Chapter 9
His heavy eyes fluttered open to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeuTu5rnx0
stare up at a very familiar ceiling. He was back in his childhood bedroom; he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkow3oxHLgP
recognized it due to the glow in the dark stars that covered it. Back then he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bDx8Pfk6Q
was obsessed with the deities and now he wanted nothing to do with them. At87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wyqK9UKCC
least this time he woke up next to Shea who was snoring peacefully next to him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6LA0EFUTX
His grandfather must have gone to collect her while he was out. He groaned then87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzauu06fXIc
shifted slightly causing her to awaken.
“About time you woke up”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S3f7MlPD4
she yawned, causing him to breathe in the smell of rancid meat. He pushed her87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4qaY17R8
face away from his.
“Do you ever brush your teeth?” he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvIAGsBZnt
asked.
“You know for a fact I do not.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRDCjjBtRY
She jumped off the bed and shook herself off. “People were worried about87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSY3c8fus0
you. You were out for two days.” That explained the hunger pains in his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfHx2bVBHN
stomach. He slid his feet over towards the side of the bed just to step down87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid5EQ8ecsb
and nearly fell on the ground. He caught the side of his old nightstand, but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFSDEXxwAX
that caused the lamp to tip over and hit the ground. The resulting noise caused87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmvP8RvzBu
the door to slam open, and Alex stood there with his sword in his hand. Upon87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazl5yimhWl
seeing Vander, his face softened.
“You’re awake.” He sighed,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl7XwS1wKO
sheathing his sword. “It’s been two days; we weren’t sure when you’d wake up.”
“Care to explain what happened?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYp5KBsfmT
Vander asked. Alex walked over to help him back up onto the bed.
“Let me get the doctor and your87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFxd1YG6du
grandfather. I’m sure they have a lot of questions for you.” He went to leave,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi2RLU1yMs
but Vander stopped him.
“Could you grab something from the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUT1hZTAK9
kitchens?” He grinned. “I’m starving.” Laughing, Alex disappeared. Once his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAniVLGMccK
friend was gone, he sat cross legged on the ground and closed his eyes. He took87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvlFxkcxuv
a deep breath in, held it for a moment, then let it out. While Alex went to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gVKURcQAh
collect, he wanted to take some time to go over what he knew to see where he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0AYoJ1n95
should go from here in terms of the investigation.
The King was poisoned a couple of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Se3F1Aby
weeks ago by a new servant named Nigel. Applewood was normally a quick acting87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpzuyN9H7y
poison once it had been mixed, but it hadn’t shown until at least a day later.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIFPiK9EIh
It was likely diluted because if the taste tester keeled over as soon as he87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuyroCRug0
tried the meal, the King would have known something was up, as would Bernard. According87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qrqhS52uB
to Bernard’s sister, Ulysses hadn’t been seen in weeks and based on the stench87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpZeaWpYHX
coming from inside the room, he had been dead for roughly a week, but why was Nigel87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyMzDt7685
still here until Vander and Charles had gone looking for him? And why did the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IUXGyiwOh
assassin show up right as Vander had cornered him? There were likely more spies87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NR5raJf5P
within the castle that he would have to rat out.
Vander’s eyes fluttered open once87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva1T0D7CXl
he heard Charles running towards his room. Moments later the door slammed open87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tXnFb8cwh
to reveal the red eyed older man standing staring down at him. “Oh, good your87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZSdCQWbQc
alive.” A collective breath of air poured out of him. “You almost gave this old87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTYoIpvQ6V
man a heart attack.”
“It was just a smoke bomb.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71OIpActD7
shrugged. “I didn’t think it would cause you worry.” Charles turned to look at87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpwIzEDiiQ
Alex.
“Did you not tell him?” Alex shook87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcVslMQMPj
his head.
“Tell me what?”
“That wasn’t a smoke bomb.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25D57vdfbS
Charles said. “It was laced with poison. Anyone who got near got so sick we had87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTsWHGJoDz
to quarantine them. It’s a miracle you made it out alive.”
“You can thank the blessing for87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwfXWirKxa
that.” Vander rubbed the back of his head. “How many are sick?”
“Three servants and one Blade.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN0SaZg54d
Charles explained. “They are being well taken care of and should make a full87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHnuTiWLP4
recovery if given time. We will just need to keep this mess under wraps at87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUOp434biP
least until after the wedding.”
