Chapter 9
His heavy eyes fluttered open to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSBxesDrT5
stare up at a very familiar ceiling. He was back in his childhood bedroom; he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy1HbUGAp2
recognized it due to the glow in the dark stars that covered it. Back then he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykXLujr1rN
was obsessed with the deities and now he wanted nothing to do with them. At11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMJWXAGnNh
least this time he woke up next to Shea who was snoring peacefully next to him.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SvQZ7KmgD
His grandfather must have gone to collect her while he was out. He groaned then11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dzNCX04Uo
shifted slightly causing her to awaken.
“About time you woke up”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCRhuYgCtx
she yawned, causing him to breathe in the smell of rancid meat. He pushed her11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQTlY6NfOv
face away from his.
“Do you ever brush your teeth?” he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6yo6lnETd
asked.
“You know for a fact I do not.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ssESwPQaD
She jumped off the bed and shook herself off. “People were worried about11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXOfUUl6h8
you. You were out for two days.” That explained the hunger pains in his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaHZBI8AgS
stomach. He slid his feet over towards the side of the bed just to step down11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9nY7EryiO
and nearly fell on the ground. He caught the side of his old nightstand, but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv98U7fmZor
that caused the lamp to tip over and hit the ground. The resulting noise caused11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdifKE7pqy
the door to slam open, and Alex stood there with his sword in his hand. Upon11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw34Zw3T6o
seeing Vander, his face softened.
“You’re awake.” He sighed,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyyLea6nAk
sheathing his sword. “It’s been two days; we weren’t sure when you’d wake up.”
“Care to explain what happened?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IEMTD2H0N
Vander asked. Alex walked over to help him back up onto the bed.
“Let me get the doctor and your11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpnbwqLH8w
grandfather. I’m sure they have a lot of questions for you.” He went to leave,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQXvpG4jzb
but Vander stopped him.
“Could you grab something from the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5rTVT1XQm
kitchens?” He grinned. “I’m starving.” Laughing, Alex disappeared. Once his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRbPvgemUB
friend was gone, he sat cross legged on the ground and closed his eyes. He took11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCEXIAJMAa
a deep breath in, held it for a moment, then let it out. While Alex went to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAQ1xOibg7
collect, he wanted to take some time to go over what he knew to see where he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakVt8OQZAn
should go from here in terms of the investigation.
The King was poisoned a couple of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsMkU7KPVq
weeks ago by a new servant named Nigel. Applewood was normally a quick acting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJkngXESA2
poison once it had been mixed, but it hadn’t shown until at least a day later.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhJSd8Zs79
It was likely diluted because if the taste tester keeled over as soon as he11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrMygh1bYX
tried the meal, the King would have known something was up, as would Bernard. According11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTxcJr688i
to Bernard’s sister, Ulysses hadn’t been seen in weeks and based on the stench11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvhJvgt2mo
coming from inside the room, he had been dead for roughly a week, but why was Nigel11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfGImUaxuS
still here until Vander and Charles had gone looking for him? And why did the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVmO8ZyTAf
assassin show up right as Vander had cornered him? There were likely more spies11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGikzREKiOg
within the castle that he would have to rat out.
Vander’s eyes fluttered open once11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9KbCihnEK
he heard Charles running towards his room. Moments later the door slammed open11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROs7YfMOUF
to reveal the red eyed older man standing staring down at him. “Oh, good your11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK2dpo3Vj7
alive.” A collective breath of air poured out of him. “You almost gave this old11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5u0HQU7ul
man a heart attack.”
“It was just a smoke bomb.” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJrrIURsXa
shrugged. “I didn’t think it would cause you worry.” Charles turned to look at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoBijIgzYn
Alex.
“Did you not tell him?” Alex shook11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTJFZvqjnV
his head.
“Tell me what?”
“That wasn’t a smoke bomb.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zznYPY05T
Charles said. “It was laced with poison. Anyone who got near got so sick we had11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLKrUs9vMv
to quarantine them. It’s a miracle you made it out alive.”
“You can thank the blessing for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKee7kQjWOi
that.” Vander rubbed the back of his head. “How many are sick?”
“Three servants and one Blade.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QJpA5MgdH
Charles explained. “They are being well taken care of and should make a full11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVTbOmwFF2
recovery if given time. We will just need to keep this mess under wraps at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbBsO0kSJT
least until after the wedding.”
