Chapter 10
The slums.
The most dangerous place in150Please respect copyright.PENANAZfyKBmwkPi
Eluvia, especially if you had no place to go. At least, that’s how it was five150Please respect copyright.PENANAZjxWqt1UD7
years ago. Before then it was lawless; deaths were common from drug overdoses150Please respect copyright.PENANAIsJSeHeaMt
or suicides. Crimes such as rape, theft, or murder were daily occurrences. It150Please respect copyright.PENANA3piOybsdwb
was treated as a cesspool and soldiers were afraid of going in there and being150Please respect copyright.PENANA1yICaHZgCs
torn to shreds. Not even the King’s power could influence what was happening150Please respect copyright.PENANALdkz3sCPm3
there, no matter how many times they had sent the Blades in to try and clean150Please respect copyright.PENANABHt90ERRp2
up, more would seep out from the cracks. It was a never-ending battle.
That all changed with the sudden150Please respect copyright.PENANAcSMfU3K4cf
appearance of Ross, the undisputed King of Lower Eluvia. No one knew where he150Please respect copyright.PENANAgohsCEUWaM
came from, but he brought all the crime under one umbrella and monopolized it150Please respect copyright.PENANA2YNCkp4tSZ
so he would have control. He set up shop in an old storage warehouse and150Please respect copyright.PENANAlOEDQIlXqK
outfitted it with tables, chairs and a bar. He hired people from off the150Please respect copyright.PENANAj1Ug68A3dQ
streets, got many of them clean, then put them to work gathering one of the150Please respect copyright.PENANAWDE49Mpowf
most powerful forms of currency: intelligence. Some believe that they have150Please respect copyright.PENANAahK0cBdDRn
something on the King which was why they received funding for his150Please respect copyright.PENANAFMLrTl8joI
establishment.
Not to say all150Please respect copyright.PENANAFv3B73GFBy
the crimes have completely gone away, no matter how much the noblemen pretend. It150Please respect copyright.PENANARtU4FIdreC
was just handled by Ross, usually on the down low. But within the most recent150Please respect copyright.PENANAcBbfY5wIAT
year, his authority has been challenged with the introduction of a new player,150Please respect copyright.PENANA4K5ksNCIrH
a master behind the scenes with his own small army now patrolling the mean150Please respect copyright.PENANAgSVTOzYHVD
streets of the slums. Not much is known about them other than they dress in all150Please respect copyright.PENANAJkwbTKDCSP
black, carrying blunt instruments and they have solid white masks covering150Please respect copyright.PENANANPRpwCklnL
their faces with holes for the eyes. They had the mark of Humjir carved into150Please respect copyright.PENANAqaKfEb2XX5
their forehead, but many doubted that they were instruments of Humjir. No one150Please respect copyright.PENANAJFdiF65Etm
knew where they came from or what their goals were. People who came across them150Please respect copyright.PENANAs2H1TTARG6
just disappeared.
Alexander seemed150Please respect copyright.PENANA3BNJplDmWU
tense as they went from the Eastern District into the Southern District. The150Please respect copyright.PENANAK7vVSoDhCg
guards stationed at the gate didn’t even acknowledge them as they walked past.150Please respect copyright.PENANAAzz8eBl1L9
Seeing well-dressed people heading inside wasn’t uncommon on this kind of night150Please respect copyright.PENANAaVkvSi7iKu
and they knew better than to open their mouths. Shea looked around nervously150Please respect copyright.PENANAqgOeBL21cJ
with her hackles raised. This area put everyone of edge as if they150Please respect copyright.PENANAhATHZahcMk
instinctually knew they shouldn’t be here.
