Meanwhile, Somewhere in the Eastern 2nd Sea
~Selene’s Perspective~
I sit on the deck of my caravel, feeling numb. I read the newspaper clipping someone put on my caravel in shock.
LAGEROS TARIFFS AND TAXES LIFTED
During yesterday’s summit, young politician Cagney Kestos successfully pushed for a bill lifting the tariffs and taxes on Lageros. Despite vocal opposition from the Bellona Family, the bill was passed on the grounds of Lageros being a center of trade in the Eastern 2nd Sea. The bill is set to take effect within the week…
I put the newspaper clipping down quietly, thoughts whirling around in my head. Why would someone go through the trouble to get me this information?
I turn the newspaper clipping over. There’s writing on the back.
Meet me at Bellen.
Trust me. Please.
-Cassius
I feel disgust well up inside me. Me? Trust him? Never.
But then I remember the pain in his eyes. The sadness when he saw me again. And the determination in his eyes when he fought the…
Fuck. Forget about the damn crush you had on him when you were a kid. That kid is long gone.
I think for a few moments. Then I run around the sip, unfurling the sails and getting the boat ready. I set sail to Bellen to meet Cassius. Might as well hear what he has to say.
–
11 years ago, Lageros
Selene angrily sent a blast of shadow magic at the target, destroying it. She sent another at the target behind her, swinging her arms wildly. The blast missed the target, hitting the wall behind it instead.
“So you’re the child everyone talks about here,” a voice said behind her.
Selene turned around. Standing at the entrance to the school courtyard was a white-haired woman.
“Who are you?” Selene asked. “And what do you want with me?”
The woman smiled before walking over to Selene. Selene clenched her fists.
“Calm down, I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk for a bit.”
“Well I’m obviously not in the fucking mood to talk right now. Go away.”
The woman sighed.
“Ms. Liannos. I understand that you are upset over your friend leaving, but please liste-”
“SHUT UP!”
Selene jumped at the woman. In less than a second, she was on her back, dazed. The woman stood over her with a look of concern.
“Listen,” the woman began. “We all lose a part of ourselves when we lose someone we care about. I want to help you.”
Selene looked up at the woman.
“Who are you?” she asked.
The woman let a small smile appear on her face.
“My name is Alina Altia,” the woman said.
End of Chapter XXXV