“I would like to keep11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXgZkX3sCl
investigating this.” Vander said. “Something about this just doesn’t sit right11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGtnqGc1RD
with me.”
“Same here Commander.” Both looked11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEviz9qqpB
over towards Alex. “The fact the King was poisoned under our very noses and an11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6zLZqNjk2
assassin killed a witness and nearly killed Vander then left all without being11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkp6A7LhfQ
seen reeks of an inside job.”
“I cannot spare anyone to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66sYMwTezw
investigate this.” Charles folded his arms over his chest. “We will have our11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZIC5YMmOZ
hands full guarding our guests.”
“With all due respect Commander,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn9CLRLoVP
but we are getting many of our forces back who left to retrieve the wardens and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ckppzFkh3
with the added boost of whoever the princess is bringing, we will have enough11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdYJhbCSjr
people in investigate and protect our important guests.”
“Let us see what the King has to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T1Wur2yml
say about this.” Charles sighed. Both Vander and Alex looked up at him stunned.
“He’s awake?” they both asked.
“About a half hour ago.” Charles11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45tg9fUntc
beamed. “Your remedy worked, but he is still quite weak. I was on my way down11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw8leu8N0o
to check on you when Alex bumped into me. Come on, he wanted to talk to you as11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPoTtAv8T7
soon as you woke up.”
“What about my stew?” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUVZx86pGt
looked at his friend. Alex looked down as if he had just realized he had it for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Nuu2tWyG
the first time. Blushing, he handed it over. Charles tapped his foot11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GbKamUVg5
impatiently as Vander scarfed down the burning hot stew. He thoroughly enjoyed11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlOJhaIWYs
the chunks of meat that just melted in your mouth but did his best to ignore11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGNzAIDglm
the vegetables until it was one of the last things left inside.
“Are you going to finish that?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6EG38AoMU
Vander looked over to see Shea practically drooling on his shoulder. Shaking11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNSKLmpfQZ
his head he placed it down on the ground the promptly got out of the way so she11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwxJtvEqul
could tear into it with gusto.
“Stay here.” He said. “I’ll be11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4etW2I0F5Y
back soon.” She didn’t acknowledge him as he left with the other two men.
The castle was quiet. He couldn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2UitUVQuv
see much from his room on account he had just woken up and the blinds had been11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8VlOv6mB
drawn, but he guessed it was the middle of the night. Lanterns were lit and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9jhrPmZAj
servants walked around in pairs to tend to them. Things were quiet.
Charles brought them to the room11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgjOidIiM5
they were in before when Vander looked over Malcolm only now there were four11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ388ZrqRRlR
more Blades standing guard. With a curt nod to the commander, they knocked once11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFmH32nGxK
then opened the door.
Unlike the last time, Malcolm Elan11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdcS8h62wM
was sitting up in bed with a candle burning on the nightstand. He had his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGfx7is2zO
glasses down over his nose and it appeared as though he was reading a report of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fYzMZ87zn
some kind. Both Peyton and Visc were standing next to him, silently, waiting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvriaXyjYPo
for him to speak. His ordeal aged him considerably. His hair had streaks of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOOnIg7Kqp
white and there were age marks gathering along the corner of his eyes. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvDgE2Onn1
looked up when the small group entered.
“Ah, I see you have finally woken11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvjo2mA0CF
up Vander.” Malcolm smiled. His voice was filled with warmth as he spoke his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBu5LgilxW
name, a feeling he wasn’t used to. “I trust the good doctor took very good care11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElg6yTFZRq
of you while you were out?”
“I feel good.” Vander nodded.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjvry1Iwd9
“Glad to see you are awake as well.”
“All thanks to you I hear.” He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMy4iftYgL
turned to face Peyton and Visc. “Will you all excuse us? I have something I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxCLFXzmpQ
would like to discuss with the captain, alone.”
“But sir, I don’t think-“ Peyton11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJe2uaHTYy
placed his hand on Visc’s shoulder.
“No arguing.” He hissed. “Just11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjKcmChtPf
go.” He practically strong armed the Warden away from the King. Charles and11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ364TGAvAKw
Alex bowed their heads before following the other two men.
