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Wait

I aht All the time my father had told me the stories, how ic in our lives And I was a e I wanted to cry I wanted to be with my family

What would Stovia do to Valena’s family? Would he murder them in cold blood if they refused to hand her over? I knew, even without my help, that he would find Valena He was a powerful Glava Could sense ic But that didn’t mean I had to aid in the destruction of another farowled

I spun around, defiant, hatred blazing out of my eyes I wished I was Glava with the ability to summon the elements I’d set him on fire and watch him burn for what he had done to me To Kir For what he would do to Valena

"I said… no"

His hand cracked against round The breath whooshed out ofblow to my ribs as I made impact with the hard dirt My eyes watered at the painful heat across the left side ofwarm trickle from my mouth and hissed at the pain and taste of copper where my lip split open

I heard Kir cry out rabbed me by the clasp on ht side ofin irl, or you’ll wish you were dead"

"No!" Kir yelled and I could hear the sounds of a struggle

"Shut hi flesh, of Kir grunting No

"No," I groaned, lolling lirasp "Stop"

"Will you find the Dravilec"

I couldn’t "No"

"Lash the boy to the nearest tree He’s going to pay for Rogan’s disobedience"

My heart lurched in h blurred vision as they dragged a bleeding, crying Kir to the nearest tree trunk They ripped at his shirt One of them produced a horse whip and Kir whimpered in terror I felt vomit rush up my throat but I willed the acidic shoeakness down

"Stop," I murmured weakly "Stop Don’t hurt him I’ll do it"

I looked to Stovia He watchedfascinated Then he nodded at his ed hi shut and I ian," Syracen whispered, bending down to gaze at ine I could have battered you into an oblivion of agony and you would not have given in But you won’t let so And useful Now findsha, quaint, peaceful village By noe had athered on their doorsteps nervously, as their eyes took in the Royal Guard and the two beaten children with them I came to a stop at the doorstep of a shop An apothecary

"Here"

Syracen s with pride I hated hian"

He pulled the rope by the door and a brass bell rang loudly We heard hurried footsteps and then the door was thrust open by an older

"Can I help?" He queried, warily

"I am Vikomt Syracen Stovia of the Rada May I come in, Mr Rosonia?"

Rosonia’s eyes widened but he nodded, his oil laainst the shadows of the wall Syracen turned back and nodded at two guards who strode forward to follow at his back Sadistically, he pushed me past the threshold of the door He wanted me to witness this

Once inside, Rosonia stood with a stout,her robes tightly around her Two girls stood behind theirl, possibly in her early teens Clutching her hand was Valena S for her face

"I co and powerful "The Kral is dead"

The Rosonia’s gasped at the news

"Yes I am afraid it is true Princezna Haydyn is now alone in the world, the weight of carrying the load of Dyzvati too great for her young shoulders As the only e upon the Rada I felt it was hness needs to aid her in her hty responsibilities"

"What can we do to help, My Lord?" Valena’s father asked eagerly, his eyes full of genuine sadness for the Kral

"There is very little est of the ic Here," he put his deadly hand upon ht not to shudder, "Is one of the Azyl, thought to be extinct But she found you well enough"

I sa Mr Rosonia and his wife gasped at my appearance "What happened to the child?"

"One of my soldiers He has been dealt with," Syracen lied s soirl looked frightened now, drawing Valena closer "Don’t"

They knehy he was here