Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1snk2Z57SK
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FwI8Fpp7T
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcyOq1XVbH
some books from their neighboring countries. 28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnlc5YatVW
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjSZ0dHn2E
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkbRDvEsNF
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNdsGP4FC9
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0A7oM3yDE
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoerIXq22K
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmlPRQaEJs
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpypPPQFs6
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hhc6WNn80
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQMk3FF1sW
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBBv4dmgNk
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w5WIYguaI
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMcg9qcwn6
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ekHtkRHuQ
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjecZTnWhJL
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gIAaCRTPZ
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfikM1i2T7u
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EoMqMgqsN
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtzKFIdkH1
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QbdmWqARq
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3mmgzBfzr
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh1jtvVMLF
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9M2KGDB4D
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY3tOXpCRT
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyID4PxY7a
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVqHZw69cc
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY88lN8zERh
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZXm0IeTKU
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLVzO2vtpK
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5srkrwiBY
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU7NMXpAuN
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M36htMDGR
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgozn82xp3
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze9Msc3Xld
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLxjdGihNr
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrehImav21
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2LpweuQYS
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhn4hP0Hng
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnh9vNPGJl
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5lXogOh6k
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFl2gFESBA
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOKnQIdXRW
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAff4HOSApl
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK9kdNhkYW
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XjMYw3o4z
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxfsPo8yy7
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoJGx5ao6o
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1pTDVKC7s
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgatMJbluy
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdODQxSTCM
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvnvIqUeL9
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon8qeoC7A9
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypCZcmMxdn
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX0xncdYwW
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaJYoUwGSA
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeN5tDP0Tb
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ592Rll1jDf
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpxisfbBQP
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPMEzHk1GA
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6rqSaL6YA
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK7CfvZs5R
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vRCKz3JCn
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuSuk73Nob
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmlYspIxHi
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS15F7ZzWV
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFiC2QgrGX
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hHRicXXYs
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U70TwoIbI
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VFSn09O9u
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhav5zUab6
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerY0oHNEtG
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfF8Hudn4p
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdW9swrkxd
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8SMFaHvRN
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIijfGoJCV
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW9eGqTple
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1DTQ1vMvM
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMhMwOZzKP
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Yui9Ycho
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GQvMA0lyu
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRISHXlpo3
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCxg86SnaH
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXTL7NH41y
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqbpKFY4gu
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NkoWDVQiq
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGtVbADji
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o3qmEgZqu
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrtWoYFlZk
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEepdW21fY
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qv12iqSCf
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uY9GiDDEo
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseiNf05ThK
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M2haMUAV9
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdp1geQSU7
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre1szBjEFV
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrrtDPtE4Z
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXv3xZGSbz
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMJxC6eFzG
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2TTfhgsSM
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvAaEPMniM
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFMlhLMHhA
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBYoQIbJVS
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt4cP8m3FV
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrxzAWkPxJ
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf6JJhEOWH
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjC0Yop9YZ
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYLRvskB5A
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw91OAt5dG
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxeD8SzR2j
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIY2GTXJjr
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu1KOZ0Gxn
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO48gNPECW
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItlY7DuRR
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk92YrQQXsT
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDX1WJZTLG
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwlKatGDfQ
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvxsYuvK7F
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIjXXxhCHC
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDItvlLqja
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X85gp33dF
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yPcByJTqu
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldteCOeAYY
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOSuHJO1WN
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgfQZedUG
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgBbvW7isr
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsM70Gajz7
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MBHwXt1jF
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweuNxqMyov
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsXmCijbMc
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx4bEnp5h6
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIqhUmjj2D
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFrJp2vjtu
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtzc9B78NW
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01RUAFQ0TF
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxoC4U0PRH
issues.
By the time he made it out of the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZlB9LGCVy
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fxPJTWtL8
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbPra34fo
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsHx9hqzi9
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOxK6o9V9Z
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmG0ugP9SL
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpCL7MhB89
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngs6gX9jdH
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXDMc8Qrt6
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60BHi5mIQD
do with that.
One of the only places that would28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaQwNY3HVI
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7B8kWrjyR
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOxpFrf5Li
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ0lmQ7jMP
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUplvxKVkj
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RRT6lvjWz
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLnS8wWGyD
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSiZKT1wTp
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD2w1tQ9tu
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLapEsgsEHn
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXko6g94pQ
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4TTn8BKck
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD9v5oFWhE
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt4erOhwlA
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwEoziYJMX
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdTNs7nakV
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiGIzoMfqk
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9EWoKoVyc
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteowhgDADz
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSompUcUTkJ
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUF2ceTTLT
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmx1oBI9pB
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRmu8yGlLQ
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSCvD85eJb
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRqbcMGnLa
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mQgF7MIqK
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN2GBIEK7d
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2NvVpXYAX
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYHbjOelEi
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEKI54D5kF
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHGqcJbeOG
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3eZxqtgJK
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAusPyRfxlE
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNnZft7lP0
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4hcoD4Mqm
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NA5fmLQjL
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeOlnD1ERJ
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUTzU3N3Wn
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSDxzsyuva
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvZN3yKhKx
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoNzh8Ny2F
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM997ulrP95
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC4lBSiwS9
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xqHFkKcDv
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZReEFcKGAn
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB6eNGZlws
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkC3JnlJxT
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpskJ11nyAy
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllmgutkU28
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fqO3Uetj2
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLTGgvGHto
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxCb3ZHCjj
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN2tfMKjrF
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4dzwFyxGU
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ3tjeRtwt
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbA4HBvyEW
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVgR3H0CLt
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ae8xgDkC9
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroCzsj0cAA
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yQemTHoWO
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6U5CROZm6
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRTter89hr
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kZB5DpJHP
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTDo1T1J1Z
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcjwbWE8eI
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkYMfpEzPG
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4N3Mfuhc6
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvTeiyhaMJ
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUpMTy8g2y
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6yMDDOq6K
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUo8XUGiMy
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqYUvxAYsB
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJhgZusFwS
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdZB4ppaTg
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93OsKnd0K4
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4zeIz9oGS
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QOFTU1FVT
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZqpFlo9C1
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2F6hz6JAp
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk7AkrBxof
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfFKzxeTE2
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYCuFA1ILR
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhDhzuRoKM
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb3nKiKO95
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWbd0hHASO
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSodgOEyG9
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqFQYPCvbR
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD55DTKav6
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCrz59XSXC
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6uFu3Qbks
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBErvAcHgeM
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdmQkjxzdV
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8IhaEgNXP
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAXd7ixTUG
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxD5stsP70
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARysWtOMLw
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7blDBiucl
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpRunMRxrh
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1P3hPh2gn
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMSkOHUAxy
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTBtLtv5if
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92oouQL5z1
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8F27FBB4P
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22T55ozUNq
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhYFSy5djc
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U3UbjjQal
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
