Rwby: A Thorn in my Heart

Chapter 5: The Menagerie

The ship docked at a port, the locals staring in shock at what they witness. A battered boat riddled with burn marks and claw marks from that dragon grimm. Ironically, they weren't concerned about the smoking canon on the left side of the boat. They knew the captain of that ship was a Faunus who wouldn't attack his own homeland. Ruby looked on from the head of the ship with Thorn in her arms in awe at the lush green jungle around the small port town, the beautiful waterfalls in the distance, and the many Faunus citizens and workers in the port and town.

"Look Thorn, they have cute ears just like you" she lovingly said as she tenderly rubbed her sons puppy ears and nibbled them playfully as he gave relaxed coos.

"Yup, welcome to the Menagerie everybody!" Sun said with joy.

He raised his arms into the sky as if about to be hugged, as he was happy to be home.

"Now if we can get to my house soon we can have Raven show everybody this place" Blake said tenderly, reminding them all the plan to avoid a lot of eyes by having raven connect them to everyone in Beacon and avoid security hassles from check-ins. A bitter feeling overtook her; she knew large groups of humans weren't common in her homeland. She was always disappointed how her people acted like humans did towards them in Mantle back home. If they were capable of the same behavior as each other she always pondered how Faunus and human kind could be at each other's throats like that. Blake merely shrugged off those worries. She always knew she could never understand how imbeciles like bigots think, so she should just focus on what was more important; helping Ruby recover.

"Alright then, lets go check-in at the port gates so we can go visit my father." Blake stated, receiving nods from everyone as they left.

Check-In desk

The guards of the gate examined the teenagers student ID's, their guardian Raven's huntress license, and their passports and luggage with a bitter look that didn't seem professional. The guards consisted of a dragonoid-faunus with red wings and scales under his helmet and armor and a large bison faunus with horns that looked like they could pierce a car like paper. They were also eyeing Ruby especially at the sight of her cradling a Faunus baby, something that unnerved Blake, making her fold her arms disappointingly. She had feared this type of reaction as, despite some Faunus she knew advocating equal rights, many faunus felt extreme bitterness and mistrust in humanity. Hell, she did too, she couldn't even find the courage in her first year at Beacon to show herself as a cat Faunus. She tenderly rubbed her ears with a sad frown before she was alerted by one of the guards approaching Ruby with a vicious look of contempt and speaking up.

"Alright short stack, where did you get the kid?" the bison faunus said, his tone filled with disdain, causing Ruby to react with confusion. Ruby placed her arm over her son as she backed away slightly in defense, before her eyes widen as she saw the look of hatred in his eyes and realized what he was implying "He's my son! I gave birth to him!" she yelled, feeling extremely offended. She knew he was implying she kidnapped him since none of them were dog faunus like Thorn. Her a baby kidnapper?! That was sick in every conceivable form. Blake and Raven gritted their teeth and groaned, having the same bitter feeling from an unjust accusation like that one.

The guard wasn't buying that declaration for a moment, in fact, he grinned as he saw her retreat slightly, amused with her fear and anger. It was a fear his people had felt many times at humanity's hands and felt empowered by his chance to get revenge.

"Yeah, right no faunus would lay with a human shrimp like you!" the bison faunus sneered, his comment making Ruby give a thousand yard stare as her lips quivered. She was remembering Timber's face in place of the bison faunus. Cold sweat and tears started dripping down her face as she cradled Thorn and backed away again slightly. The Dragon guard saw her reaction and grinned, happy to have an excuse to capture her for "running from Authorities" and drew his blade towards her, making her begin breath heavily, her expression now practically begging for mercy as she saw his and Timber's sadistic grin at the same time.

"That's right, so hand over the kid if you know whats good for..." The dragon faunus didn't even get to finish his sentence before he felt a sharp object point at his neck. These two guards actions were the last straw for Blake as she grabbed Gambral Shroud and placed its black blade against him. Raven soon joined as she got behind the bison guardsman's and placed the tip of her red blade against his back. "One more word and your dead!" they both said in unison, both were outraged by their behavior towards Ruby and Thorn, and their icy cold stares screamed death to the guards, making them flinch in terror as they realized the two woman wouldn't hesitate to follow through that threat.

Suddenly everyone was startle by the screech of a third females voice,

"Everyone stand down!" she screamed.

