Chapter 10
The slums.
The most dangerous place in117Please respect copyright.PENANA3tWUTu5ogG
Eluvia, especially if you had no place to go. At least, that’s how it was five117Please respect copyright.PENANACZXngHmRbp
years ago. Before then it was lawless; deaths were common from drug overdoses117Please respect copyright.PENANAlDVmzLVLfT
or suicides. Crimes such as rape, theft, or murder were daily occurrences. It117Please respect copyright.PENANADjcqChzW7U
was treated as a cesspool and soldiers were afraid of going in there and being117Please respect copyright.PENANAeC22mTEPUy
torn to shreds. Not even the King’s power could influence what was happening117Please respect copyright.PENANAdaPpY9ExR9
there, no matter how many times they had sent the Blades in to try and clean117Please respect copyright.PENANA9C4jqdLWYV
up, more would seep out from the cracks. It was a never-ending battle.
That all changed with the sudden117Please respect copyright.PENANA4B565JisS6
appearance of Ross, the undisputed King of Lower Eluvia. No one knew where he117Please respect copyright.PENANAjpSMWL5YU3
came from, but he brought all the crime under one umbrella and monopolized it117Please respect copyright.PENANA117obZpbsF
so he would have control. He set up shop in an old storage warehouse and117Please respect copyright.PENANAD1XBjw6GOA
outfitted it with tables, chairs and a bar. He hired people from off the117Please respect copyright.PENANA9yD7SwrXoJ
streets, got many of them clean, then put them to work gathering one of the117Please respect copyright.PENANAVxW4nSkZ9C
most powerful forms of currency: intelligence. Some believe that they have117Please respect copyright.PENANAZGhx21IIV5
something on the King which was why they received funding for his117Please respect copyright.PENANAPllhrEVL9U
establishment.
Not to say all117Please respect copyright.PENANAqzhfl7Cz6C
the crimes have completely gone away, no matter how much the noblemen pretend. It117Please respect copyright.PENANApllCa8AxtD
was just handled by Ross, usually on the down low. But within the most recent117Please respect copyright.PENANAjcaQlTid5F
year, his authority has been challenged with the introduction of a new player,117Please respect copyright.PENANAeMTqRdMND1
a master behind the scenes with his own small army now patrolling the mean117Please respect copyright.PENANAnsRoUPJrB9
streets of the slums. Not much is known about them other than they dress in all117Please respect copyright.PENANAriZG3UNBzU
black, carrying blunt instruments and they have solid white masks covering117Please respect copyright.PENANAiiFro3OWV4
their faces with holes for the eyes. They had the mark of Humjir carved into117Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ4vOBO144
their forehead, but many doubted that they were instruments of Humjir. No one117Please respect copyright.PENANAx8jjAiq845
knew where they came from or what their goals were. People who came across them117Please respect copyright.PENANAVuA3GIyQUi
just disappeared.
Alexander seemed117Please respect copyright.PENANAXT59illvqi
tense as they went from the Eastern District into the Southern District. The117Please respect copyright.PENANA8krALtpPBg
guards stationed at the gate didn’t even acknowledge them as they walked past.117Please respect copyright.PENANAKBMda1qNbY
Seeing well-dressed people heading inside wasn’t uncommon on this kind of night117Please respect copyright.PENANAvE4NMaVIoE
and they knew better than to open their mouths. Shea looked around nervously117Please respect copyright.PENANA9SkjoN0iFL
with her hackles raised. This area put everyone of edge as if they117Please respect copyright.PENANAukRfpuUqjK
instinctually knew they shouldn’t be here.
The three of them117Please respect copyright.PENANAM60dVE3b74
stayed along the well-lit streets, Shea warned off anyone who wanted to try117Please respect copyright.PENANAURK8YzY3gl
their luck, but for the most part their trip towards the warehouse went117Please respect copyright.PENANALlNxNmXrU0
unabated. The warehouse they were headed towards was called the Orange Fox Inn,117Please respect copyright.PENANAW0H5baxsUq
Ross’s moniker. Vander could hear the music blasting from all the way out here,117Please respect copyright.PENANAzG7gQYn337
a good sign. There were two guards blocking the door. Huge men that knew their117Please respect copyright.PENANA8qVQ3UdQW0
way around their weapons, the only ones allowed to carry weapons anywhere near117Please respect copyright.PENANAhCehZB5C6P
this establishment. Vander could never remember their names, so he just called117Please respect copyright.PENANA3fNHkMH1xr
them Right and Left.
Right was the117Please respect copyright.PENANAMNmMbMHsS5
taller of the two with short brown hair and brown eyes. Even at night he wore117Please respect copyright.PENANA1yRJLqRSU0
shades to cover his eyes. Left was short with a bald head and blue eyes. He did117Please respect copyright.PENANAPf667t8tHY
a lot of the talking for the two of them and he never much cared for Vander,117Please respect copyright.PENANAueUHPTqMGT
which was apparent the way he eyed him as the group walked up.
“No dogs117Please respect copyright.PENANAbo6bo84jlI
allowed.” Right said. Shea bared her teeth.
“Come on Right.”117Please respect copyright.PENANA2yEbdLPXEN
Vander rolled his eyes. “You remember what happened last time you disrespected117Please respect copyright.PENANAX6UxB3EX9U
Shea? I heard they needed forty-three stitches to make sure your testicles were117Please respect copyright.PENANA8JGRMzN5O6
still functional.” Anger blared in his eyes as Right stared at Vander.
