Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCGYH5vzdC
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57ydwpl4nM
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfBItTZuRB
some books from their neighboring countries. 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdap381lsTM
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rHldyiFvO
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0PXDpsVpM
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yvd1llqvv
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdCgZwUOxs
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAb1wTDmCH
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P04GAzU9b
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbhGBVpJiJ
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCX2qzMYol
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeGmQ0TLDq
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKu3SXNApY
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wyvxnUTzP
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmENQljFqJh
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThJ0ryXpye
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFBWPCz6NN
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjewji4Ceb
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNa743rKo0
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Db89VGYC
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyFvWOa1ip
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerh8mNHIPP
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFwc94xmi4
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVx9tNr8dE
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLx1qoTyEY
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ0pzGq6kG
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsIbSDDxGB
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6UoNvpLME
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS75l1fZ9Q2
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM11r1mV5bP
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS73omk9YFZ
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xVTvqLMlR
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPf06clhn
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMhVuCPfya
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn6fH3uaSa
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu784u32H3
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSzg7jm8DU
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLc54OBpl3
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszbaaJvHRi
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjFFDPHv6i
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxdnqDaMgg
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ35jvvkm7
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyv9ag2yw1
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1s7p7lMrD
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WkBMLsami
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzF01SLhiF
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDptIK7wHd
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXGxsccrO
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmRbNdzDnh
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfejD6GycW
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6049dQcrF
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNtLi0eaq
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXV2V27Psq
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrBkEnzYt0
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDgCnoWQgv
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcefB6SWIG
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRU1NU6kJ2
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c23mLzswk
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXTUl8O8gI
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO09duU5DI
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzEVyloZE4
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxcxl0Pzx3
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4EG8PzvI6
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR4DAK9sAX
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarx49KWAHt
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87xYLff2rS
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YGXi7uYCu
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxyK2QGTsa
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAICmNnOnRn
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4plcl3GqRD
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQbChU6XW2
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSsM5RHA2B
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNRw0JovI5
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxIffsvVvD
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMnsqJNvih
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoWbdQhye4
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvTwLLCPKv
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGjCJmB5O3
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoW1c3kgLz
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaMp26N5wP
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu69guIaS1
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y2E0elHpu
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZPgA7pQSf
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW5ZTshMj0
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouOQAUmJSO
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdc3L8GIo2
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6vJ8Gh1i
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe3NrvntL4
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqcj5FRIPw
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZSjwN7mF9
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V0jCRWCHA
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGP1M2yoGM
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV3kGPiDxd
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYsGwzJNaB
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmCNbe1cy
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzczh2HiwIp
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2PJuApyD7
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEWPCXdzvD
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnEBurmgX7
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvcRW4L48j
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav2uSxgepj
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYfrR5wsQA
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpUm4PvzZS
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFolDMpj87Y
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVXtnvBs0d
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopTLdQUQug
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHEE9SUre2
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNwrP0JoWY
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkXWjP3U6t
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42B4opcFqN
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOitLFVezRZ
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZiF1rHlRb
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc4El79Zm3
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVGSkb0n4L
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe6a0Tb7DH
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV8Fd7Z7be
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvu35Z7pR4
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PFrDi4PB6
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pu3CllS1f
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcropzNsgeb
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH03LJBhDmw
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e36bRPmpe
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypWYRp9rHc
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SP3YTEJ2X
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTxqVOYnHb
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvjn2c1rDe
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMBuo9sfEs
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iSPqsix9h
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXsYV3ceLF
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyFU2pAlvd
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs8lCgiJnZ
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefVko6QCcM
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZbUI243Sx
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h5fYEtjVo
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeHW8JWGfM
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtOCr6gBmZ
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzVF5MkUOM
issues.
By the time he made it out of the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNemS8iPFJf
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuAoCXt3Cn
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sK8yFbz7o
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUWMPiyf5z
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTmRSVw3rY
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7mUGduc49
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDuIBarfyb
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ge7cmyOyJ
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AABuKUnpo
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77UG1TuLtF
do with that.
One of the only places that would170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB56Ss0wW6m
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9rNZ08FtE
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNVG3pbNZt
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp5AFb5cdq
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGRC83ShlS
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMt8rrgHiw
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu110BL11F
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXJFidKro7
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vfwf1vHYi
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3IeXGV4sR
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9xpcWK7mU
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo2pgYBYIO
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEWADXxFVJ
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qHwemGU3x
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunJG3biozj
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CyFBLhvrd
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBU61tXkUX
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJdNo2OHym
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWxBWeY2w4
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyZAlz1pgL
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1yPawRSFL
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLhEYm0xBN
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VwSkwXeJa
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMbF0MYLXc
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVBqy7DkSI
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC6O778GjL
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCsUnGxIfM
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB6bkvMGxF
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLjwcMBalv
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOiXFAtCpU
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMstsyx6BR
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcExm3ANLE3
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIbxOn0T4F
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2KDqbyIiW
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6EPGXVbzW
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThdglrO33p
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRXakBrCdN
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpQPz4xzTw
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsbSE1iCRd
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGXW3vVFLB
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgdrdafKtn
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm0QxDDGhf
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxpW8tjLP4
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsq0rLoyG
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusRct5tDZJ
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM57eLY3w6
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR49tgYREh
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO5LD4FVdF
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUcMI1uxIG
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT3eHLLimG
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzNT7G8zbx
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxBE8nvYBv
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc2dEAthYz
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BXhdmI8HJ
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UB8lScf69
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbaS8KNkjD
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiHc9ubkj2
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FfTLLjlVf
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdg9X1xLUF
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy2I2OJtZH
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf1XBeFwAs
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIW5h0zSRa
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jbJtc2gFS
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXf9ioeOVD
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZHFOSoKXb
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA0EJGcMXI
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZJHMXvrUu
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2NTUeCsUY
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeH8ocdXWr
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ0dj8U10o
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmPbej75Pn
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP2WOu5Aa1
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPzRy2rTjO
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5vnWQ8d7x
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWrwF1kYWU
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEXtDcvcJZ
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO0Va1wa95
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEKxbbnWFl
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUNFon13zG
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAVGNHD8c8
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMysbT5khER
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaLfQJDMnI
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bg2Nsg5kb
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJpL0K4ALB
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68vzNkj2HC
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFfE1brsxE
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOYyeGyn4f
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1EUzmDm78
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcCkByp6Mq
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMOzemjFV
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdxYPd1Dfg
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42e016qn8x
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq1YXGzGTB
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvdMszs9XE
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDvwQDtJdB
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kHlKVft0P
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcgSz4FKwc
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcUy5EN0fn
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQMkFGkvld
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEBBa8A6eZ
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe3nHUBrH7
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1dba7C6AL
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2y3enfbLk
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjcDD6w1fd
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RSkzrvGnw
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0HzusezEA
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
