Surviving the Death Hunt

’Huh? Who’s this?’

Scar thought, confused.

Ray was dressed like a priestess, wearing a long black habit with wide sleeves and a veil that framed her face. A silver cross pendant hung around her neck, reinforcing her sacred theme as a nun.

She had the appearance of a fallen nun, maybe a cursed saint. But that wasn’t the shocking part. Ray was a child. She couldn’t be older than eighteen. How had she cared for his mother? Nuns took youth elixirs, he knew, but this woman should be sixty-something!

Scar’s throat tightened. How was he supposed to handle this? Call her Ray? Use some title? She looked young, sure, but still older than him. Did that require formality?

They stared at each other uncomfortably for a long moment. Up close, Ray’s eyes looked older and more mature, betraying her real age. Didn’t make this less tense though. Amber had abandoned him again, disappearing the second she’d made the introduction.

After another awkward moment, Ray gestured toward a balcony.

"Young Master, could we speak over there for a moment? Forgive me for saying this, but you seem too confused to deal with this on your own."

Scar nodded in understanding.

He didn’t know how they got there, but standing on the balcony beneath the scarlet moon, the awkwardness faded somewhat.

"You truly resemble your mother, Young Master. I had expected your father’s golden eyes, yet it seems fate granted you your mother’s beauty too."

Ray exhaled deeply.

"If I am being honest, I did not expect you to bear the golden eyes either. Perhaps I allowed my pessimism over your parents’ departure to cloud my judgment, but I believed fate would strip you of the Rovers’ pride as punishment."

Scar shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t know what to say. Ray was getting emotional. Emily had been like a daughter to her. She’d done what no slave was supposed to, fought for her freedom, and died before she could taste it.

"When I looked upon you earlier, it felt as though Emily herself stood before me. Whenever discomfort found her, her shyness betrayed her thoughts, just as yours did moments ago."

Ray took a deep breath.

"I’m glad... she was blessed with a wonderful child like you. Now, whenever I look at you, I can remember her."

Scar couldn’t imagine Ray’s pain, but he knew his own when his parents died. Terrible didn’t cover it. Sometimes he wished he’d been braver, had fought for them. He was supposed to be the one who died that day.

"I’ve heard so much about my mother lately... but the woman I grew up with was nothing like the one everyone describes."

Scar looked out over the courtyard, watching people chat and laugh without a care in the world. The way it should be.

"She was gentle, kind... sometimes even naive. She never scolded me, never once raised her voice. No matter what mistakes I made, when my father lost his temper, she would stand in front of me and protect me, convinced I didn’t know any better, even though I always did.

"Can you believe it? She was afraid of cockroaches. She’d panic whenever one appeared and call me to save her from it. I guess those were the only times she saw me as someone strong instead of her fragile little baby."

Scar smiled, feeling nostalgic already.

"I do not claim that what others say about her is false; I simply never came to know that side of her. You would understand her better than I ever could, considering you were the one who raised her."

Ray looked confused for a moment.

"You hold me in far too high regard, Young Master. Though I lived with Emily, I cannot claim to have raised her. My duty was merely to train her without mercy, so that she might one day surpass me as a nun. Had I been a true mother figure to her, she would surely have spoken of me to her cherished son."

Scar stayed quiet, letting her words linger. She was downplaying how much his mother meant to her. But he understood, she just needed permission to feel. More silence, and she’d open up.

"Your mother was unlike any child I’ve ever met. I first saw her in Montreal, when I accompanied your father to assist the injured after a Scarlet Kin attack. She was alone, her whole family buried beneath the ruins of their home. Yet, even faced with the corpses, she betrayed no sign of emotion.

"When I saw a child display such bravery, I immediately knew she would become the perfect nun. At that time, the Rover family prohibited bringing someone in to care for them, and even with your father’s influence, it was no simple matter. They proposed that I look after her elsewhere. They were willing to fund her care, but never within the estate itself.

"Strangely enough, Emily did something even I did not anticipate. She knelt before the Rangers and pledged her very existence to the Rover family. That was the sole reason they allowed her to remain.

"Throughout the time I spent with her, she never displayed a single emotion. She finished all her training in only seven years and was prepared for the elixir of youth by the age of twelve. Even I could not have imagined such a feat.

