Mimi

I awoke from my slumber about an hour later. A small nap, that I didn't intend on fully committing to. I flexed my healing stingers, to find I had six I could use in total for the day. I wasn't sure if my body felt I was in an intense fight and wanted to rest after eating, or if I was just conditioned to resting after a large meal and using my stingers. Either way, it was clear that I struggled with using more than three stings at a time without taking a break. This was important information, right next to only being able to make three a day. It made sense given it took two whole days for my explosive stingers to grow back.

I looked around the room, to find the girl had been taken from the room. The bed she was laying on covered with blood that Avery had to force out of her while the fresh blood went into her. I started to move, when I felt something next to my arm. Resting on my right in a position similar to my own, was Raul. I blinked for a moment, as he opened his eyes. We both stared at each other in silence for a moment, before I donned my mask. "What are you doing?"

Raul stretched a little, "You passed out, and were in a vulnerable position. Avery took my daughter, to bathe her. I believe the priests are working on getting a new bed." He didn't smile, or grin however, keeping his voice low. He was clearly still tired, but there was a hint of honest hope in the way he spoke now.

I let my mask open again, and looked him over. "Is everything okay? Why aren't you smiling?"

Raul looked into the empty wall in front of us, "I'm uneasy about this. She isn't fully healed yet, and I'm worried this is a dream I might wake up from."

I slowly opened a wing, to pull him closer. "I've healed a few others before your daughter. Two in all honesty, and they were healed before her. Your daughter was the worst one I had to heal however. If anything happens, let me know since it is possible she'll suffer before the other two. You don't strike me as someone that can't find what you're looking for."

Raul laughed a little, "I was an assassin at one point, though that feels like a life and a half ago. What hurts me the most, is that I do not believe I can ever repay my debt to you, or even properly show my gratitude."

"You don't have to, I'll be relying on your aid and whatever support you can give me. If you plan on living a long happy life, the cost of healing your daughter today will be more than what the Pope could take from you upfront. I'm honestly surprised they don't just put people like you in debt." I watched as Raul balled his hands.

He frowned a little, looking down, "They did. I gave them coin, land, and other things to be on a list. They were in the good graces of the king until last year. It was almost our turn, but then my little girl got worse. We had to be put on a waiting list to potentially be healed by a pope. We had to wait so long, we lost so much money. We used to be a noble family, and yet here we are, minor nobles at best."

I let out a small sigh, "You were planning on doing something dangerous weren't you?" I looked at the same space he was staring at.

"If... if she died, I would have hunted them like I did to your kind. I would have made them hurt, and feel the regret I did before I died myself. I don't expect you to understand."

I lowered my head, "I think in some ways I do. When I lose contact with my Hive, I go into a frenzy or rage of some kind. I lose all control, and it's like a dark abyss has swallowed me. I feel you are telling me this, because you want to talk to someone that might understand. If I said I didn't, you'd just think I was a monster that doesn't have proper feelings."

Raul finally looked up at me, "I feel you do understand to some extent at least. Tell me... would it be wrong to carry out that plan?"

I looked into his eyes, "Yes, you would hurt other families and not just the church. You would hurt people similar to yourself, who would lose their only hope as you did. Despite that answer, I would probably do the same if they caused my Hive harm, or killed them. It is wrong, but I wouldn't worry about convincing myself it was right. I would embrace what I was doing, because they made an enemy out of myself."

Raul looked away, finally smiling. "I see, either you have been around people enough to become like them yourself; or I have hunted monsters long enough I started to think like them. Either one scares me, and the idea just makes me feel filthy. You have convinced me to not go about my attack, in a uniquely disturbing way."

I shrugged, "I don't like being called a monster, so of course I'm going to disturb you a little."

Raul let out a small laugh, "That's fair, I suppose. I offered to do some dirty work for the Church before, while I was declined they did say they would keep in touch. I'll train you in how to properly use your shadow if you are comfortable with that."

I looked at the man, "How did you know?"

He smiled a little, "You pick up on things, and since my magic involves shadows, I can tell who or what can use them. I am offering this to you freely, because of what you have done. I want you to protect yourself against people like me. Those that might hunt you."

I nodded slowly, "I shall accept, when would you like to start?"

"After my daughter is fully healed. For now, we will rest and tackle what is to come in the light of day. Training in a harder environment is better, and I feel you'll pick up on things rather quickly." He got up, and moved towards the door, "Good night and thank you again."

