Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Twenty-Five

AUTHOR'S NOTE: If any of you have watched Bleach, in which our beloved Johnny Yong Bosch voices the main character, you will understand this... The character of Sakura, who you are about to meet, is a soul reaper. She belongs exclusively to Aura MacKenzie. Something is coming shortly that, quite frankly, could only be pulled off by a soul reaper, which is why she's being introduced. Captain Jushiro Ukitake, Captain Unohana, Uryu, and Isane are all characters from the anime. Also, prepare yourselves for a huge reveal about the Alchemist and the Warlock that will especially interest those of you who read Stone Warriors. (Hello, plot twist!) After this chapter, the action should pick up significantly as the Alliance is about to come back together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ANDIE
It was nearly impossible to keep Daphne from overwhelming her. Andie ran straight to the woods, not even knowing where she was going to go... She simply knew she had to keep running until she was as far away from Ivan as possible.

She tripped over a stone and fell to the ground with alarming force. Her head hit the ground and she could feel blood trailing down the side of her head.

"Great," Andie mumbled. "And the Golden Spaz medal goes to me... Again..." She sighed, trying to sit up.

She wasn't entirely surprised when Koda knelt beside her. "You hurt," he said. "Koda help." He tried to touch her head and Andie flinched.

"Koda... Just go," she said softly. "I'm fine."

"No. Not fine. Bleeding," Koda pointed out.

He'll kill him! He'll kill anyone who helps you! Send him away! Her mind insisted.

Andie took a deep breath, trying to force her panic back. "I'm okay, Koda. I just... I need to be alone right now," she said.

"Trerry say watch you. Ivan very worried. Koda protect," he argued stubbornly. He tried to reach toward her gently.

"Dear Lady Daphne, allow me to see you home safely," Lygus said with a concerned expression on his face as he reached toward her.

"That is not necessary, Lygus," Daphne replied politely.

"My lady, forgive me... There are new bruises today," he said softly. "And scratches on your arms... Some appear to be quite deep."

Daphne knew he was trying to hide the anger he felt at seeing her so injured. Zell had been very angry with her the night before. He'd acted like everything was fine, but when he'd escalated things to an intimate level, he'd been rough to the point of it becoming violent. He'd only eased up on her as he realized Daphne was crying silently from pain. He'd stopped then and acted like the loving man everyone thought he was, comforting her before leaving her to rest. She was still barely able to walk. Everything hurt.

"All is well, Ly," she insisted. "Do not worry for me."

"I always worry for you, Lady Daphne," Lygus replied. "Please, allow me to escort you home."

Daphne knew Zell would only grow angrier if she showed up with another man. He barely tolerated Lido being around her, and right now, even her spending time with him had angered Zell. That was why he'd been so rough with her. If he reacted like that to Lido, bringing Lygus around him would be worse. Zell seemed to be almost irrationally jealous of Lygus.

Daphne clutched the dinner ingredients she had picked up. "I must hurry home, Lygus. Thank you for your concern, but all is well."

"Lady Daphne..." Lygus said as she was about to hurry off. She hesitated, turning around to face him. "Goodbye, Daphne... Be careful."