Chapter 11: A Place That Feels Like Home
(Brazen / Csarie's POV — Present)
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Jessy's tiny fingers wrapped around mine as she babbled again, her voice soft and warm like the morning light spilling through the windows.
"Bahbah!"
I laughed quietly, brushing my nose against hers. "Yes, I'm here... I'm always here."
But her eyes—those curious, bright little eyes—kept drifting back to Jasper.
And for a moment, I let them.
"I think she likes you," I said, my voice lighter than I felt.
"Does she?" Jasper leaned closer, careful... almost hesitant, like he was approaching something fragile. His long silver hair slipped forward, catching Jessy's attention immediately. She reached for it, giggling as her tiny fingers tangled in the strands.
We both laughed—soft, unguarded.
It felt... normal.
Too normal.
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Inside, the warmth of the dining hall wrapped around us like an embrace. The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air—simple, comforting, nothing like the rigid, silent meals back in the Barblood settlement.
Jasper pulled a chair for me.
Such a small gesture... yet it made my chest tighten.
"Will you tell me more about your story?" he asked as we sat down.
I paused.
Jessy sat on my lap, playing with the edge of my sleeve, completely unaware of the weight behind his question.
"My story..." I repeated, staring at the plate in front of me.
Where do I even begin?
With blood?
With war?
With betrayal?
Or with the parts I wish never happened?
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"I wasn't always like this," I started quietly. "I used to believe everything had a clear line—good and bad, right and wrong... enemies and family."
I let out a small breath, almost a laugh—but there was no humor in it.
"I was wrong."
Jasper didn't interrupt.
He just listened.
That's what made him dangerous.
Not his strength... not his power...
—but the way he made silence feel safe.
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"I trained my whole life to fight," I continued, my fingers absentmindedly tracing Jessy's tiny hand. "To protect my siblings. To survive. That was enough for me."
I glanced at him.
"But then everything started breaking."
My voice lowered.
"People I trusted... secrets I wasn't supposed to know... and a war that doesn't even make sense anymore."
The images flashed in my mind—
Chains.
Blood.
Fire.
Screams I could still hear even in silence.
I swallowed hard.
"There was a moment... in that cave..." My grip tightened slightly around Jessy, careful not to hurt her. "I wasn't myself anymore."
YOU ARE READING
The Assailants
AdventureIt 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...
