Chapter 9
His heavy eyes fluttered open to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3GkfpFR3r
stare up at a very familiar ceiling. He was back in his childhood bedroom; he42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0KJCVd4mq
recognized it due to the glow in the dark stars that covered it. Back then he42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSXG96YkNE
was obsessed with the deities and now he wanted nothing to do with them. At42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28t9Qvl5xK
least this time he woke up next to Shea who was snoring peacefully next to him.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G2ZN2mpYI
His grandfather must have gone to collect her while he was out. He groaned then42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojzxL3Pfi
shifted slightly causing her to awaken.
“About time you woke up”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5EhEXkIiY
she yawned, causing him to breathe in the smell of rancid meat. He pushed her42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTtYlsxJDU
face away from his.
“Do you ever brush your teeth?” he42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Kfi28dzL
asked.
“You know for a fact I do not.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EW4DTWE6a
She jumped off the bed and shook herself off. “People were worried about42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumuolBlG0B
you. You were out for two days.” That explained the hunger pains in his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5QqmANWze
stomach. He slid his feet over towards the side of the bed just to step down42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8hT0z8rHy
and nearly fell on the ground. He caught the side of his old nightstand, but42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5bvdaYuvp
that caused the lamp to tip over and hit the ground. The resulting noise caused42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtGfxUg1T9
the door to slam open, and Alex stood there with his sword in his hand. Upon42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5AfdtR08b
seeing Vander, his face softened.
“You’re awake.” He sighed,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmMzQWPFpJ
sheathing his sword. “It’s been two days; we weren’t sure when you’d wake up.”
“Care to explain what happened?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6utEeWYvI
Vander asked. Alex walked over to help him back up onto the bed.
“Let me get the doctor and your42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0qdW8pfkd
grandfather. I’m sure they have a lot of questions for you.” He went to leave,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvSIsLh5DS
but Vander stopped him.
“Could you grab something from the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBLiLVNUqH
kitchens?” He grinned. “I’m starving.” Laughing, Alex disappeared. Once his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngvdgcuClF
friend was gone, he sat cross legged on the ground and closed his eyes. He took42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjKFafqbbh
a deep breath in, held it for a moment, then let it out. While Alex went to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy0tDta8AH
collect, he wanted to take some time to go over what he knew to see where he42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQleX3P8Odn
should go from here in terms of the investigation.
The King was poisoned a couple of42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q2DPWAwPn
weeks ago by a new servant named Nigel. Applewood was normally a quick acting42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHonfUEPMI
poison once it had been mixed, but it hadn’t shown until at least a day later.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH3Tl5GIZQ
It was likely diluted because if the taste tester keeled over as soon as he42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUetqw9IQ6O
tried the meal, the King would have known something was up, as would Bernard. According42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk3iMGUV64
to Bernard’s sister, Ulysses hadn’t been seen in weeks and based on the stench42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLraOpOQ5M3
coming from inside the room, he had been dead for roughly a week, but why was Nigel42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIJI7sexvK
still here until Vander and Charles had gone looking for him? And why did the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qQCb58uue
assassin show up right as Vander had cornered him? There were likely more spies42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdISzoDKbrW
within the castle that he would have to rat out.
Vander’s eyes fluttered open once42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD5KCpXxSp
he heard Charles running towards his room. Moments later the door slammed open42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmXB3YLfHk
to reveal the red eyed older man standing staring down at him. “Oh, good your42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEryGw4PciZ
alive.” A collective breath of air poured out of him. “You almost gave this old42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14K4y0vyJD
man a heart attack.”
“It was just a smoke bomb.” Vander42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBacM4FaEK
shrugged. “I didn’t think it would cause you worry.” Charles turned to look at42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7oFd1n0pG
Alex.
“Did you not tell him?” Alex shook42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp8tdXNBkw
his head.
“Tell me what?”
“That wasn’t a smoke bomb.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnJTYIEVdT
Charles said. “It was laced with poison. Anyone who got near got so sick we had42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fdW9n3I0w
to quarantine them. It’s a miracle you made it out alive.”
“You can thank the blessing for42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8uA6kb7fX
that.” Vander rubbed the back of his head. “How many are sick?”
“Three servants and one Blade.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0FU3S56dp
Charles explained. “They are being well taken care of and should make a full42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcZ0lrYfrg
recovery if given time. We will just need to keep this mess under wraps at42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDos7RPmFja
least until after the wedding.”
