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“They will not listen to a child,” Ryuu hisses out in anger, but I know it is born more from fear.
“Then I willmakethem listen,” I tell him with complete certainty. I am not leaving that palace without the royals seeing the truth. No matter what I must do to show them.
I look at my mother. “You both believe that the royals are not aware of this? Then let’s find out for sure. I will fight in the guard’s competition and win if I have to. This will end one way or another. And after the competition, we will find out the truth once and for all.”
A sheen of unshed tears glazes her eyes, causing a lump to form in my throat.
“You and Ryuu are all I have. I cannot lose you, Seren.”
I step into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her, hoping she can feel some of the warmth and comfort she has always given me. “Trust me. Trust that I can do this. If not me, then in the years of training and support you’ve both given me.”
I pull away and watch a lone tear fall from the corner of her eye. She wipes it away, furious that it escaped.
“We’ll get through this, all of us,” I tell them both with confidence behind my words, though feeling anything but. A storm of nerves swells inside me, ready to burst free at any moment.
“I can see this is something you will not relent on,” Ryuu says with a sliver of hope in his tone, hope that I will hesitate.
But I nod my head, confirming my choice, and he frowns as that hope disappears.
Ryuu glances over at the door. “Amaro will test you. He will push you to your limits. This is not something I ever wanted you to experience. Fighting to defend yourself is all I ever hoped for.”
He looks at me once more but finally sees it. Sees that I will follow through on this, whatever may come of it.
Ryuu sighs, shaking his head, and steps forward, his body tense and alert. “Are you sure about this? You are not used to being around so many Caligo guards. The palace houses most of them, and you will come across many… unsavory characters.”
“I will be fine,” I tell him, my voice confident and assured. I look to my mother. “Watch over everyone while I’m gone. Iwillsee you soon. I promise.”
“You better,” she warns, moving a step back before taking a hold of Ryuu’s arm.
Ryuu reaches out his free hand and places it on my shoulder. “I will make sure to visit you as soon as I can. Stay alert and do not do anything too reckless.”
“I will do what I must,” I tell him, but I cannot promise him I will not do anything foolish. Although the competition provides an opportunity to reach the royals, I have no idea what I am willingly walking into. If I need to use force to protect myself or try something Ryuu considers reckless, I will.
He nods his head once more before letting go of my shoulder with a squeeze.
“I love you both.”
Ryuu’s eyes widen slightly. He swallows hard, looking away. My mother tightens her grip on his hand as she looks to me.
“As do we, Seren. Always. Come home to us soon, or I will go to the palace and get you myself.”
My mother’s words are warm and welcomed. I know she would do anything for me, but it will not be necessary. I will get myself out of this. One way or another.
Turning, I rush to my room and grab a few pieces of clothing and keepsakes before joining Amaro and his guards outside. Without question, the six guards form a circle around us both as they call on their shadows. Amaro crosses his arms and closes his eyes, waiting for the guards to perform their task of transport with no effort on his part.
I hide my own disbelief at his behavior. He is the perfect model for what is wrong with the Caligo guards. Just like the guards see themselves above the Sidus, he sees himself above even his own men, choosing not to help them when he can. The guards look to him for guidance, but showing them nothing but selfishness teaches them just that.
I feel their power, familiar yet different, as they work hard to generate the energy needed to transport us all.
Taking one last glance at my mother and Ryuu, I scan their somber faces and give them a small smile, hoping it will ease some of their dread.
The shadows slowly envelop us, quickly obscuring them as we are pulled into the darkness.
CHAPTER 8
It takes the guards longer to pull themselves in and out of the void. When we come through on the other side, they’re out of breath and their foreheads are beaded with sweat. Amaro spares them not so much as a glance nor thanks before stepping forward toward two monstrous dark gates. The size alone could fit two great beings the size of giants.
Tendrils of shadows swirl and coil around it like separate entities ready to strike and attack us.