“What do you117Please respect copyright.PENANARKQM5xRTHN
want, Blade?” he hissed.
“Drink, party,117Please respect copyright.PENANAQrZhKWOayv
have a little bit of fun.” Vander grinned. “Why else would anyone come to this117Please respect copyright.PENANAW8L7PZVnEN
dump?”
“Last time you117Please respect copyright.PENANAR2TjykFw87
came here for ‘fun’,” He clenched his teeth. “Two of our women couldn’t work117Please respect copyright.PENANA8Q5UfhHktD
for days you sick fuck.” Alex looked over to him with a concerned expression on117Please respect copyright.PENANAI1rGOmirEP
his face.
“This was before117Please respect copyright.PENANAoiYncBM6vx
we left for the bunker.” Vander hurriedly explained. “After Bree…you know.” He117Please respect copyright.PENANAzzwe51yIBx
turned back to the two guards. “You do realize that they are there for pleasure117Please respect copyright.PENANAJTpCtIHK1P
and that’s what they got. They were just a little sore after, but otherwise perfectly117Please respect copyright.PENANA26cpRzBH4l
healthy.”
“We know.” Right117Please respect copyright.PENANATC382dZrBk
growled. “You just made them unable to work with anyone else. They now serve117Please respect copyright.PENANAE8ZQb4MvUI
the bar you bastard.” Alex raised an eyebrow, but he was ignored.
“Just let us in.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAs0FCwgYhdQ
Vander rolled his eyes. “You know Ross wouldn’t like it if you kept me out.”
“The door charge117Please respect copyright.PENANALJKf6LXf1u
is two gold coins.” Left placed his hand on Right’s shoulder to keep him from117Please respect copyright.PENANAM3VxLT2Uue
arguing further. Vander reached into his pocket for the money. “Each.” Grinning117Please respect copyright.PENANAEhGldx6Fd8
from ear to ear, both guards held out their hands. Clenching his teeth, Vander placed117Please respect copyright.PENANAi6JK0ZuoYh
two coins in each of their hands. The two men pocketed it then stepped aside.117Please respect copyright.PENANAYDGDdXVWPb
“Enjoy your stay.” Vander went through, but they blocked Alex from entering.
“Entry fee.”117Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ek5EdEkQs
Right held out his hand.
“You can’t be117Please respect copyright.PENANAqVjqdcf8kq
serious.” Alex stared at the bouncer. He wiggled his fingers in response. Alex117Please respect copyright.PENANAHNVQOydlLW
grabbed his hand then squeezed. Right’s eyes bugged out of his head as he was117Please respect copyright.PENANAFxTIsBy3GO
brought to his knees by Alex’s crushing grip. Left stepped forward towards117Please respect copyright.PENANADSFAD2sjPF
Alex, but Vander placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“You already got117Please respect copyright.PENANAQxK2TcRWLR
double the door charge, taking the win or take a trip to the doctors.” He said.117Please respect copyright.PENANA5IvWBn6BMd
“Your move.”
“Fine.” Left117Please respect copyright.PENANADx8J1M60e7
ripped his shoulder from Vander’s grip. “Welcome to the Orange Fox gentlemen.”
The Orange Fox117Please respect copyright.PENANAGguMrvKxP1
looked large from the inside, but it was nothing compared to the true size of117Please respect copyright.PENANALuHVOvNgUH
the establishment. There were two floors: one for the festivities and the other117Please respect copyright.PENANAsw3OD9yG5w
for the after parties. Inside everything was bustling. Waitresses wearing117Please respect copyright.PENANABr9GDirImX
barely any clothing were walking around the tables taking drink orders and117Please respect copyright.PENANABjeOOvL0Kj
flirting with men. Dealers were at the head of each table, some dealt dice117Please respect copyright.PENANA1DF1OoP1r1
while others oversaw the card games. They wore white shirts with orange117Please respect copyright.PENANAaODW9RWuMt
bowties. Men and women from all walks of life frequented this place, some tried117Please respect copyright.PENANASAsa59umzR
to make their fortune while others came to spend a fortune. Here nothing was117Please respect copyright.PENANAPteQECphN9
off the table provided you were willing to pay the price.
Normally Vander117Please respect copyright.PENANAHhsVEpPEOc
would spend some time checking out the women and ordering drinks, but today the117Please respect copyright.PENANAkgE7DZWwZ2
two of them were here on a mission that couldn’t be stopped, not even for the117Please respect copyright.PENANAEgWTfPEpWR
attractive blonde bartender.
“You again?” she117Please respect copyright.PENANAijMjPiotF5
smiled coyly at him. “And you brought an attractive friend, you want the same117Please respect copyright.PENANAHRymUgnKDY
as last time?”
“I’m not here for117Please respect copyright.PENANAgquc8hdXuQ
pleasure this time.” Vander shook his head then took a seat across from her.117Please respect copyright.PENANA8nxd7VoOth
“And this guy is here as my bodyguard. I’ll have a shot of whiskey please, make117Please respect copyright.PENANAtYeYaHsdxl
it strong.”
