Semua Bab Warrior of the Way: Bab 171 - Bab 180

Trace watched as the wind tugged Giselle's hair, teasing the dark curls as she stared out at the water. A knot twisted in his stomach as he watched her, her expression almost a twisted mess of sadness to match the knot in his stomach. He wasn't sure what troubled her, but it was obvious something was. He asked her, of course, but she just shook her head, her eyes glassy orbs of anguish. He wouldn't understand, she said. There was just too much that she couldn't tell anyone. Even in a crowded room, she was always alone, always hiding who she really was, unable to be real for fear of persecution."But I don't understand," Trace said. "Who would want to persecute you? I mean, you're a young woman who works in a butcher department at a grocery store. Who would be upset except vegetarians and animal lovers?"She sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek he hadn't noticed. "People don't like people who are different than them. I told you this before. Do you not remember?"He ran his hand through

On the other side of town, the tangy breeze blew off the Indian River, tugging Aradhon's long, dark hair as he watched Trace walk away, his shoulders slumped in defeat, even though he walked like a man determined to do something for the one he loved. Weak. Emotions are the weakness of all humans. Of course, it was lucky for the dark elf that they were. Otherwise, his plan would not be going as well as it was. While he couldn't hear the exchange between the human and the aswang, he could tell by their body movements that things were progressing just as he needed. Soon, the aswang would lead the human Warrior out into the open and right into Aradhon's clutches. The Guardian Sword would be his. The human turned a corner and started walking down the sidewalk toward the downtown area. Aradhon slid his arms into the sleeves of his robe as he watched the man until he disappeared around a corner. Aradhon knew he needed to be working on the Gateway for Prince Dakath, but he desired to see this

"Naiads?" Renny's shocked expression had now twisted to one of a question."Water faeries. And don't let them catch you littering in the water. They'll throw it back at you." He glanced at the cigar he smoked as he remembered the hand that rose out of the creek and tossed his cigar butt back at him. He had yet to see one of the creatures outside of a set of hands, but he was sure they existed. His area of the creek had become cleaner than anywhere else along the creek bed, just as Marachin had done with the area around his Thinking Rock. Rhychard still found it weird that those in the faerie realm would want to pay homage to him. Unsettling was a better word."Now those would be cool to meet," Renny said, turning her gaze back to the water. "I wish I had known then how interesting your life had really become."Rhychard reached out and pulled her closer, Renny laying her head on his shoulder, or rather, his chest since he was so much taller than she was. "We have each other now; that's

The evening held a slight chill, which made Rhychard keep his cloak wrapped tight around his body. Fall was approaching, and even though the daytime hours were still sweltering, the nights sometimes held a chill a person's body wasn't ready to feel. Rhychard hid behind a row of bushes along the side of the Leary Building, the side door into the building only a few feet away. He doubted Aradhon gave up the building, needing a place to run his evil empire for the Unseelie, a base of operations of sorts, and why not? The Learys weren't going to need it any longer.Tugging the cloak further down over his head as he stared out at the surrounding area. Kree paced the edge of the property, his attention focused on the gargoyles who rang the upper parts of the building, acting as sentries. To the casual observer, they appeared as concrete statues, but to anyone in the know, they were dangerous foot soldiers for the Unseelie. Rhychard glanced up at the creatures standing guard at the corners of

Rhychard raced to his house, hoping Buttercup was there. However, Trace was the one waiting for him when he arrived back at Whispering Oaks. His friend paced at the front of his building as opposed to inside the apartment, which confused Rhychard as he knew Renny was home. Still, he didn't have time for Trace, needing to find Buttercup and make sure she was all right. Rhychard pretty much told his friend that as he approached the front steps to his apartment."But I need your help," Trace said, urgency in his voice as he reached out to stop Rhychard before he could shove past him. "It's Giselle. She needs your help."Rhychard turned, ignoring his friend's hand on his arm as he looked down at Trace. "Buttercup needs my help as well. Her life may depend on it."Trace's features twisted in anguish, as he stood there staring at Rhychard. He released Rhychard's arm, choosing to wring his hands instead. Never before had Rhychard seen his friend so wound up. "Giselle's life definitely depends