Everyone looked towards the gate as it opened up, revealing a chameleon teenage faunus girl with long orange hair and scales. She couldn't be any older than Blake and Sun yet they saw she held a symbol on her arm crest that showed the captain mark. They knew this made her the guard's superior and they had to comply with that order and so they dropped their weapons. Ruby felt her tension float away like a feather as the two Faunus men were now unarmed and no longer a threat. She took a heavy breath and collected herself before placing her son into a stroller. Satisfied with this, Blake and Raven returned their blades to their scabbards.

"You wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?! Why are my guards getting into a sword fight with tourists and worse, getting beaten?" The chameleon girl roared, she made it clear to them she expected her guards to be the best and how disappointed she was by their sloppiness. This caused them to bow their heads to her in shame. Blake gave an amused grin at this sight as her jaw soon dropped at the realization of who the girl really was.

"Ilia, is that you!?" she exclaimed. Her sudden declaration drew the chameleon girl's attention towards her as she changed her glare to a sudden shock look. "Blake, wait… your back!?" she exclaimed with a glee as she ran towards the cat girl and received a big hug in returned as they chuckled.

"Guys, this Ilia, she's my best friend we grew up together." She joyfully told her friends and Raven.

"I haven't seen you in years Blake, how have you been?" Llia happily asked.

"Good good, I am just here for a vacation with my friends from school, were going to visit my father." Blake said before proceeding to introducing her friends and guardian to Ilia. The chameleon girl greeting them cordially and happily before taking a special interest in Thorn.
"Whose this little bundle of joy?" she asked with a baby tone.

"This is my son, Thorn Rose" Ruby proudly stated. She was happy when faunus people asked her that, as she felt they were more sympathetic and less judgmental towards them since they were the same kind as her son.

Blake said it was a long story of how ruby had him and pushed past that subject quickly to avoid awkwardness for Ruby and told her friend how the guards harassed them for bringing humans.

"Well, sorry for the hassle with the guards, I'll be sure to discipline them for the harassment." She said while glaring at the cowering guards on their knees begging for forgiveness. Feeling satisfied, the group left the gate check-in station and proceed into town after thanking Ilia. Unknown to them, after they left Ilia's smile faded into a dark frown as she raised her men up.

"Good job, my boss will be pleased to hear little miss rose is here in Menagerie. Don't let any more humans past these gates. We don't want anymore meddlers until my plan is ready." She said with a grin. Her guards smiled happily, thrilled at the prospect of doing away with humans they encounter. They were more thrilled for this plan Ilia spoke of as they chuckled to themselves evilly. Ilia, unknown to them, was much more focused on Blake than Ruby. She felt a surge of anger in her for having to restrain herself from punching that "traitor" but knew her leaders orders were to avoid open confrontation until the time was right.

She took out her scroll and contacted someone on the other line as soon as everyone was out of earshot of her.

"Master, Ruby rose has arrived in the Menagerie." She stated with a dark grin.

Bittersweet Reunion

Ruby, Blake, Raven and Sun strolled through the port town as they saw many booths set up selling all kinds of food ranging from seafood, to fruits, and to decadent desserts that made their mouths water with power on par with the waterfall in the jungle. Raven urged them to hurry with meals to avoid drawing too much attention, still on guard after that fiasco with the Faunus at the gate.

Blake knew what she meant, while some faunus here she recognized from childhood and knew were more tolerant, some occasional glares of hatred did lay upon the two humans in their party. Luckily, Ruby was too happy eating cakes to notice as the trip seemed to be doing its purpose well, keeping her relaxed.

"Okay, Okay auntie Raven, were getting a move on already." Ruby said impatiently as she sat down to continue eating with Sun, not even paying attention to the fact she had whip cream on her cheeks from eating at a rushed pace. Blake instantly grabbed a napkin and fixed that problem,

"You still need to work on acting lady like instead of a baby when you eat cake." she said teasingly, causing Ruby to blush in embarrassment.

"Thanks, but I'm not the baby here." She puffed her cheeks as she pointed to her infant son, whom puffed his cheeks to copy his mom. Sun and Blake's eyes sparkled with adore at the sight of this cute expression "Awwwww" they said in unison. Even Raven couldn't help but grin at the sight. Her pride being the only thing keeping her from joining them.