He left me there, as I closed my eyes again. I entered a state of light sleep, only to be woken up by priests doing their best to silently remove the bloodied bed. I observed them with my ears, but there was nothing important. Some more time passed, as I dozed once more. It was disappointing that as time passed, I did not gain more stings to use. I only grew more hungry, despite technically resting in the room.

The next person to enter the room, was Eric. He jumped a little at seeing me while I rested, but made no moves to wake me. It was fine at first, but he just stood there before reaching for something at his waist. Soon I could hear him sketching something on paper on the wall. I decided to pretend I was still sleeping soundly, assuming he was writing a note or something. It took him minutes, and I realized he was making a sketch of myself. He left as abruptly as he came.

More time passed, and Beru reported it was very early in the morning. Cynthia was on her way with Drake. She lightly knocked on the door, as I stretched a little. "Come in."

Cynthia entered with a warm grin, "What is it with you and saving children dear?" It was clear she was teasing me.

I shrugged, before getting up. "I just find them easier to handle, as opposed to their parents."

Drake stirred, and cooed at me with his arms out. Cynthia looked at me with a happy smile, "The younger they are, the better they are able to judge another's character." She held him out to me.

I gently took him from Cynthia as he flapped his tiny wings. With my lower hands, I made the chirping sound that made him giggle and kick his feet. I smiled at the little boy, "I think they just go by how their parents feel towards someone. How long do you think it will take for Drake to grow up?"

Cynthia sat on the clean bed, that was replaced last night. "I honestly don't know dear. Humans take a full eighteen years to stop growing, and dragons live longer than elves. He might grow fast and slow down, or he might be a child for centuries. There really aren't any hybrid stories that end well." Cynthia looked down.

I played a small game with Drake, as my lower hands emerged from different spots underneath my wings. Drake seemed to focused on trying to touch one with his tail to be sad. It was good exercise for him. I looked at Cynthia, "You want me to watch over him if he lives longer than you will?"

Cynthia started to say something, but gave me a sad smile. "I know I have no right to ask that of you. I won't even ask, because I know you'll do what you will. Please consider it, if such a time ever comes."

I realized she wanted to ask me, but realized before asking she couldn't really. I nodded my head slowly, "If such a time were to come, I wouldn't hesitate. You took my hive in without a second thought, you accepted Beru's request for heating crystals, you have shown me kindness where others might have taken advantage of me. Cynthia, you are a part of my Hive. I will fight for you, and I will protect you and Drake both." I could sense magic behind the wall, something similar to walking in the shadows. Raul was likely eavesdropping.

Cynthia covered her face before brushing away a few tears, "Thank you, I will never betray your trust."

I nodded a little, still playing with Drake. "If there comes a time where you need to pick between Beru, and yourself. Please take care of yourself. Beru can die, and he will come back, just like the others. I cannot replace you or Drake however."

Cynthia nodded again, as I offered Drake back to her. He was a little tired from the exercise and made happy baby sounds. "I'll keep that in mind. What are you going to do now?"

I smiled at her, "I'm going to eat some breakfast, and finish what I started last night."

She smiled back, "You were really hungry after you healed Drake and myself the last time. Though I don't think you ate as much when we made it here, or got tired."

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"Yeah, I was getting used to regular meals at the time. I took a break from eating, and well I couldn't digest the binge I was going through fast enough. I should be fine if I keep eating properly though, which is why I'm about to enjoy some free breakfast." I left her with a wink, as she let Drake get started on his own breakfast.

Raul moved away as I left the room, pretending to not have heard a thing. I moved to the dining hall where I heard all the priests eating last night. The chatter quieted down as I entered, and the chefs poked their heads out of the kitchen. They quickly realized what was going on and I could hear them hurrying to cook some more food. I saw Raul reappear from a shadow, carrying a tray of freshly made food. I raised a brow, as I didn't sense any magic from him doing such. It was impressive that he was able to hide his magic from me in such a way. The main thing to gain from it, is that it revealed there were many other things hiding from my sight. I couldn't just rely on my magic sight to detect these sorts of things anymore.

I had my meal given to me after a few minutes of waiting quietly. Avery walked about, sending out a magic pulse. Something similar to my own echo location, but to tell the type of blood the priests had. They were likely trying to convey that different magics could do different things and be used in different ways. Something very similar to memories that Gray had as a spider. I watched as Avery slowly shuffled from priest to priest asking a few to come with him, while thanking others. They were preparing for the last round of cure, and I felt much better after finishing another pot of heart stew.

