Skyler's body trembled, her mouth falling open as her blue eyes were fixed on the slowly rising corpse. She gazed at the thing in disbelief, her mind was in a daze. All of this was unbelievable.
For most of the normal citizens of the Republic of Steatha, the first time they would encounter a cadaver would be an elderly relative passed away due to old age. Nevertheless, Skyler saw her father's corpse in a pool of blood when she was still little.
Despite that, she had never seen a lifeless body rise up since she was born. So, seeing a rotten body rise macabrely emanating putridity like this for the first time, came as a real shock for Skyler.
Even more so when the maggots and other parasites that were attached to his skin were crawling onto the floor.
At that moment, the cadaver exuded a strange fluorescent green aura around him, and his yellowish eye became blood-colored flames. He then took slow steps forward, causing the shed to shake while the flies buzzed loudly around it.
Feeling down to her spine that the threat was closing in on her, Skyler turned and ran.
A corpse, a rotten corpse was chasing her!
"Help!! Someone please help me!!" Skyler screamed her lungs out.
Lifting the hem of her dress, she ran desperately into the forest. Searching for someone, searching for a living being who could help her. The surrounding trees loomed like eerie, silent sentinels that made her shiver.
Inside her head, overwhelmed by nausea and disgust, she felt desperation taking over her sanity.
"Someone please… help me!! Someone, someone please!!" Skyler ran awkwardly.
She felt something arise inside her, a disturbing fear that gnawed at her soul. Turning her head, she peered at the cadaver in the middle distance that was still chasing her, screeching shrilly.
Despair was taking over. It could be said it just wasn't her day at all. After all, Skyler had come to the cemetery to visit her dearest friend's parents' grave like every year. Everything was going smoothly, but she never expected that she would come across a rotten corpse in a shed, who was also chasing her through the forest.
—It was like all of this was divine punishment against her for allowing her curiosity to get the better of her.
While her vision was filled with tears, she could no longer feel the fatigue of walking with the cold and wet body. She was wondering if this was because her body had become numb after exposure to incessant rain or after she had puked in the shed.
"Someone… please…" Skyler's voice became thin as she desperately searched for help.
"This is really unnerving!" A hoarse voice echoed.
And in that lapse of time, when she turned her head back, she spotted the jagged black silhouette that sliced the corpse horizontally with what looked like a black claymore.
As the corpse fell to the ground with a thud, Skyler blinked, seeing a medium-sized man in his twenties with blonde hair covering his forehead and blue eyes, wearing a gray hat and a long gray overcoat that reached his knees, giving him a mature and professional air.
"It's him… it's really him…" Skyler saw the man she spoke to that evening, the man she feared but was also intrigued by.
"Madam Hall, it is me, Sebastian. Are you alright? Nothing happened to you before we came, right?" Sebastian's brow furrowed as he wiped Skyler's face a white handkerchief.
Seeing Sebastian's face and hearing his voice ring like a silver bell, denying her desperation, warm tears flowed from Skyler's face as she rested her forehead on Sebastian's sturdy chest. The warmth of his body was soothing that calmed down her trembled body.
"That cadaver… that cadaver… was chasing me! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" Skyler screamed, her right hand gripping Sebastian's white shirt.
"Cleo hurry up, sprinkle the body with holy water and head to the shed. Then take photos and immediately seal the area!" Sebastian tilted his head, talking to the person behind.
Skyler focused her gaze on the person behind Sebastian, seeing a medium-sized man with rough facial features.
The man had black hair that reached his neck, with purple eyes which gave him a mysterious air. His facial features were soft, he had a large nose bridge and narrow lips that gave him charm. He was wearing a black vest and white gloves which reassured Skyler, with a black umbrella on his right hand.
"I shall go and check right away. Take care of this lass." Cleo said as he ran in the direction Skyler pointed.
Sebastian gently picked up Skyler and ran in the opposite direction of Cleo.
As he looked at Skyler, he smiled faintly. "Madam Hall, hold tight on me."
Skyler wrapped her arms around Sebastian's neck, closing her eyes completely. Deep inside her mind, she felt ashamed of herself.
Her clothes was dirt with mud and vomit residue, and her breath gave off a rancid smell of gastric juices.
