My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Her small head leaned against Damon’s chest, doing her best to fight the drowsiness creeping over her, but failing miserably. After all, she was still just a child, and children needed sleep.

Evangeline watched quietly from across the carriage. It was getting late anyway. Before long, they would have to stop and make camp for the night.

”I really don’t understand why we didn’t just use a teleportation gate.” She complained, glancing sideways at Damon who was carrying Ranar in his arms.

”Yeah no... I’d rather not get caught in uncontrolled space when beings that can mess with space-time are on the loose. Last time I got screwed over by Ittorath in the Demon Continent. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Evangeline was certain that wasn’t the full truth, but he sounded far too insistent for it to be a casual preference. There had to be something else behind his caution.

And there was.

Damon Grey did in fact have a very good reason.

If his suspicions were right and Aetherus, the god of their world, had truly awakened, then teleporting directly into the Holy City was the absolute worst decision imaginable.

Walking in gave him time.

Time to observe.

Time to think.

Time to figure out just how bad things had become.

Still, he decided to distract himself with small talk.

”So... how’s the war coming along?”

Evangeline slowly turned toward him, one brow arching upward.

”Are you making small talk?”

”No.” He answered immediately, awkwardly shifting his shoulders.

She stared at him for a few seconds.

”You really are up to something, aren’t you. That expression is practically oozing suspiciousness.”

She crossed her arms beneath her chest, narrowing her eyes slightly as she studied him.

”I didn’t know you had mind reading skills.” Damon asked, already knowing the answer.

”I don’t.”

”Could have fooled me.”

Evangeline exhaled softly and looked away.

At this point she wasn’t even going to bother pressing him. They were both adults now.

It would not reflect well on their grandfather if the two of them kept bickering like children every time they spoke.

Outside, the heavy sounds of the large convoy echoed through the quiet evening.

Dozens of carriages rolled steadily across the road while soldiers marched alongside them, armor shifting with each synchronized step.

The rhythmic thunder of movement filled the silence between them.

Then Evangeline suddenly spoke again.

”What exactly were you doing the night we visited the Ravenscroft Estate?”

Damon’s expression remained perfectly calm.

Internally, however, alarms were going off.

Well... he certainly couldn’t tell her he had spent the night sleeping with the princess.

”I was discussing matters at length with Xander.” He lied smoothly.

Evangeline didn’t react.

Not even slightly.

She simply nodded.

”I see.”

She paused.

Then added casually.

”I had no idea Xander possessed a clone ability... or could exist in two places at once.”

Damon’s lips twitched faintly.

She continued.

”Considering he was in the main hall all night thanking everyone who came to support him and his family.”

Silence.

Damon slowly inhaled.

Then straightened his back.

”Are you calling me, Damon Grey, Holy Child, Hero of the Goddess Races...”

He pointed dramatically at himself.

”...a liar?”

She rolled her eyes so hard it looked physically painful.

Then answered in the flattest voice imaginable.

”Yes.”

”Hah... I... huh... you...”

He folded his arms and turned his face toward the window with exaggerated offense.

”Hmph. I have decided I feel insulted and no longer wish to continue this conversation.”

Evangeline nodded as if that was exactly the reaction she expected.

Which, frankly, it was.

Her fingers casually pressed a small button built into the side of the carriage.

A section of the outer carriage window shifted, revealing the road outside.

Cold evening wind drifted inward.

”Oh, would you look at that.”

She smiled faintly.

”We’re almost at the campsite.”

She glanced sideways at him.

”Just a few more days before we reach the Holy City.”

Then her smile slowly deepened.

”Speaking of campsites...”

Damon immediately narrowed his eyes.

Something about that expression was deeply concerning.

”I hope you don’t mind...”

She tilted her head innocently.

”...but we’ll have to share this one.”

Damon raised an eyebrow.

Confused.

Evangeline’s smile somehow became even more sinister.

”Oh, it’s nothing really.”

She rested her chin against her hand.

”I simply thought it would be better to travel with more allies during these difficult times.”

Her eyes shifted toward sleeping Ranar.

”For our sweet little Ranar of course.”

She paused.

”Unless you object.”

Damon stared at her for several seconds.

He was not buying any of this.

Not even slightly.

Slowly rocking Ranar in his arms, he squinted harder.

”Who did you invite?”

Evangeline’s smile widened with dangerous satisfaction.

Without answering, she simply gestured toward the road outside.

Damon followed her gaze.

In the distance, several banners were approaching the convoy.

His lips twitched violently.

Still, somehow, he forced out a smile.

A very painful smile.

”Oh...”

He stared at the approaching insignia.

”You don’t say...”

His eye twitched.

”...we’re traveling with the princess.”

Ahhh things were awkward now. If he had been by himself he would have simply dived into a shadow and disappeared. Sadly he was no longer privileged enough to live the life of a loner.

They soon stopped at the campsite, the setting sun painting the world in dying orange embers as daylight slowly surrendered to night.

Abellona stepped out and immediately her eyes found Damon.

She wore her usual calm expression, one so casual and composed it almost hid the fact that she was very clearly glaring at him.

And it was safe to say that look usually meant someone’s head was already on the chopping block.

Unfortunately for her Damon was high nobility.

Untouchable.

At least legally.

Damon gave her a small curt nod, greeting her as if absolutely nothing had happened between them.

”It has been a while princess. Many moons since we last met.”

Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

”We met three days ago before you decided to leave the capital.”

He cleared his throat awkwardly and shifted slightly where he stood.

”Ahem... ahem... must have slipped my mind. I am after all a very busy man.”

”Of course you are...” she replied slowly.

There was menace hidden beneath that calm voice.

Enough menace that the nearby knights and servants quietly began distancing themselves, instinctively unwilling to be caught in whatever strange tension was unfolding between the two.

He noticed.

Very wisely deciding retreat was the superior option, he cleared his throat again before glancing down at his daughter resting in his arms.

”Well would you look at that. It’s been a long day. Excuse me princess let me get my Ranar settled.”

Without waiting for permission he casually waved his free hand.

Space distorted slightly.

Then with the familiarity of someone retrieving his own belongings, a luxurious magical tent appeared before everyone.

A tent which by all rights belonged to Abellona.

Stolen from her.

Along with several other possessions.

Five years ago.

Her gaze immediately locked onto the tent.

Then slowly shifted toward him.

A thin smile spread across her lips.

The kind that made even battle hardened knights suddenly find great interest in being somewhere else.

He felt a chill crawl down his spine.

No words were spoken.

None were needed.

Intentions had already been conveyed.

And somehow...

He knew with absolute certainty.

She had not forgotten.