At the top of the hill, just before the steps to the front door, Sophia knelt ceremoniously with her wolf crouched down behind her.
Her eyes shut and her face void of all emotions, she listened to the night.
"You know you can't get past me like that, right?"
Then she opened her eyes, staring straight ahead at the path down the hill—and as if stepping out of an invisible veil, Raynoel appeared.
"And pass up this opportunity? I wouldn't even dream of it," he grinned as he unsheathed his two blades.
"No wonder my uncle allowed me to come this far. It's because you were here…" he chuckled. "Wait, does that mean he believes you can stop me?" He laughed, genuinely amused.
Sophia slowly rose to her feet.