“I would like to keep87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaXWitZmGR
investigating this.” Vander said. “Something about this just doesn’t sit right87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDmQjvlpL7
with me.”
“Same here Commander.” Both looked87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIZ7C2JBr0
over towards Alex. “The fact the King was poisoned under our very noses and an87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JkzobOu3e
assassin killed a witness and nearly killed Vander then left all without being87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXM7pjjJwg
seen reeks of an inside job.”
“I cannot spare anyone to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO71TlVRiS3
investigate this.” Charles folded his arms over his chest. “We will have our87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2moQ1IYkE
hands full guarding our guests.”
“With all due respect Commander,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH0X6kKzjk
but we are getting many of our forces back who left to retrieve the wardens and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOICuuV3ad2
with the added boost of whoever the princess is bringing, we will have enough87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYYP8kvoY0
people in investigate and protect our important guests.”
“Let us see what the King has to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk10RhAf20K
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.” Charles87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGtxaDbkIn
beamed. “Your remedy worked, but he is still quite weak. I was on my way down87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbgaZhFAbr
to check on you when Alex bumped into me. Come on, he wanted to talk to you as87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6LiRjU5uS
soon as you woke up.”
“What about my stew?” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SCw4eG8B4
looked at his friend. Alex looked down as if he had just realized he had it for87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BKmTxGcvH
the first time. Blushing, he handed it over. Charles tapped his foot87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuI7zQruz3
impatiently as Vander scarfed down the burning hot stew. He thoroughly enjoyed87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXC1WX5zO4
the chunks of meat that just melted in your mouth but did his best to ignore87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVWMifRsST
the vegetables until it was one of the last things left inside.
“Are you going to finish that?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb2NWYoeeS
Vander looked over to see Shea practically drooling on his shoulder. Shaking87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc0ZjpWbCZ
his head he placed it down on the ground the promptly got out of the way so she87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAd2VaYkSx
could tear into it with gusto.
“Stay here.” He said. “I’ll be87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmcAgxUqaK
back soon.” She didn’t acknowledge him as he left with the other two men.
The castle was quiet. He couldn’t87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lEWCuCm8i
see much from his room on account he had just woken up and the blinds had been87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jfJPrS7C3
drawn, but he guessed it was the middle of the night. Lanterns were lit and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcobyLcBDNn
servants walked around in pairs to tend to them. Things were quiet.
Charles brought them to the room87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTxijrALXN
they were in before when Vander looked over Malcolm only now there were four87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8NNRE1vq3
more Blades standing guard. With a curt nod to the commander, they knocked once87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLoeKM59jJ
then opened the door.
Unlike the last time, Malcolm Elan87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDTDvuZFrM
was sitting up in bed with a candle burning on the nightstand. He had his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Nm6aAMcQ
glasses down over his nose and it appeared as though he was reading a report of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyZM8Fgfkt
some kind. Both Peyton and Visc were standing next to him, silently, waiting87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiVSC142Nc
for him to speak. His ordeal aged him considerably. His hair had streaks of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafYJI1ettA
white and there were age marks gathering along the corner of his eyes. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEMjbPHNnn
looked up when the small group entered.
“Ah, I see you have finally woken87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrNR0XSAeN
up Vander.” Malcolm smiled. His voice was filled with warmth as he spoke his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOpe5yMz7
name, a feeling he wasn’t used to. “I trust the good doctor took very good care87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2CcA3cyt4
of you while you were out?”
“I feel good.” Vander nodded.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSma7zIkxGo
“Glad to see you are awake as well.”
“All thanks to you I hear.” He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrmXpbkHKV
turned to face Peyton and Visc. “Will you all excuse us? I have something I87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEtryw3zwt
would like to discuss with the captain, alone.”
“But sir, I don’t think-“ Peyton87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCfkdzav2Z
placed his hand on Visc’s shoulder.
“No arguing.” He hissed. “Just87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9GsUdsy75
go.” He practically strong armed the Warden away from the King. Charles and87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jeabNata
Alex bowed their heads before following the other two men.
