Chapter 12
He slept soundly. No one wanted to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbr31AmwGE
wake him so the visit by Mari Drayson went off without him. He didn’t awaken141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70TxsZ3Cj2
until night had fallen and Shea busted into the King’s study to jump on him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH26VFmPON
then proceeded to like his face until his face scrunched up and he pushed her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0SkTuOyx7
aside.
“Shea, sto-” she interrupted him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM647kF8Hyh
by licking his mouth. He shot up to start gagging pushing the she-wolf off his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIQDgdkxzb
body. “I’ve told you to stop doing that.” He grumbled.
”And I told you to stop getting141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5mQ4CQZ4l
into fights when I’m not around, and here we are.” She growled into his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx9SPotOsD
mind. “Imagine my annoyance when I got woken up by some Blades when they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTciUanF7WM
came to remove your stuff from the room and escorted me to the castle saying141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAhXZbf0YE
you had been attacked. Imagine my anger when they wouldn’t let me check up on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbztU2xGEbK
you until now.”
“Did you leave anyone alive?” she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9o6uF6f4H
barked her laughter but nodded her head.
“It was difficult, but your141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkARorgJX
grandfather swore to me you were sleeping and needed your rest.” She bumped141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyJwxiNsgo
her head against his chest. He placed his head in her fur then inhaled her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi6VIQQ15m
scent. He felt the stress and anxiety he had been feeling just melt away.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.” she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsscksFhqH3
licked the side of his face accepting the apology. There was a slight knock on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMb3FsUXGJ
the door and Alexander poked his head in.
“I heard voices.” He said. “Are141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISVnqSjsDo
you finally awake, Vander?”
“Yep.” He slid his foot off the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwJXcBkZjf
couch. Looking up at Alex he saw that his friend had worry lines etched onto141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYq8tY3P1T
his head while his face was filled with worry. “How long have you been standing141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPSCz4IRrG
there?”
“Once the others told me what had141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLEzGNccrg
happened.” He explained. “I was about to kill you when you didn’t show to the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE8whYAMTe
training, but when that Jilena boy told me I dropped everything to come here.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jcM5Esk3Z
The King told me not to disturb you, so I sat at that door making sure you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6TCpAh9Fi
rested.”
“You got anything to eat?” Alex141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztLn6FbLad
grinned. He disappeared for a second then came back with a tray of steaming hot141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsr0yGfL7m
food.
“Once I saw Shea, I knew it was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe269PtqMTD
only a matter of time before you awoke so I had the kitchen prepare some stew141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJgUKY4rAx
and bread.” He said. “I had them make a bowl for her as well.”
“Thanks.” Shea was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwviD7M3uc
practically salivating on the carpet. Bernard wasn’t ready for what was about141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNUkvlZs5F
to happen. The two of them tore into the food like a couple of beasts. Sauce141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8TLgcs7ps
and chunks of bread flew everywhere. Alex wisely took a step back shaking his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0AfiVWHhp
head in disgust.
“Animals.” He muttered under his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTmfMwJdc
breath. They were done after a few minutes leaving the table a disaster. Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vRK3vYSHx
leaned back on the couch then stifled a belch. Shea stuck her head into his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtwLw78avw
bowl to lick out the remaining sauce. “Once you’re finished your grandfather141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0OherY0yG
wanted me to bring you to him.”
“Did he say what it was about?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMWRtdbdCq
Vander asked. Alex shook his head. Rolling his eyes he got up from the couch,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxVYxgqpiM
wobbled for a second, but remained steady. “Let’s go then.”
The castle was on high alert.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JoDid3eFV
There were more guards here than normal, most of them were regular soldiers,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAPbwqyD4L
stationed along the halls. Whenever the Wardens showed up everyone was on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZxwNsIU80
alert. The safety of the entire country rested on their heads, so the King141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxVB2Np9Vn
always took extra precautions to make sure they were safe.