The three of them150Please respect copyright.PENANAldZi7oz1AN
stayed along the well-lit streets, Shea warned off anyone who wanted to try150Please respect copyright.PENANAArwFZ68H0b
their luck, but for the most part their trip towards the warehouse went150Please respect copyright.PENANADg090zeg6d
unabated. The warehouse they were headed towards was called the Orange Fox Inn,150Please respect copyright.PENANANAFAVomah7
Ross’s moniker. Vander could hear the music blasting from all the way out here,150Please respect copyright.PENANArFQsdKRKt4
a good sign. There were two guards blocking the door. Huge men that knew their150Please respect copyright.PENANApnJv6EptkG
way around their weapons, the only ones allowed to carry weapons anywhere near150Please respect copyright.PENANALg514gWN97
this establishment. Vander could never remember their names, so he just called150Please respect copyright.PENANAPkFzV2vRVD
them Right and Left.
Right was the150Please respect copyright.PENANA53SvqcsiBL
taller of the two with short brown hair and brown eyes. Even at night he wore150Please respect copyright.PENANANjZPuIuKLH
shades to cover his eyes. Left was short with a bald head and blue eyes. He did150Please respect copyright.PENANAoUk0aqNxRe
a lot of the talking for the two of them and he never much cared for Vander,150Please respect copyright.PENANA19PkshEGC4
which was apparent the way he eyed him as the group walked up.
“No dogs150Please respect copyright.PENANATZ3feojEzv
allowed.” Right said. Shea bared her teeth.
“Come on Right.”150Please respect copyright.PENANA2WbZD41ajx
Vander rolled his eyes. “You remember what happened last time you disrespected150Please respect copyright.PENANAcJsnRRB9fo
Shea? I heard they needed forty-three stitches to make sure your testicles were150Please respect copyright.PENANAKnTXmykfo9
still functional.” Anger blared in his eyes as Right stared at Vander.
“What do you150Please respect copyright.PENANA8s1Sha42ph
want, Blade?” he hissed.
“Drink, party,150Please respect copyright.PENANAmv4mkMNH4J
have a little bit of fun.” Vander grinned. “Why else would anyone come to this150Please respect copyright.PENANA3wQ9ZIN11P
dump?”
“Last time you150Please respect copyright.PENANAvzHA0JrEvC
came here for ‘fun’,” He clenched his teeth. “Two of our women couldn’t work150Please respect copyright.PENANAM5h3Ohiauq
for days you sick fuck.” Alex looked over to him with a concerned expression on150Please respect copyright.PENANAJDOyAYBcr2
his face.
“This was before150Please respect copyright.PENANAPWlICcVwtl
we left for the bunker.” Vander hurriedly explained. “After Bree…you know.” He150Please respect copyright.PENANAbxQmDOGV9B
turned back to the two guards. “You do realize that they are there for pleasure150Please respect copyright.PENANAhUfEEcH4SH
and that’s what they got. They were just a little sore after, but otherwise perfectly150Please respect copyright.PENANAlbpl8h6wdt
healthy.”
“We know.” Right150Please respect copyright.PENANAkq7gk3YhEc
growled. “You just made them unable to work with anyone else. They now serve150Please respect copyright.PENANA9uAkOvIUSq
the bar you bastard.” Alex raised an eyebrow, but he was ignored.
“Just let us in.”150Please respect copyright.PENANAWwKdw4FOUl
Vander rolled his eyes. “You know Ross wouldn’t like it if you kept me out.”
“The door charge150Please respect copyright.PENANA0EUiUmi6kk
is two gold coins.” Left placed his hand on Right’s shoulder to keep him from150Please respect copyright.PENANAlAQjtkt6WP
arguing further. Vander reached into his pocket for the money. “Each.” Grinning150Please respect copyright.PENANAhceuCr9DmO
from ear to ear, both guards held out their hands. Clenching his teeth, Vander placed150Please respect copyright.PENANAUNvPQCsaE5
two coins in each of their hands. The two men pocketed it then stepped aside.150Please respect copyright.PENANAjiecSrgYWY
“Enjoy your stay.” Vander went through, but they blocked Alex from entering.
“Entry fee.”150Please respect copyright.PENANAN3FbGTykAx
Right held out his hand.
