Chapter 46: Shadow Hall
Blonde, blue-eyes, long eyelashes, and dressed in a different outfit than yesterday. An armour-like bodice hugged her form, while a flowing purple skirt allowed freedom of movement. It must have cost a fortune, especially for someone like her. Yet Samantha, whose facial expression had veered between sorrow and desperation, was swimming in excitement. Her lips were open in tiny giggles as a black-haired man with a sharp nose, light skin, and an average male build coated in chainmail cracked jokes.
"Samantha," Dasha greeted.
Samantha spun on her feet, still giggling, and glowered. "It's you! Um..."
The black-haired man beside her lifted a hand. "Dasha! Hey!"
A curt greeting. "Alex."
To think he would encounter him yet again. The Blood Pact was still in effect, his memories of the battle with Paul forgotten. He did see a kindle of confusion in him. Was it from the Blood Pact? Or something else?
"Oh, yes! Dasha!" Uncertainty dissipated as Samantha gestured to Alex. "This is Alex. I guess you already know him, huh? I hope you don't mind but I want him to join us too."
"Sure."
Samantha blinked. "Really? Thank you! I feel so safe! You know, Alex is actually training at the Sapphire Order academy. He's strong!"
Alex scratched his cheek with his finger. "Aw, you'll make me blush. I got lucky."
On the surface level, the two got along swimmingly. Alex exuded confident strength, and Samantha required a beacon of strength to siphon from. One person giving compassion, the other desiring it. Dasha's interest lasted all but two seconds. His eyes took note of their surroundings and dove into another analysis.