“Of course.” She117Please respect copyright.PENANAN4G82T0YzC
sounded disappointed but did as she was asked. She came back a second later117Please respect copyright.PENANAH4J992B1SU
carrying a bottle of Redrum Whiskey and two shot glasses. She carefully poured117Please respect copyright.PENANA6lTB4hdXr1
them before sliding them over. “That’ll be a gold coin for the bottle.”
“Just a gold?”117Please respect copyright.PENANA5llnDkRZSW
Alex frowned. “We paid the two men outside four just to come in.”
“Vander.” The117Please respect copyright.PENANAEDv4gqcRpy
blonde sighed. “You know you don’t have to pay those two idiots of entry. Why117Please respect copyright.PENANAMHW6cH2nmW
did you?”
“He seemed real117Please respect copyright.PENANAnuShCEM7Mu
upset that I ruined you for other men.” Vander chuckled. “So, I threw him a117Please respect copyright.PENANAV2yf9nyLis
bone.”
“Ruined me?” she117Please respect copyright.PENANAw7r1Iab56x
laughed. “Hardly. You were good, but you were a crying mess that night. I just117Please respect copyright.PENANAEozvqw2tbL
decided that I didn’t want to sell my body anymore. Plus, he’s just upset117Please respect copyright.PENANAwtog5wRPNv
because I wouldn’t sleep with him for free.”
“I thought you117Please respect copyright.PENANAiAtVQ06olR
had to pay for it here?” Alex asked.
“You do.” Vander117Please respect copyright.PENANAgaq1S5oH1l
and the blonde said in unison. They clinked their glasses together then tossed117Please respect copyright.PENANA0o9SoChRJN
back the drink. Vander placed two more gold coins on the table. “Now, where can117Please respect copyright.PENANANC5ZNh2u65
I find Ross?”
“Downstairs.” She117Please respect copyright.PENANAxpPYjKBjFZ
said. “The main attraction is about to begin; you don’t want to miss it.” She117Please respect copyright.PENANAdxRpwjo18W
got a sad look on her face, but that was to be expected. Like everything, this117Please respect copyright.PENANAmzFI5xKWsz
place had its dark side.
“Alex, bring the117Please respect copyright.PENANAaAvfXiXPHb
whiskey with you.” Vander got up from the bar. “We might need it.” Alex did as117Please respect copyright.PENANATw6Yt933eN
he was asked. He didn’t ask any questions as the two of them walked towards the117Please respect copyright.PENANAW1MKCvL96G
back corner of the warehouse. Vander did the secret knock then the door slowly117Please respect copyright.PENANA5voGu8hBvN
opened. Upon recognizing him, the man stepped aside and bade them entry.
The two of them117Please respect copyright.PENANAkEzMuGVxEF
were quiet as they walked down the hall. At the end of the area was a flight of117Please respect copyright.PENANAvHY7pwPWr5
stairs that walked down into darkness. Vander grabbed a torch from the wall and117Please respect copyright.PENANARZGeG8X4yi
lit it. It would get dark from this point forward and while he would be able to117Please respect copyright.PENANAU67OtroBwh
see without issues, Alex wouldn’t be able to. The area became damp and cold as117Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZgVAII7nI
they traveled deeper below the surface. It was hard to tell, but the stagnant117Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ws2fLT6Ba
smell of blood lingered in the air.
“Alex.” Vander117Please respect copyright.PENANAU9P6arhgf7
stopped and turned to look at his friend. “What you are about to see you cannot117Please respect copyright.PENANANM2qB8Qsmy
tell anyone about. Do you understand?”
“What’s going on117Please respect copyright.PENANAZwlC46EG8X
Vander?” he asked.
“I will explain117Please respect copyright.PENANAiPdxw5nQF7
it all in due time, but do you trust me?”
“With my life.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAPyCUSaSXHN
Alex nodded.
“Then stick close117Please respect copyright.PENANAKLJOX754nc
and follow me.”
It took them a117Please respect copyright.PENANA2kv7pBLt9s
few more minutes of walking before they started to hear the deafening cheer117Please respect copyright.PENANAMTRgnoyFqu
coming from ahead. The sound always chilled Vander, but he knew what they were117Please respect copyright.PENANAtLf02IkG4V
cheering for, and it made him sick to his stomach. He put on a brave face and117Please respect copyright.PENANAVRVe3BS7RH
stepped through the small doorway and into the large subterranean cavern117Please respect copyright.PENANAF9Ev50agJr
underneath the city. There was a massive pit in the center with a large117Please respect copyright.PENANAZYyEo1wJpg
concrete wall surrounding the top for spectators to see what was going on117Please respect copyright.PENANAoS8RJI5dPm
below. Hundreds of people were peering below shouting either words of117Please respect copyright.PENANAtuikdzGRhT
encouragement or curses to those below. One man, who worked for Ross, was set117Please respect copyright.PENANA91MxTtRmAo
up in the corner with a large board behind him shouting odds as people thrust117Please respect copyright.PENANAcQEm0WsdPm
money at him to bet on the match.
“What is this117Please respect copyright.PENANAqR1x1tgfcd
place?” Alex whispered to Vander.
