Aren's grip didn't loosen. In fact, it tightened slightly, just enough to remind her how close she was to death.
"Who sent you?" he repeated, his voice as cold and sharp as a blade sliding across stone.
Valerie's breath hitched. Her eyes darted between the dagger at her throat and Aren's face ; calm and unreadable, but with a fierce fire burning in his gaze. She swallowed hard, her entire body trembling.
"I… I don't know his real name," she finally stammered. "He wore a mask. Black. Smooth, like polished obsidian. He called himself the Warden of Silence."
Aren's brow tightened. The name meant nothing to him ; but in his hand, the dagger pulsed faintly, its spirit whispering through his thoughts like a cold wind.
Valerie's eyes darted to the side, her voice trembling as she continued.
"The Warden… he captured my little sister. He promised to release her only if I killed you — the Laughing Blade. I've been searching for you for three days now. I heard rumors you had just escaped with a lady from the palace, so I figured you would head this way."
Aren stood still, his mind racing. He glanced at the dagger on the ground, its spirit humming quietly.
"Is she telling the truth?" Aren asked in a low, careful voice.
"Yes," the dagger replied, its whisper steady and clear. "She's telling the truth. She didn't lie."
Hearing this, Aren's grip loosened slightly, though he still kept the blade near her. His other hand lowered the dagger just a bit, but he didn't let her move.
Valerie's eyes widened in shock. She stared at the talking dagger, her face draining of color. Fear and disbelief battled across her expression.
Aren watched her carefully, studying every tiny movement. Finally, after a long moment, he released her. She stumbled a step back, gasping for breath, her hand flying to her throat."Then tell him you didn't find me," Aren said, his voice calm but firm.
Valerie looked at him in pure surprise. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.
"He… he said that if I didn't return with your head, he would kill her," she finally whispered, her eyes welling with desperation.
Aren stood silent for a moment, then lifted his gaze to meet hers directly. His eyes were sharp, but there was something steady and reassuring in them."Then we'll make a plan," he said quietly, but with unwavering resolve.
Valerie stared at him, completely stunned. In that moment, she realized he wasn't the heartless killer she had been told about - he was something else entirely.
"You're really going to help me…? You should have killed me. Why didn't you?" she asked, her voice trembling with confusion.
Aren looked at her, his expression serious. "Be happy I didn't. Maybe your little sister is the one I'm thinking of… If not for her, things might have gone differently," he said, trying to keep his voice stern, though deep down, he felt like himself — calm and steady.
"Where would I find this Warden you speak of?" he asked next. He planned to consult the dagger later, but he wanted to hear her version first.
Valerie swallowed hard, then nodded. "He moves around, but I think we can find him at the Whispering Pools. That's where I first met him. I tried to fight him there… but I wasn't strong enough."She paused, her eyes darkening with the memory. "He believed that maybe I would be able to defeat you, so that's why he sent me."
Aren let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "I think he can't take me down. His mind isn't stable. And he said you could defeat me?" He gave her a sharp, almost playful look. "Look at you now."
Valerie lowered her gaze, shame burning on her face, but a flicker of relief crossed her eyes at his unexpected mercy.
The unexpected
Valerie raises her head slowly, her eyes no longer soft but cold and sharp. A dark smile spreads across her lips. "You really believed me?" she whispers. Then she lunges at Aren with a hidden blade, eyes burning with unexpected fury.