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…"

a stern look. The charming young man hesitated, then gritted his teeth and

to the imposing giant

the Dark City for so long, and wasn't informed of these… developments. If this

at her with an amused expression. Sunny did not

suddenly disappeared from her face,

evidence and hear those witnesses. And, most of all,

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

think that you can

Then, her eyes suddenly shone with furious white light. In a voice that promised agony and death, she

going to stop

expression. It seemed as though he was

all a mask, though. A masterful performance

Triumph and jubilation.

She was

was that Changing Star was as far from a

demon

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

with me 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 a flimsy rope

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 the surrounding

the Castle, more and more slum dwellers surrounded them, their

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"