It took a while for Liam’s tears to stop, maybe because he had been keeping them inside for a long time. His nose was bright red, probably from blushing, and when I let him go, he immediately looked away. He was still acting the same, but somehow he didn’t look as bitter as before.
“Let’s go back.” I offered him my hand, which he cautiously took.
We started walking back to the orphanage, holding hands. Even though we had been running so fast, we had done it for such a short time that we hadn’t gotten all that far.
“What’s your name anyway?” Liam asked me bluntly.
“I’m Katarina. I plan to visit the orphanage again when I have the time, so let’s be friends, okay?”
“Hm-mm.” He nodded.
I was so happy seeing him answer like that, especially when compared to the annoyed looks he used to give me, that I felt the need to pat his head.
“Wh-What are you doing?!” he squeaked, blushing and trying to push my hand away.
That’s so cute, I thought, grinning to myself, when I heard a voice.
“You two seem to be having fun.”
Someone was standing in front of us, but I couldn’t tell who it was because they were wearing a hood that covered most of their face.
Who’s this? A friend of Liam’s?
The person in the hood slowly walked toward us before pulling her hood back and showing us her smiling face.
“It’s been a while, Katarina Claes,” she spoke.
It was a black-haired girl who looked familiar. She was in the mansion where Keith was held after being kidnapped!
“I know you! You—”
“I’m glad you remember me,” she interrupted, smiling again.
She didn’t look like she wanted to harm us, but Larna had warned me that this girl was a dangerous Wielder of Darkness who didn’t think twice about hurting people. After all, Keith’s life was endangered because of her. I moved in front of Liam, shielding him from her.
“Aw, you’re scared of me? That makes me sad,” she claimed, but her lips were still curled in the same creepily unchanging smile.
“What do you want?” I asked her while taking a step back.
“I actually have some business with that boy there.” She pointed at Liam.
She wants to do something to him?! He can’t stay here then! It’s too dangerous!
“Liam. Run to the orphanage,” I told him as he stood behind me.
“But…” He hesitated, probably understanding that something was off.
“You’re a fast runner. I want you to run there and find the man called Cyrus. He’s one of the people who came with me to the orphanage. Can you ask him to come here? Please.” I smiled while pleading with him, trying not to scare him, and he quickly nodded and started running.
“Oh my,” the girl chirped, looking at him getting farther away, but I stood in front of her.
“I won’t let you touch him.” I stared at her as angrily as I could. I didn’t really think that I could win in a fight against her, since she could use Dark Magic much better than me, but at least I could hope to buy myself time until Cyrus, who actually stood a chance, got here.