Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEl3vOlSPu
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbczrVWT4a
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy1mPRf4rn
some books from their neighboring countries. 29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9txfnj1Vi5
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYhJmb3jT
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzH99WAyns
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAZMcdDsaT
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH99iGVq1L
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sGLPQ04J0
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs5fjuTpgQ
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxYlqfEtXn
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1EsJHJrcM
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMw68qZRwT
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwTtQzdpO1
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gHbpIjvOJ
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD6o3Q8QHE
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTyWD5OlYz
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38G4nFsjkm
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9lc29eZs0
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUlYOkP9a5
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uAn2D5jDJ
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpT1VVygpj
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jeVWaevFw
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiQPvw70Fr
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr6MZnjbzf
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2JZWsgvrn
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ095wzjr7oW
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLaDPgzsJ8
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2zTYesc20
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYrrm8Uij5
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbicfDUd0yD
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCT7IzJ6Nl
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBY6g5ATX3
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mTqDZfBUq
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbeNnJ1GwU
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUamNQ2SIFG
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDw2jIg30q
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXhHoAk2kB
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Qe02onmY
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70PrpBwkcb
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhGVwP13qG
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEFaTurHnM
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72nnz2St5W
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnc869bHZi
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKmve8M6pB
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElfSBljAx
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Xl1Kyq7D
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC0K6S9isS
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuNCwldZto
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHonRFUcIym
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYdygBHe4T
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FMuSOljmv
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj2hFB3tRb
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv9FhRQnWN
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgr5lwrttS
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQho8FqVV1i
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjCuG5TDeb
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnVzPBWThM
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxnx4DZwy8
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo7Zr8P4Uy
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0bD8A3gqb
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmzGSRuO0B
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNN78LRBpz
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sv2clFF5i
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwFcb2No63
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSio6KaoV5
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsphhn84Sw9
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY2FJTUKHE
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbIc4tT6gz
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLDJ6hSw9Q
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX2RFZ7GE6
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRc9UidQf4
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjBEqACmcI
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3YHJKs3C7
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qb3WtLKf0
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml9fCE1r9I
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo9SAczRK4
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUfR8JXOvp
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlQYBLnkuM
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSrtUrAKcM
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5vxx9jVa8
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ygKZv3X6
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoCVYMrUjE
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh30REIW1Pt
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD9RVa0BGJ
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJzzoFByKk
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcQiKD9DYU
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwQRq2Bk78
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOZDb1JLwx
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QEefoyjxA
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiCxeDy4Sp
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpkE5A4SMm
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOTG6itPuy
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9DkXe4FJU
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnm46C8O5y
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItcGMtFRRW
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorOgCVTneS
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90gfm5OvwJ
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5amFWvm66D
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUufDKHodff
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKoyvaEb22
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx3g3olo3K
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNEt9bvTaq
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa5W1OjP5a
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmTdgzAARy
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNU1ugogJJ
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFLCJ0mF0d
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO2noxBYQf
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegMudhO9vU
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IpUBZAXrJ
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YOlMNEn67
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxFXndJ6JC
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigS5TJvmVH
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhIpJ1zbe5
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9qFiRxj9n
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cebqVA5HF
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FJe0riyLt
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5SOAlb0nt
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWrzg8y2x3
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMeqGo9VeD
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpdIDpUkkD
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGsF7Znhm7
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfFKXFjkJE
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipNkMozpAe
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYjftS60UX
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpINjqe4JG
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZJYmgdXbw
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7hnCrPiax
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ5Wqt9XR6
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4mT9f6DGX
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLIln6HBkg
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlseIXIyvmM
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTROg8lHFN2
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydnV54QtcY
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2l6V2PTxF
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SH9bEwIGF
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SRB9ZUBVh
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeOStfbRRI
issues.
By the time he made it out of the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmRGPAb4yA
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjOn4JI3JX
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZOWpDUZsH
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfPwSYNAu1
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn67C6Ul8p
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8MN6hudbi
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJrNGRi4hh
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVheIk2J0L
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49gEYBwzYG
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vebyb1w7v
do with that.
One of the only places that would29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ci5WmR9Eg
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr7VoQCO01
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81PW2zHxkf
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFefFnZCIGk
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8SiGQZ2HW
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJgM9SjYh9
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTfdbNIIDw
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwkAeCClaE
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcXyhDDKOQ
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgItzsQFklr
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGB4JrTt9g
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kGu6LERu0
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEje7qtvFUW
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9FHU1Fxie
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgL08fRH3q
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSswfFFZAZ
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMGYFOSfrw
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WaRd6WmAo
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFj5XHMpHU
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtvn6MWMQE
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtaGt6NqyH
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGamn2Ibme
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cyFfF4xQV
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PzZ46fpvi
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsNKrQ64pA
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DFtF4SwJE
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb6ygsXE1R
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYaLtkRDx8
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpO4XNU95P
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE60EH3d43
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ685CvgIIj7
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevvNR3UKju
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnTWQrU2uv
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwk9Qilftf
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarzXurBWPf
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB83rRMBuq
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2EOirBwWj
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouVRfckwU9
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGkJO7nwvM
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEV97L0fPn
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJeFquhES
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLTXb4J5wL
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkla4pV1yi6
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwttIq8p1Pi
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkfBIRozMP
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qm2UbKhsz
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlMe4EVGoP
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYkPNedi52
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Q8Dyq1It
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hU1RZvDQh
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11QHECI1Ne
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL2Xbnojb0
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRbx8hEGhK
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZb0PaWL3T
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNQfWB25Ga
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQCPh8A1l
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr1mj431Ui
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJKzEIJt2L
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ84xbzkV7U
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUje8alJ7uA
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8kE7fCbfy
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7zm597U5
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b4K3uNCQ3
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FqrDPzBav
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ5Wzvluw7
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GP7FClNl5
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T0jGDtVbg
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhCggnmDGA
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjAsy2ZYZb
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWx2Jj2yly
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz1xb9PijY
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44G3jqHMXD
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh20NaXzxT
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWmu8bPc7n
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLlJrpkMnv
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8iVWO1Kr0
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5JeEMPwDT
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A0iBGYHCy
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJPvyaNbbB
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ24u9iSXT
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6RGKbpa1P
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbA0rcnFaO
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyh8YJBsZz
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnYZrdXzX6
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYapVIlXL3
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiYB7zKTd9
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNqnNuPnlA
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV4rT6xHeN
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG13ElcyZhD
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gbgc1d2lZ
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKNnkzcFwG
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsH70p6wel
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDoqecRT8H
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYYLHoV7R2
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8BZhPwpLF
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEox5kE0B4A
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonkS6Jqf1s
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZjRmBW4sB
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW8LSV5FwU
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4nalByqEX
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDNyAQNUEn
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBNvuP71ji
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvL3haCFDM
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg26CKcIB0H
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrp4RyuvBP
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbuPrsSmkl
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
