Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mngLS6NLW
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMbnombm4D
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNH4SRDrHU
some books from their neighboring countries. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKXQoLpA19
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn931OSej3z
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTDvXJQoOv
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElRHazIfvz
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowtJNMOahI
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1EDfO1Wn3
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpf4oe07jc
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD04lauMpfz
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUkoBkypc1
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqrh4rw2lm
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZPnHpADV4
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULMkN2F4dg
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7vVkytwrg
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotS5lJfRms
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjIt5hqeHr
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd2z52Odun
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSlpJuF3d1
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSNW05l8YC
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhtuM9mJn9
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP0oVd6xKa
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozz7QrvASg
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYhtuNs8yY
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kzMuYCquC
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRxpgGKd9e
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwSxywz446
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC9IqJGNxL
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciiJflO1mS
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrAv8ArjCX
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UDjwsVzmU
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8770QLNwBW
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM7tOq4RBe
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmYs1azbPF
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwICFd4A7e3
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3PddB2LX9
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnna2DB6nvF
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucC69WELwy
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NZODc3Zxj
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvFcR1Y31F
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUVY3Ahzro
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNTbvbarry
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjskBS7EXke
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB1PcdPtc3
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIwugSZde1
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCivStvlLvp
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWnczsXFiW
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1SxCUGUZU
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPohrqJv1F
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaRqwUcvt7
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAFi4Sw5u8
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL3IEiXDWP
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1NLTJNCzz
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU2TgObYAq
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzALikmRYUD
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWLOYMJrQI
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNcXMkNPQT
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWJPPB8UtU
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuT6nXALhk
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLNTxPpZ2J
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebLeBE0LER
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89m60yj9R6
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpX3D5R0jx
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXgEGkK1zq
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMeVICwWIK
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhftNsMobSC
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiFbelMxL4
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjIvYuM2B0
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3CSV6dJiL
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhzpQIBFti
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR0hOVIMco
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpwQb5353c
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ODH2U6abp
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj3zkxgYeF
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbphd7Edzkj
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCXV7bDnVr
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslXJF81lYC
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGcN9yRUpi
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJmzUV7bhN
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe8Cx2wRVb
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiQSyYoxoF
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwdNAjC0ol
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQKTqbjjAG
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVyH4Mkv24
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6BqjDdZ5t
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGT88yTY7s
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sbjgtXSQQ
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZwIbZVpL
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD1lssDTGd
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSdBwCiCNy
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArFUjWGS2a
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw0IULUlSR
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS4auIfS8L
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQhd8V7vF6
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5R8oiybYl
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYBerTIhFE
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB0SbICht0
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzScCc129Q
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3FKJfFWTl
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA0HzoM931
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmFpj9ycaF
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfTRrvYTmu
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLyQkgwbDV
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0sgdftIRs
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQdgrFDMOh
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJXk5uluRX
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpwoLOa0Ls
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv7prKX6tv
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTtsUzvBKU
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0GXkwNkTT
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQZpaYuZQ
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqNGNrvZpf
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ViK7gChhU
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5UOgxmHAM
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9p47P3wbH
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Yw7pkZXL
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzm5cvozoH
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JwFF4QO2D
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIgANj7v7C
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0H7kA92CX
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC9HMm56cJ
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBnEArj5zC
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ882QV8Ozqa
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSxUgIB2YX
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIVIt28htU
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtM5ZlYO29
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTnof1XeZg
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt80ZxiOD6
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP5v6OYbRc
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxCFtWCdzG
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV41GthOrnI
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1eyfxEp2
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekIohRbKFO
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GamemQAom
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBxGibICDo
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qunh4bXjF
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpcXBGoZ0k
issues.
By the time he made it out of the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx1nVxvlGQ
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNvLjvDIbw
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzwcXhasDs
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWd9Da9KQb
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBMV0szPB9
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrM17mEB5S
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK2asTkXWi
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwCvTpj9Sw
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy82xZaFHh
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznwgXjD5Gg
do with that.
One of the only places that would194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhZWpiUHVq
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Kpl3SLHk
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkTDPa8NVE
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBfZ3QZnrC
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8p2Wbg6Vs
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzanK7cVP6
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70GXTDFm3U
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7sa6cP12f
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr00UR13Y3T
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKJHrojp7X
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQcu4yRAYM
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo4zaIcVko
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGp4ZQfruJ
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppwSYv5EZW
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mnAwP4AKF
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmsAU241WB
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BxVB7AHkD
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz5wAFBxCe
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrCPNtTaqc
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF24ErVoTc
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2OZwM9ZSJ
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD9wDZSjma
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Mt6h4XUn
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4fo0JsmD9
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj3qKRk79z
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx79iUDuUZl
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JVNidB8Pf
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjCA6xkyHm
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSVTkTRe4X
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZWU915NDh
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYRC7dAd11
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvoiuXoGHa
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1WeO4MXLV
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcRB3BShRF
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW0OqXg30R
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxqbG6OJ5q
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnt6Vudno
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3xf63Hbeh
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5eN5tdXO4
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGj8I4PjCl
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv0nx4yg2w
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCluHAg5Da1
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvGvMZbPAM
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL7Ef5i7i8
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCCxvGEhAf
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIWC1aVTrJ
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ljHU6nlL
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2fE0CxJVB
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGQRbXMX1b
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o9hmfT5kW
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWknSuHkd6
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBMjyxesB1
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC41mrr1E1B
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhOy5ACLzm
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7KlNrJZ8
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPKeBcTI7w
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSfZdQ1s3a
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBebmNzIjQg
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDQl53EOyT
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3JVZwVNRu
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aqwtVmrZm
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqwGAvWTF2
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1TYmD1Ksv
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms3HjERJDs
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5sBRYzDGd
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MovkU6sfH
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT34IHm72o
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2fgtBnQuK
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zSyoMhxop
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBvNUP2LYG
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuUQz9Yor4
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwpmSZZKzB
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aZaWyBjUZ
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGliNa7RbY
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKggf5839da
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3CUQH09Ld
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuJ1dlE7Hf
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWjB9FKWG9
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjKJyIiOqn
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNDU0UP1di
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNStbFdKM4
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5T0ulzj5J
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjSjKXAydJ
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsiMawlczU
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIypoVLlZq
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohBUMP6hIY
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq7OtpEfNk
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GNhdfo3z3
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK9p7bnXAi
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEYxeeBIDG
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXACktWoEU
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkH4tqmvTG
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsqjvi3gCb
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF5tgTJYNn
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv8ds97Y9X
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6httdfv9D
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcKhmRzhGi
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUpHUKJAAq
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51UXXYQPKO
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5nqWLRx95
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH4YDpHqxc
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3GmReb7aW
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9USUQmzWWz
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBL2eXjCD0
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qG9L7kpKW
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqaVRy4Lni
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
