A Strange Creature

"Miss Taylor, you should know what to do when you return to the castle," Mr. Gray said, calmly and naturally.

Susie's heart was pounding. She looked around to make sure no one noticed, and then quickly closed the lid of the hamper. "Thank you, Mr. Gray."

When she walked into the Black Wood, Susie took out the dagger from the hamper and hid it in her sleeve. Feeling the cold temperature in her sleeve, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the castle with a calm face.

It seemed that Kain's situation in the Jackson family was way too dangerous, Susie thought.

At this time, in the castle, Kain was standing in front of the "window", teasing a crow that returned from foraging.

The crow was dark, but its chest was bright white, and its round eyes were surprisingly bright.

"Jack, where do you think is better? The outside world or the castle?" a rich low voice asked in the empty room.

Jack, the black crow, flew around Kain, then landed on his shoulder and replied, "Wherever you are, little master, it's the best place."

"Only you will never leave me." Kain smiled charmingly.

"And master Kent." Jack flapped its wings and shouted.

Kain put away his smile and lowered his eyes, "By the way, have you found my father's whereabouts this time?"

The light in Jack's eyes dimmed and the feathers on his head drooped. "Little master, it's been three years. Even if the body of master Kent is found, it would have been turned to bones." Jack said in an inanimate voice.

Master Kent died in a car accident three years ago, but his body disappeared after being buried. For the past three years, they've searched the whole Veks Town and couldn't find it. Jack got upset every time it thought about it.

Kain looked at the curtains silently.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, followed by a soft female voice. "Mr. Jackson, may I come in?"

"Oh my God, is there anyone else here?" Jack was startled and almost fell off Kain's shoulder.

Kain teleported to the door, opened the door and saw Susie. He was surprised, "Didn't you leave?"

"Yes, but I'm back." Susie followed him into the room and put the hamper on the table. "Mrs. Jackson agreed to install a window for you," she was about to say something else, but was distracted by the black crow hovering above the bedroom.

How unlucky! Now even such an ominous bird had gotten into this gloomy castle.

Susie picked up the broom and jumped after the Jack, trying to drive it out. Jack pounced on her and pecked her, "Bad egg! Stinking girl!"

The crow could talk! Susie was so frightened that she dropped her broom, stared at Jack, speechlessly.

Jack smugly spread its wings and leaned forward to sprint towards Susie, who hurriedly hugged her head. "Jack!" a low, authoritative voice sounded. Jack stopped instantly, flew back to Kain's shoulder, and protested to Susie with its neck held high.

Susie was relieved. She took a look at Kain, and then at the crow on his shoulder. Both were monsters, Susie thought.

Kain looked at her coldly. "What deal did you make with that woman? What did she send you here for?"

Kain knew very well Daphne would not be kind enough to help him. It must be something Susie made with her.

Susie was surprised that Kain was so smart. She confessed, "Yes, I played tricks. Now, Mr. Jackson, could you please have your breakfast?"

The instant Susie finished her words, her stomach growled. Jack laughed so hard that the feathers on his head trembled.