Free Web NovelChapter 60: Snake’s Shadow (4)
Selena walked into the infirmary hall where Shinon and Kira sat with the children, and her gaze immediately fell on the kids. She recognised them but couldn’t think why Shinon and Kira would know them.
After all, when Lova brought them to the shelter, she said the kids were alone roaming the streets, so she got them to the settlement where they’d be safe was better.
But other than that, no information was given to the public. Moreover, since she had received instructions to watch Shinon, she thought it would be wise to inquire Shinon about the kids.
She walked up to them and asked, "How do you know these kids?"
Shinon turned around. For some reason, he seemed to be angry, but he was hiding it quite well. Selena then saw the guards and assumed they must have done something, and that’s why Shinon was pissed.
While she wasn’t exactly wrong with her assumption, Shinon wasn’t someone who would get so mad about a few guards challenging him.
Shinon and Kira both got up, and the kids rushed to hug Kira. They were in an unfamiliar place, and now that they had found someone they could depend upon, the children were not ready to let her go.
"Do you know where the kids were found?" Shinon asked, his eyes piercing right through Selena’s.
Selena hesitated for a moment, wondering how much to reveal. "I saw Lova bringing them a few days ago. She said she found them wandering in the forest and brought them here for medical attention and to provide them with a home-"
"Bullshit!" Kira yelled. "She’ll never abandon-"
However, Shinon placed his hand on her shoulder before she could finish speaking. Kira understood and sealed her lips momentarily.
Shinon knew Kira was angrier than she had ever been, but revealing what they knew about the kids could put everyone in danger, as it would not take long for the Phoenixes to figure out that it was them who took care of their raiders.
Selena could sense the tension between Shinon and Kira, but she couldn’t understand why they were so invested in the well-being of these children. It was clear that there was something more going on than what she initially assumed.
"I’m sorry if I said something wrong," Selena apologised, hoping to diffuse the tension in the room. "I only wanted to know because I was curious."
"No, I’m the one who should be apologising," Kira looked up at Selena, tears still glistening in her eyes from earlier. "The Kids and I used to live in the same settlement a few months ago. But we got separated following an accident, and that’s why I got a bit emotional."
Shinon nodded, backing up Kira’s story and adding more details to it. Selena raised an eyebrow, studying Shinon and Kira. She didn’t fully believe their story, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.
"What kind of accident?" Selena asked, watching their faces for any signs of hesitation or deception.
"It was a raid," Kira said quietly. "A group of raiders attacked our settlement. We were lucky to get away with our lives, but we got separated in the chaos."
"I see," she said, not wanting to push the issue further. "Well, it’s a good thing they found someone they knew. Not everyone is lucky enough to meet their family in this world." freewēbnoveℓ.com
The children were too young to fully understand their situation, but Selena could see the fear in their eyes. They had been through something traumatic, and Selena couldn’t help but feel sympathy for them. She knew all too well what it was like to be alone and afraid in this world.
"Well, I guess you both need some time with the kids," Selena finally spoke up while turning to Shinon. "I’ll wait here for you. We have some business to attend to."
Shinon nodded, and Selena took a seat on the opposite side. She also sent the guards away, as they were causing too much stress to the children.
As she watched the children interact with Shinon and Kira, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. They had found a sense of family and community that Selena had been searching for since the world had turned upside down.
Her brother, Carl, was always there for her in times of loneliness. But with him gone, no one could understand her. Unfortunately for her, even if she tried to get something with Shinon, she knew Marcus would cause trouble for them.
She turned to leave but then paused. "If you don’t mind me asking, why are you so invested in these children? I mean, I can understand wanting to help them, but you seem to have a deep connection to them."
Shinon and Kira exchanged a quick glance before Kira spoke.
"I promised their parents that we would take care of them if anything ever happened to them. If they really abandoned them, it’s only right for us to look after them."
"You’re a lot more giving than I thought," Selena smiled wanly. "Sorry for interrogating you out of nowhere."
"It’s fine." Kira reciprocated with a fake smile as the guards returned to carry the children to their room.
Naturally, the children didn’t want to leave. Usually, the guards would have taken them away by force, but they didn’t want to do anything harsh in Shinon’s presence.
Only when Kira promised she’d see them often did the children let go of her. Even then, Shinon glared at the guards as if warning them.
Once the children were gone, Selena asked Shinon to follow her as it was time for him to get marked. Shinon nodded, and Selena walked ahead.
As Selena left, Shinon turned to Kira. "We need to be careful," he said, his voice low. "She’s watching us."
"I know," Kira said, her face grim. "But we can’t let her find out the truth, and we must protect the children at all costs."
"That’s the plan," Shinon mumbled before walking past Kira. "Stay close to Rico; I’ll find you there when I get back."