“You can’t be150Please respect copyright.PENANA74NDqPnPfB
serious.” Alex stared at the bouncer. He wiggled his fingers in response. Alex150Please respect copyright.PENANAaIxOZC8CfJ
grabbed his hand then squeezed. Right’s eyes bugged out of his head as he was150Please respect copyright.PENANAvIV0WFP3qz
brought to his knees by Alex’s crushing grip. Left stepped forward towards150Please respect copyright.PENANAX0GOv5czcd
Alex, but Vander placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“You already got150Please respect copyright.PENANAmR3ODIrIwW
double the door charge, taking the win or take a trip to the doctors.” He said.150Please respect copyright.PENANAYOnH3qlOdo
“Your move.”
“Fine.” Left150Please respect copyright.PENANAS4UuDMryuw
ripped his shoulder from Vander’s grip. “Welcome to the Orange Fox gentlemen.”
The Orange Fox150Please respect copyright.PENANAs0ocANJDjO
looked large from the inside, but it was nothing compared to the true size of150Please respect copyright.PENANAd7wBxx8s2s
the establishment. There were two floors: one for the festivities and the other150Please respect copyright.PENANABQ24wIjArz
for the after parties. Inside everything was bustling. Waitresses wearing150Please respect copyright.PENANAKvF0q5rp97
barely any clothing were walking around the tables taking drink orders and150Please respect copyright.PENANAf9SX2wseIP
flirting with men. Dealers were at the head of each table, some dealt dice150Please respect copyright.PENANAIolTaj2E9i
while others oversaw the card games. They wore white shirts with orange150Please respect copyright.PENANAlKUbwh9oQx
bowties. Men and women from all walks of life frequented this place, some tried150Please respect copyright.PENANA7CJZ7MFf9h
to make their fortune while others came to spend a fortune. Here nothing was150Please respect copyright.PENANA4hpjQDLiT7
off the table provided you were willing to pay the price.
Normally Vander150Please respect copyright.PENANAVfR2aKD1gh
would spend some time checking out the women and ordering drinks, but today the150Please respect copyright.PENANA7qTBNggntg
two of them were here on a mission that couldn’t be stopped, not even for the150Please respect copyright.PENANAXYq8YvfuDT
attractive blonde bartender.
“You again?” she150Please respect copyright.PENANA2476Uc6JfN
smiled coyly at him. “And you brought an attractive friend, you want the same150Please respect copyright.PENANARF1uSQELCo
as last time?”
“I’m not here for150Please respect copyright.PENANAaz443jqpE5
pleasure this time.” Vander shook his head then took a seat across from her.150Please respect copyright.PENANAWz4W3mfnkn
“And this guy is here as my bodyguard. I’ll have a shot of whiskey please, make150Please respect copyright.PENANAejtE1Nzjqi
it strong.”
“Of course.” She150Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zoaxf7vfd
sounded disappointed but did as she was asked. She came back a second later150Please respect copyright.PENANA0vJLgrOG9A
carrying a bottle of Redrum Whiskey and two shot glasses. She carefully poured150Please respect copyright.PENANAM4JKA1pQ8n
them before sliding them over. “That’ll be a gold coin for the bottle.”
“Just a gold?”150Please respect copyright.PENANAL2n6d81VyH
Alex frowned. “We paid the two men outside four just to come in.”
“Vander.” The150Please respect copyright.PENANAtA2mBJaNVj
blonde sighed. “You know you don’t have to pay those two idiots of entry. Why150Please respect copyright.PENANAEOtXHZcCKS
did you?”
“He seemed real150Please respect copyright.PENANAPgUJAFDycT
upset that I ruined you for other men.” Vander chuckled. “So, I threw him a150Please respect copyright.PENANAkm97w7UKya
bone.”
“Ruined me?” she150Please respect copyright.PENANAUyFdTLymwy
laughed. “Hardly. You were good, but you were a crying mess that night. I just150Please respect copyright.PENANAdxic85Ifhv
decided that I didn’t want to sell my body anymore. Plus, he’s just upset150Please respect copyright.PENANA8m5SAcsmyM
because I wouldn’t sleep with him for free.”
“I thought you150Please respect copyright.PENANAbn9U2WsmH7
had to pay for it here?” Alex asked.
