| • Set Inn Stowne • | • Lumine X Kody • |

•Chapter XXIV•

Yes I republished this chapter because i realized i updated at such a crap time lol
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Giselle had a plan for her son.

To run this business, with as much force and power as she did.

That plan, however... Didn't seem to be working out.

"No, I'm not gonna inject a bunch of comatose juice into witches..." Lumine started. Each time he fought back, he earned another bruise from his 'mother.'

The beatings hurt... But he didn't show it. He couldn't. If Giselle knew how weak her son really was... She'd have too much power over him. Way too much power.

Lumine woke up this morning, greeted to the same room he had been seeing for the past week or so.

Ugh... The werewolf opened his eyes slowly. He sat up, looking around the room. Yep. He sighed. I wake up each morning, just waiting to wake up in... A sharp pain stabbed through his heart. His arms...

Something about today felt different. A good different, perhaps? Lumine didn't know. But it definitely felt different...

Lumine changed into new clothes, looking at himself in his bare skin, pushing at his bruises his mother generously gifted him with...

Ouch... Lumine felt tears in his eyes. Why... Why did this have to happen to me? He let out a choked sob. I didn't ask to be made... He stopped, looking back at himself in the mirror. No, Lumine. His hand touched the mirror. You can handle this. You've felt worse. He laughed at himself. Wow, I just gave myself a pep talk.

Lumine changed into new clothes. These are probably really expensive... They were comfortable, but still looked nice. Feeling unsatisfied, he slipped on the hoodie he wore when he arrived. Better. He grinned. Way better.

Lumine left his room. She told me she wasn't going to train me today... So now's my chance to search around this place more. He walked from one end of the office to the other, until he was greeted by that same door. Staring with the witch's- He paused in his mind. ... I suppose that's an offense to witches. Whatever. He opened the door, and was surprised to find it unlocked? A quick glance revealed she was no where inside. Unguarded...

Lumine approached Giselle's desk. It was odd to be seeing it from what was usually her end. There were many drawers and compartments, only one of which were locked. Of course, he began searching what he could. Most of it was the stuff you'd usually see in an office. Notes, schedules, complaints and reminders, etc. Not useful at all to him.

After he put everything back, he looked at the locked drawer, or more specifically, the actual lock. It was... Odd, to say the least. It didn't look like it was opened by a key... But an object. It's...? He tried to think of what it reminded him of. Agh, I swear I've seen this before! But then it hit him. Quickly, he pulled out his necklace from underneath his shirt, pushed it into the slot, and turned it.

A small click sound signaled it was open.

With haste, Lumine put the necklace back underneath his shirt and opened the drawer. There was... Only one thing inside.

A book.
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Kody was probably inside these vents for at least an hour now, maybe two. His heart pounded whenever he saw that snow white hair, but it dropped again once he realized it was not his lover, or- ex lover, rather...

Maybe I should try going back to the upper levels? It doesn't seem like he's on the bottom floor... If he's here at all. Kody stopped. Something was telling him to check the bottom floor for a ninth time. As much as he wanted to fight against it, he did.

It was the same as it was before. Giant office with only were-whatevers, underground lot for packaging items, and a... Really nice kitchen. Kody sighed as he saw the delicious looking food in said kitchen, but he moved on to what seemed to be the living areas.

That hadn't changed either. Of course it didn't change, why would it? It's not a moving building. As he moved through the vents, peering at the world below, the people were still doing pretty much the same stuff. Eating, sleeping, other... More private... Things... Just as before, he shielded his eyes, of course.

Seen it, seen it... Kody rolled his eyes. You're still there, you're still there with him... He moved to a different room. Wow, you're eating that? Not the best weight decision... He moved to another room. Lemme guess, this room is still-

Kody gasped and jerked upwards, banging his head on the metal above him.

Holy crap.

He rubbed his eyes and looked again.

It can't be.

He shook his head and looked again.

It can't be.

He pinched himself and looked again.

It is.

Sitting on a bed in a room, was Lumine. His legs were crossed and he was looking down, reading something. Lumine was so concentrated he didn't hear the sound Kody made.

It took Kody a minute to see Lumine doing something so simple as reading a book. He looked the same. Same white ears. Same white hair. Same cute white tail. Nothing seemed out of place. Lumine was even wearing the same hoodie! Th-This has to be a dream... Even his mind voice was shaking.

Luckily for Kody, the vents weren't screwed in. They could be lifted up with bare hands, as long as you didn't mind a little dust. Which he didn't.

The tan which shakily lifted up the vent cover, his hand just couldn't stop trembling...

Kody placed the vent cover next to him. He could see Lumine clear as day now.

Wh-Why am I here again? He said he didn't want to see me... Kody rubbed his temples. You came all this way... If he really doesn't want you, he'll tell you right here, and right now.

Kody nervously looked down at the werewolf, who continued to read his book.
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It was odd, really.

A simple book gave so many answers. It told a person's life story. A person's thoughts, hopes, dreams...

Fears.

Failures.

This can't be... How do I know everything in this book really h-

Lumine stopped his thinking as he heard a loud noise in front of him. The werewolf looked up at said noise. His jaw dropped.

There stood a witch. He was the average height, if not slightly taller. His skin was tan and his hair looked softer than ever. Yet... He looked weaker than usual. A light shone on his face, only further illuminating his bright green eyes.

Lumine could only muster one word. Or, it wasn't a word. Are names technically words? He didn't know. Either way, he softly spoke one word.

"Kody..."
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I'm getting out of this writer's block, whee! If you're worried about this story, I guarantee you I will finish it, and it will never be canceled. Until next time (Which i hope is soon lol) bye! ❤️

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