Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunAd6Yd39J
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqoIhzRxW8
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwxfYpRAUM
some books from their neighboring countries. 154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMAoQ9Pg3s
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ABST4Mg9B
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERbCvoTg4l
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqLRI3Mva2
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wP6llBX6h
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00KXRbZp4n
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzG1YgdTgR
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjhaBJ6Fjc
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRVzvqMDx1
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjgFzTPA7x
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdw8iVLDpZ
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw01PE7x2X
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtF3EW5BQ
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGDWbwCh9J
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsWDQ0G2Vd
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w59O6vq5O
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFUBBNE8zX
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ2YSrbLY8
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm881ysyky
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln3CVYCQ2L
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rq7IRXoaT
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfbTZN6OgZ
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS1LMnK73a
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUDxp6fSzJ
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNwz4t4gJL
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWOkN4OLxZ
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK5AH1WZhA
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hh8S02J8y
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfYzYtJJ0n
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpD1pm1Uzd
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0itgDDiecb
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOct4E3gEeU
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOcW9sLFkT
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjfrjbeduO
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcWHsH4Owz
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoqb8ami3g
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdHIaMjv6g
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4FHty0Hd5
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzN51CvElw
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWQb9hDtsa
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMtZPqkFI
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaYqDNpmwK
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGMtHRsk78
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDIjJCIhZG
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpu2sZGpjg
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3rOmHHnxZ
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Nm5mmVto
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6XX9t3v3h
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe8FLB8WRt
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iNyy6t0bO
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyaAQeWyJn
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc09Y9b6Mj
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLft02YUhnb
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtjfIUeUOp
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1W2zYAcwW
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrNivdwjIn
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmiKLtBJn
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZAjH3BT3k
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5su7r5trUD
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ysjvSXVLk
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjhA5eugN1
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK40wXejrvf
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8gNx1bj2t
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO3ECRpDLc
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UXmcqpoYT
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquLNVW4U7H
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIg17OMK4F
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfTOYxXWNg
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlJZv1XKLq
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TSSqMGeZ5
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNh1klW8Vz
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk7yJ7tDNJ
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy1ZPNOwxG
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJerBB03BH
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFfZMqzxGN
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kzV5cvLLV
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKqJiCLB7l
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0svJm9CefJ
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIONHrOa4h8
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxt4OnNlg8
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk3TRZzqGI
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6DaLJ3VLY
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEX9n6Qwcz
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nn6Jwwxej
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VBDXX3jgQ
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XQUOBAIcn
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHxDsv72K3
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum1NRZwKwT
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUCXItvJxK
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTq5L5iJI2
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7iZ1csy17
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnfWEYPett
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhcFQhwW2S
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5NVUbSKqY
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbLX1dJ9QG
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ABjX0NHY
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn9Q82iiUq
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zt8M7eFhK
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnqvPHZlhA
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhdFLmoycI
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmjig0smmY
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJfoShRecU
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAII4FY5IY
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PZAABQr9s
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJbC7PvwEN
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNTK7NniFL
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFBhTIm8sS
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JeVSYzwrA
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCVt7IxZ0I
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIuXBQ058K
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6iLcTYslx
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jREYrkgEw
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsQRO7W0Pe
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC0Hn0k84L
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHN0z4AinC
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdzCTDu69F
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr29BoQaCX
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf10gJwmYJ
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x7C8vk1NZ
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdMVDyBZ0K
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPbEZM615k
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3WzqvDWTV
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMHQotX4ty
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtHzfdGEcG
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLzEdc9Nl
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0vIoHOwtq
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBecVBWrEmu
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1s8UYZ66m
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPVE5uxgvp
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY9McpnnaL
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzDe2cSwxi
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpmn0EnUVq
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNXs402gVh
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBA3gMXt0Z
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkttRtuSplb
issues.
By the time he made it out of the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4wZWuDOii
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMlHafjvGH
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZP3KJNgWd
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt2zlBAGR3
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNo03fRHmB
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZMGA8yE6W
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10geun21BT
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uvefaX3Mu
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3INMVzMNgz
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuvjueZDEF
do with that.
One of the only places that would154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB51TIj8we
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw3v7CnW9K
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyU4nQSlwg
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD65arvBya
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyQwh4SVQu
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKr8iJTC96
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvDcLHbgMg
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WkxVg4CQN
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgKgc1Gohi
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrjLOdBO71
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycEgNvasGy
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3grNGfSVY4
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZECXZfPDoi
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MS3SNLL66
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR8iiQrT4a
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fZ7SoibGn
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTK0j1uyta
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE2AnQokKm
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX7zNxbYJ1
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG151VALu5m
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOtQHkNQtS
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv68YmvT4R
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWxfLp4Isq
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqiPzz9pgM
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc44uE696J
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rjuN63pGT
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1C9eYVy9T
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR4R27XHJM
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdMkuqToxD
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1AWd52fmt
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd9P7caYux
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjnXynqOHx
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZvMlKfqM
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkScJiaZNJ
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91QLmTFIza
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fY7vQwzpe
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSODDofJdjO
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw1Ofvem5H
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB3MUF9gPb
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7nFl8xSaA
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlad0oAGqp5
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnHJQ2ieNl
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0YwZcFX6B
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QrVDNXFce
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcIU9YMP5k
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuYJUyCEmt
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXlQSLcs3Y
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTystF1qbm
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKmYOG7zv4
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Uz5Y4373
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JZAhC8BlL
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5imzPoAS5
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CMctzbnCf
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqNaJnDMN8
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56yIXPXWOl
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7QuCQ952
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQC8IGsnBH
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNST2yi7ySI
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxMDQ9PEPx
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0hikHaRnO
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3rsgctqaD
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7lb2ajZJW
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubXiW2NRjy
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVm0l7kcsn
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSGZ7e2Yww
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2fXqzo5Sg
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSq6vrFp2d
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMtPqmCqZC
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAn7wsYboF
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgT5iFFtxY
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqzjMZOGrN
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcrv71bacW
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoz4WZghOb
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdjR6JKRQb
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIxWeLuCm5
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbfd6P5wVN
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEpnPLr3LX
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gOjCOmVDd
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwUJs9cAHZ
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc5PGOigOu
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgY2R8cLO4
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LMvoKhxKU
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX2gsDhh4E
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyibolnojYE
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RAS5dY2T7
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYyk8oaWb
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABpWeuAS6i
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymbt2pZPOn
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV2qXg3r1Q
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBdAF4XyoY
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3QFJO3HQx
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJYBWKC8a8
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXfkmK3wOC
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwZa6NxdRt
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnruPzYtde
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMGdnL4rG1
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSiSz88DSM
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkRz0YxyXZ
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIqqn73OYg
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNrY31L41j
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ8bB4vJUY
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLG41kDJIP
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dKUfORMeJ
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQijrQbziq8
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiI3EcLxKT
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SmA7REjTa
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
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