“You do.” Vander150Please respect copyright.PENANAvS0LDqjzxm
and the blonde said in unison. They clinked their glasses together then tossed150Please respect copyright.PENANAav7iY3TAKd
back the drink. Vander placed two more gold coins on the table. “Now, where can150Please respect copyright.PENANA6O5o9cLWzY
I find Ross?”
“Downstairs.” She150Please respect copyright.PENANACH6jSeGSWI
said. “The main attraction is about to begin; you don’t want to miss it.” She150Please respect copyright.PENANAzBMmlBkiev
got a sad look on her face, but that was to be expected. Like everything, this150Please respect copyright.PENANAUSTarlMTrB
place had its dark side.
“Alex, bring the150Please respect copyright.PENANAW9zRg6DqTe
whiskey with you.” Vander got up from the bar. “We might need it.” Alex did as150Please respect copyright.PENANA2uZygFcsV3
he was asked. He didn’t ask any questions as the two of them walked towards the150Please respect copyright.PENANAgaDelq8GYj
back corner of the warehouse. Vander did the secret knock then the door slowly150Please respect copyright.PENANAuTc7hT7mpU
opened. Upon recognizing him, the man stepped aside and bade them entry.
The two of them150Please respect copyright.PENANAT7vkGus5bF
were quiet as they walked down the hall. At the end of the area was a flight of150Please respect copyright.PENANA08WrM0g2ni
stairs that walked down into darkness. Vander grabbed a torch from the wall and150Please respect copyright.PENANAiiBqScedAw
lit it. It would get dark from this point forward and while he would be able to150Please respect copyright.PENANAc23RGQY3g9
see without issues, Alex wouldn’t be able to. The area became damp and cold as150Please respect copyright.PENANAYXGwUnP2Hz
they traveled deeper below the surface. It was hard to tell, but the stagnant150Please respect copyright.PENANAYuXN7qfFF4
smell of blood lingered in the air.
“Alex.” Vander150Please respect copyright.PENANAvP5GNk2Bea
stopped and turned to look at his friend. “What you are about to see you cannot150Please respect copyright.PENANAB4WX4prP3t
tell anyone about. Do you understand?”
“What’s going on150Please respect copyright.PENANAhZbjgQ0Ikf
Vander?” he asked.
“I will explain150Please respect copyright.PENANAqws7hWliHU
it all in due time, but do you trust me?”
“With my life.”150Please respect copyright.PENANAqNpBO6hXVR
Alex nodded.
“Then stick close150Please respect copyright.PENANAL7jjBm9rPE
and follow me.”
It took them a150Please respect copyright.PENANAlpsL0J6kv2
few more minutes of walking before they started to hear the deafening cheer150Please respect copyright.PENANAEWsT6Z453j
coming from ahead. The sound always chilled Vander, but he knew what they were150Please respect copyright.PENANAyN8n4JknIq
cheering for, and it made him sick to his stomach. He put on a brave face and150Please respect copyright.PENANA95ajBc0iRa
stepped through the small doorway and into the large subterranean cavern150Please respect copyright.PENANAxZaTySk4Vv
underneath the city. There was a massive pit in the center with a large150Please respect copyright.PENANAmdbFgZNUXJ
concrete wall surrounding the top for spectators to see what was going on150Please respect copyright.PENANAIX0M5ph7cz
below. Hundreds of people were peering below shouting either words of150Please respect copyright.PENANAz5MkZqeu81
encouragement or curses to those below. One man, who worked for Ross, was set150Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ209eso8z
up in the corner with a large board behind him shouting odds as people thrust150Please respect copyright.PENANA6rRzunE0YU
money at him to bet on the match.
“What is this150Please respect copyright.PENANAHrv61cfe9O
place?” Alex whispered to Vander.
“It’s called the150Please respect copyright.PENANAgwsAMXyoeL
Pits.” He whispered back. “Stay close, you don’t want to get lost in here.” At150Please respect copyright.PENANAoJC6z2RNLo
first you couldn’t see it through the thick crowd trying to get their bets in,150Please respect copyright.PENANACTmr8BgP6W
but as he masterly maneuvered through the crowd, the true horror of the Pits150Please respect copyright.PENANArKQJ5Nmfll
came into light.
