Lucia returned to the makeshift room she and Father had just met in. The pile of food still sat on the table, untouched since he left. She rifled through the food: dried meat, four loaves of bread, two of which were soggy, and some cheese. She’d grown accustomed to the amount of food Father brought. When the food ran out, and she still had time to go before his next visit, she would sneak out at night to the ocean. She could swim freely in the ocean depths even with her unsightly disfigurements. Fish were hardly a problem to catch in the dark water. Occasionally, she would cautiously surface to see the outer castle walls. She could hear the hustle and bustle of people living lives she could not imagine. The drunken sounds of soldiers singing boisterous drinking songs. Her heart longed to be there. To see people and talk to people, but she knew that at a glance, she would be cast out or, worse, killed. She knew she didn’t look like the other humans in the castle. The pictures in the books Father brought reminded her every day.

She’d always questioned why she looked so different from the other people of Zyra, but no answers had ever come. Not at least from the books Father brought. He would act perturbed whenever she brought up the topic. In her books, there was sometimes mention of true descendants of Zyra. She didn’t know what it meant, so she tried not to ponder it too often. All she could do was wait for a future answer that had no guarantee of coming.

She sighed. But how she longed to visit the castle. There was no point dwelling on what couldn’t be. She was here, and thanks to Father, she had purpose. All her questions could wait. She had time.

After some looking, Lucia found a tattered wooden plate. She tore a loaf of bread in half and then placed it next to a chunk of cheese. With the plate in hand, she walked back to the man. Before turning the last corner, she pulled the thick hood over her face. She didn’t want to give him any reason to attack her again if he could even see in the darkness. He was still silently searching, looking for any movement or light. At the sound of her soft footsteps, he started to fight against the ropes. After a few seconds of struggling, he abruptly stopped and winced as his leg sent reminders of pain.

“You should eat,” Lucia said.

His eyes turned red again as he locked on to her location, a soft, muted red, nowhere near as vibrant as they’d been before. His hearing was terrifying. She’d read stories of the Descendants of Calos. Eyes that turned red at the slightest increase in blood pressure. Hearing that could detect the smallest rabbit's movements. Strength unrivaled by any creature. She was almost thankful he was so injured and most likely malnourished at this point. Before he was nearly killed, there was a slim chance the ropes would hold him back.

“Surely it’s poisoned,” His voice carried down the hall.

“If I eat some, would that dissuade you?”

“How would I know if you ate any?” His voice was hostile. “I can hardly see anything.”

Lucia had forgotten he couldn’t see. She was so accustomed to being in the dark it slipped her mind sometimes that not everyone could see. It was nice she wouldn’t have to wear the heavy, scratchy cloak.

“If I wanted to poison you, Why would I treat your leg first?”

His red eyes faltered ever so slightly before returning to the same color with new veracity. He didn't like getting caught in his words.

“I won't eat until you untie me,” He said. “How could I even eat?!”

“But how will I know if you won't kill me?”

“Well, I guess we are at an impasse then.”

His expression was almost smug as he stared blankly in her general vicinity. There was almost a smile on his face.

Would he really think I would feel guilty? She thought. He tried to kill me.

“No,” Lucia said. There was no chance she was intentionally going to untie him. “Are you a Descendant of Calos?”

His face grew even darker than before. “What do you think?”

“Then why would I untie someone stronger than the average man?”

“For all I know, you could have two heads and a third arm,” His face didn’t change. “I can guess that you can see me, which makes me guess you aren't entirely human.”

“I plan to let you go when you're fully healed.”

Lucia watched as his expression softened, and his eyes slowly faded back to the pale blue. The harsh, angry lines that creased into a sharp glare lessened until his face was relaxed again.

She continued, “I have your companions' belongings. They should be returned to their families. I have no right to keep them or give them to my Father.”

Much to Lucia’s surprise, the man's face showed genuine sorrow. A strange urge to comfort him came over her. She almost moved forward, but the pain in her side reminded her why she kept her distance.

“They had always watched over me, Kalin in particular.”

“I’m sorry. I searched their bodies for as many valuables as possible.”

“Thank you,” His eyes met hers again in the darkness. They were kind, all hints of red gone. The blue was clear, once again the moon's reflection on the sea. It was hard not to get sucked into its depths. A subtle sense of warmth emanated from them.

“May I ask you a question?” His voice was soft and low.

Lucia nodded before she remembered he couldn’t see her. “Yes.”

“Why do you hide in the shadows?”

Lucia was startled by the question. She had always felt like she belonged in the dark. The shadows were the only thing that could shield people from her monstrous appearance. She trusted the darkness to comfort her, to protect her.

“I-I… ah,” Lucia said. “As a child, I was cursed by a Calosean Witch. I look pretty scary.”

“Who told you you were cursed by a Calosean Witch in the first place?”

The dark tone started to creep back into his voice. She didn’t think she said anything wrong. Father had often told her the story of her childhood. A Witch from Calos Castle had come to bless her. She was left disfigured, more sea animal than human. She wasn't angry with the citizens of Calos. It wasn’t that she was angry at the Witch either. This was who she was. This disfigured outcast belonged to the shadows.

“My Father did,” She said.

“Well, I can tell you. There are no Witches in Calos. He’s lied to you.”

“My Father never lies.” Lucia felt an unfamiliar emotion bubble inside her. It was warm and uncomfortable. He had no right to talk about Father like that.

“Why would you trust him so blindly?” The man’s eyes squinted slightly. “I think your trust is misplaced.”

“My Father is the king of Zyra’s Castle,” Lucia felt a new emotion burn hotter. “He is a trustworthy man.”

“Your Father is King Thalis?”

His words stifled the feeling bubbling in her. Her newfound anger was no match for the rising wrath she heard in his question. Maroon swirled in his eyes, devouring the calming blue.

“Your Father is a cruel man. He lies to everyone he meets, willing to murder anyone that stands against him. Murders and enslaves my people! Why do you think I’m here!?”

“You tried to kill him. He told me that.”

“I was an ambassador sent to discuss new trade deals.” His words were like daggers. “I would kill him if I had the chance. Who knows the people he's killed in search of gold.”

All feeling drained from her. This man was the liar. Father had never lied. He was always patient with her inadequacies. He found her a place where she could be safe and brought her food. The only person to help her. The only person she knew. The only person that loved her and that she loved in return. She would do anything for Father… because he would do anything for her in return.

The sharp chime of a silver bell cut through her thoughts, causing her heart to stop. Father wasn't supposed to come for a few more days. Her thoughts started to scramble.

“You need to stay quiet,” Lucia said as she rushed to her feet. “He can't know you're here.”

“Untie me!” The volume of his voice intensified her panic. “He doesn't deserve another breath!”

He started to struggle against the ropes with newfound gusto. His eyes were red as fire. For a moment, Lucia thought the restraint would give under the pressure.

“Please,” her voice broke.

The man stopped, shock written across his face.

“Please stay quiet. I’ll come back when he leaves.”

Lucia walked back without a second glance at the man. All she could do was trust him to stay silent. She didn't know what Father would do if he found him there.