It was one of the cold freezing nights of January when the Arcane's assasins attacked. I failed to protect the family I was in charge to keep safe but I was able to save the most precious thing the family possessed, Jessy. I took her away racing wit...
I jolted awake, breath catching slightly as the present wrapped around me again. For a moment, I didn't move. The world felt still—too still—until thin strands of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the wooden walls, stretching across the floor like golden fingers.
Morning.
I turned my head. Jessy slept peacefully beside me, her tiny chest rising and falling, her fingers curled like she was holding onto a dream.
A small smile touched my lips.
"Jessy... I'll be back," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
I stood, stretching my stiff limbs, and looked around.
"Amaya?"
No answer.
The door wasn't locked.
She must've gone out... probably bathing.
The bathroom light was on, faintly glowing through the cracks. I leaned against the wall, waiting, arms folded. The quiet felt... different. Safe. Strange.
Not like the mountains.
Not like before.
⸻
We reached the headquarters early, the morning air still cool against my skin. Work began immediately—no time wasted, no time to think.
"Good morning," Aunt Grazilda greeted, appearing beside me like she always did—quiet but warm, holding a wooden spoon like it was part of her soul.
"How's your baby?" she asked gently.
"She's fine," I replied, gathering vegetables and spices. "I just... hope Jasper allows us to go home every night."
She sighed softly. "I hope so too. Being away from your child..." She didn't finish, but she didn't need to. I understood.
We shared a quiet coffee with the others before the kitchen came alive—knives tapping, pots simmering, fire crackling.
The smell of food filled the air, warm and comforting.
Almost like home.
⸻
After serving breakfast, I noticed something.
Jasper stood at the far end of the hall, watching his men eat. Not commanding. Not speaking. Just... watching.
Making sure everyone had enough.
Only when they were full did he move—but by then... there was nothing left.
Not a single plate for him.
And he didn't complain.
He simply turned and walked away like it didn't matter.
Idiot.
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