Why was there a body in that shed and why did he chase her? Why is it as if fate wanted to torment her? Why did something like this have to happen on Evelyn's parents' anniversary? Why is she always covered in disgrace? While her mind was filled with "why", Skyler held onto Sebastian, deeply embracing her downfall.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Outside the Eternal Rest Cemetery.
Skyler finds herself sitting inside a carriage, which was parked outside the cemetery's black metal gate.
She was looking down at her emerald green necklace with a frown as her body trembled from what happened. Everything was messed up. Literally made no sense at all, it was out of the ordinary. She discovered a body, vomited out of control, chased by the body only to be saved by a famous county investigator while in a sorry state.
—The eyeball. Seeing that eyeball roll in front of her gave her strange goosebumps across her arms.
While terrified, she felt something warm and wet licking her right arm. Turning her head, she came across to the dog with yellow fur sitting next to her licking her arm with a worried expression. The dog brown's eyes, filled with melancholy, mirror her own fear.
"Tell me Madam Hall, why were you at the cemetery today?" Sebastian's voice cut the silence, asking gently as he sat in front of her.
Skyler looked out the window at the gray sky, crossing her arms and touching her shoulders. "T-today… was the anniversary of my friend's parents' death. She… went home to receive guests, so I was about to leave the cemetery. B-but then… I saw this dog running away, as if… it was scared. So I went to see… maybe its owner was feeling sick."
She honestly said what she thought. She ran to see what was happening, maybe she could help someone. However, her decision, an innocuous decision, led her to a tragic event, witnessing an atrocity she wished she hadn't witnessed.
"B-but I never imagined seeing a dead person in front of my eyes and then chasing me!!" Skyler shouted, clutching the hem of her black dress. "I know, I was daft. Maybe if I had followed the dog instead of running over the shed, all this wouldn't happened."
She felt stupid. In the depths of her mind, she thought that if she had ignored the dog and walked out the cemetery normally, she would not have seen that rotting corpse, nor would she have encountered Sebastian Blackwood covered in mud and vomit.
Skyler smiled wistfully, fully tasting the bitterness after letting someone like Sebastian see her in that state after she spent minutes escaping from the corpse that was chasing her.
"And so the dog really found that scoundrel…" Sebastian wondered, frowning as he had his arms folded. "Forgive me if I seem rude, but could you tell me the name of this friend of yours with whom you went to the cemetery?"
"Evelyn, Evelyn Throne!" Skyler replied.
"Right, I almost forgot today was the anniversary… the situation now becomes complicated." Sebastian muttered to himself, lowering his gaze.
He then looked at Syler with a look of concern, his blue eyes gradually softened.
As the atmosphere grew tense in the carriage with unspoken emotions that overwhelmed her, Skyler looked away, staring nervously at her feet. She could do nothing but breathe, pursing her lips without even understanding the reason behind it.
The dog licked Skyler's arm again, barking softly. Seeing the dog's sorrowful look, Skyler patted its head, feeling the fur on her hand, smiling faintly, remembering that Benson made the same gesture when she was sad.
Skyler and Sebastian saw the door of the carriage open, seeing Cleo get in and sit next to Sebastian.
Skyler sighed, feeling grateful to Cleo for shattering the knife-edge atmosphere that had formed between her and Sebastian.
Cleo put the wet umbrella next to him, and took some photographs from the inside pocket of his vest. "Here art the photos thou desired."
He then looked out the window at the cemetery gate, and asked, "What shall we do with the cemetery?"
"We leave it open since today is Lady Throne's parents' anniversary, and I would not want to involve the nobles in this matter. I have already alerted the Hermit Exorcists to secretly guard the forest and not to let anyone in except us." Sebastian stared at the photos Cleo gave him.
Cleo looked at Skyler with a tense look as if he wanted to break her, and waved his right hand. "Yes, alright, but what shall we do with the lass? She's in really bad shape and she smells bad."
"I'm just hopeless…" Skyler's body began to tremble as Cleo's blunt words resounded in her mind.
She couldn't blame him; after all, she was just a woman in her nineteen who just recently vomited in the cemetery giving in to her urges. Cleo's words are the harsh truth, and she could only silently accept it as she looked away from him.
"Shut up! Do these seem like things to say at a time like this? Madam Hall was just chased by a zombie, and unlike us who are used to it, it is the first time for her." Sebastian yelled, raising his voice, "I would like to remind you that this is not something a lady should see."
