The words lingered in the air, the silence stretching far longer than I expected it to. Fumiko adjusted her glasses for the hundredth ti, while Freya leaned in closer, as if she'd misheard what I said.
"She's from Erentha?" Freya asked, her voice calr than it was monts earlier.
"No..." I replied, scratching an itch in my left ear. "She's from the Vanderlands. She was raised in Erentha, by House Elowen."
"How do you know that?" Freya asked, then cringed her face. "You're her best friend. I forgot."
"But how did she get to Erentha?" Miss Fumiko asked, equally curious.
"That's the question," I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. "The Noble House of Daevalia was wiped out in the last great noble war, but sohow, baby Lucy ended up in Erentha. My best guess, she was rescued by them."
"It doesn't add up. The House of Erentha stayed out of the last great noble war. There's no way they could have made it to the Vanderlands in ti to rescue her."
"Soone else must have rescued her then," Freya butt in.
"Her parents... It's possible they left before the final battle."
"It's all possible," I interrupted, raising my voice. "But none of them can tell us what she really is. That's why I need to go to Erentha and find out what the elves know."
Both won returned their gazes to the table, as each fell into their own thoughts. After a brief mont, Fumiko's voice cut through the silence.
"I'm coming with you."
"No, you're not," I replied.
Fumiko blinked. "I am."
"It's a long and dangerous journey. If sothing goes wrong," I glanced in the direction of the bedroom. "I may not be able to protect either of you."
"Which is exactly why I'm coming with you. If anything happens, I can keep her calm. And I don't need you to protect ."
I opened my mouth to reply, when she cut off once again.
"This isn't a debate Rin. You need , so I'm coming with you, whether you like it or not."
The words remained choked up in my mouth, but I swallowed them soon after.
"Fine," I sighed.
"I'm coming too," Freya's shrill voice ruptured the air.
I stared at her, raising a brow.
"What?" she protested.
"You're not coming."
"The hell I'm not. I'm very much involved in this already."
"Freya... Exams are over. School's on break. Go ho."
"Not until I know what Lucy is," she frowned, "I was almost killed by her twice already, so I think I deserve an explanation for that. Besides, school's on break, and you still owe three dates."
"It's not a vacation."
"It is now. If you don't like it then you'd better find a way to tie down, 'cos I'm not letting you leave without ."
I sighed. If there was one thing I had learnt in my previous life it was never to argue with won.
I threw my gaze at Fumiko. "How long will it take you to get your things ready?"
She rose to her feet, "A few hours."
"Good," I turned to Freya. "I need you to go to the dorm. Get your stuff and Lucy's stuff, and et back here. How long will it take you?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "A few hours?"
"You have until sunset."
"Fine," she stood up as well, turning toward the door. "But I'll need more ti to clean up."
"Don't be late," I replied in a stern voice.
Freya was about to retort, when a sudden knock froze everyone in the room. Instinctively, I reached for the dagger at my belt.
"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked Fumiko, but she quickly shook her head.
The knock echoed again, sharper this ti, cutting through the tension in the room.
I froze, my hand caressing the hilt of the dagger.
Freya's eyes darted to the door, her fingers curling like she was ready to summon vines at the mont.
Fumiko stood, her glasses glinting in the fading sunlight, her face calm but alert.
"Who's that?" she whispered, her voice low.
I didn't answer. My heart thudded, the mory of Kyro's lifeless body still fresh.
The ring on the table humd faintly, its runes glowing like they sensed trouble. I grabbed it, slipping it into my pocket. No way I was leaving it behind.
"Stay here," I said, moving toward the door. The wooden boards beneath creaked, each step heavy with dread. I reached for the door handle, my other hand ready to draw my dagger at any mont.
The door creaked open, revealing a short cloaked figure. Tall, thin, with a hood that hid their face. The air around her shimred, cold and sharp, like winter had followed them in.
My grip tightened on the dagger.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice steady despite the chill running down my spine.
The figure raised a hand, pulling back the hood. It was a girl, with pale skin, sharp cheekbones, and grey eyes like ice.
It was Xira.
Her silver hair caught the light, and her pointed ears twitched slightly.
"Rin," she said, her voice soft but commanding, "I need to talk to you."
I blinked, my hand still on the dagger. "How did you find ?"
"I've been looking for you all day," she replied, looking down at her fingers. "I know you and Miss Fumiko are close, so I thought I'd find you here. Hi, Miss Fumiko."
"Hi Xira," Miss Fumiko replied, glancing at with narrow eyes that seed to say, 'Congrats the whole school knows about us.'
"You were looking for ?" I asked. "Why?"
She nodded, her gaze flicking past to Fumiko and Freya. "I received a ssage from my parents this morning. But the ssage was addressed to you."
This morning... That was a few hours after we left the Blackthorn Forest.
"What does it say?
"They want you to bring Lucy ho. Back to Erentha. As soon as possible."
My mind raced. This couldn't be a coincidence.
"Give us a few hours," I said. "We need to pack."
Xira's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. Without another word, she turned around and vanished into the evening shadows.
I closed the door afterwards, then I glanced back at Fumiko, who shrugged slightly, her face unreadable. Freya looked ready to argue, but she kept quiet, her eyes wide.
"You heard her," I said. "We leave tonight."
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