In the center of150Please respect copyright.PENANAydWiiTJ7yl
the room was a massive hole in the ground. There were study railings in place150Please respect copyright.PENANAkmpyItlNQu
to keep over eager patrons from getting too close to the edge, but accidents150Please respect copyright.PENANAMJPuy30moz
sometimes happened. However, that was the only way to truly witness the blood150Please respect copyright.PENANAAmbbEYFCG2
bath happening below. Even though Vander couldn’t see what was happening, he150Please respect copyright.PENANARsSNOE0G49
both heard and smelled what was going on.
Two people were150Please respect copyright.PENANAA85ZetnjgP
fighting to the death, one male, one female. Based on the sounds, they were150Please respect copyright.PENANADQDCBhQu16
only using their weapons to fight one another. He could hear the sounds of150Please respect copyright.PENANAe76FeQ8dUM
flesh striking flesh and the pained cry of the man as the female drove her knee150Please respect copyright.PENANA56KGDek0nR
into his crotch. He smelled the irony tang of blood followed by a feminine150Please respect copyright.PENANAPtuspil81j
scream as the male got his revenge against her. The crowd roared their approval150Please respect copyright.PENANAKm4wjM0n8Z
and chanted for him to end her. It ended a moment later. People jostled him to150Please respect copyright.PENANAIaWEK8bG3L
collect their winnings while the losers shuffled out cursing their luck under150Please respect copyright.PENANABee2nhPgTB
their breaths.
Vander ignored150Please respect copyright.PENANAh88w2rDDlK
Alex’s questions as he headed towards the VIP area where he knew the person he150Please respect copyright.PENANADWfZuoVeog
was looking for was sitting. He was wearing his traditional long black cloak150Please respect copyright.PENANATw5HMjyvug
and mask to cover his face. Only a select few were allowed to know what the150Please respect copyright.PENANAIZdrHHiLIt
Lower King looked like. For his protection more than anything else. There were150Please respect copyright.PENANA7cBCj3yabo
three guards on each side of a raised platform, the best seat in the house to150Please respect copyright.PENANAI3wgz55f72
see what was going on below. The orange hair looked blood red underneath the150Please respect copyright.PENANA22PjR57MwG
torches above.
“He’s been150Please respect copyright.PENANAfroPPtfpAY
expecting you.” One of the guards stepped up and slightly lowered his head in150Please respect copyright.PENANA6ozwfL2hYc
difference to Vander. “Who have you brought with you?” He turned to face Alex.
“A friend.”150Please respect copyright.PENANA43jgF9Uxqq
Vander stared the guard down. “He knows to keep his mouth shut about what150Please respect copyright.PENANAmyuMMTpxOE
happens down here.”
“He better, you150Please respect copyright.PENANADiSDp9K2Cp
know what happens if they don’t,” Vander nodded. The guard took a step back to150Please respect copyright.PENANASTZaBo4yQ5
whisper something in his King’s ear. He returned a moment later. “He will see150Please respect copyright.PENANAdoj1QujdtJ
you, but you must wait until the end of the next fight before he will discuss150Please respect copyright.PENANARqiWUf7jTC
business.”
“I understand.”150Please respect copyright.PENANATw2AufbD4k
The guard stepped aside motioning for the two of them to step forward. Vander150Please respect copyright.PENANAVQT693ek91
took the spot next to the King while Alex stood behind him. The King didn’t150Please respect copyright.PENANALrd3HnkxBd
acknowledge him but stood up to address the crowd.
“Now for the main150Please respect copyright.PENANASKFox1VMsK
event.” His voice boomed. “We have a treat for you, a specimen that had been150Please respect copyright.PENANAFIMHpqJ1FF
captured several days ago, a large brown bear.” The crowd cheered. “We starved150Please respect copyright.PENANAfMKUGfsfb6
it just for you. And now, the challenger wanting to make his fortune is ready150Please respect copyright.PENANA8Pn1oeHN3w
to stake his life.” A louder cheer erupted as a young man, no more than150Please respect copyright.PENANA5tfi1r6Wfa
sixteen, walked out carrying a large axe and wearing no armor, just tattered150Please respect copyright.PENANAug8sRmhXR0
clothing.