I walked towards the room, feeling there was a sort of miscommunication here. I could neither do blood magic, or manipulate shadows. Even Edna's memories made me feel Banshee were only capable of walking among them. I entered the room they gathered in, to see the little one eating food happily. I smiled a little, happy that she was able to eat and seemed to only be ravenous right now. She probably had the bit about her arms and legs explained to her by her father.

Raul moved towards me, his magic suppressing all sounds he made. I looked at where his shadow and feet met on the floor, realizing what he was doing. I took silent steps myself to move towards him, as he smiled gently. "Are you ready to finish this? Everything is arranged as it was last night. Just tell me, will she be able to move her arm and legs again?"

"I believe she will be able to, but she'll need help. It might be better to put her to sleep for a bit. I don't know if it will hurt while she's awake." I looked at the little one to find her smiling back at me.

Raul nodded, and gently whispered in his daughter's ear. She gave him a one armed hug, before closing her eyes. I could see Raul using his magic to gently coat her shadow with some kind of dark magic. It was as if Raul was giving her, his fatigue. Which helped to ease her into sleep without hurting her. I waited while he took her food away and looked at the others in the room. "Are we ready?"

I was met with silent nods, and set about finishing what I started. It only took three more stings, which was much more manageable this time. I made the mental note to have a full stomach before healing people, and backed off as the girl's limbs were completely repaired. The food she had eaten already digested and used to give her some muscle mass back. The blood of the others, helping her recover as Avery helped to move my healing fluid around. Avery smiled widely after everything was done. All of the sickness gone and removed as the bed was stained with blood again.

Avery had tears in his eyes as he smiled his biggest smile. "I don't feel anymore of it inside her, sir. She... she's cured!" The priests clapped and cheered, chanting prayers to Bo'chi.

Raul smiled and lowered his head, "I need some time alone." He brushed the little one's hair back, kissing her on the forehead. "Give her whatever she needs or wants. I will provide the coin for it. I need some time with the one that healed her."

Avery nodded, "Of course, sir."

Some priests started to say something, but Avery politely clapped his hands and explained nothing bad was to happen. I followed after Raul, as he entered the shadows. Following into the same shadows he did, I saw him floating in front of me, his arms crossed. "My daughter should be waking up in a few hours. I will teach you what tricks I can until then. You'll answer questions as we move through these shadows."

I nodded, as he flew towards an alley. I struggled to move through the narrow shadows cast by the walls my body grazing the light. "You cannot use the shadows correct?"

"Yes, I ate a Banshee and gained their ability to walk among shadows. I am aware of the creatures that might hide in here as well." My response caused the man to frown, and rub his chin.

"I see, she likely never had to fight in the shadows then. Would you grow stronger if you ate a shadow crawler?" I finally managed to reach the alley.

"I would expect such, as long as I could grab their bodies and eat such." I stood in front of him as he continued to float with his arms crossed.

"I see, what about magic? Can you gain the ability to cast such if the monster you ate is able to do it?" I felt his talent working to let me know he was speaking the truth, "I will tell no one, unless you wish them to know. You are my disciple in learning the art of the dagger."

I raised a brow, "You said you were an assassin before. Why are you doing all of this for me?"

He smiled a little, "You have given me hope, and I eavesdropped on what you told another human. Is it true that you can accept our kind into your Hive?"

I nodded slowly, "Yes, I do not understand why that is difficult for others to understand. If you want to join my Hive, I need to feel you'll protect others in it. I need to trust you, and that is all. I know Cynthia will protect the small bugs just fine. Plus she's already proven I can trust her. There are others, but I won't tell you everyone I have in it."

Raul let out a small laugh, "That is fine, I would rather help your Hive grow, then continue to serve the same kingdom that cast me out. Promise me, that what I teach you, will be used to protect everyone in your Hive. That you will accept my daughter into your Hive, and keep her safe if I ever request your aid."

I tilted my head, "You won't join? I'll keep your daughter safe as you asked, but what about Avery?"

Raul shook his head, "Avery does not have long for this world. He would feel worse, if I asked you for his protection. Due to my pact with the King, there is much I cannot tell you. I cannot join you in case you betray Eclipse, or the King himself. I can warn you however, do not make deals with the man if you are to meet him. His talent is Contract, and verbal contracts are just as binding. Watch every word, and read anything he gives you to sign thoroughly."

I considered how such a talent would work, and slowly nodded my head. "I'll keep that in mind. Your daughter is a part of my Hive, and this church is the best place to reach her. You will find other hives of mine in the Slums where the Harpers gather, and the Sewers. I live outside the inner walls, with my largest hive."

