When they got to the manor, they discovered that The Band of Crows had moved on to find Luke. They went inside. The Earl was pacing in the hallway.
"Father!" Isabella came over to him. He looked at her.
"Isabella!" He embraced her. He looked at Luke. He opened his arms to include Luke. Luke accepted the invitation. It felt good to be hugged by a parent. Adopted or not.
"Father, the Band of the Crows is after Luke." Isabella said.
"They collect Underage Partners and enslave them." Aliwin said.
"They're more than that. They're a group that has caused chaos for years in other cities, now they've moved to Everglade." Luke gasped.
"What do they do?" He asked.
"They destabilize and destroy. Using the Underage Partners."
"I know. They used me to kill my parents." Aliwin said. "They made me orphan myself and Althalos."
"How are you here now?" The Earl asked, looking wary.
"I escaped."
"How?"
"I broke free of the mind control."
"We need provisions. We're going to stop them." Korman said.
"You can't! They're too powerful! Their numbers are too large!" The Earl said. "No, Luke needs to go into hiding, so they can't get him."
"No, I can't hide. Not while the Band of the Crows are looking to destroy Everglade. They could kill you, then, I'd be orphaned again." Luke said. "For as long as I can, I'll fight." The Earl sighed.
"Is there any way I can convince you to hide?" He asked.
"No." The Earl sighed again.
"Then be careful." Luke hugged The Earl.
"I will." He promised. They headed to Luke's room to plan.
"How do The Crows put the Underaged under mind control?" Luke asked Ailwin.
"It's a process. Some drop under faster than others. They go completely slack, and their eyes go blank. Their faces hold no expression."
"I think we need to find out their plans so we can stop them." Korman said.
"How?" Ailwin said.
"We could eavesdrop on them." Estrilda suggested.
"They're too smart to talk idly about their plans." Ailwin said.
"Could you pretend to be under their mind control again?" Isabella asked.
"No, they know I've escaped." Ailwin replied.
"What about kidnapping one of their members?" Korman suggested.
"They carry suicide pills. We won't be able to get anything out of them." Ailwin said. An idea formed inside Luke's head. He put on his most serious expression.
"Then we give them me." He said.
YOU ARE READING
Everglade: The Underaged
FantasíaWhat would you do to save your home? Would you risk your life for it? What if you had no choice? Luke Renoldi lives in a world where there was a war. A war that ultimately decided his destiny. After being Partnered with a griffin, Luke embarks on a...
