Regrets of The Fallen (Victis Honor Book 1) by Jake Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

well,” she said, referencing Bella’s conversation with the old man. “Get along.”
    “I guess I’m something of a people person these days,” Bella agreed, sucking on a piece of apple, her favorite. “Mmm, apples…” She looked back over her shoulder as well before smiling at Haruka. “It’s really not that hard. Most people respond to the way you act. If you act standoffish, they’ll probably do the same. On the other hand, if you come to them with a smile, a good attitude and a bit of kindness, you’d be surprised how many people will treat you with the same.”
    Haruka nodded; it was good advice, for most people. “Harder,” she stated, “for me.”
    “I suppose it is…” Isabella looked at her. She opened her mouth as if to ask, but closed it again without saying anything.
    Haruka understood, though, so she pointed to her chest just below her throat, indicating her voice. “Birth defect… weak chords,” she explained. It wasn’t something she liked admitting but it wasn’t like she could hide it. And besides, if she was going to spend a long time with Isabella, the woman deserved to know why her travelling companion only said one or two words at a time. “Too much,” she continued, “hurts; stops.”
    “Oh, I see,” Isabella responded, looking at her sadly. That disappeared in a second, though, replaced with an affectionate smile. “I still think it’s cute.”
    Haruka blushed again but answered with a smile, “Good.”
    “I can imagine it must be frustrating. Being unable to do something can be the worst feeling.” Isabella watched her companion’s eyes as they walked. “Little unique things like that are good, though. It’s just another special part of you. And besides… It may be selfish, but…” Isabella herself actually blushed this time as she looked away, causing Haruka to raise an eyebrow. “Well, it is selfish, but I kind of like the idea that, eventually, I’ll understand what you say more than anyone else does. I’ve never had any sort of personal connection like that.”
    Haruka gave an understanding smile. “Selfish,” she started, “about me…” She allowed herself to take a pause in between before continuing with another smile, “is good.”
    “Just remember you said that when I start acting smug around other people because I’m closer to you.”
    Haruka chuckled. “They’d care?”
    Isabella shrugged. “I dunno, it doesn’t really matter if they’d care. I just think I’ll get smug about it because I care.”
    Haruka 's reply died on her lips as she noticed two figures in the crowd. More importantly they were two figures she recognized. She grabbed Isabella’s wrist, beginning to push her way through the crowd. “Ow! Haruka, what are you… Is something wrong?” Isabella looked around and soon spotted the two – in similar dress to Haruka – heading towards them.
    It was really something, Haruka thought, as she watched all traces of childishness vanish from Isabella’s face to be replaced by a much harder, even intimidating look. One minute you wouldn’t think she could hurt a fly; the next minute you wouldn’t be surprised if she was a danger to the entire city . She wasn’t wearing her armor at the moment so Haruka was worried (she would be anyway), but at least she had her sword on her hip.
    They and the two other Black Sun Monks broke into a run at the same instant. Fortunately they had reached the edge of the crowd so they darted into an alleyway and kept running. Haruka found that she was faster than Isabella, but the other woman had a natural grace that helped her keep up. It wasn’t like she was slow; she was far faster than the average person. But Haruka got the feeling that Bella paced her running due to her condition. Long-term, all-out sprinting probably wasn’t good for her.
    Several streets down, once they were away from all the crowds, Isabella stopped and turned around as she pulled her sword from her belt (still tied