“Sorry about that.” Malcolm11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZRsjZAEm1
removed his glasses then placed the paper on the bed. “Visc came to give me a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdobQrKOACn
report about the Kingdom’s affairs since my… sickness. Do you think there is11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKtOujJCry
anything amiss from the report?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8EEQ8ynTB
admitted. “I was gone for half a year. I only came back maybe a week or so ago.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3IpB232hh
I’m sure Peyton or my grandfather would have more insight than I.” Malcolm11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlLZ4MmPzh
nodded as if he expected that answer.
“And where is Shea?” he asked.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw8skMjmUB
“Normally you two are inseparable.”
“I left her downstairs eating what11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBrxPsVBGq
was left of my dinner.” He explained. “She likely hadn’t eaten while I was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh3rixviaR
unconscious and needed something.” Malcolm laughed.
“The bond you two share is a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2UDD86LCu
special one, never take that for granted.” 11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd9rtvOMur
The two of them fell silent as they became lost with their thoughts. “I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCupW2Gw0MR
guess I should get on with the reason I wanted to talk to you alone.” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxOqsBlTQS
waited for the older man to gather his thoughts. “My time as King is about to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTvE4ck5cu
run its course.” He held up his hand to keep Vander from interrupting. “Humjir11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6itQMEf2cM
spoke to me while I was out telling me as such. He also told me that there are11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54gjxt6gIM
big things at play and my death is unavoidable. I’ve accepted that, but what I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXTNKLayeG
need from you is something far more important.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to protect my son.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cu5Vbm4oa
Malcolm sighed. “Help him become a good and kind ruler in my absence. No one is11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK5tU0aXK7
ready to lose their parents, especially not a prince who is ill prepared for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqnDUqXStA
the challenges of the throne. He will have his new wife, but she is a stranger11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tcP1c8uzI
here. She will not be able to help him in the way that he needs, at least not11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRiPOAGqxn
yet. So, I want you to fill those shoes, the same way your grandfather has done11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEcppkwhQs
for me.”
“You want me to become Commander?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO8GjOsfn2
Malcolm nodded.
“Once your grandfather is ready to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uweFan5P9
retire, I want you to take his place.” He explained. “Peyton filled me in on11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJJOXHqU8P
your duel with Leon and I know your pride is on the line. If you are11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEir8ipFxQ
successful, just know your future is already secured.”
“I understand.” Vander wrung his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVAc61DBB0
hands together.
“Something is bothering you?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXWmtF61fM
Malcolm asked. “What is it?”
“It’s just I don’t think the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80KSzrd3nT
business with the assassins is over.” Vander sighed. “They were a little too11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8asUwlQhLs
organized and if I hadn’t come along and discovered what I did, there is a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3cwl5oJNp
chance you would have died without seeing Cuvera again.”
“And I’m sure that business with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrjQDCf42r
the masked assassin who almost killed you isn’t finished.” Malcolm nodded at11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDTMGja7XH
Vander’s shocked expression. “Yes, I heard about it. While an assassin on the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjOMtjwDkB
loose isn’t my main priority since guards will be doubled and the head chef11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiIfduaPbP
will be making and serving my food personally from now on, it’s not something I11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbiHbCznQy
can overlook. What do you want from me?”
It wasn’t very much truthfully.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ITJZfCjl
All Vander needed was the ability to come and go as he pleased and a way to get11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOJKo6vWXO
out of trouble if something happened. Malcolm didn’t want too many details so11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzYJ0j8TAC
he could have plausible deniability, but he gave Vander what he asked for: a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVr0eIktaP
golden sigil with the king’s seal emblazoned on it. All he had to do was show11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEbqduwVZF
it to a guard then be let go. It also allowed him to withdraw money from his11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg7sL1KY8W
personal expense account for items he might require. He was given the freedom11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk3Ro1G7Gn
he needed to investigate the matter, but he had to make sure it was okay with11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ZkeEiDLc
Charles before anything.
“I wish you the best of luck,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP3mcX7KsH
Vander.” The king smiled. “And thank you again for saving my life. You will11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXB4Rb7187
forever have my gratitude and the gratitude of the entire kingdom for as long11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbwyDuWCS1
as you live.”
“I was just doing my job.” Vander11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzeDbxhEJu
turned his head towards the door. “Sounds like Lord Cranton and Lord Visc are11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNZ1oIZWRn
chomping at the bit to get in here.”