Skyler looked at Sebastian astonished. His words for her were as though he wanted to deny the darkness within her, bringing her serenity.
A feeling arose within her, a mixture of serenity and bitterness that twisted inside her.
Cleo sighed awkwardly. "Yes, I understand, sorry, I shouldn't have said those things, is that alright?"
It would be an exaggeration to say that he was making fun of Skyler's nervousness, but that was how it felt for her.
Aware of her angst, Sebastian could not help but sigh, "Anyway, for now we are taking her to our headquarters."
Sebastian's words put Skyler off guard, causing her to skip a beat. It was like a flash of lightning passing through her.
"D-do you really want to take me to your detective agency?" Skyler asked, her lips trembling with an unexpected anticipation.
Sebastian placed the photos on his lap, his ethereal gaze became reassuring. "Well, that seems a plausible idea, considering you need a change of clothes."
Realizing what Sebastian said, Skyler's heartbeat quickened. She inwardly rejoiced, feeling a mix of glimmer of hope and joy grow inside her.
Cleo huffed in frustration, raising his eyebrow as he relaxed his shoulders. "If I have to say, this is the worst year. Not only three lasses died in recent months at the hands of the same killer, but we also have to find the thieves who robbed that Sammer."
Sebastian took a photograph, and coughed twice. "Instead of complaining, were you able to establish the time of death of Mr. Coy?"
Cleo put his foot on the black seat in front, waving his hand as he looked at Sebastian. "Based on the parasites and stiffness of his body, I'd say he died about a week ago."
Sebastian frowned at the photo while stroking his smooth chin. "It coincided just when Mr. Sammer saw his shop ransacked."
"It's the first time I've witnessed a conversation between Wraithcrow's, and now they even want to take me to their agency!" Skyler rejoiced in excitement as she petted the dog from head to tail, feeling her pale fingers sink into its soft yellow fur.
Reading countless newspapers related to Sebastian and the Wraithcrows, she wondered what it would be like to see them in action with her own eyes, and now that wish was about to be fulfilled before her.
Before then all that was just a fervent dream of her, but in May, she had not only had the opportunity to speak with a famous detective, but now she was on the verge to see him in action. It was an event that brought a warm connection to her heart.
Although her sense of disgust due to the zombie was vivid in both her mind and body, she shook her head, trying to forget what she saw. Then, she tried to listen carefully to the conversation between Sebastian and Cleo.
Cleo jerked his thumb at the dog, "If it wasn't for Rahold, it would've taken us longer to find that rascal." He paused, straightening his back. "See if the thief was killed or not."
Sebastian gently placed the photo on his lap next to the others. Closing his eyes and tilting his head up, he relaxed his shoulders as a pale yellow-white aura released as he concentrated.
"Eh! What… is going on? Is that a Daredevil power?" Skyler was stunned by what she was witnessing.
Before then, she had never seen anything like this in person. She felt as if she had a lot to discover. Suddenly, the four photos that were on Sebastian's legs floated upright at the height of his face.
"S-sorry Mr. Wraithcrow, but why i-is your colleague in that state?" Skyler asked nervously, her lips trembling as she looked for an answer to what she was seeing.
Cleo, who was sitting adjacent to Skyler, sighed. "Thou can call me Cleo. Thou can relax, he's only using his Daredevil powers to carry out the investigation."
"A Daredevil? But then that thing I saw before…" Skyler lowered her head shakily.
Just before she was rescued by Sebastian and Cleo, she saw a jagged figure slice the zombie in half. It was something she could not ignore in any way, also because it was something she had never seen before.
Still stroking the sleeping dog's fur, Skyler asked, "I'm sorry, so… all of you are Daredevil's? A-and what was that black thing wielding a sword?"
"Ah, what question art thou asking? Of course we do, otherwise, we couldn't work as Wraithcrow. And then, that 'black thing' was my shadow double that I had summoned. Interesting, right?" Cleo shuffled towards the carriage door. "And now excuse me, but I've to tow the horse to the headquarters."
While Cleo had exited the carriage, closing the door behind him, Skyler continued to look with her mouth half open at Sebastian in that state. To her it was like he was in a trance state that he was hovering in the air.