Suddenly, Thorns stomach growled and he began to sniffle, before the infant began going into a crying fit for food. Ruby instantly picked him up and sniffed him to see if he had an "accident" but quickly realized this wasn't the case. She then put him down and went for her baby bag to get his formula, only for her heart to sink and exclaim,

"Uh oh, were out of baby formula." She said before looking around. She didn't see any family restrooms around, just booths and houses. She didn't want to breastfeed in public, it just felt uncomfortable with others seeing her do it and Thorn usually tickled her nipples causing her to laugh and attract such attention.

"Blake we got to hurry to your dads place now!" she said with panic in her tone.

Blake's cat ears went down, not from the shock, but from the realization of both what Ruby needed to do and how she couldn't sightsee anymore and put off what needed to happen. Blake hadn't mentioned this to anyone, but she hadn't spoke to him since she was a child and joined the White Fang. That was really the only flaw she thought of with her plan. She didn't really feel close to her father anymore since she found out her mother died when she was an infant. As a child she found out Shelena Khan, a cheetah faunus, was not her actual mother, but a woman her father married a few months after mom died to give Blake a mother figure in life. Blake was never happy with how her father seemingly rebounded and forgot mom so easily. A part of her never wanted to see him again, but he was the wealthiest man in the Menagerie. Their mansion was Ruby's only safe haven to vacation and aide in her recovery, so she knew she had to swallow her pride and beg him to let them stay.

"O-Okay, let's get a move on then it's the mansion just up the hill." She awkwardly stated while pointing north. On qui they packed up and placed a crying Thorn in his stroller and proceeded up the hill with her lagging behind nervously.

"Ready or not Papa, I'm coming home." she sighed to herself quietly.

Bellodonna Mansion

Blake felt like each step up the hill towards the mansion had chains with cinderblocks pushing her down. Her heartbeat began pounding rapidly as she got closer. Ruby looked back to see her friend lagging. She knew better than anyone she was holding something back that was troubling her, Ruby did that a lot before this trip as not to bother her team.

"What wrong Blake? She empathetically asked.

But Blake refused to indulge, thinking up a lie as fast as she could.

"Sorry I'm lagging, I-I didn't get much sleep last night" Blake lied. "Come on, lets hurry were almost there!" she said flustered, before running past the group in a hurry. Ruby gave a small frown, knowing something was wrong, but didn't want to push too hard for fear she may only aggravate her friend.

As they reach the door of the mansion, Blake took a deep breath as she reached for the lion-shaped knock on the door. "For Ruby" she thought to herself as she hit the door a few times with the lock. A few moments passed before the door creaked open slightly, only to slam open to reveal a large muscular man with a black beard and yellow feline-like slanted eyes. Ruby recognized those eyes as similar to Blake's and knew this was her father.

"B-Blake, your.. your finally home!" the large man said with a huge smile on his face, tears stinging his eyes. He instantly hugged her like a bear, causing her easy to see irritation.

"Uh Dad, you got guests.. please stop crushing me" she nervously stated trying to get her breath back while being crushed.

Her father instantly complied and let go flustered as he blushed while putting his hands behind his back embarrassed. He then turned to the group.

"Apologies, it has just been a long time since I saw my daughter, my name is Ghira Belladona it's nice to meet you all". He said in a dignified speech Sun almost mistook him for a king. He couldn't help but bow to the older Faunus, whom glared at him with disproval either from mistaken mockery or just because Sun was a boy as Raven surmised. Ghira then received greetings from her and Ruby as well, the latter's son Ghira took notice of especially. The boy had fallen asleep in his carrier with tears starting to dry, having exhausted himself.

"My My, what an adorable little Faunus. Wait... you better not have gotten my little angel pregnant PUNK!" Ghira roared at Sun while clenching his fists threateningly. Raven smirked, amused to see Sun flailing his hands in panic. The boy was trying to utter the words to correct this man, but the larger Faunus's death Aura suffocated him and prevented him from uttering a sentence. His skin just turned pale white as he whimpered and quickly hid behind Blake's back. Ghira gritted his teeth as he angrily positioned his hands to strangle the boy, taking his cowardice as a confession before he was distracted by a laugh from Ruby.

"No No No he's mine! I admit the ears and hair color make him look like Blakes, but Thorn here is my baby not hers. Oh! and Sun didn't knock me up, or else my cute puppy here would be craving some banana's and swinging from a tree right?!" She chuckled, earning a sigh of relief from Sun and a amused grin from Blake, making Ghira give a sheepish one of his own as he rubbed his head awkwardly and blushed at his mistake.