“It’s called the117Please respect copyright.PENANAmcMBwUGWru
Pits.” He whispered back. “Stay close, you don’t want to get lost in here.” At117Please respect copyright.PENANAylDSTRsAXH
first you couldn’t see it through the thick crowd trying to get their bets in,117Please respect copyright.PENANA7h3SMrLOKP
but as he masterly maneuvered through the crowd, the true horror of the Pits117Please respect copyright.PENANAS0IrO2BU1M
came into light.
In the center of117Please respect copyright.PENANAgcUwAxkRLE
the room was a massive hole in the ground. There were study railings in place117Please respect copyright.PENANAaYKxsT3rLT
to keep over eager patrons from getting too close to the edge, but accidents117Please respect copyright.PENANAoN4huxvIyk
sometimes happened. However, that was the only way to truly witness the blood117Please respect copyright.PENANAZorkzoIDx7
bath happening below. Even though Vander couldn’t see what was happening, he117Please respect copyright.PENANAyAZ0cBoLoa
both heard and smelled what was going on.
Two people were117Please respect copyright.PENANAx4av2yp21x
fighting to the death, one male, one female. Based on the sounds, they were117Please respect copyright.PENANAhVL56klBCr
only using their weapons to fight one another. He could hear the sounds of117Please respect copyright.PENANAb4CH2iyous
flesh striking flesh and the pained cry of the man as the female drove her knee117Please respect copyright.PENANASNwmLDi6S2
into his crotch. He smelled the irony tang of blood followed by a feminine117Please respect copyright.PENANATgsBskGExt
scream as the male got his revenge against her. The crowd roared their approval117Please respect copyright.PENANAsOQ3CVABm4
and chanted for him to end her. It ended a moment later. People jostled him to117Please respect copyright.PENANAn3LtDl3Ji8
collect their winnings while the losers shuffled out cursing their luck under117Please respect copyright.PENANA03bskr00QB
their breaths.
Vander ignored117Please respect copyright.PENANAlMTA16KG3O
Alex’s questions as he headed towards the VIP area where he knew the person he117Please respect copyright.PENANAxiRE2o02Ht
was looking for was sitting. He was wearing his traditional long black cloak117Please respect copyright.PENANABPb3s9F7tS
and mask to cover his face. Only a select few were allowed to know what the117Please respect copyright.PENANAuN0xzsoOIR
Lower King looked like. For his protection more than anything else. There were117Please respect copyright.PENANAMWHKeTXFmp
three guards on each side of a raised platform, the best seat in the house to117Please respect copyright.PENANAWc0SxjYAPY
see what was going on below. The orange hair looked blood red underneath the117Please respect copyright.PENANAUHhIzeGze1
torches above.
“He’s been117Please respect copyright.PENANAXDlrcY0YnH
expecting you.” One of the guards stepped up and slightly lowered his head in117Please respect copyright.PENANAhBL5jQBb7h
difference to Vander. “Who have you brought with you?” He turned to face Alex.
“A friend.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAGAc7yYSn48
Vander stared the guard down. “He knows to keep his mouth shut about what117Please respect copyright.PENANAxgLxexbath
happens down here.”
“He better, you117Please respect copyright.PENANAtkTANzteJO
know what happens if they don’t,” Vander nodded. The guard took a step back to117Please respect copyright.PENANAeBoG9AebJ0
whisper something in his King’s ear. He returned a moment later. “He will see117Please respect copyright.PENANANiq4jQ8P1L
you, but you must wait until the end of the next fight before he will discuss117Please respect copyright.PENANAAdG2DHEwPE
business.”
“I understand.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAU0zK8mVCdM
The guard stepped aside motioning for the two of them to step forward. Vander117Please respect copyright.PENANAvQNMbetxaO
took the spot next to the King while Alex stood behind him. The King didn’t117Please respect copyright.PENANAeEFLyd4KSh
acknowledge him but stood up to address the crowd.
“Now for the main117Please respect copyright.PENANAbGkKVKi2AA
event.” His voice boomed. “We have a treat for you, a specimen that had been117Please respect copyright.PENANAA2cILBmcER
captured several days ago, a large brown bear.” The crowd cheered. “We starved117Please respect copyright.PENANAtgBvxxTU4t
it just for you. And now, the challenger wanting to make his fortune is ready117Please respect copyright.PENANAS2ikeuP1it
to stake his life.” A louder cheer erupted as a young man, no more than117Please respect copyright.PENANAUyHe53YCWG
sixteen, walked out carrying a large axe and wearing no armor, just tattered117Please respect copyright.PENANAYrMXJnqjvh
clothing.
“What’s going117Please respect copyright.PENANA5XhNyeoibf
on?” Alex leaned over to whisper into Vander’s ear.
“Don’t say a117Please respect copyright.PENANAL7KRzHNzFx
thing.” Vander whispered back. “I’ll explain later.”
“You know the117Please respect copyright.PENANAB01cZZPdC4
rules?” The teenager nodded his head. “If he wins, he gets all the money from117Please respect copyright.PENANAUA6ypEIFs1
those who bet against him, however if he loses, his life belongs to the gods.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAC59VqsKEoY
He turned towards the teen for the last time. “Are you sure you want to do117Please respect copyright.PENANAM8hibPI7Jg
this?”
“I do.”