“Sorry about that.” Malcolm87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoiAO3JVLa
removed his glasses then placed the paper on the bed. “Visc came to give me a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8ylcSYfxX
report about the Kingdom’s affairs since my… sickness. Do you think there is87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPFrg9hSwd
anything amiss from the report?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GpCidIlG6
admitted. “I was gone for half a year. I only came back maybe a week or so ago.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktYIre2Z15
I’m sure Peyton or my grandfather would have more insight than I.” Malcolm87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatqFpO74Ke
nodded as if he expected that answer.
“And where is Shea?” he asked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH0ZVBKYwP
“Normally you two are inseparable.”
“I left her downstairs eating what87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF9juRk1b8
was left of my dinner.” He explained. “She likely hadn’t eaten while I was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GbRC830QB
unconscious and needed something.” Malcolm laughed.
“The bond you two share is a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGi2HIdEtJ
special one, never take that for granted.” 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ2G6VCZ7h
The two of them fell silent as they became lost with their thoughts. “I87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiGjLbMnk0
guess I should get on with the reason I wanted to talk to you alone.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9au54jnMUm
waited for the older man to gather his thoughts. “My time as King is about to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6pDaHmSci
run its course.” He held up his hand to keep Vander from interrupting. “Humjir87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vjazNN10p
spoke to me while I was out telling me as such. He also told me that there are87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Lk66TFnB
big things at play and my death is unavoidable. I’ve accepted that, but what I87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXVFi1m0q1
need from you is something far more important.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to protect my son.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBznY0nzZw8
Malcolm sighed. “Help him become a good and kind ruler in my absence. No one is87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA3UrRXQcf
ready to lose their parents, especially not a prince who is ill prepared for87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOaAnt7G44
the challenges of the throne. He will have his new wife, but she is a stranger87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXACFOQuZS
here. She will not be able to help him in the way that he needs, at least not87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUd4JmqAu2
yet. So, I want you to fill those shoes, the same way your grandfather has done87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GtCHz1ioB
for me.”
“You want me to become Commander?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Yp52UgZ6
Malcolm nodded.
“Once your grandfather is ready to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ln4GiMYh5
retire, I want you to take his place.” He explained. “Peyton filled me in on87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxV0zDBZ2E
your duel with Leon and I know your pride is on the line. If you are87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDpHPoYBL8
successful, just know your future is already secured.”
“I understand.” Vander wrung his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrZV4VGp2C
hands together.
“Something is bothering you?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOwz8pBYjN
Malcolm asked. “What is it?”
“It’s just I don’t think the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7GqQRBPe
business with the assassins is over.” Vander sighed. “They were a little too87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0D48XbLe4
organized and if I hadn’t come along and discovered what I did, there is a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYwRxLbSY0
chance you would have died without seeing Cuvera again.”
“And I’m sure that business with87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlMbh7Hizz
the masked assassin who almost killed you isn’t finished.” Malcolm nodded at87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaq1vCHqXP
Vander’s shocked expression. “Yes, I heard about it. While an assassin on the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe2drRqEjI
loose isn’t my main priority since guards will be doubled and the head chef87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IR2s7fCet
will be making and serving my food personally from now on, it’s not something I87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceBzNnLh8N
can overlook. What do you want from me?”
It wasn’t very much truthfully.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJeXfzCjLy
All Vander needed was the ability to come and go as he pleased and a way to get87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNU5qXi8BK
out of trouble if something happened. Malcolm didn’t want too many details so87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mcHMYW8vZ
he could have plausible deniability, but he gave Vander what he asked for: a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFChCquHZLm
golden sigil with the king’s seal emblazoned on it. All he had to do was show87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmdwq2T2IM
it to a guard then be let go. It also allowed him to withdraw money from his87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk8X2TJkTg
personal expense account for items he might require. He was given the freedom87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcPtCWE1IW
he needed to investigate the matter, but he had to make sure it was okay with87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6puf6oJge
Charles before anything.
“I wish you the best of luck,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfjVqxAmgd
Vander.” The king smiled. “And thank you again for saving my life. You will87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi1ImURaFV
forever have my gratitude and the gratitude of the entire kingdom for as long87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFreEYFyRg
as you live.”
“I was just doing my job.” Vander87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawjriSbZ3t
turned his head towards the door. “Sounds like Lord Cranton and Lord Visc are87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskiAVYl3GN
chomping at the bit to get in here.”