“I would like to keep42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEsZzidawl
investigating this.” Vander said. “Something about this just doesn’t sit right42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRdXhEg8lG
with me.”
“Same here Commander.” Both looked42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVcbIVOGl6
over towards Alex. “The fact the King was poisoned under our very noses and an42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwowIUdFD2
assassin killed a witness and nearly killed Vander then left all without being42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xHfQIUOTR
seen reeks of an inside job.”
“I cannot spare anyone to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVj4BkvAJU
investigate this.” Charles folded his arms over his chest. “We will have our42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQWQXpVhaX
hands full guarding our guests.”
“With all due respect Commander,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPRxilh4zo
but we are getting many of our forces back who left to retrieve the wardens and42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayxptbKXYG
with the added boost of whoever the princess is bringing, we will have enough42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymtmWpf2CV
people in investigate and protect our important guests.”
“Let us see what the King has to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde8m60RUyv
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.” Charles42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCsvKx9kab
beamed. “Your remedy worked, but he is still quite weak. I was on my way down42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA3HhkferN
to check on you when Alex bumped into me. Come on, he wanted to talk to you as42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfjHvX1aZM
soon as you woke up.”
“What about my stew?” Vander42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDzyDGUdBl
looked at his friend. Alex looked down as if he had just realized he had it for42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9G1DLoQoN
the first time. Blushing, he handed it over. Charles tapped his foot42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE2aZEaAYn
impatiently as Vander scarfed down the burning hot stew. He thoroughly enjoyed42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9HUQxmAOu
the chunks of meat that just melted in your mouth but did his best to ignore42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBbBfCW92c
the vegetables until it was one of the last things left inside.
“Are you going to finish that?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYXzWTQ990
Vander looked over to see Shea practically drooling on his shoulder. Shaking42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBsWJruKo3
his head he placed it down on the ground the promptly got out of the way so she42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7mURdE0Rh
could tear into it with gusto.
“Stay here.” He said. “I’ll be42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PteGukCdW
back soon.” She didn’t acknowledge him as he left with the other two men.
The castle was quiet. He couldn’t42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekvltgkwOa
see much from his room on account he had just woken up and the blinds had been42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5qmDM4LSh
drawn, but he guessed it was the middle of the night. Lanterns were lit and42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFm6YRMoMN
servants walked around in pairs to tend to them. Things were quiet.
Charles brought them to the room42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg8VDZdYUR
they were in before when Vander looked over Malcolm only now there were four42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9gH09sxfp
more Blades standing guard. With a curt nod to the commander, they knocked once42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBGtcxyevK
then opened the door.
Unlike the last time, Malcolm Elan42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDzQh82i62
was sitting up in bed with a candle burning on the nightstand. He had his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR3Sup4gVv
glasses down over his nose and it appeared as though he was reading a report of42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIO9FaM8zn
some kind. Both Peyton and Visc were standing next to him, silently, waiting42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMMZj10AQt
for him to speak. His ordeal aged him considerably. His hair had streaks of42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIf5PbpC6a
white and there were age marks gathering along the corner of his eyes. He42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrFdZlDQA1
looked up when the small group entered.
“Ah, I see you have finally woken42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ3HGVDXPf
up Vander.” Malcolm smiled. His voice was filled with warmth as he spoke his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpQiNRH29k
name, a feeling he wasn’t used to. “I trust the good doctor took very good care42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WzDK4TKVp
of you while you were out?”
“I feel good.” Vander nodded.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyJygIEsi1
“Glad to see you are awake as well.”
“All thanks to you I hear.” He42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ZW7MiiPX
turned to face Peyton and Visc. “Will you all excuse us? I have something I42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DlbMSugoD
would like to discuss with the captain, alone.”
“But sir, I don’t think-“ Peyton42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVdj7deYRF
placed his hand on Visc’s shoulder.
“No arguing.” He hissed. “Just42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzyFScqMLM
go.” He practically strong armed the Warden away from the King. Charles and42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydDda0toWc
Alex bowed their heads before following the other two men.