“Then let’s get117Please respect copyright.PENANAHBMbrosHmE
on with it!” The crowd cheered as the boy was led away from the podium. He117Please respect copyright.PENANAaJ62JWnaps
didn’t make an appearance again until he reached the bottom of the pit. The117Please respect copyright.PENANAYGKIXoiZv9
crowd cheered again, placing their bets against the boy while he walked around117Please respect copyright.PENANAMTMZgPn76S
the edge attempting to hype them up. They fell silent as the King stood once117Please respect copyright.PENANApH7UHnnOox
again.
“Release the117Please respect copyright.PENANAVH6eRSfMh8
bear!” The crown cheered as the massive gates holding the ravenous bear back117Please respect copyright.PENANAR5X6xU46gj
open and with a snarl, the creature lunged forward.
From his vantage117Please respect copyright.PENANA6TMVjsE7Ci
point, Vander and Alex could see the entire fight unfold the way they expected.117Please respect copyright.PENANAU3q5Lb24Bj
There was no way an inexperienced fighter could take on a full-grown brown117Please respect copyright.PENANAjSQqsGHKsm
bear, especially not one that hasn’t fed in days, but he did put up a good117Please respect copyright.PENANAx6NjAU3sl3
fight.
When the bear117Please respect copyright.PENANAhTn0hCYmVV
charged him, he rolled to dodge the massive strike from the bear’s claws and117Please respect copyright.PENANAvQGUuKm6hK
got in a strike of his own raking the creature’s side with his axe. The bear117Please respect copyright.PENANAiHEH8fEQUq
bellowed in rage then got up on its hind legs and tried to intimidate the boy.117Please respect copyright.PENANA3f9Na4JySe
He swatted at the axe but was met with the blade. Blood sprayed from the117Please respect copyright.PENANAm98FRyPKA2
creature’s paw causing him to roar out in pain. It was at that moment the kid117Please respect copyright.PENANAcL9aCholpy
got overeager. He rushed forward, the sight of the kill fresh in his mind, but117Please respect copyright.PENANANXDZCCmjpj
one strike from the other paw was enough to send the boy spinning. He got to117Please respect copyright.PENANAx9yrdp62il
his feet, his head whirling. Half his cheek was torn, and his eye was dangling117Please respect copyright.PENANA1v40iR2CBT
from the socket. He was too stunned to scream as the bear tore out the kid’s117Please respect copyright.PENANAq5gUDDVPYs
throat.
“And there we117Please respect copyright.PENANAAJxvK3x66E
have it!” The King stood ignoring the sound of the bear gorging itself on the117Please respect copyright.PENANAADW5V0gaOI
kid’s body. “Everyone, make sure you collect your winnings. My bar is open to117Please respect copyright.PENANAckAEvnAqaV
you all night long.” The crowd cheered as the King stepped down waving for117Please respect copyright.PENANACOchmxKl4p
Vander to follow him. Without a word, Vander got up and followed the cloaked117Please respect copyright.PENANAGS2aHOs7fa
figure with Alex behind him. The guards took up position on both sides117Please respect copyright.PENANAQmlUBqhjd2
escorting them away.
They walked down117Please respect copyright.PENANAoAyT2VkTQw
a long hallway the slope upwards leading back into the warehouse. Vander only117Please respect copyright.PENANANKqlAbKV7g
knew where he was going because he had been there before. The hallway became117Please respect copyright.PENANAqMeBRwGdx6
lighter, and they came to a metal door. The King removed a key from around his117Please respect copyright.PENANAaBCT10Z8uU
neck then opened it, ushering the group inside. On the other side of the door117Please respect copyright.PENANA7RhNUsu0Mz
was another hallway that led to the rooms where the patrons of the Orange Fox117Please respect copyright.PENANAZwY0XKtOUi
would be well taken care of tonight.
“This way.” Ross117Please respect copyright.PENANAorW075Ac8x
said. He walked a couple of doors down, removed another key, then ushered them117Please respect copyright.PENANAVZA8oaIcMx
into his room. The guards took up position inside and outside as Ross moved117Please respect copyright.PENANAPM0RZUVnmL
towards his bedroom shedding his cloak and mask as he went. “Help yourself117Please respect copyright.PENANAkAD6y8h8fz
while I freshen up.” Ross shouted over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe how117Please respect copyright.PENANA2H6OBdLYfS
hot it gets under that get up.” The door closed leaving Vander and Alex alone.
The room wasn’t117Please respect copyright.PENANAdW8AO90QQr
much compared to the King’s estate, but for a man living in the slums, it was a117Please respect copyright.PENANA9bOS2QziGX
palace. There were three rooms, a living space, bathroom, and bedroom. The117Please respect copyright.PENANAC3XJBiwRBc
living space had a full kitchen, was fully adorned with bookshelves, a desk,117Please respect copyright.PENANADFjDYpZ6qY
several couches and chairs, along with several alcohol cabinets. This was home117Please respect copyright.PENANAhcqbE5aZLi
to hundreds of parties a year and people from all walks of life was invited,117Please respect copyright.PENANAg7yIgW9QOi
including the noble families.
Alex spun on117Please respect copyright.PENANAUYdX9yIBhG
Vander, grabbing him by his collar and shoving him against the wall. “What the117Please respect copyright.PENANAJUxkLdK2Ew
hell was that?” He spat. Vander waved the guards away as they made their way117Please respect copyright.PENANAiCmbemBIFR
over.
