Mystic - EN version

Chapter 39 : Thief

– No! shouted Clave. Give it back! It's mine!

But he was already starting to walk away with the necklace. Clave, distraught, froze, but Noah grabbed her wrist and launched himself after the thief, taking the young girl with him. Behind them, Griselda, Beatrice, Catherine, Naos and Corentin followed.

– Marcus, what are you doing? exclaimed Noah.

Griselda, quick as a gust of wind, stepped in front of Noah's brother and held out her arm. Immediately, silver chains bound around Marcus, who was thrown off balance and stumbled. However, he managed to catch himself and, despite the chains, took off running, slaloming between the trees.

– He's trying to lose us! warned Beatrice.

Clave quickened her pace, ducking her head to avoid the branches and leaping over the dead trunks on the ground. She hadn't let go of Noah's hand, but she could feel his fingers slipping between hers. She stretched out her arm in front of her and imagined a feline running in front of her. The beast appeared, as golden as the sun, and pounced on Marcus. Marcus was pinned to the ground. Clave quickly grabbed his collar and pulled him forward.

– Give it back! she snapped. Give me back the necklace you stole from me!

– It's not yours, he spat.

Clave glared at him.

– How dare you say that when you're the thief here?

He suddenly swallowed his smirk and looked away.

– At least say something! Why do you want to take my pendant?

– It's not yours, I'm telling you...

– I know it isn't. The Queen left it to me. She placed all her hope in me.

– What fine words! You're very naive. This kingdom is ruined, you know? A girl your age isn't going to save it. The tensions with the neighbouring countries are too strong, says Marcus.

– I don't want to save it. I just want to carry out the mission I've been given.

He rolled his eyes dismissively. Clave sighed. Then she took the pendant from his hand and stepped back. Griselda, just behind, held out her hand and new chains tied Marcus to a tree.

– You're letting yourself go a bit too much for my liking, she remarked.

– Dad doesn't really need me, except to get the necklace, but he can do that on his own too.

It took Clave a moment to work out who Noah's brother was calling 'Dad'. She wasn't used to hearing someone call Arthur that.

Noah and Marcus stared at each other blankly.

– What do you want from him? the telepath finally asked.

– I don't want anything. But I don't have anyone else, said his brother.

– What about me? whispered Noah in a very small voice, sounding genuinely hurt.

The other man said nothing, staring into space. Noah stepped back, staring at the ground.

– Clave? Come and see..., Catherine murmured.

The young girl moved closer to her friend, intrigued.

– I think the temple's over there..., said the ginger softly.

She pointed to some ruins. The blonde's pendant shone brightly.

– Yes... It's here.

Immediately, she forgot everyone around her and walked towards the temple.