a hammer. He joined the Blades, but he105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhvyBttfqp
and Vander had become quick friends, and so Muun had told him that he really105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQfTv5KtlZ
wanted to have a farm out in the countryside. He just didn’t want to disappoint105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgHOPodGld
his father.
The fourth one on the hill was105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzc09mnwxx
Leon. He looked over at Vander and Bree. A deep scowl traveled across his face105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNVBsHHxjY
as he stood as far away from the others as possible sipping his water. Vander105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83IN2I7puo
had no idea why Leon hated him so much and when he had tried to talk to him105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbdQDax6uG
about it, he just scoffed and walked away. If he had to guess it was because he105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCPKhDpdPF
was the grandson of the current Blade Commander. Not that it mattered, he105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVb8K0279y
didn’t get any sort of special treatment. If anything, the instructors were105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYL8s28V4e
harder on him.
After about thirty minutes of105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dvt8lJFD2
resting, all but five of the recruits had made it up the hill and Jeremiah was105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YMTRHDFDB
getting nervous. He kept looking up at the sky as Humjir started to dip below105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftJIBmltKB
midday. They had to make it back to camp before dark or they would be in105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZH7dutEOR
danger. Jeremiah opened his mouth to give them orders when they heard a loud105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByBJ2LQPFK
scream coming from the trail behind them.
“Stay here.” Jeremiah shouted. He105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsyTZ33kKF
gripped his sword before running back down the hill at full speed. Bree, Muun105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpcfEhirmN
and Vander shared a nervous look. All of the other recruits were muttering to105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi9uVr9NmK
each other with fear prevalent in their voices. Vander got up from the ground105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS8fGL3cQL
to stand next to his friend.
“What do you think is happening?”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLufnlLK15e
Muun whispered, his blue eyes alite with concern. Vander knew that only two105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTIRYqKnL7
things would make someone scream like that in the wood: either bandits or a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Zql6o7qS
shadow beast. They heard another scream, this time a man’s voice, then the iron105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4hlOTQhr6
tang of blood filled the air. Vander recoiled, but the others didn’t notice it.
“I’m going,” Vander said, gripping105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqONkVeAu1f
the metal sword hidden in his scabbard.
“Don’t be an idiot.” Leon snapped.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMAJKmLAjt
“Captain Jeremiah went to deal with it, you’ll do nothing, but get in the way.”
“As opposed to just sitting here105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKSVaueeZS
even when our companions are being hurt?” Muun shook his head, glaring at their105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHilCyAANsX
classmate. “I knew you were spineless Leon, but I didn’t think you were a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51CWmfcyAx
coward.”
“What did you say?” Leon snarled.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1CPIUuV43
He drew back his arm to throw a punch, but Bree stepped in.
“Enough.” She spoke. “Leon, look105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLBST3ImS5
after the others up here, the three of us will go down after the captain and105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NAF1HS8O9
see if we could be of some help.”
“Fine,” Leon lowered his hand.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX2nGnBShU
“But if you die don’t come complaining to me.” Vander didn’t wait for the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVTBIvbDKR
others. He just ran down the hill as fast as he could with the other two105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fKifOyHjo
following behind. The shouts and screams of fear had quieted down, but there105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi254Bx232d
was still the unmistakable smell of blood lingering in the air. Bree and Leon105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdcc334qam
must have noticed it because their faces became pale, but they stayed the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTocHknSsCb
course.
Vander followed the smell until he105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynBoSZuOtC
noticed that the foliage around them was becoming darker despite the light105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bBF0KArxW
shining through the canopy. Sounds of battle was coming from straight ahead,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jzdJnCxtm
but the dark gripped everything around them.
“The Dark Forest.” Muun wheezed.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8iLdEoceQ
He placed his hand on his knees gasping for breath. “How did any of us get lost105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnUANehwM0
in there?”
“It’s easy to get lost in here.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q77N5c0Br
Bree said. “They probably got off trail and got lost. We should-“ There was105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD4O8n11K6
another scream coming from up ahead. However, this time it sounded like105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAsaMOUFgB
Jeremiah. Vander didn’t wait, he just dove through the bushes and into the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6zzgyY98h
clearing. What he saw shocked him.
In the clearing was a giant Shadow105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYXO34zjzX
Beast. Its inky black fur rippled in the setting sunlight as its teeth dripped105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeVwBdBnT6
with saliva. Blood soaked the ground around it its paws covered in red. The105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vD3LNlEXc
shadow beast was the most dangerous creature in the woods, but they didn’t105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeUv714or1
leave the inner circle of the forest which was why they were normally safe.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31k1KPOqUO
They were the creatures of the dark, created by the Goddess Unna to kill105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH04hQf93J
humanity. And they did a very good job of it.
“Why are you here?” they heard a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m7QJzOJbv
man groaning from a tree next to him. Vander turned to see Jeremiah sitting on105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvrmBEEZwl
the ground holding his hand to his stomach. Blood dripped between his fingers105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dn8e7fRnX
and his face had gone deathly pale. He didn’t have long to live.
“We didn’t want to stay behind105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijG1vpN3aS
while you were saving the others.” Muun explained.
“There are no more others.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8UtGs3mFm
Jeremiah leaned his head back against the tree. His body shook as he coughed,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHR4RNaK9E
blood dribbled down his chin. “The beast got us all and now that it has your105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JYUlwP39k
scent, you’re dead as well.”