“What’s going150Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8jn3jNzZL
on?” Alex leaned over to whisper into Vander’s ear.
“Don’t say a150Please respect copyright.PENANAtkaCykrGwz
thing.” Vander whispered back. “I’ll explain later.”
“You know the150Please respect copyright.PENANA0YcO6ApGQe
rules?” The teenager nodded his head. “If he wins, he gets all the money from150Please respect copyright.PENANAKTGKMYsnk1
those who bet against him, however if he loses, his life belongs to the gods.”150Please respect copyright.PENANAsPOR5OXnGK
He turned towards the teen for the last time. “Are you sure you want to do150Please respect copyright.PENANAkUJFJHrSA5
this?”
“I do.”
“Then let’s get150Please respect copyright.PENANAVLmxhXUi06
on with it!” The crowd cheered as the boy was led away from the podium. He150Please respect copyright.PENANA83v2x5UCEv
didn’t make an appearance again until he reached the bottom of the pit. The150Please respect copyright.PENANAS4yrOHHNeS
crowd cheered again, placing their bets against the boy while he walked around150Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3jaWebbbx
the edge attempting to hype them up. They fell silent as the King stood once150Please respect copyright.PENANAcLg4Uq2rW3
again.
“Release the150Please respect copyright.PENANA1qqr0BKEPx
bear!” The crown cheered as the massive gates holding the ravenous bear back150Please respect copyright.PENANAHIR6uoJIIH
open and with a snarl, the creature lunged forward.
From his vantage150Please respect copyright.PENANACwzdJSz7rJ
point, Vander and Alex could see the entire fight unfold the way they expected.150Please respect copyright.PENANA3iP5UAQ5jA
There was no way an inexperienced fighter could take on a full-grown brown150Please respect copyright.PENANAyTBG4tnN1H
bear, especially not one that hasn’t fed in days, but he did put up a good150Please respect copyright.PENANA6x80zqBG9v
fight.
When the bear150Please respect copyright.PENANAFd0Oinj75o
charged him, he rolled to dodge the massive strike from the bear’s claws and150Please respect copyright.PENANAWlimzQPUr7
got in a strike of his own raking the creature’s side with his axe. The bear150Please respect copyright.PENANAEw53XaZUby
bellowed in rage then got up on its hind legs and tried to intimidate the boy.150Please respect copyright.PENANAlPu1vpDRAG
He swatted at the axe but was met with the blade. Blood sprayed from the150Please respect copyright.PENANA5TdXBHiQ9e
creature’s paw causing him to roar out in pain. It was at that moment the kid150Please respect copyright.PENANA1nTKizeeZm
got overeager. He rushed forward, the sight of the kill fresh in his mind, but150Please respect copyright.PENANAdbmaieU5mP
one strike from the other paw was enough to send the boy spinning. He got to150Please respect copyright.PENANA04idLB3QXr
his feet, his head whirling. Half his cheek was torn, and his eye was dangling150Please respect copyright.PENANAXS0u6KJUI9
from the socket. He was too stunned to scream as the bear tore out the kid’s150Please respect copyright.PENANAb5jLdAgSdr
throat.
“And there we150Please respect copyright.PENANAItgCqoiIEg
have it!” The King stood ignoring the sound of the bear gorging itself on the150Please respect copyright.PENANAarmI58aj4T
kid’s body. “Everyone, make sure you collect your winnings. My bar is open to150Please respect copyright.PENANA2pCfibR9TQ
you all night long.” The crowd cheered as the King stepped down waving for150Please respect copyright.PENANAltEqBPNszG
Vander to follow him. Without a word, Vander got up and followed the cloaked150Please respect copyright.PENANATggv7HeYFh
figure with Alex behind him. The guards took up position on both sides150Please respect copyright.PENANAE54jO0gryX
escorting them away.