Ruby then remembered what her son needed at that moment.

"Oh sir, if you don't mind, would it be okay if I used a room to "feed" my son?" she emphasized while clutching her chest. Emphasizing her need to breastfeed the infant. Ghira instantly understood what she was implying and became flustered. He was still honestly a bit shocked such a young girl would be a mother let alone breast feed instead of formula, but chose not to press the issue, seeing as how he didn't notice the boys father with her he only assumed bad things and didn't want to make his guests feel any uncomfortable anymore.

"Um, sure, sure, go right ahead to that room on the right and make yourself at home all of you" he awkwardly said as he opened the door to let them all in. Ruby quickly complied and woke up her son as she picked him up after closing the door she was showed. The others heard a few whimpers from the hungry infant behind the door before they were replaced by a few giggles from ruby, indicating he was fed well.

"Whose in the other room honey?'' a concerned voice stated from the kitchen, suprising Blake. Soon a dark-skinned striped woman emerged from the kitchen with tea in her hands. Despite this, she was no servant; she dressed in a black and gold kimono like Ghira, indicating she was his wife. This was Shelena Khan.

"A friend of our daughters honey, Blake came home a few minutes ago." Ghira said proudly.

She looked at Blake with surprise, having not seen her stepdaughter in years. She gave a stern look, raising an eyebrow.

"So…what brings you back after so long, your Father and I have been worried sick." She said to her stepdaughter with a concerned tone.

Blake was internally irritated and clutched her fist at this question. She was a woman who lied to her about her real mother for years, how could she have any right to question her like she was her mom. These were the thoughts flowing through her head. But another through ran through her head, "We got to get everyone here for Ruby's sake, just ignore it." Blake took a deep breath and thought of the best way to answer her and, as much as she didn't want to bring it up, she thought to tell them about Ruby's "situation".

"Look, what I am about to say isn't easy, but its really important, just please don't mention this to Ruby." She bitterly asked. Ghira pointed to a confused Shelena the room where Ruby was breastfeeding Thorn and told her she was the one giggling in the room and why. Khan gave a stern look to Blake, making the girl feel like her spirit was being stabbed by knives. She had forgotten how bitter Khan was about human's, and silently rebuked herself for dragging Ruby into a lion's den. She bit her tongue a bit to ignore her anxiety, she had to press the issue for her friends sake and perhaps a sympathy card would reach even this icy cheetah. "You know how she has a baby dad?" she questioned her Father. He nodded in silence, curious about her parental status despite basically being a baby herself. Sun and Raven were a bit surprised Blake was talking about this, but realized she was doing it for the mission's sake so they kept quite.

"R-Ruby… got ambushed and captured by the White Fang during a school mission." Blake began, starting to breathe heavily as she struggled to speak of that horrible night. Ghira and Khan gave annoyed grunts, they were very disappointed to here what their former comrades were doing since they left long ago. First it was simple acts of vandalism against racists and their businesses' something they didn't really feel unjustified about. But more and more news from friends of theirs in the organization made them realize how low they had sunken, resorting to murder and pillaging like mere pirates to get their way. It was shameful and Blake's revelation made Ghira especially feel down in spirit thinking of the tragedy that befell a seemingly sweet little girl like Ruby.

"She was beaten.. tortured for info and…. when she wouldn't give it, they... raped her!" She bitterly stated in between breaths, spitting out the words like rotten milk. Ghira and his wife's eyes went wide in response. They couldn't comprehend a faunus wanting to do such despicable acts to a little girl, it was barbaric in fact.

"That's why she's a mother and it's really been putting her under a lot of strain in school. That's why we really need your help now." Blake started explaining about the school keeping that fact under wraps to avoid scaring future students from attending Beacon, as well as the consequences that had for Ruby's mental state, such as her breakdowns and collapses. "She really suffered a lot this year and bullies at our school who don't know what she went through are really giving her a hard time." Blake sadly stated.

Ghira clenched his fists and looked down with disgrace. He knew from experience humans were capable of cruelty to his kin, but this news was filling him with even more sadness and anger over what both humans and faunuses have done to his daughters friend.