He tilted his head, as his talent detected I kept the Underground hive from him, and the one I left before coming here. He looked into my eyes, before nodding. "You told me these ones, because they would be the safest and easiest for my daughter if she needed to run?"

I returned the look, "Yes, I would be more than happy to have a hive built on your estate, but that would potentially cause more trouble if it were found out. After all, it could be seen as you siding with me over the King."

Raul nodded, "You have a sharp mind, and I respect it. I can understand why you are a very capable dreamer."

I blinked, before tilting my head, "Dreamer? I thought I was just a mental magician, a mind mage if you would."

"There are different types of mind magic, as there are different types of dark magics, elements, and so on. When you look into another's eyes you look through the windows of their soul. When I gaze into your eyes, I see something more than a telepath. Eyes that are deep, and glowing from using their magic constantly. You have formed bonds not only mentally with those you are connected with, but spiritually. Bonds so deep, even with your magic being lost you could keep them with you through the connection you have with their souls. A real problem if you teleport unfortunately."

I looked down towards the darkness, not feeling he was wrong. I was being told something I wasn't aware of, even with Gray labeling his magic users as telepaths and dreamers in his reports. "Can you teach me how to tell how strong others are with their magic then? I'll need that knowledge going forward. You have shown me that I cannot rely on sensing magic alone since you can hide it from me."

Raul smiled gently, "I can, and I shall. Most of what I'll teach you will be picked up from experience and seeing it yourself. Things that are not in any overview or notes. The unspoken rules of magic in a sense." He floated about in the shadows as I followed him. "You can tell how strong someone is with their magic, if their eyes glow or darken. You said you can see magic, so you should understand why your eyes are constantly glowing."

I hadn't put much thought into it, and often used the extra eyelid to dim them when I needed to hide. I took mental notes to pay more attention to these smaller details. I looked back at Raul, checking his eyes. They seemed to go from hazel, to a deep dark brown. I felt him moving the shadows around us, before releasing them.

"A quick way to tell if someone has mastered their magic, is if they can just change their eyes like that. Oswald is a great example, since he'll make his goggles glow green to intimidate others. The man is truly a master of alchemy and you no doubt could tell when he moved stuff around."

I tilted my head, "Cynthia told you I knew him?"

Raul smiled, "Yes, she told me a few things about you. I don't need to pry deeper since I can guess at your relationship with him and the Captain of the Guard. Point is, Oswald is a master who can and will make his eyes glow when he feels like it. Wyatt has his eyes flare when he's feeling angry to some extent. Kind of his warning that things were taken too far, or he's noticed you. I've had to do my fair share of research on them in case I needed to work with them."

"I see, you have quite the network for information then. May I ask if you have dealt with the people that poisoned your daughter and killed your wife?" I needed to know what he expected out of me by accepting the little one into the Hive.

He balled his fists, before releasing them. "I have a few ideas on who might have done it. Nothing concrete since I had to stay by her side for a few years. Tell me, can you promise she will be safe if I leave her at this church? If I pretend she died, and go to the Ball to find out everything I need?"

I slowly shook my head, "I am sorry, but I cannot make that promise. Cynthia herself was attacked by assassins, and she would be better for answering such a question. I believe she would defend your daughter, who you have yet to tell me the name of. I know my Hive would also move to protect her. Though as for their abilities, I am unsure. If they could overcome attackers, that would be wonderful. Otherwise I could only hope they hold out until I get there. With the snow coming however, I am unable to do much."

Raul relaxed a little, "I appreciate you being completely honest and not trying to hide anything important from me. You overlooked one thing however."

I tilted my head, then shook it. "If you expect much from the Father, or his priests then I must inform you that they almost lost one of their members to a Bew. I do not believe their abilities would be rather high."

Raul gave me a smug smile, "Many people join churches because they are afraid of hurting others. Such churches are a great place for youths and rare magics to gather. It's one thing to restrain a rampaging beast, and it's another to just outright kill it. They may surprise you yet. Anyway, there is still much more for you to learn. I've seen Eldest Banshee run much faster than you can. Some could even glide through the darkness like I am now. With the hour we have left, we'll see if I can't whip you into shape."

Raul turned out to be a valuable wealth of information, and helped me understand my shadow walking better. I agreed to keep his daughter safe, who was named Sarah. We trained for a good portion of the day while Raul spent time with his daughter after she woke up properly. I realized this was the last time he would see her until he found the ones responsible for poisoning her. I was to pretend she passed, while Avery handled affairs at the Church to keep up the lie. All under the pretext that Raul would have me come help in his revenge. Everything so he could train me in the ways of the Herald known as the Dagger.