“We will have to see about that.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQalGMqqOxz
Vander gripped his iron lump of a sword. He placed it on the ground before105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQMC4FgxJw
bending down in front of Jeremiah. “I’m going to borrow your sword, Captain.”
“I can’t let you fight that thing,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0eDX4Mrl0
Vander.” Jeremiah’s body trembled. “Your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”
“I can’t hide behind him forever105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GJxeqYfNZ
if I’m going to be a Blade.” Vander said. “If we are going to die, I’d rather105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80C0H8TxlO
do it facing the enemy and not running away.” Jeremiah thought for a moment105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZUX3Zpw1q
before nodding his head. He gripped his sword and held it out towards him.
“I wish I could have lived long105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUwAuV18S0
enough to see what kind of Blade you would have become.” As soon as Vander took105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjn1KByDCX
the sword, Jeremiah’s eyes dimmed as he died.
“Goodbye Captain,” Vander lowered105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRMJFLZvaz
the man’s eye lids then bowed his head. A moment later he stood up with the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MizicPWcT
sword.
It was lighter than he expected,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsmQRwghsY
much lighter than their practice swords. There was an elegance to the sword, it105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyxkgqlilQ
was a symbol of status within Eluvia, but above all it was a weapon for105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7ByEZhh6U
killing. There was no other purpose.
“You can’t go out there.” Muun105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksFplhRK7P
grabbed his friend’s arm.
“This is something I must do.”105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nvD4Ns0Y9
Vander gave him a grim smile. Bree just watched as Vander removed himself from105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0VDYONySa
his friend and stepped out to face the creature.
He felt light and ready to take on105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDYNd0Scf7
the challenge. The beast was probably ten feet tall and covered with muscle. He105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKWSGVhfX9
could feel the animosity the beast had for him, but the feeling wasn’t mutual.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmEOrMNPyv
It was just bad luck that the two of them had to face each other like this when105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrIOqmbWwn
normally their paths wouldn’t cross at all. But blood had been spilt and his105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKblgPdkWY
friends must be honored.
Vander moved first. He ran towards105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCcCIeOUWQ
the Shadow Beast with his sword ready to pierce the creature’s hide. It jumped105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH7ZYIh9nK
aside at the last moment, slid on the ground, then lunged at Vander’s throat.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6mFRGFLu8
He fell backward, bringing his foot up to catch the beast’s stomach then105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1LdSk6Sqw
throwing it over him. It landed on its feet then lunged again forcing Vander to105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeHkifMrn6
roll to avoid the strike. He got to his feet before jumping backwards seconds105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi0ePeuz1u
before the Shadow Beast would have flattened him.
They circled each other warily,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhB9ZWTtci
both exhausted. For the first time since the fight began, Vander realized the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zFstI323r
creature was also bleeding heavily from its side. That confused Vander because105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD2JznkrND
when creatures are wounded, they tend to run away to tend to them, but105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPlBg1Wgbu
something must be keeping it here, fighting. He didn’t have time to question it105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2DUBpRBCa
as it lunged at him with its mouths opened wide.
Vander shoved his sword up into105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoySSjaMY9
the creature’s path and there was nothing it could do as the point skewered105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEjrCVFHam
through its throat out of the back of its head. The beast’s massive body105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUljBEetqj
slammed into Vander knocking him to the ground. It struggled to right itself as105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK0fISj7oJ
black blood poured from the wound all over Vander. In one last ditch attempt,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0qatNdV0t
the creature scratched Vander’s face. He screamed and kicked the beast off him.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjbKZmjrSq
Their blood mingled together then flashes of light shone in his eyes. He saw a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkB3b2yjkP
small white cub curled under a tree with her eyes hidden under her paws. He105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX6REpJmRv
felt the beast’s last wish:
“Keep my child safe.” Before105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1xT3KKREZ
it died. Holding his bleeding face, Vander limped to where the cub was hiding.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm4qSikFOP
He pushed back the bush protecting it from outside forces. Once the cub105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QUJKBJPkO
realized he was there, she jumped up baring her tiny teeth. Unlike her mother,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrXBYS4hFd
the cub was pure white. Vander held out his hand. She eyed him suspiciously but105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYChBgOZzX
sniffed it. Deciding that he meant her no harm, she walked up to him curling up105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHJ1ohiLCS
on his lap.
After that, Vander passed out105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPRmarhzOn
holding the cub in his arms.
∙
“After that, Bree was removed from105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtYAJWf0QY
the Blades.” Vander explained. “Leon held an inferiority complex due to the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVjovkuWrc
attention I received, while Alex stayed by my side.”
“And Muun?” A sad expression105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5H6Y7xOaK
appeared on Vander’s face.
“He left three years ago after a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Xp0Vx1Rn
mission that almost killed him.” Last I heard he’s living in the woods105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH3Eg3Pqa4
somewhere with his wife.”
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“At least some good came of a105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rYer9UGAw
tragedy.” She sighed. She clapped her hands and stood up from the bench. “Come,105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgIQg0Yt4h
let’s get back inside before Cuvera sends out the guards.” Vander stood up then105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuRnaTzuf8
she wrapped her arms with his. “How do you feel about Eliza joining the105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ExXmgZFoK
Blades?”
