Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc97JSIQXcZ
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox3MaLF1A6
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUAJQr5pb4
some books from their neighboring countries. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91lEyt2cZw
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkURSp40fY
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNsz81oqbY
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLELH7L2WBz
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIVcRDKaNi
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHavT5UlA60
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6XIb3oUeH
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeux0T8Erze
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQhpSYZPKb
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGg70TXRDC
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpQGVo22KO
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4A5fU9pGt
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYxGYWZjdu
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1TqwnBGvy
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwKW5BCEoY
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexTEfVlnAA
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLmHrwnYS9
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN6QDJF8xg
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblYylBmzBp
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxAnAEiOCj
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Josu8h3w
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwRRnVbeT5
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHkxuw7o87
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EFB86XcIH
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxZ3kX2d0P
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1zOIJwfr0
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltqTvkdvoV
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XySb1V9v7
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu0j9JwWpi
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuS50kQdxN
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhvDVOz5KD
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUIKKFZUTa
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ilmDVBuJ
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Q9vEwUPU
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11sGbsE1Q5
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtldVDgb7
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwee4XoHBZR
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevdjxR19sG
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2TprJLlq7
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHGeg98Fdr
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJhzjyScTw
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHq0yt1jNt
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm47kMWwtb
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwms7PdLbir
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yV2BCcJ66
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabHjbyhtcn
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUoCV4nIE3
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzmDbhke7K
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXgkMC3Lrf
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQl7IqCMsx
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65mPsUK9JP
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwia99MSYf
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkm243uvTU
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOAeawUNML
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazVTW7JSNd
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33YxlYpJty
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcBFkaESMN
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xjx169fMO
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwB4MIzC4T
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLM4w2Q9nX
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoX5J3kXKH
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdiNA1tAC1
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtBzd5MBA6
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4bttQwebF
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A46QGcjOT
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7eJrJ9T1
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3RhfrGxWn
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA5BMs1RYu
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff0arGaaVh
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LCGU3XI6j
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADFQBNSNss
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhM2NUQqiH
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrubmtkHIf
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1WjEwNfDW
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfIH9R2Pt0
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yXANwhH6O
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLdC3mwMlg
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELCIOH02sB
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo9mPiR6iT
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafB1j0TPbI
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILy98soJ2V
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0aSqsZpdZ
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDe6ot25ym
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDebv2diOcg
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMA2YfDE4H
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBuqCD7bCe
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIWukjVxaj
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCg7bWSX1l
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8WRlqt4Kq
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLblEltwcRi
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUQuImaTrM
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49FhsWfNV6
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdIdPm9N7Q
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu7aW04NsM
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau9EFXtvv4
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMg1zH51K3
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8zVKFTGw7
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6R7UKM6IA
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu1wuADkJL
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVkCKZXfOt
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAatlugzzDE
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm7dHwNUS0
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipzC84n4MJ
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjFijb3NCi
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ywtto82Je
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo2yLSzy6z
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH21864Kurg
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lmbOxPVTf
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq90dQyAttD
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXcHHKLHFY
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr44HKlZDXt
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOtSWkcMe3
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPW7UhEpUu
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqlOn40itE
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2r4g0J8eW
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMHs3CR3nU
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLFBa1r6AW
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd1nM0Qhk5
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc295RlRnTT
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BkuIArXxf
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u0m4jMoBB
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aa1Xw1izS
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjEKz8JhSQ
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nVaC2QXTM
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhluYVThUie
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWU5aKc6KH
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0mGtjgtyM
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUzi54H1vo
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4byB1xFA6
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxd19sFYB7
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p7LOTnzZg
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGLE1iKqOG
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrOqQ3jtxt
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoVIZmCw6o
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJUK4u4Rd8
issues.
By the time he made it out of the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp9Ckug6OP
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmksuFznDi
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUEcumiaT7
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VTY7wRjCs
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAorUXsLHU
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiGT3b8EmC
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CfjRtaLeb
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHPV9OsMXF
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZaFKxfpQp
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HHassTfUC
do with that.
One of the only places that would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE8TWkrONr
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19IGCZ3l38
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTwGp0AwcZ
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfmE0WD4Ww
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHKXRruPDJ
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo8N6VQr8v
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6FbqkZ645
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9N8fSDCcv
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6od0HUY0L
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvBk7i3RKW
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLvCIOYCp8
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESvpSFnDGc
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRZgOo2LT6
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuqSpMe8UI
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mGArIxckp
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVDCZLtnlw
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPY4kWo14h
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ahBE5q3Jo
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jwQL6E09m
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkCjUL0su3
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQneV6UKUD
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i6o5QFJQ8
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJeIjZHtZN
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqROXDTyBG
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLCcQSKti0
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50oD9EDQN7
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxTGLTx4ox
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDTh3ziO8s
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8jFGMP9gQ
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUiztBcarn
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38YlXD3tk
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSknKcPynL
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpl8bkv5f7
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJIIM2U6lw
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ934WTl19tw
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qcwrWGxGe
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqxeADF9IH
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk86RjGsyp2
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kSwtIkXP
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00hLZWvSol
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu5iEuGum1
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklOvJWFBgI
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTHdRQ03LU
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbDVcxH4KK
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqqJSDTRoR
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDC9fuKtUY
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk0OMRTC4v
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfPMmqzglI
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoWi04sljy
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvlDVEf4wa
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAf0a5YUkN
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg2jjMipV0
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ870UA8RSOQ
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMCdOPQTCd
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF14ATMJKo6
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vr9zCTRG0
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwhTOeqsdD
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSisppJ7iL
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV60vYD8sNP
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXbPowvNT6
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgUbZfHyip
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmWfGKS9Ue
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pgXs6TgtY
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCsFIEnfmC
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdTwBHfIqR
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhjW98Bt6O
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmOth15z4c
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1rXskRhKv
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2RlxL15f2
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1H1E4cNdk
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHlkYqjhR1
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NdPFgNzB6
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbfHZRjTF4
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvBHDZU2WR
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2uE9YoQ4c
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFlXE0vcJx
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4ygidm0vU
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxvj0WbMJG
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIxgzRQPNh
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZBlEacaIL
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmvVjCod1F
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNpmMXCGCr
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vmIs18LrO
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvsfwoPtT6
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcopobx6UO
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bzrh7GkfZ
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMofSPXjUuZ
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoexYul8iie
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wTuHbKupy
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ12qYou1V
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cIROKr7Bb
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ497IPtdhJk
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSyOCyWUs
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsD9ShIxL8
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSpfFq88jC
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvxscIDEeG
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQa8RPN2ZQ
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O152fBQZk
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTtqCacDcG
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjto5udHHt
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HpdmoDvSd
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUKAKu8vJX
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZbxWiflDi
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2TIkpq2U4
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CprGL6FMm
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07p7r50x2J
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
