Tai Seng sniffed the air. The Wolf Clan's sense of smell was keen, and he quickly found Xi Qing's location.
Si Yan ran after Tai Seng.
Xi Qing was curled up, hiding in a secluded cave within the forest on the back mountain.
He hugged himself tightly, shivering with fear.
She saw it. She saw it. She *really* saw it. The gentle mother who cooked for him would no longer exist. She would push him into the fire; she would let the fire burn his face. So terrifying, so frightening. Mother… Mother… Xi Qing is so scared…
"Si Yan, Xi Qing is in the cave up ahead," Tai Seng said.
Si Yan took a couple of hurried steps forward, but as she neared the cave entrance, she hesitated.
Tai Seng walked over to Si Yan and asked softly, "Si Yan?"
Si Yan pursed her lips and shook her head, complex emotions swirling within her. Suddenly, she said, "I am not a good mother."
"Si Yan, why would you say that?" Tai Seng had barely finished speaking when he realized Si Yan seemed to want to vent.
