*6 months later*
Lisa POV
It had been six months since I came to live with Mr. Lucas, Mrs. Harper, and Mrs. Ramona. Time flew by so fast, that it almost didn't feel real. I still called them "Mr." and "Mrs." even though they told me I didn't have to. It felt...proper, I guess. Like I was respecting them for everything they'd done for me.
Today, Mrs. Harper picked me up from school like she always did. She waved at me with a big smile as I ran up to her, my bag bouncing against my side. The other kids sometimes stared, probably because she was so pretty, but I didn't mind. I grabbed her hand as we started walking toward their new bakery.
When we got inside, I set my bag down on one of the chairs in the corner. The smell of freshly baked bread and cookies filled the air, and the warm, cozy atmosphere made me feel at home. The bakery had customers from the moment it was open till the afternoon, it's really popular among traveling caravans who are stopping by for rest, so they have to keep baking till I left school.
"Lisa, did you have a great time today?" Mrs. Ramona asked. as she came to check up on me.
"Yes, we're learning multiplications today. And I can also read everything in class now."
"Do you have any homework that you need help with?"
"Yes. Can you help with my math homework?"
"Yes, of course."
I sat down at the table and opened my notebook. Mrs. Ramona sat beside me, helping me with the tricky parts while Mrs. Harper helped a customer pick out some pastries.
"Here," Mr. Lucas said, sliding a small plate of cookies and a cup of tea in front of me, "We got some extra cookies."
"For me?"
"Of course. You've been working so hard."
"Luke, you know better than to give her snacks before dinner." Mrs. Ramona frowned and crossed her arms.
"What's wrong with that? You had some."
"She's a growing girl, she should have something more healthy."
"You worry too much."
"And you worry too less."
*****
Lucas POV
It was late, and I was already in bed when the knock came at the door. I groaned, wondering who would show up at this hour. I expanded my senses and felt that it was Riley, which was weird. Pulling on a shirt, I made my way to the door. When I opened it, Riley stood there, looking unusually frantic.
"Riley?" I asked, stepping aside to let her in, "What's going on?"
"Jacob Sanders has been assassinated." She didn't waste any time.
"Huh?"
"And that's not all," she continued, pacing the room as she got in, "The royal palace of the Western Vale Kingdom has been destroyed, and many of their strongest guards have been found dead."
"Alright, let's sit down, I'll boil some water for coffee."
"Magic residuals at the scene...They closely resemble Carter Hayes'."
*****
"...There's no official accusation," Riley explained as she concluded everything she remembers about the report, "Not yet. The Western Vale Kingdom isn't in any position to make an enemy out of one of the 10 heroes, not after losing their heir and so many of their best fighters. But…"
"But what?" I pressed her as I poured her more coffee.
"But the Eastern Sun Empire might have another hero on their side, Carter couldn't have done this alone. Only the bodies of the Western Vale's mages were found, but no one else. Not a single enemy casualty and the bodies didn't resemble something that Carter would do, he's more destructive. His squad members have been reported back at the empire, but they've been moving suspiciously."
"The Western Vale Kingdom...Carter...too many things are happening at once."
"...I came here because there's a rumor, Lucas."
"A rumor?"
"There's talk that Carter is coming for Harper next."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know, but I think you might want to move, at least, just temporarily. We need this to blow over."
"I would say to try and reason with the guy, but if the guy wants something, he's going to go for it."
"...Why? Do you want to set a trap instead?"
"Either way, I have to fight him, I might as well do it somewhere with no civilians."
"I'll help you."
"Just make sure there's no interference because I think I can take Carter."
"You might want to take your necklace off, suppressing your powers isn't going to help your case. Carter is known for going his all." Riley advised.
"...Do you think you can move my family? I'll go talk with Carter for a bit, try and find out what he wants...and if it's as the rumours say...I'll try to reason with him for a bit, it most likely won't work, but...I'll have to try."
"I haven't seen you serious in quite a while, especially since your womanizing days."
"Let's not talk about that."
*****
3rd Person POV
Carter woke up to the soft light streaming through the silk curtains of his bedroom. Around him, the women he'd chosen to entertain him the night before were still asleep. He pushed a few of them away and got up to wash himself. After a long, hot shower, he stepped out into the cool morning air of his private courtyard.
It was peaceful until a voice cut through the quiet.
"You seem comfortable, Carter." The voice said.
Carter froze, his senses sharpening instantly. He turned his head, scanning the courtyard, but there was no one there.
"Behind you," the voice said again.
Carter turned slowly. From the shadows of the courtyard's towering trees, a familiar white-haired figure emerged. Lucas stepped forward, his expression calm but made sure that his presence was impossible to ignore compared to his earlier hidden presence.
"Lucas," Carter said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I came to confirm something." He replied.
"Confirm what?"
"The rumors. Are you going after Harper Blackwood?"
"And if I am?"
"Well, I'll let you know that she's Harper Silver now, she's my wife. If you think I'll let you anywhere near her with no good reason, you're mistaken."
"You must love her a lot...hahaha...HAHAHAHA." Carter laughed, "It'll be quite entertaining if I get to use her in front of you."
"...What?"
"I liked her first, but I only recently learned that she's tainted. I made a deal to go after her, and I plan to stick to that till the end."
"That's it? That's why you want Harper?" Lucas questioned.
"So?"
"Did you kill Jacob?"
"Of course I did, catching an archer off-guard in his sleep made it easier."
"You're not going to hide it?"
"Quite frankly, I find you other heroes in my way. Power. Women. Control. I want it all, Lucas. And the righteous ways of you and the others? You're a problem. You'll stand in my way with your stupid morality and justice."
"What are you? Some 3rd-rated villain, why are you talking like this?"
"If going after her means I have to deal with you, then great. Eliminating you is just another step toward my goal."
"Carter..."
"Don't act like you can do anything you support mage." Carter sneered, "You should be glad, your girl will live, unlike Jacob's wife, who had to watch her husband and children die before I slit her throat. I've made my decision. I'm coming for Harper. You can't stop me, so save yourself the trouble and give me an address. Somewhere we can settle this without civilian casualties. Otherwise…I'll come to your little town, and I promise, Lucas, it won't be pretty."
Lucas met Carter's gaze, and neither backed down.
"The Purple Forest. If you're so determined, meet me there." Lucas said.
Without another word, Lucas turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows as silently as he had arrived. Carter stood there for a moment, the anticipation of the confrontation already sparking a twisted excitement in his chest.
"Soon," Carter muttered to himself as a grin crept across his face.