AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chance a glance at Ryuu’s face and instantly regret it. “Maybe not,” I whisper just as Ryuu steps in front of me.
“Home.Now.” Ryuu swiftly turns and heads in the direction.
“Good luck, Ren.” Jarek starts walking backward, a small smile tilting his lips. “It looks like you’re going to need it,” he sings, chuckling under his breath as he disappears into the crowd.
Turning, I follow Ryuu home, leaving a few feet between us while I mentally prepare myself for the incoming battle with my mother.
Coming around the corner, I hesitate a moment, seeing half a dozen guards near the entrance of our small home. It sets my nerves on edge.
A couple notice me and glare or snarl as I pass them. It’s nothing unusual, but something doesn’t feel right. The guards don’t pay social visits to the Sidus, even with the captain living here.
Stepping into the small front room of our home, I find Ryuu facing another man, whose back is to me, but his build and the insignia on his black coat inform me of a high-ranking position.Neither are talking but, rather, having some sort of tense stare down. The air in the room feels thick with trepidation.
Moving closer, I notice the tension radiating from Ryuu. His jaw is clenched, his arms crossed as I walk over to him. His eyes briefly flicker to mine before returning to the man in front of him.
“Seren, this is Lieutenant Amaro.” Ryuu’s face is unreadable as he introduces me to his commanding officer.
The man in question turns to me with no smile or warmth in his eyes. The lieutenant is not what I had envisioned. From Ryuu’s brief description in passing conversation, I imagined a gruff older-looking man, stricter than the captain himself. And although his long hair is washed of any color, nearing complete gray, his face is youthful, only a few years older than mine.
It shouldn’t surprise me. Most Caligo guards are corrupt and immoral. Why wouldn’t they also have favors among themselves and skip the ranks?
The lieutenant is slightly shorter than Ryuu, but he holds his head high as if to look down upon everyone around him, and his expression shows nothing but arrogance.
I thought they might be somewhat amicable, having to work with each other, but seeing the two of them together suggests otherwise.
Amaro tilts his head as his cold glance examines me closely. “Seren. I have heard a great many things about you.”
Keeping my facial expression neutral, I cast Ryuu a quick glance. I did not realize I would ever be a topic for discussion unless it was regarding some sort of dispute. Nothing about this conversation is easing my turbulent nerves.
Ryuu continues to ignore me, his complete focus on Amaro. I, too, face the lieutenant, giving him a tight smile, and wonder what it is he requires of me.
The lieutenant’s cold face turns apologetic as he looks at Ryuu. “As you are aware, this year the guard’s competition will take place in the palace grounds. Many of the guards have heard your…worriesabout strange creatures, and I thought it best to come collect your daughter personally.” He gives Ryuu a vicious smile that makes my stomach drop to the floor.
The lieutenant knew. He knew Ryuu went to his men about the dark creatures, and it seems I am going to be a part of whatever payback he will receive for it.
I mask my face with one of indifference as Ryuu quickly realizes this too.
Ryuu clenches his fists at his side. “What is this about, Amaro?”
The lieutenant cuts Ryuu a sharp look. “It isLieutenantAmaro to you,Captain.Do not forget that.”
The look Ryuu gives him is terrifying. “Forgive me,Lieutenant. Explain… please.” He grits his reply, his last word sounding like twisted thorns getting caught on each syllable and sounding anything but pleading.
Amaro, oblivious to Ryuu’s silent rage, replies, “We are simply protecting our own. Seren is…specialto us. To have been chosen to enter the competition is a feat not many Sidus achieve. But not to worry, I will personally deliver her to the palace and make sure she is looked after with great care.”
The glint in his eyes expands, and I can tell the exact kind ofcarehe’ll be administering the minute I enter the palace grounds.
Ryuu’s rage explodes out of him at once when he realizes it too. “Seren entering the competition was a mistake. She will immediately rescind her entry.”
Amaro whips his head toward him, his own rage burning like flames in his eyes. “That is not an option,Captain. Once entered and chosen,allentries must compete.And need I remind youwhich of us holds the power here?” I clench my fists tight as Amaro takes a step closer to him. Ryuu’s whole body vibrates, his powers barely restrained. His eyes swirl with his Sidus power, waiting to be unleashed.
Amaro narrows his eyes, a cruel smirk to his lips. “Try it. I assure you it won’t end well.” He briefly glances over at me. “For either of you.”
Ryuu snarls at Amaro before glancing away. Taking deep breaths, he tries to calm his tense body and pull back his powers from the brink.
Amaro turns back to me, his cold smirk still firmly in place. I pull my own powers back as they try to seep out to the surface to protect and attack the threat in front of me.
“Now, where were we? Ah yes, Seren, you will be coming with us immediately. The sooner we have you in the safety of the palace grounds, the better.”