They walked down150Please respect copyright.PENANADO0rYCpPfw
a long hallway the slope upwards leading back into the warehouse. Vander only150Please respect copyright.PENANASFSuUqrpU0
knew where he was going because he had been there before. The hallway became150Please respect copyright.PENANAGRNZfbhczO
lighter, and they came to a metal door. The King removed a key from around his150Please respect copyright.PENANAFGlwC1NelQ
neck then opened it, ushering the group inside. On the other side of the door150Please respect copyright.PENANA76EQksycKl
was another hallway that led to the rooms where the patrons of the Orange Fox150Please respect copyright.PENANAKM7Bc2ezLV
would be well taken care of tonight.
“This way.” Ross150Please respect copyright.PENANAZCcQL9fcJf
said. He walked a couple of doors down, removed another key, then ushered them150Please respect copyright.PENANAunjtCJ3gWa
into his room. The guards took up position inside and outside as Ross moved150Please respect copyright.PENANA9NqDuXRe1x
towards his bedroom shedding his cloak and mask as he went. “Help yourself150Please respect copyright.PENANArtt9Gbx0xh
while I freshen up.” Ross shouted over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe how150Please respect copyright.PENANALMGBlzmFkr
hot it gets under that get up.” The door closed leaving Vander and Alex alone.
The room wasn’t150Please respect copyright.PENANAhS2vGY17BE
much compared to the King’s estate, but for a man living in the slums, it was a150Please respect copyright.PENANAhRo9iLSj2g
palace. There were three rooms, a living space, bathroom, and bedroom. The150Please respect copyright.PENANABlSXJdxBa6
living space had a full kitchen, was fully adorned with bookshelves, a desk,150Please respect copyright.PENANAU21BuRBbuw
several couches and chairs, along with several alcohol cabinets. This was home150Please respect copyright.PENANACmJST5LDM1
to hundreds of parties a year and people from all walks of life was invited,150Please respect copyright.PENANAOVBi0v8YbD
including the noble families.
Alex spun on150Please respect copyright.PENANA4RqwdWsn1b
Vander, grabbing him by his collar and shoving him against the wall. “What the150Please respect copyright.PENANATd3MUTN2J8
hell was that?” He spat. Vander waved the guards away as they made their way150Please respect copyright.PENANAK4n36we3yW
over.
“You know we150Please respect copyright.PENANAKGkgCQgIHQ
couldn’t get involved to save that boy.” Vander growled. “He made his choice150Please respect copyright.PENANAzR7qkDWkqa
and tonight we aren’t agents of the king or Blades, we are people looking for150Please respect copyright.PENANAzYfcXdoR2y
information and in this area, Ross is King. You know this Alex.” Alex stared at150Please respect copyright.PENANAVakVX6Gbpt
him for a moment before shoving Vander against the wall and letting him go.
“I hate making a150Please respect copyright.PENANAvMpFKjxMFr
deal with the devil.” He grumbled.
“Deal with the150Please respect copyright.PENANAw75dhYL3Tb
devil?” Both looked up to see Ross standing there. He shed his old clothing and150Please respect copyright.PENANADJOxjZ6LAr
wore a collared white shirt, unbuttoned on the top to show off his gold150Please respect copyright.PENANAxHfZ87yIRN
necklace, and black pants. He put on150Please respect copyright.PENANAHQPyF5cAtA
some tall boots and many bracelets adorned his wrists. “Alex, I am much worse150Please respect copyright.PENANAfu5c49squo
than Unna.” Vander snorted, but Ross chose to ignore him.
“How do you know150Please respect copyright.PENANAbvT74j4zmH
my name?” Alex growled. Ross poured himself a glass of booze before walking150Please respect copyright.PENANAbYAyWhQPXS
proudly over to the other couch. He sat down across from the two of them giving150Please respect copyright.PENANAgtwn40Y4FV
both a wide grin.
