Chapter 9 - First Meeting With The Shadow (2/2)

For all her care and attention, he knew Jeun did not really care about him. She only wanted his strength to survive. Up until now, as the daughter of the cave leader, no one dared to misbehave with her. However, last week, the cave leader caught the Frost Chill, leaving him with only a few nights.

As the strongest of the cavemen, the fearful and insecure Jeun started approaching him, the disgusted and loathed Klem. Through his strength and support, she wanted to secure her life and future.

However, Klem was not interested. Neither in her nor in leading the cavemen.

As such, he kept her at a distance.

”Excuse me, is it possible for me to take shelter with your people tonight? I will leave first thing in the morning.”

The soft and gentle voice entered his ears before his sight fell on her. The flame hair girl calmly stood in the snow-shower, her gaze shifting from Jeun to him as she asked.

”Yes, you...”

”And who are you?” Jeun's sharp voice rudely cut him off, making Klem displeased. He glared at her in displeasure, but she just ignored him. As her gaze swept over the girl, they flashed with a malicious glint, raising alarm in Klem.

Turning, his gaze fell on the girl again and his heart dropped. Jeun would not let her go. She was too beautiful, too clean, too pure. Something Jeun was not and would never allow anyone else to be.

”I think you should go. We are not welcoming to outsiders here and there is no space for an extra person in our shelter.” He directly rejected her request.

As much as he wanted to help, he knew allowing her to stay would only create problems for her. She would become the target of Jeun and her lackeys' bullying, spat and sneered at every turn. By sending her away, he was protecting her from further trouble.

”What are you saying, Klem? It only gets colder out there. So, how can you be so cruel as to send the poor thing away? I am sure our people will be able to make some space. Come with me.”

Jeun stepped up to pull on her hand, dragging her towards the cave. Moving forward, Klem blocked their path.

”I am sorry, but I cannot let you through. As the guard on duty, I cannot allow a stranger to enter our midst without inspection. If you disagree with my methods, you are free to call on the cave leader.” Klem was done playing the soft card. The girl had to go.

”Please, leave.” He reiterated before Jeun could say something else.

The girl's flame brows furrowed before relaxing. Next, she nodded and turned on her heels, leaving without looking back.

”What was that about, Klem? That girl got all the way here alone. That means she either has secret means of survival or knows a way to avoid the wild beasts. Either way, finding out her methods and secrets could have been useful to us. You ruined everything!” With a huff, Jeun turned and stomped into the cave.

Before he could open his mouth to call out to her, his vision went blurry and his surroundings darkened.

”Not again.” Was the last weary thought in his mind, before blacking out.

*

Versailles swiftly moved through the snow, leaving the mountain cave behind.

She was not offended by the way the cave man chased her away. It was their cave and they had the right to decide whether or not they would let her stay. Besides, she felt the scarred man was telling her to leave for her own good.

Either way, she did not feel much of anything. Her destination was the only thought in her mind.

Lifting her head, her gaze fixed on a snow covered stone platform. The distant clearing seemed desolate and bleak, but that did not dampen her mood, the anticipation clear in her violet eyes.

”Finally, I am here. I can now return to the Nar realm and solve the mystery of my past lives.” Her violet-gold eyes gleamed as she thought, shinning bright as two radiant jewels.

Just as she stepped forward, a shadow lunged at her, blocking the light, blocking her sight. The cackling of an evil laugh spread through the surroundings, as a bloodthirsty, cruel, and eerie atmosphere enveloped the air.

Versailles froze, her left foot still raised in mid-step, but she could not move a limb. Her heart chilled, filling with disbelief and dread. Her mind furiously struggled to deny the truth before her eyes.

”How can this be? How did it find me so soon? Was the snow covered land I saw in the vision referring to the Snowy Plains?” She wondered in confusion, her heart in chaos.