She was mesmerized and amazed, eyeing his blonde hair blowing as if a breeze was magically blowing around him.
After the horses neighed and the carriage drove off, Sebastian opened his eyes. His hair returned to normal, while the four photos all rested gently on his legs.
Stroking his chin, Sebastian said, "He committed suicide. There were burn marks on the temple from which he shot himself, and furthermore, if we ignore your footprints, those of Madam Hall and the dog, those of the thief were the only ones present in the shed."
"Let me guess, he took his own life trying to become a Daredevil?" Cleo laughed, pulling the horses.
"You guessed it." Sebastian paused, his voice turning deep. "Mr. Coy made preparations to read the grimoire in order to enter the Aries Class, but he was possessed by an evil wraith in the process, and as a result, he shot himself."
"I expected it, seeing as he's not even baptized." Cleo stated.
"How one mistake can cost your life." Sebastian straightened his back, placing the photos in the inside pocket of his vest. "We must carry out an inspection and confiscate both the grimoire and all the objects, but the priority now is to inform the captain of what happened. Then we will look for his accomplice."
Skyler, who had been listening to the conversation until then, forced a smile and asked curiously, "E-excuse me, but what do you mean by baptized? By any chance… are you referring to the baptisms that take place in church, and which is… a necessary thing?"
Sebastian frowned, his gaze as sharp as a needle, and in an even more serious voice he said, "Absolutely. If you want to become a Daredevil you have to be baptized by the Churches."
Sebastian then took a breath, and still in a serious voice, he continued, "But getting baptized reduces your chances of being possessed by evil entities while reading a grimoire. I was hoping not to encounter any incidents related to Daredevils."
"Steady thyself. Even though such incidents art becoming scarce, evil cults and sects persist in causing trouble for the county." Cleo added.
Sebastian twitched his lips. "Sadly, I have to agree with you, and it is really difficult to keep their paranormal activities secret from the journalist. Well, at least no problem has arisen yet."
"That's why Countess Throne said that Evelyn had risked her life at that time, she hadn't been baptized at that time… Oh Evelyn, how did you think of doing such a thing?" Skyler tilted her head slightly, thumb and forefinger resting on her chin, a small frown creasing her brow.
Her mind was wandering in thoughts. Although she knew about Daredevil thanks to her father, she had never seen anyone use such powers.
Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had never been involved with the police or paranormal investigators since she moved to Prestwich City along with Benson. But the fact that this month she was involved in a supernatural case, she had the opportunity to discover new aspects about Daredevil's world.
As the atmosphere became so tense that it suffocated her, she thought back to her best and precious friend who was probably talking to the noble guests.
"Even risk getting possessed by the evil entities just to see her parents again… thanks to the Son Agnes stopped her in time." Skyler looked out the window at the orange-tilted buildings and gas lamps lining the gray cobblestone street. "But I still don't know what the requirements are to become a Daredevil. I want to ask, but…"
—"We Wraithcrow's are exposed to tragedies and death."
Thinking back to Sebastian's words from that evening as her eyes were turned towards him, Skyler shook her head, a sense of disgust welled up inside her as she covered her lips with her hand.
"Is something wrong, Madam Hall?" Sebastian asked, his gaze growing concerned.
Skyler forced a smile, trying to ease the mood, "No, it's nothing significant."
She looked out the window, her mind deep in thought.
"Anyway, I'm not sure he'll tell me, especially after what he told me. I just hope Klein can give me some answers." Skyler wondered to herself.
Struggling to forget what had happened in the shed, she felt a sense of determination growing within her, curious to get deeper into the matter. The carriage moved further and further away from the cemetery.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
West Mennork.
The carriage in which Skyler and Sebastian were aboard stopped of a building on Scafuri Street, the black horses neighed, stamping their hooves in the stone street.
The building had a stoic rustic facade punctuated by rows of windows that seemed to silently bear witness to the eeriness.
Cleo opened the carriage door. "We've finally arrived! Who knows what Luvenia shall look like when she finds out that we've brought a lass with us."
"I cannot even imagine it, but I hope she does not go too far." Sebastian elegantly exited the carriage, holding Skyler's hand as she stepped out.
Skyler placed her hand on her chest, and asked with concern. "Excuse me, but who is Luvenia?"