“Sorry about that.” Malcolm42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CHpdb1s3V
removed his glasses then placed the paper on the bed. “Visc came to give me a42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBeeOFqhcx
report about the Kingdom’s affairs since my… sickness. Do you think there is42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgsyLUyEaM
anything amiss from the report?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Vander42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp98QobSKQd
admitted. “I was gone for half a year. I only came back maybe a week or so ago.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxdGRugzxU
I’m sure Peyton or my grandfather would have more insight than I.” Malcolm42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7FuiEC9GX
nodded as if he expected that answer.
“And where is Shea?” he asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQmtHoHjMe
“Normally you two are inseparable.”
“I left her downstairs eating what42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi7VCHBjdV
was left of my dinner.” He explained. “She likely hadn’t eaten while I was42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhORQPQfZf
unconscious and needed something.” Malcolm laughed.
“The bond you two share is a42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ1v7PgcPq
special one, never take that for granted.” 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFQdXSUnme
The two of them fell silent as they became lost with their thoughts. “I42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AHIXBi5dj
guess I should get on with the reason I wanted to talk to you alone.” Vander42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJa9Dba0Wc
waited for the older man to gather his thoughts. “My time as King is about to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCpgN6UxHy
run its course.” He held up his hand to keep Vander from interrupting. “Humjir42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8gHbTwZWI
spoke to me while I was out telling me as such. He also told me that there are42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALq61aSk1S
big things at play and my death is unavoidable. I’ve accepted that, but what I42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbLQMw7pM8
need from you is something far more important.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to protect my son.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ889ltCsviR
Malcolm sighed. “Help him become a good and kind ruler in my absence. No one is42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk96nadFG5N
ready to lose their parents, especially not a prince who is ill prepared for42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmAUers2W8
the challenges of the throne. He will have his new wife, but she is a stranger42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeXAXi4Aj3
here. She will not be able to help him in the way that he needs, at least not42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ18hARyda
yet. So, I want you to fill those shoes, the same way your grandfather has done42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp1to4Im8H
for me.”
“You want me to become Commander?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExpocYeDBP
Malcolm nodded.
“Once your grandfather is ready to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEynE26siMu
retire, I want you to take his place.” He explained. “Peyton filled me in on42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O2LxqwdSz
your duel with Leon and I know your pride is on the line. If you are42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwyJmEsl3x
successful, just know your future is already secured.”
“I understand.” Vander wrung his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0iNu64bf8
hands together.
“Something is bothering you?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8UTPoCOIM
Malcolm asked. “What is it?”
“It’s just I don’t think the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeEylAAvm8
business with the assassins is over.” Vander sighed. “They were a little too42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYiinnHP5D
organized and if I hadn’t come along and discovered what I did, there is a42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV9KdHbvXg
chance you would have died without seeing Cuvera again.”
“And I’m sure that business with42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWNimF4AqN
the masked assassin who almost killed you isn’t finished.” Malcolm nodded at42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ5jT1HrvQ
Vander’s shocked expression. “Yes, I heard about it. While an assassin on the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqanBbUhzMt
loose isn’t my main priority since guards will be doubled and the head chef42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzfBrYuoeC
will be making and serving my food personally from now on, it’s not something I42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdixVDvt2fi
can overlook. What do you want from me?”
It wasn’t very much truthfully.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxaOKYiymq
All Vander needed was the ability to come and go as he pleased and a way to get42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49no8d4X73
out of trouble if something happened. Malcolm didn’t want too many details so42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcITYTWKuf
he could have plausible deniability, but he gave Vander what he asked for: a42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaAWWeyHQx
golden sigil with the king’s seal emblazoned on it. All he had to do was show42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDKrfncb5Z
it to a guard then be let go. It also allowed him to withdraw money from his42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpHDpPqsdc
personal expense account for items he might require. He was given the freedom42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Sxef1RWc
he needed to investigate the matter, but he had to make sure it was okay with42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldpIFUbYw8
Charles before anything.
“I wish you the best of luck,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXRmNrND3L
Vander.” The king smiled. “And thank you again for saving my life. You will42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkkrDDsDII
forever have my gratitude and the gratitude of the entire kingdom for as long42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9SzHaxZC2
as you live.”
“I was just doing my job.” Vander42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8YbKXZT7p
turned his head towards the door. “Sounds like Lord Cranton and Lord Visc are42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC8eDGfH0P
chomping at the bit to get in here.”
