Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTDutqBYKx
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C4XEiiEay
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLo7NYPKnM
some books from their neighboring countries. 80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVY3vXMiVD
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykPoFBWw0H
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMGHYVUS5K
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx2oXFBbDr
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwSV8eanPH
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeZtnRmhwH
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFrKH0ftzw
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuy3DMI2dA
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNb4yJfe9P
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSst520uSR
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRE6yhZbhb
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8gM7Otl4w
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cJ1iqwaDJ
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6bAY8Kqt6
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0IGPppNic
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0U1KbuVWF
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlrjHcAjqL
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2xxcXKSY5
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y98CJCs4Y
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVut9voSge
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncRAV0a66K
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8m2eVzUy8
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbhKMgIirH
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnUzbAt1an
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUbmYtVOdS
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3drEzrSBMp
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uTuAozcnQ
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvII4BOXgl
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3oxtT50r8
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpj8lLv3Ms
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZiEeuhk5l
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH0cbRRWn4
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvgWULBTiS
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzLIhkMYnJ
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1dbprnUw4
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtlyajvnbd
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFASe0hrtB
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV7AY4DBOp
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA8vpuJh4F
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bFtUrxuri
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSEo52Iror
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxu9Qbtvd2
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM0ZiQAgym
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeUb5TsXfI
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGkjg8rxiE
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdAneusp59
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3jizt2F8t
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHba3O7ZNq
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9A8XtZQEK
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1kwPaTnEO
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlGPLf4v38
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpPml0znUu
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOX0PWdfHP
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHwbAlQwRj
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNsavmxYs7
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCyZh56mHe
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdHoKK9oqD
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyQfVXdWsu
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVsuwmINQC
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV1DGIz9nV
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2ozc0nUD2
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu6Wjayndn
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFsxEE2NyS
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTMwNs73nt
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnubz7WcrCc
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z4nJYmOms
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboLl2PApVF
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFXXp21NEh
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYpenZsjDM
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFM7lFNNkM
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATl6pDOj24
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDZa8ZKeuv
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ojExOvQN6
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzrs8Z4Ril
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJKlt71Zn
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpzxJwO9lF
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloBHPbAV8L
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZi3yrRg47
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRfV4et4ZP
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NHfnEBcy7
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nHiPpZq1b
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYtRrbtw23
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrwlnCfvmL
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEUk7IcwhQ
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtAK4iLjzq
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobg5PvgHPQ
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYQ121BK7f
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhtAipUK28
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq5JXMd18m
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTReo9jA2FF
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sSkwL3yMy
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl980Y11VL6
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtlfyEvSEM
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkORkdz7C5
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYm4d5ioxT
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nsGsuGy4I
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp1KWHvQ4F
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7F3qkWJYK
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor3t9kZwel
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpDRPAAIyl
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb64Mry6zG
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5YVsKVtSK
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyIQOq8ngD
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNDg4k9L8
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fNyTsGjzU
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIktpu7e7uC
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7BpouMi1l
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGbpZZE2fQ
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYidAz5uYL
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLNEGfvEmf
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ogL0naM9g
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJRKPongpH
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwdn6F7riK
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJSUsD0bYv
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFRId3P6xy
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LNwAfbewM
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP0J9oXJWW
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSVNav0zS2
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzZkLJ76Y9
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSezCpDx1Z1
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlHc6Sxtn7
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgYkskCMNC
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgjCqTWdnn
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykiSfysex1
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE1PRDnEZO
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynJvgETZiw
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJM9DJ9upl
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM2Co69WeO
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhlmxMfjF0
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbinxiyr2Gc
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ft1PkBCqe
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2gfqe09A
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeF5Elttt8
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ceAuSn9O4
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vvDD46v0i
issues.
By the time he made it out of the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4WuxtDs6p
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpmto84Ldb
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBKYcglOV2
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7VkKaWU7G
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAersVifwh
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU92BplakF
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2UDOoYctl
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnmugWyiGc
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUewEmDqltc
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPXOyTXtKr
do with that.
One of the only places that would80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIfnfAj7tn
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasaMgrhsf5
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFM2zD9V07
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFBcvVn4Qd
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuSuFHpH80
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF9urBHtnW
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2sRvROcwo
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB27UDva0AD
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppt7HDm3lJ
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd6YpAVFDe
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzfcNFM7gG
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xgALqRZ5Y
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wOuBxE1s4
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo3EE61L82
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx5b6qzAFL
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnf8cCOFW5
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YfdqBKlJc
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB1xtobFNj
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnOZ3Wc9dS
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ21KT9Kq9
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEv0yyazOv
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5ACaPx5x6
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhTLZlVGcQ
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgUGedbyFz
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwlWFDNeZY
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAek1iDOws
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNjWRhNaK7
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3sGNmwU5j
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzm75jKl7P
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6hP9DdO0v
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUvmVn59n1
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sqljkfvwU
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQesfzjO46p
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5TRPHu6gp
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLraVvI0TqM
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmSKxu2QEe
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIfeULBdkk
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj77JE7wpUT
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvnvDSQSfm
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z12LBDrmR
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsHZsQC4Ii
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JS674WWh7
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiolUi9Smco
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisO0OhYG8G
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4UcLN2e9o
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8470jnfIYN
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgHVPtne3B
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73uOe4aXiu
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCnXjXIcbT
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGHv6F63CW
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLoVw6UvwS
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeunnqqle5
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnPww5Qg5G
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDmNZYhd5A
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH84WYuPLWL
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOe53o1dX5
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuHd6xx9yH
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOPFSU0yA2
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqqelzDGcv
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY75ECn4Ki2
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tPlleaTZB
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudC5YRor6d
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE3hs3n7YG
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYNuzQz05n
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWSTQfo1Tl
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdh9nQ51UU
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIySzVAGoc
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtLqqnATIr
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXCTdJz4wK
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCimSz9TFBW
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ214LJQue1C
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2lgFiE3ta
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE0GpAhvVQ
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxih9sJPUf
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79OlKDSvk1
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzszpxE71Ev
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FIscYf7xV
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt93TcPyi9
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcWvWM5Qtw
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2sQ6iCzW4
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zZX9YNeMj
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3BnWsHqd9
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun2AhveVFz
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIWRg1WhY4
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbodAjtSgP
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeftY603yJ
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdUQwgu3Vc
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3le5pbLVO2
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD22hx2l1wK
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOJvjcoV6w
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNtuojPl2U
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY3v5RviNJ
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSqSVzvbxy
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzqFWchijw
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1YIQs7e0E
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN0vWiqKKR
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmrzPDCKiE
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCXo6FdTBA
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps4TuVovrz
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcODqBcndhK
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1caUqXggl
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6niEeV1ukr
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ETyzgPKS0
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPh1gTtgsa
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykXjMNf5LT
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJRlaRtW4T
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