"Thou shall see…" Cleo giggled, walking towards the building.
Skyler looked at the building, seeing that to the right of the grayish-brown wooden door was a sign that said 'Wraithcrow Headquarters on the second floor'. She felt something wet and warm on her heel and tilted her head, seeing the dog lick her heel.
She curled her lips, turning her gaze towards the isolated building. Seeing Sebastian and Cleo enter, she started to join them, a breeze blew around her with a whoosh.
"It's the first time I've come to this district since I moved to Prestwich City." A thought flashed through Skyler's mind as she climbed the tan shaft stairs, making them creak with every step she took.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
As they reached the second floor, Cleo knocked several times on the smooth door. The sound echoed slowly but rhythmically as he opened the door, making it creak.
Cleo placed the umbrella next to the door. "Hey Luvenia! We're back with new informations."
Skyler walked in with Sebastian and the dog, seeing a woman with long cobalt hair tied into a ponytail with blue eyes, a bridge nose, and smooth cheekbones. She wore a long black dress, having a silver pendant around her neck.
Luvenia put both arms behind her, curving her lips, "Oh, I see you're back, but… who is that lady?"
Whilst Luvenia crossed her arms, Skyler looked away, clutching the hem of her dress tightly, feeling the heaviness of the bluish-haired woman's gaze.
Sebastian gently placed his hand on Skyler's shoulder. "Her name is Skyler Hall. Sadly she has been caught up in the investigation and she needs a change of clothes."
Skyler's eyes shone, feeling as if Sebastian's words and deeds melted her cold, tense body. A smile formed on her face, seeing the dog rub his head on her legs, its soft fur gave her goosebumps.
"Alright, no problem for me…" Luvenia placed her index finger on the edge of her lower lip. "Come with me, Miss Hall."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Luvenia walked towards a small corridor with only four doors on each side. Skyler placed her hat on the small round brown table that was to her right, and followed her nervously.
"Wow, that's amazing. I never thought I'd set foot in their investigative headquarters. It must be the kind of experience you only get once in a lifetime." Thoughts raced through Skyler's mind as she walked silently, following the woman in front of her.
"Oh I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet." Luvenia turned, lifting the ends of her dress and bending her legs and back. "My name is Luvenia Sherry, and I'm the receptionist of the Wraithcrow's."
"N-nice to meet you." Skyler replied, forcing a pathetic smile as she tilted her head.
Luvenia smiled, and pointed her hand towards the last door on the left. "Please wait here whilst I bring you a change of clothes. In the meantime, you can use the bathroom to wash your face."
Luvenia bowed her head cordially and went towards the first door on the right which creaked open.
Skyler entered the women's bathroom, whose floor rhombus tiles were pink white. She rinsed the bronze lever on the sink, letting the water run, and rinsed her face, feeling a shiver down her spine as the cold water ran over her pale hands.
She looked at herself in the bronze mirror with intricate designs hanging on the wall as she dried her face with a white towel.
"I bring a new change for you. I haven't worn it in years, so I shall give it to you." Luvenia said.
Skyler turned, seeing Luvenia showing her a long brown dress with a white billowy collar.
"B-but no, you d-don't need to give it to me, I c-can give it back to you another day." Skyler stammered, her mouth half open in shock.
Luvenia smiled and expressed in a calm voice. "You can rest assured, I don't need it anymore, and besides, it would suit you very well. Don't make any fuss and accept it."
Skyler nodded silently, surrendering to Luvenia's convincing words. She gently took the dress, feeling the soft fabric, closed the bathroom door and took off the black dress, putting on the new one.
She opened the door, taking a couple of steps.
"It looks great on you Miss Hall." Luvenia exclaimed, clasping her hands.
"I've never seen a lady like that, who knows how long she's been working…" Skyler looked at Luvenia strangely.
She was dumbfounded by Luvenia's sunny demeanor, which was in stark contrast to her own. She felt like her behavior was too sunny compared to the hard work of the Wraithcrow's. She then took the brown bag that was leaning against the door, and put her dirty dress inside.
"Miss Sherry, c-can I ask you a question?" Skyler asked, taking the bag with her.
As they walked side by side, Luvenia smiled. "Of course, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"I-I was wondering, how… how long have you been working here!?" Skyler squeezed the bag between her fingers. "Oh my, how embarrassing… did I seriously scream like that?"