Alex stood at the door to the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgapItewPk
Commander’s office while Vander headed inside. Charles was pouring over more141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXOW4Cs0X8
paperwork at his desk by lamplight. He looked so old sitting there even though141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IDhbgrwCJ
he was in his middle years. Just went to show the toll being Commander took.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AA0pKJkwC
Shea jumped up onto the couch then placed her head on her paw. It took a couple141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLjhzoKR0z
of seconds for him to put down his quill and to look up at him.
“I heard you were ambushed on the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAMeoGKGAW
street today.” The old man’s voice hitched. “Are you doing okay?”
“Fine, gramps.” Vander nodded.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5m1rXl2Xf
“What about the man I captured?”
“In the dungeon waiting for his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWZmgksY8Y
questioning.” He said. “I assume you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWxfwSfJ8C
grinned. “But we need to have a talk about something.” He sat down in the chair141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBsP73WO9H
across from his grandfather. “We need to promote the recruits to trainees and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCYbCRFkOh
allow them to help us around the castle. If today taught me anything we need141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN6aaPNEQD
more soldiers on the streets protecting the people than we need them in here.”
“It’s not time for them yet.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsggTZfj6Mc
Charles shook his head. “They aren’t ready.”
“We don’t have the manpower,”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9gwg9g4xc
Vander argued. “Even when all the Blades come back with the wardens, there141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIWkiaXQD4
still isn’t enough. Those five can really help us out.”
“Doesn’t matter if we need the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcW62aV507
help.” The old man growled. “We have standards we must adhere to. There can be141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7XUWQd37D
no exceptions.”
“Gramps since I’ve returned a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiZvvJo0VR
couple weeks ago, I’ve almost died twice.” Vander said. “If we had more141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhSYHheTyd
competent guards this might not have happened. If you’re that worried about it141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOwbH2gp71
I will keep training them until their time is up and stick them by the entrances.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7zUJOOlWV
An important position, but it wouldn’t put them in harms way.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXedgfY9voG
Charles sighed. “But your idea does have merit to it.”
“Thank you,” Vander sighed. “I met141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OjluhkuGN
with Ross last night for information on who poisoned Malcolm and he gave me a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnoyNHiU0S
name.”
“Yea?” Charles looked up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH1zt4pXnr
interested. “What was it?”
“Green Serpents.” Charles’ face141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM5bm58ENy
fell. He scrunched his fist on the desk then slammed his fist down on top.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiFjktL1mh
“That bastard.”
“Is there something I should know141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wXzBcP0Gs
about?” Vander frowned. “I’ve never heard of them before, but based on your141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObIk0kwl3
reaction and the King’s, it’s something big.”
“Malcolm has his reasons for not141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTU0aSLeyp
telling you, but since you were nearly killed, I suppose to have the right to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS2hMserxp
know.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “The Green Serpents are a mercenary141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cPhKLpGqu
band that goes to the highest bidder. However, it wasn’t always that way. The141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBTJtZW4zC
leader, Jogun Batiste, the King and I used to be close during the wars twenty141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGurgXERwC
years ago.”
“What changed?” Vander folded his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PtddH12ZB
arms over his chest. If they were now taking contracts on the King himself,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGEG3gXGs
something bad must have happened.
“We found out what he did to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF2Nhhh13N
prisoners, especially the children.” Charles’ back sagged. “He would have them141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ4XubhghL
fight each other to the death then, if they survived, they were tortured and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbD7cYVPDg
corrupted into joining them. Some he sent to his loyal soldiers to be141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrXBYZIoAz
brutalized.”
“Sounds like a real charmer.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1IlACSvQS
Vander said dryly.
“We suspended all contracts with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BaR4EZ1O4
them and threw them out of the city.” Charles sighed. “I wanted more drastic141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2JsyaYvN0
measures to be taken, but I was overruled. The council thought it would be141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUwwDpHZt8
better to part ways amicably instead of killing or imprisoning those involved.”
“And now they are back trying to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHTXRYokLH
get revenge?” Vander shook his head. “Something is adding up. They are going141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDshAPC6gc
through a lot of trouble for revenge. I think there might be more to this,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHgGYA1UFY
especially since I had nothing to do with twenty years ago.”
