Shadow Slave

Changing Star's words brought the room to dead silence. On both sides of it, people were slowly preparing themselves, dark resentment burning in their eyes. It felt as though the tension reached critical mass and was about to explode into a storm of violence.

Only three people remained calm and unaffected by the direness of the situation: Nephis herself, Sunny… and Tessai.

The giant bared his canines in a grin. His eyes, however, remained cold as ice.

"What a… revelation. And here I was, thinking that you are a great defender of justice. Were you not, Changing Star? Or is your sense of justice reserved only for the crimes of those who don't serve you?"

He sighed and added, his voice full of disappointment:

"That huntress of yours is accused of murder. Why are you trying to prevent me from bringing her to justice? I thought that you, of all people, would not get in the way of fairness."

Nephis frowned.

"Accused does not mean convicted. Why do you claim that she is guilty?"

Tessai stared at her and said, his low voice sending tremors through the stone hall:

"There is plenty of evidence. There are plenty of witnesses. So many people came forward to give a testimony! Her guilt is undeniable. How will you answer that, Changing Star?"

Sunny smiled slightly.

'How peculiar. So many people apparently saw Effie slaughter those fools. Did I imagine killing them or what? I was a bit crazy at the time, to be fair. Ha.'

Before Nephis could answer, Kai suddenly took a step forward and shouted:

"That is impossible! I…"

made him stop with a stern look. The charming young man hesitated, then gritted

Star turned to the imposing

everything, then. Please forgive me, if you can. I have been away from the Dark City for so long, and wasn't informed of these… developments. If this is the

amused expression. Sunny did not take

smile suddenly disappeared from her face, replaced by

fact. We are awfully curious to see that evidence and hear those witnesses. And, most of all, we are all dying to see justice done

of dissatisfaction appeared on Tessai's face. With a deep frown, he looked down on Neph from his

do you think that you

suddenly shone with furious white

going to

stared at her with a complicated expression. It seemed as though he was being torn

was all a mask, though. A masterful performance to hide

Triumph and jubilation.

Effie to justice, but his true goal had always been Nephis. She was the one Gunlaug wanted to destroy. And now, she was bringing herself to him, like a

Tessai did not know was that Changing Star was as far from a lamb as one

like a demon in

glanced at the morose giant with something that resembled pity. Meanwhile, Tessai slowly shook his head and

to the Castle, if you want. Bring your rats with you. All of you will witness the

***

they exited the lodge. Tessai was walking in the front, holding the tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with

menacing looks at each other. Their faces were grim and full of resentful indignation. Sunny had hidden himself in the crowd, not wishing to draw any attention. Now, he was moving with it, feeling the restless agitation through the chaotic movement of

moved toward the Castle, more and more slum dwellers surrounded them, their faces

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"