“You know we117Please respect copyright.PENANAiiK5Cz97yJ
couldn’t get involved to save that boy.” Vander growled. “He made his choice117Please respect copyright.PENANAbm4wYJ3NB8
and tonight we aren’t agents of the king or Blades, we are people looking for117Please respect copyright.PENANAM6P0uJSRkA
information and in this area, Ross is King. You know this Alex.” Alex stared at117Please respect copyright.PENANAQU7HojQgBr
him for a moment before shoving Vander against the wall and letting him go.
“I hate making a117Please respect copyright.PENANAOBgc5sASOe
deal with the devil.” He grumbled.
“Deal with the117Please respect copyright.PENANAkk1SMmerOL
devil?” Both looked up to see Ross standing there. He shed his old clothing and117Please respect copyright.PENANA6irhmj9EOq
wore a collared white shirt, unbuttoned on the top to show off his gold117Please respect copyright.PENANArTRXkF0bUU
necklace, and black pants. He put on117Please respect copyright.PENANAGmqtXazYV6
some tall boots and many bracelets adorned his wrists. “Alex, I am much worse117Please respect copyright.PENANAbqMrKIZxcd
than Unna.” Vander snorted, but Ross chose to ignore him.
“How do you know117Please respect copyright.PENANAwEBs8CyA7M
my name?” Alex growled. Ross poured himself a glass of booze before walking117Please respect copyright.PENANAwxcn6V4sKO
proudly over to the other couch. He sat down across from the two of them giving117Please respect copyright.PENANAZcXoxxdztB
both a wide grin.
“Who doesn’t know117Please respect copyright.PENANAK6xDPW8NTo
Vander’s Shield?” He asked. “The one man who would risk his life for his117Please respect copyright.PENANApUDRj8qcLR
friend. You’re a legend.”
“I hate that117Please respect copyright.PENANA6HD7GTY1qI
nickname.” He snapped. Ross raised his hand peacefully.
“Noted.” He took117Please respect copyright.PENANACI0uE3eg1n
a sip from his glass then turned to look at Vander. “What can I help you with117Please respect copyright.PENANAsV9UNb3W7p
Vander?”
“I need117Please respect copyright.PENANAOtsd06VCV5
information.” Vander said.
“Information117Please respect copyright.PENANAlzjcUjd3Xl
isn’t cheap.” Ross smirked. “Are you prepared to pay the price?” Vander removed117Please respect copyright.PENANAIXn0cHCwMf
a sack of gold from his pocket dropping it on the table in front of him. “You117Please respect copyright.PENANAPlItFrwYQP
came to play.” Ross laughed. “How can I help you.”
“I want to know117Please respect copyright.PENANA0CQvgeLzW9
what you know about the King’s poisoning.” Ross didn’t even flinch at the news.
“How did you know117Please respect copyright.PENANAmVyiA9mWSq
I knew?”
“Because you know117Please respect copyright.PENANAUP4dRXZaFe
just about everything that happens.” Vander rolled his eyes. “I’m not an117Please respect copyright.PENANAdV0PzzDAFC
idiot.”
“Fair enough.” He117Please respect copyright.PENANAzgFfSnLIWP
smiled. “This is just enough for me to tell you who they are.” Within one swift117Please respect copyright.PENANAjxVhXpaCF0
movement, the coins disappeared. “The Green Serpents were the ones who poisoned117Please respect copyright.PENANAvdvgGV7Ugy
the King.”
“A mercenary117Please respect copyright.PENANArTuH4NAO6C
group?” Alex asked. “Who paid them?”
“That’s not117Please respect copyright.PENANAnRBY29BFh7
something known to me.” Ross shook his head. “Even if it was, you’d have to pay117Please respect copyright.PENANAOHtexwxO2u
me more to know that.”
“You bastard.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAgT2s0GlmDp
Alex snapped.
“It’s the price117Please respect copyright.PENANAVy9pK55Voq
of business.” Ross shrugged. “But I can find their hideout for you.” He took117Please respect copyright.PENANAo5oYKhJwua
another sip of alcohol.
“What would it117Please respect copyright.PENANAkpDDel780m
cost me?” Vander asked.
“You know what I117Please respect copyright.PENANAyzyA6estKU
want.” Ross rolled his eyes. “I want you to fight, in the pit. Against a117Please respect copyright.PENANAbzlnxWkC4X
creature of my choice.”
“No,” Alex folded117Please respect copyright.PENANAqjP4sFEAWp
his arms over his chest. “It’s too dangerous. We can send our own spies to locate117Please respect copyright.PENANARdfKtmdrUO
them, we don’t need you.”
“You might want117Please respect copyright.PENANAmLMVTAxtSS
to reconsider.” Ross sighed. “But that’s for you to find out on your own.”
“Vander, let’s117Please respect copyright.PENANA4KLqSUrq7z
go.” Vander saw the rage burning in his friend’s face and he knew there was no117Please respect copyright.PENANAyNMDiQnrdK
time to argue with him. Defeated, he got to his feet to walk towards the door.
“Before you go.”117Please respect copyright.PENANAgCrdUaKT4B
Ross spoke up. Vander turned to see him staring up at him. “I will give you117Please respect copyright.PENANAit3nxEFwSE
some information for free: don’t trust those you claim to be your friends. You117Please respect copyright.PENANAhfba0MmQgo
have a spy within your organization, Vander.”