"Your mother was strong, capable of killing without a second thought. She operated best in the shadows, and her seemingly innocent appearance made her all the more formidable. Even as a child, God Killers considered her dangerous.

"There was a time when the Royal family of Barbados, along with several other powerful families and even the Romans, secretly tried to purchase her, despite knowing that a nun’s loyalty could not be bought. She was that remarkable. Everything shifted, however, when she reached your age and fell in love with your father.

She smiled awkwardly.

"Forgive me, but I cannot claim the memories you have of your mother. Between us, there was only the bond of teacher and pupil, fleeting though it was. Still, it brings me comfort that she became a loving mother, rather than the bloodthirsty monster we once feared."

Things were clicking into place. The Rover family couldn’t let his father marry his mother, and now Scar understood why.

Unlike Amber, who swore loyalty to Scar alone, Emily was different. She’d pledged herself to the entire Rover family. Marriage to Bryan would create another contract, demanding loyalty between husband and wife. Conflicting oaths.

There was nothing the Rovers could do except oppose the marriage. A nun’s loyalty was permanent. No revocation, no bargaining. Breaking it meant death.

He couldn’t help smiling. His parents had a forbidden romance, and he’d never even known.

Before Scar could say anything else, Ray hurried to speak.

"I appreciate sharing this moment with you, Young Master. It’s nearly time for your dance, and I wouldn’t wish to keep you any longer."

Scar replied with a smile, and Ray walked away.

He’d nearly forgotten about the dance. He’d had a few lessons on it but had no idea who he was even supposed to dance with. He just had to find Amber.

After savoring the breeze and thinking about his mother, he went back inside to find Amber. It took some searching, but he spotted her on a balcony with Valentine. Too far to be certain, but Amber looked like she was crying again. Valentine tried to console her, but nothing seemed to help.

This was the second time today he’d seen her crying. She’d refused to open up, so there wasn’t much he could do. They didn’t really know each other well enough.

While he stood there, stuck and uncertain, someone waved enthusiastically. Julien.

He hurried to join them. Purple was devouring sweets, Mingle looked calm as usual, and beside them stood an unfamiliar woman. Brown hair, red gown adorned with diamond lace.

The woman intercepted him before he reached the group, hand out for a shake. Standing this close, something about her struck him as Purple-like.

"Your cousins are handsome, yes, but I didn’t think anyone could outshine them... until you. You’re a breathtaking young man, and even the invincible nun can’t compare to your charms."

An awkward smile crossed Scar’s face. More compliments in one day than he’d ever received. Was it just the fancy clothes? He’d always looked the same, and nobody had noticed before.

Sure, he knew he was decent-looking, but this was excessive. The only other time he’d been complimented this much was as a kid, when Isaac took him shopping, and they’d score free items because of his appearance. He’d assumed people were just nice to children.

This woman couldn’t stop gushing about his appearance though. He hadn’t realized looks could generate this much attention. Maybe he was a lady killer after all.

Before the conversation went any further, Julien interrupted. Purple continued demolishing her sweets, unbothered.

"I think Scar’s getting uncomfortable. Mind holding on just a little while longer?"

’Oh, finally!’

Scar exhaled in relief.

"Scar, meet Marvel, Purple’s cousin. She came all the way here just to see you... though I have no idea why."

Scar shared the confusion. Marvel’s smile told him enough, though, whatever she and Purple were plotting wasn’t good. Still, he gave her a proper greeting before addressing Mingle.

"You’ve been busy! I have to say, I’m impressed. You’re really holding your own, especially for your first time."

Mingle said with a taunting chuckle.

Scar wasn’t concerned about that, though, there was something he needed to confirm.

"How’s Emma? Is she conscious now?"

Mingle’s expression darkened for a moment.

"She remains unconscious, though the reports indicate she could regain consciousness at any time."

Scar let out a relieved breath. He’d been thinking about Emma nonstop, even after getting revenge for her. The thought of her still unconscious weighed on him. But this was good news.

He continued having a detailed conversation with Mingle about Emma’s situation until suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the room, drawing everyone’s attention to the entrance.

His heart skipped a beat. Scar didn’t have to guess. No one else could give him this feeling — chills running through him, heart pounding with excitement. Haven.