“Send them in.” Malcolm sighed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqXMPrXqRC
“And discuss our conversation with no one unless you absolutely trust them. The87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOdJgjnUIW
fact they were able to get their claws into those I vet myself tells me they87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqxhR0zoCb
are not to be underestimated.”
Vander walked over to the door87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOESE9Y90oT
then pulled it open. Visc stumbled in with a disapproving shake from Peyton as87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ20X9Ia78u
he walked in behind him. “I told you not to stand so close to the door.”
“You did that on purpose didn’t87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQxQ93T1dm
you?” Visc got to his feet growling at Vander.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPB04fEHf1
about.” Vander did his best to hide his laughter. “If you’ll excuse me87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zSDawCufF
gentlemen, I am tired and need some rest.” Then he walked out of the room.
He found Alexander waiting down87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt7PcMhbHT
the hall, but his grandfather was nowhere to be seen. Alex told him that87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OERSnII5E
Charles, after knowing he was safe, had gone to bed to pass out. It had been a87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrCO81XLXW
long couple of days for him and he needed the rest.
“What do you have planned87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8MBj0bNjG
tonight?” Vander asked.
“I was going to spent time with my87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bMM5N83e
husband.” Alex explained. “But I think he’s asleep now, so, what do you have in87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2C74DsQRV
mind?”
“Get dressed in something nice.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrSddyR9M3
Vander smiled. “We are going clubbing. Meet me at the Inn in an hour.”
“Clubbing? At this hour?” The look87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDOvkY9DQU
on Vander’s face gave it away. Alex let out a loud sigh but agreed. With that,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjjVj5wBLy
the two of them split.
Vander picked Shea up from the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqqRyRfl72
room. She was snoring with her head inside of the food bowl. When he startled87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktOiwR8kfj
her the bowl flew and broke against the wall. The two of them looked at each87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNk14HCuiY
other, swore they would blame Alex, then quickly fled the castle. Vander knew87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca0VgHYcXu
he hadn’t completely regained all his strength, yet which was why he was87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lzZvHT1Nm
bringing Alex along, but where they were going was only for the toughest of the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf54ClVU259
toughest in Eluvia. If they didn’t keep their wits about them they could end up87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnxbPOQ2Ux
with a knife in their ribs or worse. It was a place to gather information, but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZFfiKFvou
also filled with murderers, rapists, drug addicts and politicians. He had to be87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUBXFLd66b
careful.
Julianna was awake when he walked87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhNOLx0BPx
through the door. She greeted him with a flying hug and quick peck on the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkP1scdSZC
cheek. She said that she had been worried about him when he hadn’t returned,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiUR7oclO1
and it took ten minutes for him to calm her down enough to untangle himself. She87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7KdqBsYEt
asked if he had eaten. He told her that he had, but he didn’t have time for87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwO4ADF6uq
more, he had something he needed to do tonight. Reluctantly she let him go but87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Z8Yf0GmG
made him promise he would return as soon as he could.
He quickly showered and got87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcsLnmF7nF
dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and dress jacket that he wore only on87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNqDiiSUs
special occasions. You didn’t go to where they were headed wearing a Blade87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCg3PsskS
uniform or dressed in rags. The clientele was elite, and you had to dress the87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHN2Q3N911
part to get in the door. He left his sword at home; he couldn’t take it where87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt6KVhzVfC
he was going. There was strict no weapons policy, but many hired guards to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRV1LymxYb
protect them. People chose intimidating figures who could scare off any87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiOKBoRSy2
potential issues, but between Alex and himself, they could take on anyone. He87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbYchT3uxu
said goodbye to Julianna then headed outside with Shea in tow. Alex was waiting87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqEyWLJOZa
for him.
“Where are we headed?” Alex asked.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxHU6q1gPe
He wisely didn’t bring his sword, but Vander noticed the many rings glittering87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmXVtARfCA
on his hand.
“The one place that can get any87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlvoJ6n9Ri
information we want, at a price.” Vander said cryptically. You never knew who87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70aNJkmitN
was listening.
“I can’t stand that place.” Alex87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdOADafOsN
sighed. It was the one place everyone hated going, but sometimes you had to87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmEdikE5VB
make a deal with the devil in order to find the answers.
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“Let’s go meet Ross.” The two of87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkIvFHhnCS
them walked down the dark road and towards the slums.
