Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ens6sKrE
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgFcJA9J8l
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG2iX9UMUE
some books from their neighboring countries. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlE9oDqZYY
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s4beysJB0
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p0gvR25Jw
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzzXBacWRA
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSBMAybTAv
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtpnZBMOSP
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJRYMuKnN7
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16k4KzApcV
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3XxXxx1sD
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8emvsfVSV
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAl7Sy7RyH
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxldYa2avG7
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRriBGCELt
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSYybmuWWK
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvolt3m1di
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqZLZVpoVS
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ044q6PUS
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmaimQPgi5
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMtoRdI57m
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdha031AiC
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS2POnZyxc
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGDrariTHI
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMuo7dTNjP
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oRmURtCB5
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWX8SurAZK
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNWHWSaFIo
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzcIfawZim
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5rtMxY0JW
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGERoY0BHui
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLjxsmvfvf
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbOHPXaW4L
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJPPSouBu3
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yu3s9YDnJ
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPARgtGglnP
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDNzRwS3qh
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTt7qNj3We
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxV2hMiwdt
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjASrVeQFo
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9LLCJxibM
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEEUH4wJSo
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv5sh3kQto
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkVnemeuIl
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmIl8q7pEE
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDsP3qNjJ1
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNTee2iBOz
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBINm7DQMd
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSbXnMvkc9
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH41RCT2msG
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKs4HokuO4
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERCNQVBSDg
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9cgRzI18u
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGtcOT8hTG
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1DUEu83NM
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq57R5DmJqI
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonaYRh6zKn
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8RA7vHVJ2
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5obKzAmBV
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu7iaHPYF2
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzIlJ5n7iQ
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oVS0C4sLD
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X20DaZoul
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYG9M1svLt
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nwkf90bZN
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6j2Q1LJiW
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRraq8StGxZ
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIdsHzZqmx
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKnYb6QNQE
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22g3r25L1N
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpHLldMl2x
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAdrCZltrJ
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa4idHTbnp
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d5lBY3saX
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4473uqLYrH
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz3EYOdRSn
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s5Bzrz4b6
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLuOcVXgGu
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVDPZSL86m
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSJTdWmvOe
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYAUR12yk6
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQV5TkuJpm
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZYSyvmHro
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8dDaxqGsh
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU9sactpmw
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZQRNnHvWe
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yaiuYphmk
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIbNLTAPBT
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhIDPcBETt
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rqAvmub8I
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlsiHUXAp1
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcCa556IBZ
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StjBL4jAG
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1SXCjog7Q
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAZLimiakv
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cNIseAk1m
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMXzHNa32O
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DLvTSg7Js
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TsP21MHXK
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kcgF8Eom5
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqF3DmtePm
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yxqorUvXc
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7nKFx9kjo
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLuIEQ69gc
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05k2TfaCp7
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5g6QjM2QL
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYAAJ0fVer
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmWP2ulO9Q
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQwEYrbWBZ
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63GsYdvKTq
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPp5yYemWs
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5ELUuqAzR
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMAXTLmCdu
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIEHXRgJg2
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mPItFpGz9
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J7V9VTXfO
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2U6cu5eiY
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt89AJQeDz
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowlrugLjSr
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk6j0QGObh
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc51J31hLP7
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc8PWMdUQI
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYbDGGaFFy
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDw03TAwqz
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY15dhe3Dy
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNtUGSnHf
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydAUZvJAo3
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNVh1WF9wd
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavOLYG6TRY
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNboLUJSjzG
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYrhEJMgce
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQhweJCjok
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQLHyjvY51
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprgbOs8KPQ
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtaPC4SXt9
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOJIDJhdU6
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKHYqcXLEH
issues.
By the time he made it out of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGVmb0N9pM
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDc6BdcuZJ
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m5G7aVf6T
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCy4pCtwwN
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTMVrthYRu
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt6PJHP7lW
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFiviP0LwR
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW0EZg8NR8
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDTFufq8Sz
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9RQKHq362
do with that.
One of the only places that would108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VQL5CQLUR
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ji7ZwAqw
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHgqGrg7A8
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy0jY6hTrh
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJSWx4sfsI
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbeXFFT2a3
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrriVABsLOT
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIJz5zIepT
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIenkNwHk0a
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQuD8i5yv2
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKFt7RBLAk
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSwBvZ30y3
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0GRod9Ff0
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICk1ycbKvu
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevLzl7uLfp
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOwyh2hhbS
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8883HigfcI
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGBeou4RYM
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gFLuUTLJQ
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cU4mxt7KY
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GDleThZON
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfARdqkw6d
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8TNyTBfQY
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4BrVx0XY9
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7sEL4q6qu
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUwHifvrXh
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi5VnX2Ixp
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPHyDWOOtB
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZsKfirzd5
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrk2X8Dh1X
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmQs5ONCSb
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06H3EO2Nb3
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUVFQ4OtBO
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqbaI79shn
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevS7FyhOG0
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y4pCqr0qI
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMk4sjbuEZ
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx8L4fRfPK
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlNjngFlGk
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOegbCn77kl
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTOFSNVtZy
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01GZ58BZe3
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsfOwbKD1C
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5T4UUKRwS
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaVL4G06JV
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhriswR56mk
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIKZSy8QJz
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTFpZtcd2W
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshvEBEkGEr
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk67c9eT5e2
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheGX6SjpVP
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYU7PNCRBd
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2aXWS1kxZ
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEDVNgjCZN
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt6608I96n
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneSJYvrHRJ
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOd3JMWpy4
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0uqoPD9Cb
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqLwbCwUFn
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrSvxOMs2u
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cm8v806DI
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOSNwfugze
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX0fhtbCc2
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YVT09LRNw
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkuL1zCk37
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzzRKzAuoE
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jqcJPIz1r
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1esPRolnW
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNS4gVmXTC
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0X8sCHMMb
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyywY3kM9Jc
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoTaJWn4xa
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9zs1B28jm
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpxEdhec4I
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ22b3sNiui
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OSZHhNmWn
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zczIZzLpq
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm0wIMI0ih
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k3W1WiiQl
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N0QMygW8n
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaGThEqKUH
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8McFFI6ic
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Hl6CCWbj
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLlh3ci5g4
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN7XrwE1SI
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC317Tg0RwS
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrEQtyUNc8
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q56fTh6TX
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJYXlxgXUA
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92PMazbLeG
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXULNC5GBx
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaOHzLwnkL
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD2BZWhhDV
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcrrOwBqXt
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM04Rx7RsSa
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOvHH6aSwn
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQNGjOXvgI
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03YDSFvyrh
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTBaJKfVXM
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVUaztdEls
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM8zbJefvn
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6a7fIm4aN
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEACYrrIg2e
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtqYOR7CwH
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsRPYNPsuJ
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDbCH4HCBo
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