"So, if you could? It would really help her recover if we could have her dad, sister and a few of our friends stay here in the Menagerie for a few of days or even a week." She pleaded.

"Why here of all places sweetie?" Ghira asked confused.

"Well, Ruby is kind of a celebrity back at Mantle, she actually saved the whole country from an ancient Grimm that would have destroyed it" She explained with pride. "The paparazzi won't leave her alone so its not easy to find her a quite place to relax." She said.

Ghira and Shelena whispered to each other a bit. They talked so low a volume even Blake's good hearing couldn't pick up what they were saying. She had a bit of fear arise when noticing Khan giving a few bad glares from the discussion she assumed was disproval. Ruby soon returned from the room, having given Thorn his food and placed in his carrier to sleep soundly. She gave the group a small shush sign with her finger to emphasize this before sitting down and smiling. "Thanks for letting me borrow the room, that was a big help sir." She said respectfully with joy. Ghira gave a small warm smile and nudged his wife's arm and she rolled her eyes and smiled too. After a few minutes of them whispering again, Ghira and Khan looked back at the group with intense glares.

"How many would be visiting?" they simply asked. A sense of ease swept over the group as Sun even ran up and gave Mr. Bellodonna a hug to his displeasure and his wife's amusement. Taking the hint, he awkwardly bolted behind Raven for safety only for her to punch him unconscious. Blake almost broke out laughing but remembered Thorn was sleeping so contained herself with all her willpower.

"It would be 7 more coming so about 11 total if that's alright?" She hesitantly stated. Even though their mansion was big enough for that many people, she knew it was a lot to ask for that many humans visiting. Khan's head shook a little as she mumbled this amount, making Blake sweat profusely, almost about to slip out of the couch as her heart pounded rapidly in anticipation. She really wasn't liking her chances now.

"Alright, if its just for a week" Khan stated in a deadpan tone, she clearly wasn't enthusiastic, but didn't see any way of objecting as she saw her husband's warm smile.

"Really, oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Ruby quietly and cheerfully stated to her, almost attempting to hug her just like Sun did earlier but withheld due to a stern glare saying "no". Blake sighed with relief that this ordeal was over and things could hopefully improve for Ruby. Ruby nodded to Raven who responded by using her semblance to pull her friends and her brother Qrow over from the portal, to Ghira and Khans shock.

"Uncle Qrow! Did you miss me, huh, did you miss me!?" she excitingly but quietly said like a little child with a huge smile on her face.

"Nope" he said with a smile teasingly before he tear up a little and said "Yeah, I really did sorry I couldn't come by sooner kiddo" he sadly said as he tasseled her hair and hugged softly. Before Yang ran up and hugged them both.

"Rubes, its so good to see you, sorry I was so stupid and left you with all that baggage" she sadly said as she squeezed the life out of them.

Before this, Ruby informed her friends Thorn was sleeping and she needed his crib and baby food, they went through the portal and retrieved those supplies to the mothers joy. Everything seemed perfect as she got her supplies, her friends, and a big hug from her sister Yang.

"Okay a bear hugs maybe not perfect after all" she said, gasping for air but Yang wouldn't budge, tears running rapidly down her eyes as she said how much she missed her baby sister.

"So, where is dad?" Yang asked after finally releasing her sister and uncle as they gasped for air. Once their coughning fit ended. Qrow explained to her Taiyang wanted to come first, but Qrow hadn't seen Ruby in so long so they agreed to have him stay behind and swap each day with Ravens semblance to make it fair. He then explained to Blake's parents, still having jaws dropped in shock how his sisters semblance worked.

Dark Signs

Just as the evening seemed to be going, Blake noticed Khan staring intently at Weiss. She had a bad feeling in her gut as she almost predicted what her stepmom was going to say next.

"You're the heir of the Schnee Dust company aren't you?" she bitterly asked the white haired teenager. Her tone struck a nerve in the heir, but she remembered to calm herself. She knew Ruby's health was at stake so she needed to stay composed.

"Yes, I am Weiss Schnee and it is a pleasure to meet you." She said calmly, lifting her skirt with grace and bowing to show respect towards her teammates stepmom.