Her cheeks turned red as her lips and body trembled. She was embarrassed, she just made a fool of herself. After she screamed, she just wanted to forget about how bad she looked and disappear completely from the headquarters.
"Don't be shy around me." Luvenia chuckled, sitting down on the brown couch near the main entrance. "I've been working here since January as I moved here from Aetheria Kingdom. Ah! You know, we Wraithcrow work with the church and the police on behalf of an organization."
"For an organization?" Skyler muttered as she sat down next to Luvenia.
Luvenia placed both hands on her thighs. "For the Key of Eternal Flame, one of the Holy Saint Organization. Did you know that this is an organization that works with the army and churches in various counties of Steatha?"
"No, the only thing I knew was that you were paranormal investigators and that you work with churches and Hermit Exorcists." Skyler tilted her back, picking up the hat resting on the round table.
This was new information that surprised her. Her heart raced as she covered her lips with her hand frowning.
Luvenia put her index finger to her lips, smiling. "Let me make something clear to you. Our division only works in Prestwich City, precisely in Conan County."
Skyler looked at Luvenia stunned. For her, everything Luvenia was saying was new. A whole new world that she was exploring and struggling to understand with all the implications that came with it.
Looking at Skyler under pressure, Luvenia waved her left hand with airiness. "Let me explain; The Wraithcrow work in several branches of the counties of the Republic of Steatha, and our branch works with that of Conan County."
"Now many things explain themselves. Miss Luvenia must be very confident if she told me all these things.It's really intriguing, but…" A memory surfaced in Skyler's mind as she still held her hand over her lips.
The image of the decaying man and the yellowish eyeball that rolled over her with the brown pupil was still vivid in her mind despite her vain attempts to forget it. Even though it was thanks to its discovery that she was able to visit the Wraithcrow headquarters, she felt that the rotten corpse would haunt her in dreams.
"It's incredible that people like that see such disgraces as if it were nothing." A bitter smile formed on Skyler's face as she embraced the harsh nature of Wraithcrow's work.
She nervously watched the front door open, seeing Cleo walk in with Sebastian.
Cleo coughed a couple of times, as if to clear his throat, and said in a hoarse voice. "Oy Luvenia, don't bother this lass with thy middle-aged nonsense."
"Who did you take me for? One of those vipers of the Daemon Realm?" Luvenia laughed lightly, resting her hands on her thighs.
Sebastian pulled a silver pocket watch from his trousers pocket. "Anyway, it is getting late, I am taking Madam Hall home in the carriage."
Skyler abruptly stood up from the couch. "N-no need, I can very well go back—"
Just before she finished, a realization she hadn't counted on hit her. "That's right, I left my bag in my room since I just had to go to the cemetery with Evelyn, and I don't have enough money to go home."
Skyler slumped onto the couch in embarrassment, placed her hand on her forehead and checked her black dress.
Inside she noticed that she only had two pounds in coins—enough for a journey to Center Mennork to North Mennork. However, being in West Mennork meant the price would be double. As she realized this, she lowered her head, rubbing her temples while her mind was in turmoil.
"Do not worry." Sebastian's voice was reassuring as took Skyler's bag and hat. "I am taking Madam Hall home, I will not be long."
"Be back before 8. We need to meet with Captain Gustaf regarding the case." Cleo touched his hair.
"Thank you for reminding me of something I already knew." Sebastian laughed faintly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Whilst Sebastian walked out the door, Skyler picked up the bag containing her dress and necklace and dutifully bowed her head to both Cleo and Luvenia.
She then followed Sebastian, her footsteps creaking shrilly as she closed the door behind her.
"See you Miss Skyler, come visit us from time to time!" Luvenia exclaimed happily.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Seeing the door close, Cleo coughed once, and said with a serious tone. "Thou art strange… Thou art very cold with younger lasses, but today thou were kind and friendly with her."
"You misunderstood everything, my dear Cleo. I was just amazed by her look, that's all." Luvenia twisted a smile, her brow furrowed as she looked at Cleo.
In a dirtier voice, she added. "Her eyes… are those of a woman who has experienced death and hell."
Cleo stuck his hands in his trousers pocket, his lips curling. "Mhh… interesting… if thou say so, then that lass has a lot to tell."