Allegiance

Chapter 43

Alice, Reynolds, and Eleanor were standing outside the Leywin mansion. Reynolds was holding Eleanor closely in a protective manner, and a few members of the estate staff were standing around them. Alice, Reynolds, and Eleanor were all relaxing inside their mansion, talking and having a good time when they heard magical explosions around their residence. They exited their residence to see what the commotion was, feeling on edge.

A sense of fear washed over Reynolds, who didn't know what was causing the explosions or if their family estate was under attack. The Leywins didn't have any private guards, and none of their staff members were warriors, so Reynolds knew if it came down to it, he would be the last line for their family's defense, and he would die protecting them.

"Rey," Alice said, sounding unsure, and looked at Reynolds fearfully. "What do you think is going on?"

"I'm not sure," Reynolds said tightly, his eyes scanning his surroundings, his body tense.

Alice followed his gaze, seeing and hearing nothing around them. It was eerily quiet. "Should we call Arthur?"

If their estate was indeed under attack, the last thing Alice would want was to call her son and put him in danger. However, he was also a white core, and she was well aware of his skill with a blade. If there were anyone who would quickly come to their aid and save them, it would be Arthur.

Reynolds' gaze fell, contemplating. He had not considered calling Arthur before since he knew Arthur was at the floating castle and would not get to them in time if they were indeed under attack. But perhaps it would be best to inform him of what was happening anyway.

Eleanor's eyes flicked toward the sky, seeing something move. "Look!" Eleanor said loudly, pointing to the object.

Alice, Reynolds, and the mansion staff all looked toward where Eleanor was pointing, and Alice and Reynolds physically tensed, seeing something flying toward them. As the object got closer, it became clear that it wasn't one big object but multiple smaller objects. Reynolds' grip on Eleanor tightened, and Alice stepped closer to Reynolds, fear washing over them, not knowing who or what was flying toward them. But if they were flying, they knew that had to be white cores.

But a few moments later, their eyes widened with surprise, a sense of relief and slight confusion washing over them as they could clearly see who one of the objects was: Tessia. Aya, Sylvie, and Tessia flew straight toward Alice, Reynolds, and Eleanor, with Aya carrying the unconscious leader in her hands.

Aya, Tessia, and Sylvie landed in front of the estate, walking up to Alice, Reynolds, and Eleanor. Tessia's eyes fell on Arthur's family, and she smiled warmly, feeling relieved that they were all okay.

Aya's head was on a swivel, quickly looking around the area for any signs of more threats. They hadn't detected anyone else as they approached the estate, but that didn't mean someone was hiding their presence.

Alice, Reynolds, and Eleanor all locked their eyes on Tessia with expressions of surprise. One reason was that they didn't know what she was doing here, and two, she was flying, meaning she was a white core.

Tessia, Aya, and Sylvie halted in front of Arthur's family. Tessia smiled and was about to speak when Alice's eyes flicked to Sylvie, who stood beside Tessia.

"Sylvie?!" Alice squealed, her eyes filling with pure fear. "What are you doing?! You can't be in that form!"

Reynolds and Eleanor looked at Sylvie and immediately looked at her wide-eyed with concern. They hadn't processed that it was her who was flying beside Tessia since they had never expected her to retake her human form since they all knew the risks.