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.

does she think she is?! Wait… why am

the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit from the tower to the side. Lean muscles tensed and moved under her olive skin, making

weigh a couple of tons, at least. How strong was the beautiful

of his stare, Effie raised

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

that's not why I was looking. How are

granite slab, then

Ability.

as many others, it was practically the ultimate warrior Ability. 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. Especially since that boost

in the Dark City.

Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing to do, especially not in

his surprise,

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

a mischievous glint in her

right. As if anyone is

attributes, it also does the same with all my physical needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a literal pile

and

fun, not gonna

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 hunt more, and

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

the first place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted to, but

thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and food, then… uh…

not to get

at him and cackling. Embarrassed, he gritted his

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'