“And it would make sense to go141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOZJ7jihGj
after me, someone who was involved, and protects Malcolm.” Charles turned141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvgn9dXZHW
around and walked back to the desk. “Why are you being targeted? Any ideas?”
“A couple.” Vander hesitated. “My141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw9EKDeime
first thought was that it was because I got involved with Nigel, but I don’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w1IY01Dsd
think that’s the reason.”
“Vander.” Charles said carefully.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOz18w2YTa
“What’s going on?” Vander took a deep sigh then told his grandfather about the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru8rTRCb0l
dreams he had been having.
It started with Veyar the day141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvixMN1SeVn
before he left for the city along with her warning to keep his identity hidden.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTFg6Xk6ZP
He left out the part of her being trapped in the stormy vortex, he didn’t want141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHpH4NPdIa
to give the impression that the Deities were fighting each other, not that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsKR415Vch
anyone would believe him. Then he told him about the dream with Unna about141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3rZ3vf6ub
fulfilling his role. Lastly he told him about his most recent dream about141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLe3QovgBJ
Imitae being chained up to a wall and reiterating the same thing his wife had141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMgKAgIsr2
told him.
“So, you think they went after you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3NKESKrNI
because they know you are the Ma’akti Unnatun?” Charles asked. “How could they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgHdYTQIu8
know? Not many people do, even less could figure it out.”
“Gramps I communicate with a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5pMiiJbMK
Shadow Beast,” Vander laughed. “She might look like a wolf, but either way it’s141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIVztE9cAE
not a common occurrence to walk around with her. It might be nothing, but all141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiC6iFLucR
of these dreams these murder attempts, something is going down.”
“I already moved your stuff here141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUVgokKRrJ
to your old room.” Charles said. “I will have guards on you at all times to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3ZfYcbtsJ
make sure you stay safe.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzse314sdAt
gramps.” Vander sighed. “Put the guards you were going to put on me and put141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTMYLVXEgj
them on the King or Warden Drayson. I don’t need protection.”
“Then I will put Alex on it, he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23QIlsL3p7
seems to be the only one who can wrangle you.” Charles sat back down. “What141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjSgo270Cd
else did Ross tell you?” Vander looked at him confused. “I’ve known you since141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJterxSplJ
you were a boy, Vander. You think I couldn’t tell you were hiding something141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbyxfh24Km
from me?” Vander sighed deeply.
“He told me that he could find the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLBKSzWYFX
Serpents for us, the problem is I would have to fight for him.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXch4AgWCb8
explained. “In the pits.” Charles lowered his head and sighed.
“Do you think he has a way to get141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXllmsWOW7T
that information?”
“Yes,” Vander nodded. “But that’s141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDupYaIwiw
not a place I want to fight in. We can handle the information gathering141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmotk2j291L
ourselves. I’m certain of it.”
“With our resources stretched thin141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE4AIKgnZx
I doubt we will have the time, but now that we know who they are, we should141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XsbQhe0Xk
have better luck finding them.” Charles said. He opened his mouth, but there141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72e87VmTIV
was a knock at the door. “Come in!”
Alex poked his head inside.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKW8yh59iy
“Commander, Vander, Anna Drayson is here to talk to you.”
“Send her in.” Charles and Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZet82oRhZI
got up from their seats to greet the young woman and heir to the Eastern141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsipzNCd0T
Warden.
Anna Drayson was only a couple141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhrn7ZRdvf
years younger than Vander, but an accomplished soldier. She wore the native141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoT443Mz5i
uniform in an ocean climate: a leather cuirass, a short skirt, leather shin141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCMZQs1HXd
guards, boots, and arm guards. Strapped to their waist they usually held a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmgHOLmGjd
short sword, but for now it was empty. They wore helmets with a blue stripe on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzRt2yFDZJ
top to show their devotion to the sea. However, this was only their ceremonial141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrbTh0AYvl
uniform, in actual battle they wore iron for better protection.
