Shadow Slave

In the morning, they set out for the castle.

Before leaving the safe haven of the granite tower, Effie gave them a list of instructions:

"Follow behind me. Listen to everything I say. Don't make any noise. Don't bleed. Don't think too much. Some of the creatures out there can hear noisy thoughts, others can sense strong emotions. So don't feel fear, either."

Sunny stared at her with a grim expression. How was he supposed to control what he feels?

The vigorous huntress grinned.

"What? You never tried to solve math equations in your head to impress a lovely lady? Just do the same."

As Sunny's сheeks began to turn bright red, she giggled and turned to Cassie and Neph:

"Correction. The two of you, try not to feel fear. Doofus, you try not to get too excited. If walking behind me turns out to be too much, ask to get slapped, alright?"

Sunny scowled and uttered through gritted teeth:

"That… won't be a problem."

Effie blinked a couple of times, then smiled.

"Ah! Playing for the other team? I see, I see…"

What… what was that supposed to mean?!

Trying to get his emotions under control, Sunny took a deep breath and counted to ten.

ass… who does she think she is?! Wait…

understood her instructions, the huntress turned around and rolled the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit from the tower to the side. Lean muscles tensed and

back and gulped. That slab of granite had to weigh a couple of tons, at least. How strong

a glimpse of his stare, Effie

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

that's not why I was looking. How are you that

at the granite slab, then

That's my Aspect Ability. It's

With not only her strength but also her speed, agility, endurance and resilience boosted, Effie was like one of those ancient heroes Neph sometimes talked about.

years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to pay

would she just admit what her Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing to do, especially not in the ruthless reality of

his surprise, Effie

Around here, anyone with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability can do. Do you want me to tell you what my

a mischievous glint in her

is

physical needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a literal pile of gnawed bones, for the fun of

laughed and shook

was fun, not gonna

the price for having the strength of many men was to have the hunger of many men, as well. Out here in the Dark City, where food was scarce and hard to come by, it was a dangerous Flaw to possess. It was a curse that could force a person to

but not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger, felt like. What it could

place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted to, but because she simply didn't

Sunny thought, a little confused. "Air, then

I said not to

at Effie, who was staring at him and cackling. Embarrassed, he gritted

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'