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.

who does she think she is?! Wait… why

they 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 moved under

granite had to weigh a couple of tons,

of his stare, Effie raised an

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

why I

granite

my Aspect Ability. It's

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 seemed to be

she had most likely absorbed a very large amount of soul essence over the years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All

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

his surprise,

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

was a mischievous glint in her

anyone is insane

the same with all my physical needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a literal pile of

and

it was fun, not

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 hunt more, and

scoff at its severity, but not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger,

Effie was out here in the first place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted to, but because she simply didn't have a

have?" Sunny thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and food, then…

not to get

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'