The Child stepped over the fallen form of Vesta and plucked the stone from its obsidian cradle. The light radiating from the stone dimmed as it touched it with blood-tainted Â fingers. Droplets of blood streamed down from its other arm, which hung limply by its side.Â<br/><br/>It grasped the stone tighter in its hand as the sound of more humans grew louder by the moment. It crouched and leapt easily onto the wall which surrounded the garden and paused for a moment before allowing its momentum to carry it past the wall.Â<br/><br/>******<br/><br/>Vaenier sprinted flat out, determined to get a better glimpse of the Devourer and to put a greater distance between him and the guards. And there, in place where a grand garden should have been was a complete mess of shredded vegetation and torn petals. Above, silhouetted by the moon was the Devourer. He was quite sure that at least some of the guards had seen it. But in the middle of the thoroughly-wrecked garden was Vesta, who's breaths came irregularly and the blue petals surrounding her were slowly turning red as they soaked up her crimson blood.Â