“Who doesn’t know150Please respect copyright.PENANAriJnlVWgd7
Vander’s Shield?” He asked. “The one man who would risk his life for his150Please respect copyright.PENANAergdtf8Hy0
friend. You’re a legend.”
“I hate that150Please respect copyright.PENANAXrCmxM4juQ
nickname.” He snapped. Ross raised his hand peacefully.
“Noted.” He took150Please respect copyright.PENANAZFEOEry7E4
a sip from his glass then turned to look at Vander. “What can I help you with150Please respect copyright.PENANA5y5nXHoq7j
Vander?”
“I need150Please respect copyright.PENANA7wPKZ80HVc
information.” Vander said.
“Information150Please respect copyright.PENANAzGrUASb94u
isn’t cheap.” Ross smirked. “Are you prepared to pay the price?” Vander removed150Please respect copyright.PENANAXOompXCBXG
a sack of gold from his pocket dropping it on the table in front of him. “You150Please respect copyright.PENANAe6XhRWZngT
came to play.” Ross laughed. “How can I help you.”
“I want to know150Please respect copyright.PENANAwdlmjwfH9t
what you know about the King’s poisoning.” Ross didn’t even flinch at the news.
“How did you know150Please respect copyright.PENANALH21Yspk6C
I knew?”
“Because you know150Please respect copyright.PENANAef5jiTwyHx
just about everything that happens.” Vander rolled his eyes. “I’m not an150Please respect copyright.PENANAMHovWOUc98
idiot.”
“Fair enough.” He150Please respect copyright.PENANA4Kk4cBfDqo
smiled. “This is just enough for me to tell you who they are.” Within one swift150Please respect copyright.PENANAXDvH7qZLav
movement, the coins disappeared. “The Green Serpents were the ones who poisoned150Please respect copyright.PENANAuI20tK7930
the King.”
“A mercenary150Please respect copyright.PENANAZD3ULeUgc2
group?” Alex asked. “Who paid them?”
“That’s not150Please respect copyright.PENANA1Z4g7BY2a7
something known to me.” Ross shook his head. “Even if it was, you’d have to pay150Please respect copyright.PENANAXktciBrl0B
me more to know that.”
“You bastard.”150Please respect copyright.PENANA5oiqiHNGBY
Alex snapped.
“It’s the price150Please respect copyright.PENANA0K0Xr3HAfm
of business.” Ross shrugged. “But I can find their hideout for you.” He took150Please respect copyright.PENANAwWTwatVGB2
another sip of alcohol.
“What would it150Please respect copyright.PENANA6GKiXO9kfL
cost me?” Vander asked.
“You know what I150Please respect copyright.PENANA80U6oTebtX
want.” Ross rolled his eyes. “I want you to fight, in the pit. Against a150Please respect copyright.PENANAXWXVm3WHIw
creature of my choice.”
“No,” Alex folded150Please respect copyright.PENANA6TwgOYUkb5
his arms over his chest. “It’s too dangerous. We can send our own spies to locate150Please respect copyright.PENANA7QCYGLRz7c
them, we don’t need you.”
“You might want150Please respect copyright.PENANANTSUHkckpG
to reconsider.” Ross sighed. “But that’s for you to find out on your own.”
“Vander, let’s150Please respect copyright.PENANA4OXzkE8mYN
go.” Vander saw the rage burning in his friend’s face and he knew there was no150Please respect copyright.PENANAw9fRr87Eeb
time to argue with him. Defeated, he got to his feet to walk towards the door.
“Before you go.”150Please respect copyright.PENANArfU7epVnnn
Ross spoke up. Vander turned to see him staring up at him. “I will give you150Please respect copyright.PENANAE703p3X51M
some information for free: don’t trust those you claim to be your friends. You150Please respect copyright.PENANAxbgJxMVD84
have a spy within your organization, Vander.”
“Come on, let’s150Please respect copyright.PENANAvF2d8Cebbm
go.” Alex spun Vander around.
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“Don’t say I150Please respect copyright.PENANAIOnJLMKVtl
didn’t warn you!” Ross shouted as the door closed behind them.