Book 1 Epilogue

I didn't know what happened after Oblivion. I had fought to stay conscious because a part of me didn't want to pass out in the middle of such chaos. Nevertheless, my body refused to listen, and when I finally came to, it was because of a large honking noise that rumbled down my bones and I jolted awake. I found myself wrapped in a thick blanket and, this time, I was being carried by Mistress Veronika. I gazed up to find her worried face and hastily looked around to look for everyone else. We were climbing up to board a tall ship by the seaside. The sun was already up high and bright. The seawater had a slight odor to it that I did not like.

Or maybe it was just me. I did go swimming where people weren't supposed to.

I saw Maun, Eren, and Mistress Kora. Maun looked ready to fall over from the lack of sleep, while Eren had slung herself on Kora's back, passed out. However, aside from them, all the other faces were unfamiliar. I looked everywhere but found no one else from the family I had known for the past decade.

"Mistress?" I groaned out.

"Evy," Veronika looked down to meet my eyes. "You're finally awake."

"Where's everyone?" I asked.

"We have had to scatter like frightened rats," Veronika replied. Her jaws clenched so hard that even the muscles on her forehead rippled. "Your mistresses have taken refuge in many other places. Lamia has a feeling that we've tapped into something bigger than initially expected and, considering what happened last night, they may come looking for you, Evy."

"Come looking for me?" I reiterated.

"Did you forget?"

I went silent. Right. I went on a full-on rampage last night basically. Recalling what happened, a sharp pain rose in my chest. Last night's events came washing over me like flood from a broken dam. Unbelievable coldness spread across my body from my stomach, causing frost to appear on my cheeks. My breath fogged upon exhale and I felt myself clamming up.

"Shh…Evy, no," Veronika told me.

"Let's hurry," Kora said, gazing at the state of me. "I think you shouldn't have brought it up just yet."

Mistress Veronika rushed up to board the ship. "It's not like I can't answer her question."

"I know. But there are things you can talk about another time," he argued.

"Why are you even blaming me?" Veronika bit at him.

"Argue later, you two," someone intoned.

"Papi," Mistress Veronika said, head rising to meet the man's eyes as he wobbled forward.

"Veron," Papi replied. His kind eyes melted with fondness as he saw us. "I was so worried when you came calling. It was a good thing I was nearby." He looked down to meet my eyes. Seeing the condition I was in, he beckoned us all away and guided us into the captain's cabin. "This way, this way."

The door was closed behind us and Mistress Veronika knelt with me on her lap. Kora reached for something in his pocket whilst balancing Eren on his back and handed it over to my other mistress in a hurry. Veronika accepted, popping the vial open and allowing a familiar scent to diffuse in the air. She tipped over the bottle quickly, twice or thrice, until she had enough of the solution on the tip of her finger. After which she dotted it on my forehead firmly.

Warmth immediately sunk down my skin. The coldness receded and I felt I was back to normal.

I held back the tears and hoarsely asked, "I'm sorry. Where are we?"

"You didn't forget me that soon, did you, Evy?" Papi asked with a flustered smile.

I shook my head. "I know, Papi. I remember. Is this your ship?"

"That's right. It was a good thing I hadn't made it very far just yet. I turned the ship around when I heard you guys were in trouble. What kind of trouble is it?"

"Venerya is locked in a civil war right now. We were caught in the middle of it," Kora replied. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this, Papi. We didn't know who else to ask for help."

"It's not a problem for me, but where will you go?" he prodded. "I can bring you anywhere you want if you have a place in mind."

"Take us to Lovarda," Mistress Veronika said. "There's a place I know we can go and hide for the time being."

"The Temple?" I guessed, my brows rising.

"Does that really count as hiding?" Kora inquired.

Mistress Veronika looked down to meet my eyes. There was no denial in them. "It's temporary, but I know we will be safe there. There's an influx of refugees from Vertvalden and that'll help cover our tracks for now, especially since we're coming in through a ship. It's temporary at best, and I doubt anyone would have the time to come after us with the situation back in Kilahad."

I looked at the two of my mistresses. It broke my heart to see the family I had known these years broken.

"Will you tell me everything?" I asked.

I had been clawing at the bits and pieces I picked up from conversations I accidentally eavesdropped on as well as the most recent confrontation. Some things were still not very clear to me. Although I had an idea, I was completely out of the dark.

Hearing my statement, they looked at me.

They exchanged glances.

"When we get to Lovarda," Mistress Veronika said.

More monks and kung-fu, then.