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…"

man hesitated, then

turned to the imposing

That changes 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…

her with an amused expression. Sunny did not take his eyes off of Tessai, however, his shadow stared at

from her face, replaced by

I am coming with her. All of us are, in fact. We are awfully curious to see that evidence and hear those witnesses.

face. With a deep frown, he looked down on

that

shone with furious white light. In a

to stop

complicated expression. It seemed as though he was

mask, though. A masterful performance to

Triumph and jubilation.

here with the excuse of bringing 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 lamb going

know was that Changing Star was

a demon in sheep's

resembled pity. Meanwhile, Tessai slowly shook his head and said,

as you wish. Come with me to the Castle, if you want. Bring your rats with you. All of you

***

back with a flimsy rope — more of a symbolic gesture than a real restraint, considering Effie's strength.

indignation. Sunny had hidden himself in the crowd, not wishing to draw any attention. Now, he was moving

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

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"