Title: Into the Shadow Chapter 7 Sneak Peak
Author: Darksaviour03 (Justin and Nicole Prince)
Books: The Night Angel series
Characters: Durzo Blint, Kylar Stern, Cyras Covelli (Original Character)
Notes- This will actually spoil some of the NA series. Do not read if you haven't read it, yet.
Disclaimer:
Olessa, the world of Arathea, and Cyras is copyrighted to Nicole Prince (*DarkSaviour03) and Justin Prince (Dark Savior Fiction).

The Night Angel is copyright Brent Weeks. This story is licensed under the Creative Commons as derivative, noncommercial fiction.

Chapter 7 - Sneak Peak
Kylar leaned back in the chair in which he was sitting. Durzo had asked him to keep an eye on Cyras while he was out dealing with his current contract. He didn't know what Master Blint expected could happen, but he had learned not to guess his master over the years.

He stood slowly, deciding that he'd better check on Cyras to make sure that she wasn't going to wander off someone. She knew of the danger, he was sure of that. It seemed that she just didn't care, that she wasn't concerned in the least. Cyras carried herself with a air of confidence that bordered on foolishness. Maybe, she really didn't fear death.

"There you are," he said after he had stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

Cyras was standing with her back against the wall, just outside the safe house. She was staring wistfully into the sky.

"Um, Master Blint wanted me to stay here with you."

"Why?" Cyras asked, turning her gaze towards him.

"I don't know," Kylar shrugged. "To keep an eye on you? Maybe, he wants me to keep you company. I'll go if you want."

"No," she answered. "I know, he wouldn't have you keep an eye on me."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I haven't been apart from Durzo for this long before," she replied, rather simply. She lifted her slim shoulders and shrugged. "I miss his obsessive mannerisms and cankerous quips."

"You actually miss Durzo," Kylar laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "That's a first." He looked up at the full moon, unsure of himself.

He suddenly felt very awkward making a joke like that in front of Cyras. She only laughed politely and shrugged. Kylar felt a wave of embarassment pass through him; he felt foolish, and he was glad that Cyras didn't make a big deal out of it.

"Did you find your girl?" Cyras asked, moving on gracefully.

"Her name's Elene," he responded, "and she's not really my girl. But, yeah, I found her. She's safe for now."

"Good," she said. "I'm glad she's safe."
The two of them lapsed back into an awkward silence. Kylar felt small, insignificant, like he didn't deserve to be in Cyras' presence. She must have felt the same way because she seemed to be ignoring him. He was turning to retreat back into the safe house when she spoke again.

"Kylar?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't listen to Durzo."

"What do you mean?" Kylar turned back, looking curiously at the beauty, her blonde hair like a cascade of silver in the moonlight.

"About Elene," she elaborated. "If you love her and you want to be with her, then do it. There may be pain and suffering, but that is life. You can't deny your heart for fear of pain. That is just substituting one pain for another, and that's no way to live."

"But she could die," he fretted. "She could die because of me. I couldn't do that to her."

"She could die anyway," Cyras stated, bluntly. "That's life. If you're that worried about it, don't be a wetboy. Remove the risk of you dying, and she won't die because of it."

"The ka'kari chose me," Kylar sighed. "I can't ignore it."

"Then deal with the consequences," she said with a shrug. "Just don't live in contant fear. Just don't live in constant fear. Durzo was bitter. He was bitter about all the people he saw die in his lifetime. The things he told you stemmed from that bitterness. Don't let it spread to you. Do you want to be like Durzo was?"

"I always have," he asserted. "Durzo isn't afraid of anything."

"Is that what you think?" Cyras laughed. "You think he isn't afraid? Ever since I met him, he was afraid. He's not afraid for himself, though. He was afraid to let people get close to him. He was scared of loss. Durzo isn't fearless. He told me that himself."

Kylar didn't know what to say. He wanted more than anything to be with Elene, to have a normal, quiet life with her. Yet, that was impossible. He was cursed with his blessing. He would always fear for her safety.

"Dammit," he grunted. "You're not much for casual conversation are you?"