Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWYZTa3ByW
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCfYz8hNKi
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLobxxcEmVd
some books from their neighboring countries. 136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8cZQe8CS3
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiqsNjWnV4
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmAmKdDL1c
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe23IfKi8F
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPprpbx4SUL
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FYF5X3ARa
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYGw8DXYnW
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMcC4O4sAs
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qlo6UGxAu
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQuB1lg82Y
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE3M4EvzkY
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RwYcS7PIQ
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1eMlMHoO8
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORzms2rhLv
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdesE5DZnsD
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3odu9ybzd
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtl39jknkC
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMPg3BdEFv
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0WZMMI7pU
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpASHjAGbx
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESKeX2qrnK
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4ABrNdEM4
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR7hDRuCL1
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLu3uNQgwV
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLeoMPh1iI
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOLWgcFToO
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCnLsDcrCd
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqi2U92LNH
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNrW2cDJ7c
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9gBPb8tha
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxNnKbdMEg
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0sWXBrrKM
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaDBJZczIJ
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10PVnzY7o
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6BBTKDgoz
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEt3PEpdvV
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7HoATrXVs
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SMfKMCX3K
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ci79qCbG
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPDiZOo51R
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSDAAPdNNg
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aUm7wi7G6
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68aXDD3COr
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NugOIdYhE
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHV285ToI5
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxTwZujJR6
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u3iuEyJsM
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbYrq0tz02
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH03semqVpA
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLLZN8AXmL
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrfRhDDHUv
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4zIBnMTRc
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQpwDXudbZ
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6YcESnr5r
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2AkckmYYe
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4txRADbbp2
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChp6mGsIjt
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Lj7jZSHy
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlIoJ9GYyh
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9r4iboA2M
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaoMIMGGa2
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVrc87On8U
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnhy8WdIyA
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3UJWp3QQl
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihKe0wekG5
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmZCZlT9to
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvOwVdCH4a
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nDc66g4F7
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA6NjIvKCh
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2aT7uGGAX
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWaGFmbLYE
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX59hmg7Uq
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyijkY2l72
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3aGpI8VHv
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R2d1290bo
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6pFW8yNwJ
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdA9SFqcVU
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3G46mh8BP
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrRHqIq8uH
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPIi2tr8ON
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcXxJb1Jai
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQcJnKlAFc
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBBXJybPQU
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH2TWyjLlt
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmvmLxVYyI
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tsaQcpJeC
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBsVIhOLV4
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCFg8IT69u
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSDjF9EZtQ
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zcjzpOlNl
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLqAOQJMmS
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZfgfFjqyx
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5o373bcNM
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZyklRiuUg
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YBNrUorZn
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdCfiNJ1F2
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgwDHuGI9G
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1yYoHfUrG
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59TRtgs1sq
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p7EsjzazE
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94v3xCzfcB
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zkpEigH31
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglS59rJKmG
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNtTjLBrSZ
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9crW8kxWD
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJrYvNHlpa
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjYzYIU9h
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExf1jd6X7T
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkrVulHr0N
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAjgBG4zlR
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTsDL4TlVS
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9jL8qiKVg
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6AGZ9jhG9
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUySKTAluOF
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIMy9m3m5A
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1umUW486Ai
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet8WfZdmjb
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmO6rrIBzZ
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj8lJ48IQv
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc6v1r3SBe
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrOAEAIWNi
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsq7oVXoJf
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04y6FNhKjb
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70q26yvWTJ
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDjSpoWCJU
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o4uWLBImC
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeFNSKaK76
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdNoeSuZUz
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CPm88Yeps
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ625fKFP85L
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Ykuft6n3
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKBZWr4JYu
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn95jcXjWZJ
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd33nmrM2c
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr5wNbCHzl
issues.
By the time he made it out of the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyhcWFYIrM
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsSk0RHd3D
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfDCLRSM1r
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5QwzPDTTt
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMcc6VKdfl
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FLrEZRoNr
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnonGfNf2nn
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcxR3DPuNA
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fMlXzOOkR
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UanBM2uYX
do with that.
One of the only places that would136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv3WZxLiUj
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85gHTRrJWA
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnH2Ntu20e
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkgjRaYHpF
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O0IfSKUyR
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc0QzF3bP8
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UaB8mzRav
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8SG49D8XB
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtah0B6U8qr
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIV4Gm8Z4v
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPB9tTfyps
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJNVbg71NW
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1uLGHqdTQ
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFwuOznbGa
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQGy277WMy
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIw5V46f6s
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiQpJyFl6j
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK29jZiwFKA
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eHTopnEDr
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E6QUOTuaU
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPenciDOpuG
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO68QmfJhw
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0rrOz7x98
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZP1MPT9Om
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FpO7105Tp
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7igIocVjBU
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvDljHFjGi
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kJQLvkd5I
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4HVmTP0Av
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMx3SecqWI
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUrRi1qA9O
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhlQg2u1KQ
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwed2GdHqeL
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8cONxi0Uh
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hFvE8sz2W
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIUxp9UvSD
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovD2w3VJfZ
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2p5y9Q6FN
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnB0UYsJPP
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ26wdGliE
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TVPgLvvMz
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRl6tAajHh
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PuCFZVj26
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1xdt0vdKZ
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusEmmuesZq
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF7aLSUPBc
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnUgKK6tzT
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsuWnoh37T
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuQ1NbJrlH
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5EwbnC9U3
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfqQyAiyIQ
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IYwdxqq9a
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7v4vUDYiO
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh5guTsTan
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf0JDp3Jfr
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFMkJrzRGj
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oPGdqQ6rc
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2raI0a3SS
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoapqQDiX7
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8NE9Z86g1
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNzhDpUsgK
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQvvQtd34
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NkOGwAuZM
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ecayQ16w
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JaACmNHiL
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqF1k9HgEa
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bYWA1hppb
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24qVq2Xssx
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK87nXoyZ7
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WsQMamo6Q
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqztvYPwqK
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfBwdxfwns
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviYHQDLaMZ
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FDqGR4uU0
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41fdDtKoQp
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxHnV3WUTW
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjpfkz7ETw
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBink0g2Nd
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQJjOlHQTS
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GsOUHEsC8
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTzSsYqrA3
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WCPM7A4U8
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtXw3ScIyD
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoz8eBcBNe
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFDWHCsk7X
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzod0jO7aZr
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHP0yLDZnY
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aQvQ3qiCQ
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VwPreQYfV
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygK5hvB5Ss
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFAUkyprvW
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpIocKJ92I
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10z5sV1AjC
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec6OsvFDcQ
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvXR08vsv9
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGz1OfQvKp
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBnmwyYmDd
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed2vbh6oR6
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ErKQJsvrl
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9MCLiMXQe
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6K1w7YnyS
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdJEHJdks
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnLVqPJgQC
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLMvpPuYNO
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PCx1InFsQ
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IlItgqbfj
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