“Send them in.” Malcolm sighed.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hMQ4OeWuc
“And discuss our conversation with no one unless you absolutely trust them. The11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4bNa6AnwZ
fact they were able to get their claws into those I vet myself tells me they11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRcbu8bfja
are not to be underestimated.”
Vander walked over to the door11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUGbypmWJX
then pulled it open. Visc stumbled in with a disapproving shake from Peyton as11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdE8WzIwnU
he walked in behind him. “I told you not to stand so close to the door.”
“You did that on purpose didn’t11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SGfUxW8Er
you?” Visc got to his feet growling at Vander.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbhIck1RN7
about.” Vander did his best to hide his laughter. “If you’ll excuse me11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgKrm21eyS
gentlemen, I am tired and need some rest.” Then he walked out of the room.
He found Alexander waiting down11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj44BVFREgf
the hall, but his grandfather was nowhere to be seen. Alex told him that11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqmkjSbB2u
Charles, after knowing he was safe, had gone to bed to pass out. It had been a11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2YhkG6O0q
long couple of days for him and he needed the rest.
“What do you have planned11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgojmMHhub
tonight?” Vander asked.
“I was going to spent time with my11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLf6ABs8yV
husband.” Alex explained. “But I think he’s asleep now, so, what do you have in11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSRaP39Zph
mind?”
“Get dressed in something nice.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd56jxmnOC
Vander smiled. “We are going clubbing. Meet me at the Inn in an hour.”
“Clubbing? At this hour?” The look11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUrb0U9K3y
on Vander’s face gave it away. Alex let out a loud sigh but agreed. With that,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ah3Ila0o
the two of them split.
Vander picked Shea up from the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv3eif1BRJ
room. She was snoring with her head inside of the food bowl. When he startled11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPVlGcR7oQ
her the bowl flew and broke against the wall. The two of them looked at each11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GQZ9mduSI
other, swore they would blame Alex, then quickly fled the castle. Vander knew11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMLo5j6jT5
he hadn’t completely regained all his strength, yet which was why he was11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8b1ss0A9U
bringing Alex along, but where they were going was only for the toughest of the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzrgFcsoL1
toughest in Eluvia. If they didn’t keep their wits about them they could end up11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASVLfStltJ
with a knife in their ribs or worse. It was a place to gather information, but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDzmAd8gWI
also filled with murderers, rapists, drug addicts and politicians. He had to be11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uNz23XBk6
careful.
Julianna was awake when he walked11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouMt5Bdkp3
through the door. She greeted him with a flying hug and quick peck on the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMW2EfbNru
cheek. She said that she had been worried about him when he hadn’t returned,11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx85g948ky
and it took ten minutes for him to calm her down enough to untangle himself. She11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRpQ5GFlEm
asked if he had eaten. He told her that he had, but he didn’t have time for11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnOalU7A1u
more, he had something he needed to do tonight. Reluctantly she let him go but11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7LAWuDkpn
made him promise he would return as soon as he could.
He quickly showered and got11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3jKKLqnrd
dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and dress jacket that he wore only on11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNgaMkdKlC
special occasions. You didn’t go to where they were headed wearing a Blade11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPxrzLgYMC
uniform or dressed in rags. The clientele was elite, and you had to dress the11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EjK0ZV9wr
part to get in the door. He left his sword at home; he couldn’t take it where11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMnRGuDuWz
he was going. There was strict no weapons policy, but many hired guards to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrzKEYPEsp
protect them. People chose intimidating figures who could scare off any11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlLaLguHax
potential issues, but between Alex and himself, they could take on anyone. He11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVihgdLa1rx
said goodbye to Julianna then headed outside with Shea in tow. Alex was waiting11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu3xjjLgeR
for him.
“Where are we headed?” Alex asked.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8qRAhT74z
He wisely didn’t bring his sword, but Vander noticed the many rings glittering11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMxf8TIOxL
on his hand.
“The one place that can get any11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJLfTuvaEk
information we want, at a price.” Vander said cryptically. You never knew who11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrajpFYZZr
was listening.
“I can’t stand that place.” Alex11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtTcwNRLqF
sighed. It was the one place everyone hated going, but sometimes you had to11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPCdkvGUki
make a deal with the devil in order to find the answers.
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“Let’s go meet Ross.” The two of11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr9V2IcYHr
them walked down the dark road and towards the slums.