“Come on, let’s117Please respect copyright.PENANAMkDVJJLJR9
go.” Alex spun Vander around.
117Please respect copyright.PENANAXjW14QHDV5
117Please respect copyright.PENANAcf76oy7Xdb
117Please respect copyright.PENANAsGBDugIqVd
117Please respect copyright.PENANAPLXcIqe34E
117Please respect copyright.PENANAsDqBWUJm3Z
117Please respect copyright.PENANAhSRoODyCfk
117Please respect copyright.PENANAZkfbTuMia6
117Please respect copyright.PENANAfO7gPhStb1
117Please respect copyright.PENANAiREKeDnU1n
117Please respect copyright.PENANA3R7RPmTm2r
117Please respect copyright.PENANAKv8VnwLlvE
117Please respect copyright.PENANAY0zUcnsz3i
117Please respect copyright.PENANAOzSGQEHimJ
117Please respect copyright.PENANAGpIV1Cduke
117Please respect copyright.PENANAW1lWvPCh1W
117Please respect copyright.PENANAeMVPJoO2BO
117Please respect copyright.PENANASV8jFe5GIA
117Please respect copyright.PENANA2ftw3apbdD
117Please respect copyright.PENANAbmGEW9zSXY
117Please respect copyright.PENANAT5YbPoA8Wt
117Please respect copyright.PENANAdbhTI3FEbG
117Please respect copyright.PENANAb4XurUreHg
117Please respect copyright.PENANAeC3Pgq2bCC
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJFFNddgnjk
117Please respect copyright.PENANA4ooyIEujKT
117Please respect copyright.PENANA5RURKJDb3O
117Please respect copyright.PENANAeONIdgVQYv
117Please respect copyright.PENANANmx9nHrfnp
117Please respect copyright.PENANAWF3lFEFGVn
117Please respect copyright.PENANA9er5etlkKv
117Please respect copyright.PENANAh20iFUSnGk
117Please respect copyright.PENANA0zjFWC3JMv
117Please respect copyright.PENANA3fSuscsPxa
117Please respect copyright.PENANAhECZiXse4u
117Please respect copyright.PENANAAwcmHQgXRB
117Please respect copyright.PENANArCJ2Xo3zPX
117Please respect copyright.PENANAjfEsGmWTCn
117Please respect copyright.PENANA2cOqcRFfQw
117Please respect copyright.PENANAy3bm3lF20W
117Please respect copyright.PENANAXFbF875I2t
117Please respect copyright.PENANAIrsxFIYh2x
117Please respect copyright.PENANAuksT75rPFT
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJoOiHOJ3nW
117Please respect copyright.PENANArvyrvxTiHR
117Please respect copyright.PENANAPlQwNZbArn
117Please respect copyright.PENANArvvESDXXkK
117Please respect copyright.PENANAm8wicKRTkM
117Please respect copyright.PENANAQjfmftYUVQ
117Please respect copyright.PENANA3Dd588tO4h
117Please respect copyright.PENANAfnQKfeQIua
117Please respect copyright.PENANA4VJ5oNFyDe
117Please respect copyright.PENANAVfso9etycd
117Please respect copyright.PENANAuUGqqtt40y
117Please respect copyright.PENANAjNukWZkaz5
117Please respect copyright.PENANAmMIYgq6Typ
117Please respect copyright.PENANAqrHXfsAKBU
117Please respect copyright.PENANAY3sKyoY4af
117Please respect copyright.PENANAxm73e01hXD
117Please respect copyright.PENANAQM7Cjqb4bN
117Please respect copyright.PENANA9EpsNDZ2HR
117Please respect copyright.PENANAFQflMWTb2X
117Please respect copyright.PENANAEYCx7EAOi8
117Please respect copyright.PENANAc1ItHzxOzz
117Please respect copyright.PENANAmjkJjqvMzR
117Please respect copyright.PENANAFWDRC7yuMn
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9M6xtbcIo
117Please respect copyright.PENANAjUoSjYoiCf
117Please respect copyright.PENANAz5fWhmZmaV
117Please respect copyright.PENANA36tmvpIi6y
117Please respect copyright.PENANA1HEMJJLfAk
117Please respect copyright.PENANA3kHPVYn65P
117Please respect copyright.PENANAuRLb8v5FfB
117Please respect copyright.PENANATeGh9abxBI
117Please respect copyright.PENANAOAiz87ui9T
117Please respect copyright.PENANAp6kzkkWJxh
117Please respect copyright.PENANAbDzTi2grZL
117Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZlLpX8N6k
117Please respect copyright.PENANAKjrxNwu0R3
117Please respect copyright.PENANAj5ZNPbVr4n
117Please respect copyright.PENANAr8Sh4uD3VE
117Please respect copyright.PENANAfenEb19NKv
117Please respect copyright.PENANAUZRzt0GFey
117Please respect copyright.PENANAAghIZVqVsa
117Please respect copyright.PENANAeYXiaBxNBc
117Please respect copyright.PENANAlSEA3CWidP
117Please respect copyright.PENANAj3Nu1RBkgf
117Please respect copyright.PENANAOV8K2Wc4dF
117Please respect copyright.PENANAwViUtWMDXk
117Please respect copyright.PENANA2dmsmL6gPR
