Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9zqBO8f8e
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20L5XTBDXZ
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeVLEREBEO
some books from their neighboring countries. 134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZThVl1cAa
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKGSfRtBHQ
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe55175DEVo
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl10tncDMCW
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPlrxHMcvK
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXgkOdCUOJ
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSJ5pEYuF0
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsqPBwkEyd
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8yyc7hsCb
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu1xRCOOGi
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunjQfdZyNB
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA48vKq6aW
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC7lyG8IU7
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6NHE53zam
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDmw6gQycS
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7OQbsExe2
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7WwmGHlvS
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mj0gO0GTP
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutzKwAPFSU
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOdRFRBT6Y
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZfnGvmTVs
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQOptSKyVV
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1aFAX2OnV
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpYZrj7Xfc
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WNxsYiadz
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXmb9DaMdc
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOsWoRX2s7
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxhMEM4oDP
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtPNhJ632h
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6YeZeXXkK
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvgtBnRTiH
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhyi89qc6s
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p4ul9XMZE
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl0n8u9qWB
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGiEDyoYT6
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJmSHVlEtV
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfstlDar4S
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSX6kFfaXI
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFHoxR6xMS
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFglLRMR4y5
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpvkBv5jqb
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazD1wyvlB1
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJptXIpH0b
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqNOfM8lAL
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpmdd1kk3a
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxNqykqxj3
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWPCxehyQP
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVJ4549t3T
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiMLrkccrF
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8VhyiKLwC
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYNgw3za8Y
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lopMm3Qf
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Znzlyro0Q
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2TrMdNe1H
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnmEt8TOys
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLhmfawtu
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuEnJCKUdw
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6rmmIgyG5
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbW0JPqAt6
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4h0Yv6v7J
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwUztKickA
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc2tEv2wrT
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAVKuklDRO
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13RHGo2DoB
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXgckIVMhB
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg4h4JvKYk
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzwyZGbIs9
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHHAw2zFBO
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EBxQobFeF
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH5UbDbKZN
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb2NSSEYGt
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSHXId3Ly4
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86k6liqyyX
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOgCypIox3
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR49LiGP2u
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIgEEHqWrR
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUhBk6xdK4
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlthAUf82u
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn2hxQH72j
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ktpq1rina
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LtHnYWmbA
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUdUrcKePH
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxl1Zn1zgD
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiZ1JIVmzK
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP0upiYYVf
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMaIYzZF75
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxotLutq3Z
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQueFMfZwYu
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWYENCZ4I5
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLaXjcT8zZ
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdciMTpgjHY
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBwp44iAwd
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4x0VSCnes
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyzd3lnx8U
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp0FFcSaxk
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMAYWzXRfD
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12bQf8ttT3
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpuAElao1I
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb673j7uhwZ
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTCL5dG5Kq
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68chBAFSCX
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPuCe2dnDl
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXzxz88DmH
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQjaHZYEhS
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46z9nHuwO7
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyRPGdXN3r
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMxRaN17Xw
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnrhlUM1qZ
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzPGQYhpIu
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLHkVZXi7o
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZaDwixpYC
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfalpkr6j1
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPYiJP1lkB
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EE3ApaJTf
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qQZiYCYzA
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRoLCeYq7m
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kHPJr4wiM
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgM1CdxflL
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR2H9IZypr
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7F12hZXee
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgm9ItLzfm
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRX0xQdM6l
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3QAiKoE0j
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8dMyylQMv
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAVKELEPkJ
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeWntXiaPk
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CpVAZ1vnh
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT3xM2056W
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRbEJK3NyR
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1hpok2LHs
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwtDZZ4DP2
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBhK3ymD2F
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbbfQJlQeD
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OnlI5RDQK
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHqOv8qO7u
issues.
By the time he made it out of the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD6DVlPFFl
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WP6lNnF1y
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7imGXAL5kn
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnvBP0xC9d
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH3vlcTsyK
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtHxxBJUYn
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZaerdN0z4
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNgczPkHnd
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3doVtP225T
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGVLcONnM5
do with that.
One of the only places that would134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Me8MYES6c
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjomdH8cRjv
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtbmUPwqH3
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PI6OwZpmw
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRekXWfmjrq
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa6xI7UqMM
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe8mFgeTdu
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6NNjUPwSI
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIO6D4n2xx
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFYTDh2Vb3
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUisa4v5ma
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbdNJTuHH8
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPDF92QJyk
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEo64f6O4V
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0ZftuDIam
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqhicfrX7r
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgfWGcfPcr
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1RjRxDkad
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIuo6fuf48
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDSBsPS6OO
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjK7PZXyDB
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHTNBDADl8
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFXnFp6RSj
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0OKvGT6p0
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtt2qCaCdG
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEwKVm7gFn
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFCFI2LvGW
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e4HmrGqOY
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBmCdCKFw2
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrKAGUZxg4
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPIGf833d1
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwFGb6BiHT
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneeYn2As9V
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX80C0bPEQ
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscn6w4DbqA
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptYvYtYBWk
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoSI8dDuo8
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXSWky0mD7
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrGBxmqMMx
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIgRQf12Vq
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4WNPw5gXJ
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPLvPIeMfo
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFYBrpgAId
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35CZpEP5nU
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ubrSW3ZS
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMYsBtQ8jo
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqejQp0ECKz
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs9DxPAiUN
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi5LMoH8nr
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHPqyY4yzb
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk3J6PDNAU
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwZfwcT5fl
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsQp4DIaRt
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nburR9rYZ
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW7uQm9zDa
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFAeKouock
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbIbpDviZ0
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuO9ZNaDgD
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3A6gwAq0A
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnKEVEK17Q
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90MBf4KUV
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wNnmLDBMd
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgs4qptOPE
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6LYgh1mt3
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP73l4KGxuG
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYYjRDkaQc
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVTw36hN9y
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt8x5Cf3E0
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMBGQbJKmF
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3QkOik8nu
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF01bJvxTQ1
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiZqTfOqKV
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aLAafxheX
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPOUAGCYkk
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrwab4dzUb
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0xXgexlX1
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdYvsgV9Kq
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4XnOt7rL
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllaOx8JkIe
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtersWenMZn
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHqg5NV1oX
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakVKRXQPoH
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJBRJTcjCj
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTMmABlIPe
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt4fKH9GXH
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ1kwfFt1C
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwhaooCDTG
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrXnCYTw6d
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGkFYuYG77
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO87G2oMND
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRdhuvd86J
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRVETHZcIx
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavQsdMOE1a
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLtcwQEDzP
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLKLSOlxgs
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeJOAEypcK
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9XdlDTUC7
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztPrXX17lS
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTiisn5InZ
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYaA0v2mDl
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtx3ijk4Jk
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkICLIzX01i
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LeQc9zFxb
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcRudLplGM
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaXemCjDSk
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got134Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ6cyafQw6
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
