Shadow Slave

After returning to the dancing hall; Sunny saw it in a new light; His perception had shifted; making everything seem darker and more dangerous; He had already been apprehensive about the crowd of guests; but now; every one of them looked like a potential threat;

Mordret might have said that he was not planning to do anything and had just come to take a look, but could the banished prince be trusted? As far as Sunny was concerned, the lunatic could have been on his way to publicly assassinate one of his relatives, or slaughter as many as he could, right now;

Much worse. he could be hiding inside of anyone; Every guest was a potential host; Every mundane human. every Awakened. every Master… none of them were beyond suspicion;

Even Saints were not off the list, perhaps;

Sunny suppressed a groan.

'Curse it all…'

There were two carriers of Divine Aspects in the world that had made it their life's goal to destroy the great clan Valor at all costs. And now, both of them were in this building!

Even if nothing happened. the threat alone made him itchy;

The great hall where dozens of beautiful pairs danced suddenly did not look as splendid;

Turning around. Sunny looked at Nephis. lingered for a few moments. and then walked in her direction with steady steps;

As he came close, he offered her a hand and asked;;;

"Shall we dance?"

Neph looked at him in confusion for a couple of seconds, then shrugged and placed her hand in his.

Together. they walked to the middle of the hall; Sunny put his second hand on her waist. while she put hers on his shoulder; Suddenly. they were extremely close to each other;

heart skipped a

this one

time; Sunny led Neph into a dance; It wasn't too hard… he just had to listen to the music and repeat what the

of the guests; Changing Star seemed like a natural; too; Perhaps it was due to her own combat mastery; or perhaps she had received

did not care; He had much

too much and failing at it. he waited for a bit and gathered his thoughts. Finally. Sunny said. his voice drowned by the music and the

been meaning to

to hide his head in the sand

eyebrow, prompting him

that Valor won't take no for an answer. They want to have all of us, but if that is not possible, they'll only settle for getting at least one. That way, they'll be assured that the rest of us won't join a rival faction. So… which one of us

Star lingered for a while, allowing him to lead her in the dance. Her

steps,

really understand,

frown, but his eyes

it that you think I don't

somber expression slowly

are not

under the light of beautiful chandeliers, she leaned even

for a long time after returning to the waking world. The ripples caused by the death of Saint Cormac, the subtle machinations that happen in

scowl appeared

you

Nephis sighed.

make you see that the conflict between the great clans has grown into something more than mere disagreement. They

her hand growing

does a war

Star shook her