Even though she knows that a Summoned Spirit should be given more time to adjust to this world, she couldn’t wait. Honey had every intention to leave that night. She wanted to leave the ritual items behind – it didn’t matter if Thancred found her grandmother’s forbidden book. The old woman had every intention of passing it down the family line so all it would do is show Thancred she could read something advanced like that.

Perhaps the Siciliano family should have never pilfered from dead necromancers in the first place as part of a proud family tradition.

Intentionally, she had stolen only one set of clothes; even if she could smell Thancred’s scent along with Aiden’s strange musk, Honey was razor-focused on escaping with the precious items she chose before the ritual. Aiden hardly questions her as the two leave the huge family home. To Aiden, this world must have appeared strange to him. Witches exist, including Honey herself, so at the first bout of magic, the man would only stare with his deadly red eyes. He’d never ask but merely accepts the strangeness.

They avoid her family’s underlings – thankfully, Honey knew where most of the routes. She expertly hides in adequate blind spots and leads easily. Aiden wonders how many failed attempts the young woman had before she could have been such an expert but he’d wait until they were free.

The questions only come when they reach the forest.

True, Honey and many families enjoy what Aiden considers ‘modern’ technology and dress but he still finds it strange to see pre-made pathways in forests next to such an elaborate home. However, he holds his tongue until Honey deems it safe; after all, she would know better about this world than he would and it was wise to stay quiet.

Once they reach the forest, Honey tells him to remain silent as they went in deeper. Neither of them knew what time it was but darkness still covers their half of the world.

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Aches and pains from his previous world bother Aiden but Honey doesn’t stop for anything. There wasn’t time and it wasn’t safe; she didn’t want to put either of them in danger and more so since Aiden had no idea on how this world works. She imagines that there may be a lot of similarities between the two but she wouldn’t know until they stop long enough to talk.

Granted, with the darkness, it’s hard to see and navigate but she notices herself making more minuscule mistakes – being bolder and even using her magic – so she inhales. And exhales. Her body becomes sweaty and tired but her eyes are wide awake. She couldn’t falter so soon – she was so close to getting to the nearest village.

Though, not completely – many of the family’s underlings and even the captains would migrate to that town on their days off and the villagers are taught to obey and fear them. Honey remembers visiting the village before but ever since her family’s deaths, she had been on lockdown. Luckily, she was a good enough actress to sneak to her grandmother’s library, but…

She wipes sweat off her hand. Luckily, she was wearing something tight – even if it shows her body a little more than she’s comfortable with – so she could move around better and more effectively. Aiden doesn’t look at her but looks over for his safety as well. If she ends up catching his eye, it’s to direct him – he had to trust her. There was no other choice but to trust her.

After all, she summoned him and her rules are clear: he has to follow and protect her.

In truth, a Summoned Spirited could very much harm and not protect the person they summon; they had complete free will. They could do whatever they wanted and especially with all of their memories intact. She had to do a lot of secret studying from her grandmother’s library just to learn how to pronounce the ritual’s words but she couldn’t mention any of that. However, she hopes she survives long enough to hold on to that secret where she’s safe from her family’s harm.

Perhaps she’ll acquire more magic by then to even get rid of him if she needs to in the future.

She bites her lips as her beating heart rams against her chest as the weight of her secrets becomes heavy for her to handle. The man had only arrived an hour or so ago but she needs to bury any urge to tell him everything. He didn’t need to know; he just needs to know his job is to protect her from her family.

Just as how she doesn’t need to know why he murdered his entire family.