“Send them in.” Malcolm sighed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTs15ThGnB
“And discuss our conversation with no one unless you absolutely trust them. The42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEkSFbl8SO
fact they were able to get their claws into those I vet myself tells me they42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPYPJ8GWJe
are not to be underestimated.”
Vander walked over to the door42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap4LKRnu91
then pulled it open. Visc stumbled in with a disapproving shake from Peyton as42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcZ2kAxHgC
he walked in behind him. “I told you not to stand so close to the door.”
“You did that on purpose didn’t42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEucfFlakmC
you?” Visc got to his feet growling at Vander.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcyUuXkvmb
about.” Vander did his best to hide his laughter. “If you’ll excuse me42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwE0bGRC67
gentlemen, I am tired and need some rest.” Then he walked out of the room.
He found Alexander waiting down42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqVHReC4rP
the hall, but his grandfather was nowhere to be seen. Alex told him that42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8qK7wivO6
Charles, after knowing he was safe, had gone to bed to pass out. It had been a42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsDYk4iLdp
long couple of days for him and he needed the rest.
“What do you have planned42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3ggLCVBN6
tonight?” Vander asked.
“I was going to spent time with my42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4K27aO288
husband.” Alex explained. “But I think he’s asleep now, so, what do you have in42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq84cS7WEuM
mind?”
“Get dressed in something nice.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4ULz4h4dP
Vander smiled. “We are going clubbing. Meet me at the Inn in an hour.”
“Clubbing? At this hour?” The look42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3PQFqNFFu
on Vander’s face gave it away. Alex let out a loud sigh but agreed. With that,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjYcPGEfF5
the two of them split.
Vander picked Shea up from the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY5cSyD3mS
room. She was snoring with her head inside of the food bowl. When he startled42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWN86kusZx
her the bowl flew and broke against the wall. The two of them looked at each42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnuSo82Yl3
other, swore they would blame Alex, then quickly fled the castle. Vander knew42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwC3z7ZEMh
he hadn’t completely regained all his strength, yet which was why he was42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOdcXMIYBd
bringing Alex along, but where they were going was only for the toughest of the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxozxB30Ij
toughest in Eluvia. If they didn’t keep their wits about them they could end up42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDBLCE59P6
with a knife in their ribs or worse. It was a place to gather information, but42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYj8P6TEsj
also filled with murderers, rapists, drug addicts and politicians. He had to be42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRR1UNxurI
careful.
Julianna was awake when he walked42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CtTQTlyBS
through the door. She greeted him with a flying hug and quick peck on the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55HKWZjPJW
cheek. She said that she had been worried about him when he hadn’t returned,42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ16nJqPgCT
and it took ten minutes for him to calm her down enough to untangle himself. She42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIq8PFW7rJ
asked if he had eaten. He told her that he had, but he didn’t have time for42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrTK8bYzRi
more, he had something he needed to do tonight. Reluctantly she let him go but42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmtkbY4m8D
made him promise he would return as soon as he could.
He quickly showered and got42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYSrNl8xyP
dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and dress jacket that he wore only on42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6idXWw3q6
special occasions. You didn’t go to where they were headed wearing a Blade42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOD1Stuxpx
uniform or dressed in rags. The clientele was elite, and you had to dress the42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfpLdMOoBI
part to get in the door. He left his sword at home; he couldn’t take it where42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkFokY6Gz9
he was going. There was strict no weapons policy, but many hired guards to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw9EyhzvkE
protect them. People chose intimidating figures who could scare off any42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH2jQxpkMv
potential issues, but between Alex and himself, they could take on anyone. He42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajt12P2TTj
said goodbye to Julianna then headed outside with Shea in tow. Alex was waiting42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqIEdC5a4X
for him.
“Where are we headed?” Alex asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm532BDlhy
He wisely didn’t bring his sword, but Vander noticed the many rings glittering42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkWftX4woo
on his hand.
“The one place that can get any42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iT3nkssvr
information we want, at a price.” Vander said cryptically. You never knew who42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJecLYTQIYK
was listening.
“I can’t stand that place.” Alex42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUeDZJ1XJD
sighed. It was the one place everyone hated going, but sometimes you had to42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcIVyJpRY9
make a deal with the devil in order to find the answers.
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“Let’s go meet Ross.” The two of42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4in96SnNo
them walked down the dark road and towards the slums.