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lILqPgfB
voice was melodic. She removed her helmet and a cascade of silver blonde hair141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGywEoOSW7
fell past her shoulders. Her brown eyes held onto Vander’s for a moment before141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkJbCSYibb
flickering to his grandfather. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No Anna, we were just finishing141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWq5tPJBqO
up.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “What can I do for you?”
“My grandmother requested Captain141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91dewGop0x
Vander’s presence and asked that I escort him to her.” Vander and Charles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgumvnHfTxU
exchanged glances.
“I haven’t talked to her since I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONjrChk3eg
was a small child.” Vander frowned. “What could she want to talk to me about?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2msfqXL7oq
Anna just shrugged her shoulders. Sighing he got up from the chair. “Seems I’ve141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaRGwwEGxl
been doing more talking than just about anything else recently.”
“We can change that if you want.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzlvmOQhJV
Anna grinned. “I’ve been wanting to fight you for years, wolfling.”
“I told you to stop calling me141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk96YKlFMe6
that.” Vander snapped. He wrapped his elbow around her neck, forcing her to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SQYKKkp63
bend, then rubbed his knuckles through her hair.
“Ow, ow, ow.” She rammed her elbow141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUwiA6lgQe
into her stomach causing him to bend over. They broke apart and squared up,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uoSRzkpcw
fists raised in front of them.
“Not in the office, Vander.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87HMKRBbT4
Charles snarled. “Get going the two of you, before you break something.”
“Yes sir.” Anna bowed. Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfIpQkhXQe
whistled causing Shea to wake up rather abruptly. She growled her annoyance,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OuKH61pWe
but upon seeing Anna she jumped down off the couch and ran over to her. “Hello,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVJZGwCpMT
Shea.” She cooed. “How are you?” She responded by jumping up and licking her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUCOd3ifoI
face.
“Come on you two.” Vander said.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybdNW4COtJ
“You can get reacquainted on the way. Let’s go.”
Anna chatted with Shea while she141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleFXBU6ZQU
led the way towards Drayson’s accommodations. Since she lived in a villa on the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrXNwizd7Q
ocean, the apartment she stayed in was on the eastern most side and higher up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwGxDHU3Qf
than the others. They enjoyed the cool over there and that tower was the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BNMyDcbeZ
coolest area in the entire castle. Which, of course, meant climbing up hundreds141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MhkRq0eeK
of stairs.
The stairs were guarded by two141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQACs3y7NG
Blades and two of Drayson’s own guards. They nodded their heads in difference141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3jodSHWI
to the heir, but blocked Vander from going farther. The two blades went to step141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItFE5QiB7I
up, but Vander waved them back. He unclipped his sword and held it out to the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtfElbwmpo
guards. They took it then stepped back ushering them to the stairs. As Anna141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj8ZahoM7U
walked past, the Blades returned her sword to her. With Anna leading, they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMV3pK9kck
walked their way up the stairs.
He was out of breath by the time141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeUCrhym5N
they reached the top, but for Anna this seemed to be a light workout. Shea also141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj33HGfKtC
seemed to be enjoying herself because she tossed a lop-sided grin back towards141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0QrtqTYI9
Vander. He made a mental note to withhold steak from her for the next week.
The apartment they were in could141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzZNxN6XlL
have doubled as a massive house in the first ring. There were four massive141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Cl8Q3IeG
suits, three bathrooms and plenty of walking-around space. The servants did a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQzrWMMl62
good job decorating as the entire room was painted blue. The reflections from141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ976szdj5zh
the paint gave the room a blueish hue, it felt as though he was underwater.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLQYtJlkTc
Sitting in the middle of the floor, on top of some blue pillows, sat an older141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9gMXlFrU0
woman wearing a long blue robe. There was a long pipe in her long slender141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnfb3TyxQH
fingers. Her blue-green eyes looked up as they entered, a slight smile141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoupkNaEVw
flickered on her face.