117Please respect copyright.PENANAjcTBRjv0Mp
117Please respect copyright.PENANAyB9ygz6TuN
117Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ppia4uGh3
117Please respect copyright.PENANAUi86eM7VdA
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJOZwRx1z7f
117Please respect copyright.PENANAghj4dYchqk
117Please respect copyright.PENANAfZliftT8vZ
117Please respect copyright.PENANAW0sw7d1iYU
117Please respect copyright.PENANAXsvIVpMJeb
117Please respect copyright.PENANA2PvYHx6VzD
117Please respect copyright.PENANAzyBXZvkkdj
117Please respect copyright.PENANAntB5EwhYii
117Please respect copyright.PENANANcwAsGvwXe
117Please respect copyright.PENANAwWTcirSLS5
117Please respect copyright.PENANAIjLEMYHp9s
117Please respect copyright.PENANAaln3YfKFXg
117Please respect copyright.PENANA1xN6uEV5mR
117Please respect copyright.PENANARSIIuoHJpP
117Please respect copyright.PENANAgW4CZ2CaKv
117Please respect copyright.PENANAqMNG4777e2
117Please respect copyright.PENANAZinvjw8Ft0
117Please respect copyright.PENANAzCIiKNEfMs
117Please respect copyright.PENANAoFgTWgfUqY
117Please respect copyright.PENANA9WBTIajn2i
117Please respect copyright.PENANAou9q3iCGEB
117Please respect copyright.PENANAZBtSBROMfV
117Please respect copyright.PENANAnaqFPhcfY8
117Please respect copyright.PENANA3CcJGlm0R9
117Please respect copyright.PENANAqM6ZWBzxrs
117Please respect copyright.PENANA0RSZVZnvpV
117Please respect copyright.PENANAGVpAS0vbeU
117Please respect copyright.PENANAKjPANyreAs
117Please respect copyright.PENANAhVHe1DTNQG
117Please respect copyright.PENANAHoP5DuJpmA
117Please respect copyright.PENANAahDMk4ZQoG
117Please respect copyright.PENANApXRuN0amdc
117Please respect copyright.PENANAoh7Dr3UDox
117Please respect copyright.PENANATDIiTRXjSC
117Please respect copyright.PENANABUngZ8AwxE
117Please respect copyright.PENANAS9vq64aOwO
117Please respect copyright.PENANAjbp7kS45so
117Please respect copyright.PENANAvaezdnCWhU
117Please respect copyright.PENANASz4C66tR5d
117Please respect copyright.PENANAxPeXQq8c1y
117Please respect copyright.PENANAP4EuGNM3UQ
117Please respect copyright.PENANASJJ29mz04S
117Please respect copyright.PENANAM4ZloWzloz
117Please respect copyright.PENANA4RO3bag8KW
117Please respect copyright.PENANArDyeCNNtIH
117Please respect copyright.PENANAiYDHsQceid
117Please respect copyright.PENANAgrhbhPFZ7u
117Please respect copyright.PENANAeB8V9hLx67
117Please respect copyright.PENANAw3ta64SWPa
117Please respect copyright.PENANAutkdnn3HDN
117Please respect copyright.PENANAqCC7siG9nJ
117Please respect copyright.PENANAqdCjuaOvDS
117Please respect copyright.PENANAkJMKw7WxQr
117Please respect copyright.PENANA9V5aasTwdf
117Please respect copyright.PENANANYmLnsUy64
117Please respect copyright.PENANAOThrAXDY4Y
117Please respect copyright.PENANAYSzQlfKhcE
117Please respect copyright.PENANAo7yo6hkpKV
117Please respect copyright.PENANACf1IcwSKWG
117Please respect copyright.PENANA5GeZq8P53h
117Please respect copyright.PENANAtCz1LDDYmS
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJ46ZoIYemO
117Please respect copyright.PENANAdPQr0NyiRN
117Please respect copyright.PENANA32UGoJwTBe
117Please respect copyright.PENANAJHJ59t2jHH
117Please respect copyright.PENANAxKpQjA7ent
117Please respect copyright.PENANAj4Lb9v55RW
117Please respect copyright.PENANAXkHfFRlh0s
117Please respect copyright.PENANAU72Z64Al56
117Please respect copyright.PENANAhN5aCDxOTb
117Please respect copyright.PENANAKZJQkGxf9v
117Please respect copyright.PENANAv9WtnaoH3S
117Please respect copyright.PENANA7XlogeCrSh
117Please respect copyright.PENANAOiAyt3uB4G
117Please respect copyright.PENANAV19vuEq3JU
117Please respect copyright.PENANAd3lns6khXv
117Please respect copyright.PENANAM9nBbqr1Y1
117Please respect copyright.PENANA7x73KlebPH
117Please respect copyright.PENANAG8uNbYnfIn
117Please respect copyright.PENANAWW3DKbVRnj
117Please respect copyright.PENANACDVBfsOJFD
117Please respect copyright.PENANAH50sQZiTMC
117Please respect copyright.PENANAUPyYTlYzKG
117Please respect copyright.PENANAxgZriRZJmu
117Please respect copyright.PENANAUC25vXwnOS
“Don’t say I117Please respect copyright.PENANAh7zfRhAtjj
didn’t warn you!” Ross shouted as the door closed behind them.