"The feelings not mutual kid." Khan bluntly responded. Ghira rolled his eyes in response and nudged her shoulder to get her to show respect, but Khan did not waver. Blake was displeased as well. She knew Khan was a former White Fang member like her and had a bad history with the Dust Company but still didn't like how she treated her friend. Weiss simply frowned and awkwardly rubbed her left arm in sadness. She knew her fathers company treated Faunus employees badly, which is why she agreed with Blake to stay in the mansion and not wander around the Menagerie to avoid unwanted attention. Still, it stung her heart badly when Faunus treated her with disdain, reminding herself of her past bigotry her father wrongfully taught her before team RWBY showed her the way.

"I get you don't like my family, but I assure you I'm gonna do what I can when I get my fathers company to stop that discrimination towards faunus kind" she confidently stated. But Khan was unimpressed and merely brushed her off and went into the kitchen to get something to drink, and alcoholic as Qrow bluntly told his niece. This dampened the mood badly, so Ghira decided to lighten things up by ordering his servants to prepare a large feast tonight, to everyones joy. They couldn't pass up a free meal as Nora squealed, waking up Thorn and making him squeal too much to Ruby's irritation. Everyone gave Nora a stern look in response as she sheepishly grinned.

White Fang Base

Cinder looked in a mirror at her scarred body. She had suffered a huge scythe slice across her faces right side that took out her right eye. Her midsection was covered in a cut that lead to the stump where her right arm used to be. "Before that little red hood bitch took it from me!" she screamed to herself as she punched the mirror in her room, unable to stomach the damage she had taken all those months ago when she lost. Fire leaked from her eyes, her pride was badly burned that day when Ruby and her team ruined her plans for revenge against Mantle. She had lost, something she couldn't even comprehend given all the powerful semblances she copied before that day; she should have been invincible. As she pondered these thoughts, her scroll got a call from the Menagerie.

"What do you want?!" she yelled, still not in a good mood to talk so she wanted whoever called her to get to the point.

"Master, Ruby rose has arrived, captain Llia replied quickly as not to anger her further.

Cinder was shocked, she had dreamed of revenge against that little bitch since she took her arm and eye that day.

"There's more, she staying with those traitors the Bellodonnas and her bastard son." Her dragonman guard bitterly stated, still disgusted one of their own would even think of sleeping with "filthy humans" as he would think. He didn't say these thoughts to Cinder as their boss was human, but they bitterly put up with that to avoid her killing them as she was too powerful.

The mention of Ruby's baby intrigued Cinder. After hanging up she went to report her news to her masters. In a dark room in the base, surrounded by black vines and rats that would scare any meek hearted person to death, she entered as the door creaked open by itself. In the center of the dark room, Cinder bowed as she saw two dark figures approach.

"Mother, Father I bring you great news" she respectfully stated.

Her mother, a bleach white woman with red eyes and dark fingernails named Salem and her bulky Father, a brown haired man with a brown beard and emerald eyes named Hazel looked on calmly. They weren't her biological parents but did take her in as their own after she killed her abusive ones, earning her respect.

"That would be a first." Salem said with disdain. Unlike her husband, she was far less forgiving and held contempt for Cinder for failing their last invasion, wasting many important resources as well. Cinder grunted as she frowned with displeasure at this tone, but held her tongue out of respect.

"So what is it my child?" Hazel calmly asked his adoptive daughter.

"Ruby Rose is in the menagerie with her child with silver eyes." she responded. The mention of silver eyes intrigued them; such powerful beings always disrupted their efforts to use grimm against the kingdoms in the past. They took great pleasure in hunting them down.

"Very good sweetie, with her out of Ozpins sight, now the next phase of our plan can begin." Salem joyfully and sadistically stated with an evil grin.

"Will I get to kill little red and her bastard son?" Cinder joyfully asked, nothing would thrill her more. She lost her grin as it was replaced with horror as dark vines ensnared her as she struggled vainly to break free, she felt her strength fade. Salem brought Cinder to her face.

"Patience, in due time. For now contact our agents in the Menagerie and inform them of my orders." She calmly stated before releasing Cinder.

"Inform them exactly as I am about to tell you child, I don't want any more screw-ups like last time." She said with contempt, causing Cinder to fearfully nod her head, cold sweat dripping down her face.

"Rest assured my daughter, when were finished she will wish we had killed her and her child." Hazel said coldly with a grin.

Fear almost evaporated in Cinder as she heard those words, she grinned, as they were exactly what she wanted to hear. A chance for her to kill little red was within her grasp now and she will gladly take it.