“Grandmother.” Anna got down on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hXYCEG6Po
one knee and bowed her head respectfully. Shea trotted over to the older lady141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZQdtcnK9r
then plopped her head down in her lap.
“Remove your boots Vander, then141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALKoXhDerZ
come sit.” Mari said, her voice only slightly louder than a whisper. “Anna, you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI74yiZbI1
may join us if you wish.”
“I think I should wash up from my141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUgzACXbT
trip.” Anna got up from the floor. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK9sQdmaVQ
proper bath and I feel as though the entire city could smell me.”
“I didn’t want to say anything141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OmHAbi7Dv
before because I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but-” a wet shoe slapped141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02VCvR27Cu
him in the face. He gagged from the smell, but before he could throw it back he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QPccCrQYI
heard a door slam shut.
“You shouldn’t treat her like141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVpn7xUncq
that.” Mari said sternly with a hint of amusement in her voice. “She still has141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV54JPSZz0p
a thing for you even after all these years.”
“It wouldn’t work between us,”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8BmHtqY59
Vander sighed. “She knows that, and I know that. She can’t leave your villa141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZqT6Dpiaf
like I can’t leave the city. We are just from different worlds.”
“Is that what kept you and Bree141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQJsKjmZdT
Valarian from getting farther?” Vander tried to contain his anger with the way141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKo7Afj0qn
this conversation was going.
“I don’t want to talk about her.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEiFd5ayrv
He growled. She blew a puff of smoke at him causing him to cough.
“You’ve been through a lot since141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEaSBqiIyO
I’ve last seen you.” she said. “You’ve aged. It’s in your eyes.”
“It’s been a rough couple week.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaKP2jVjdB
Vander leaned backwards to stare up at the ceiling. “Been attacked a couple of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHybJD03xlV
times, got some not so veiled threats, and have been poisoned. Things aren’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXnvCMB4OI
looking well.”
“You need to take some time to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ORntMknK
relax Vander.” Mari blew out some more smoke. “Things are only going to get141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91IIvSpNyJ
more difficult for you.” Drayson inhaled more smoke, but she held on to it141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN7vH5JTKM
longer than she should have. She looked up at Vander, but her eyes were deep141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj0l0tSJQP
black this time, all trace of Mari was gone.
“Veyar,” Vander sighed.
“Ma’akti Unnatun.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUYoJy6lHB
Mari’s voice turned deeper, but still slightly feminine. “How good to see141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGjjgy3Kle
you again.”
“What is this about?” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgnvDrhnAK
frowned. “I got your message the first time, as well as your husbands. I don’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Pzix6llf
think there is anything else I need.”
“There is someone coming who is141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilfoY7JX4Y
blessed with my daughter’s powers.” Veyar smiled. “She will be of great141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAacCXsEdum
help to you in this fight. Treat her well. You have a long road ahead of you,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0tMvNtLA1
hold on to your allies, they will be your best asset.”
“How will I know who my ally is?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HkGd2bj8s
he asked.
“You’ll know her when you see141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMUDeZV8Ft
her.” Veyar said. “It will take some time for you to gain her trust, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs56NOvyA90
once you have it you will have an ally for life.”
“I don’t like people being played141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkTSaFS11I
into helping me, Veyar.” Vander said. “Either she will do it of her own will or141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXx6GX3TxZ
not at all.”
“This has been written for a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf5mngQNee
long time Vander.” She said. “This was ordained long before my children141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMqpRvsYmW
were born. This battle will shape the world for good, or worst. With that,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnBHQHByxD
Veyar’s eyes closed and a moment later Mari was awakened.
“How long?” Vander asked her.
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“Since I was a child.” Mari141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pj9T9Osup
smiled, but she looked tired. “Once I go it will pass down to Anna. Will you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLXSL2R2Kv
help me to bed? I’m suddenly very tired.” Vander got up from the ground and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXkSdMkREO
picked the older woman up in his arms. She pointed to her room and he carried141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QzaW3AaJU
her to her bed.
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