Shadow Bands

XVII. Neap

Silence fell onto House Kel, an eeriness that wasn't befitting the illusion spell cast on it. Draven couldn't shake the feeling that something, or someone, was waiting for him. He steeled himself as he opened the ornate doors. His heart pounded against his chest in anticipation. Pain struck his nerve as what he expected stood in front of him with a smile so sinister. Civet stood several paces away from Draven, speaking with the Father. Though the Father didn't show it, Draven knew he was uncomfortable being around Civet.

"Ah," he gasped. "There he is!" His tone expressed great haste.

"There he is indeed." Civet's words like slimy eels wiggling through Draven's ears. He forgot momentarily how petrifying his words could be. "I believe you have something of mine you want to return," he said, reaching out with one hand while keeping the other behind his back. Draven opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Civet spoke. "But I don't think you're that stupid, so I assume you're here to excommunicate yourself from your House and join the Order."

Draven looked at the Father, who bore no resentment or even defiance at the thought.

"Don't worry," continued Civet. "I've already spoken with him. You're with me now." His chuckle, like nails on a chalkboard, caused the goosebumps on Draven's body to rise. "Come now, we have much work to do!"

"Hold on!" A familiar voice spoke from the banisters. "Where do you think you're going?" Draven watched as Namon rushed down the stairs.

"Your Wench, I assume?"

Namon gritted her teeth as she clenched her fist. She used her Flash Step to gain momentum as she drove her fist forward towards Civet's face. To her surprise, Civet's hand met her fist. The velocity and force dispersing around him. What would have been a fatal blow looked more like a normal punch.

Civet's other hand came around his back. With a blink of an eye, it pierced Namon's abdomen. Blood spewed from her mouth as her eyes widened as far as they could. But her teeth remain gritted.
"It's rude to attack guests. Especially me." Civet's voice, condescending and filled with arrogance.

"I don't even know who you are," Namon said through gritted teeth.

"Hm," Civet reached further into her torso, ripping through organs. Namon finally shrieked in pain.

"That's enough!" Shouted Draven, rushing to pull Namon away from Civet. But once he got within reach, Civet dropped her body like a child throwing away their doll.

"I'll let you say your goodbyes," said Civet, licking the blood that soaked his hand. "Because you won't be seeing them again." His smile revealed his sharp teeth, and a laugh followed as he walked out of the manor.

"Namon!" Shouted Draven, her face losing the color of life.

"Draven, I'll be fine." Though her coughing convinced him otherwise as more blood came out of her mouth. "You know I heal fast. This is nothing."

"You must leave, boy," said the Father. "I know where your loyalty lies, but your presence here puts us all at risk."

"How could you be so stupid?" Namon coughed up, cutting in shortly after the Father spoke. "Did you really think this through? All this for that girl?"

"I'm sorry!" Draven held her hand. "I didn't think—"

"That's your problem. You need to think!"

"That's enough," said the father, as he raised his hand at Namon. "Allow yourself to heal." His eyes fell on Draven, his stern look returning. "You must go. It's best not to keep someone like him waiting."

Draven wanted to speak, but both the Father and Namon didn't allow it. The Father held Namon in Draven's stead, and they both watched as he left the manor. Civet waited, almost impatiently, at the bottom of the steps. His face brightened as Draven stood at the top.