Chapter 10
The slums.
The most dangerous place in151Please respect copyright.PENANAUAkfdSMbRL
Eluvia, especially if you had no place to go. At least, that’s how it was five151Please respect copyright.PENANA058p1XAfft
years ago. Before then it was lawless; deaths were common from drug overdoses151Please respect copyright.PENANAgt2oF6cSng
or suicides. Crimes such as rape, theft, or murder were daily occurrences. It151Please respect copyright.PENANADqwYtycXux
was treated as a cesspool and soldiers were afraid of going in there and being151Please respect copyright.PENANA6nITJHrWGs
torn to shreds. Not even the King’s power could influence what was happening151Please respect copyright.PENANARAAVj0AzJv
there, no matter how many times they had sent the Blades in to try and clean151Please respect copyright.PENANA1kRr2k7dgF
up, more would seep out from the cracks. It was a never-ending battle.
That all changed with the sudden151Please respect copyright.PENANAqTzUykqti5
appearance of Ross, the undisputed King of Lower Eluvia. No one knew where he151Please respect copyright.PENANAYtnz8YnQRR
came from, but he brought all the crime under one umbrella and monopolized it151Please respect copyright.PENANAxNP50Hnv4u
so he would have control. He set up shop in an old storage warehouse and151Please respect copyright.PENANAGSayZtxwoR
outfitted it with tables, chairs and a bar. He hired people from off the151Please respect copyright.PENANAEAdG9LjRY1
streets, got many of them clean, then put them to work gathering one of the151Please respect copyright.PENANAIJMII4lekO
most powerful forms of currency: intelligence. Some believe that they have151Please respect copyright.PENANA2ayhcO4pNM
something on the King which was why they received funding for his151Please respect copyright.PENANAdbhVHMn12M
establishment.
Not to say all151Please respect copyright.PENANAIyRin1Kfdy
the crimes have completely gone away, no matter how much the noblemen pretend. It151Please respect copyright.PENANAaDEVhaYy4h
was just handled by Ross, usually on the down low. But within the most recent151Please respect copyright.PENANANanpeVCmVW
year, his authority has been challenged with the introduction of a new player,151Please respect copyright.PENANAjoxIZiHNOC
a master behind the scenes with his own small army now patrolling the mean151Please respect copyright.PENANAagP7YuyOrd
streets of the slums. Not much is known about them other than they dress in all151Please respect copyright.PENANAPTWep2OMQl
black, carrying blunt instruments and they have solid white masks covering151Please respect copyright.PENANAXTz0UL6zA1
their faces with holes for the eyes. They had the mark of Humjir carved into151Please respect copyright.PENANA25bxL0FnD5
their forehead, but many doubted that they were instruments of Humjir. No one151Please respect copyright.PENANArpQ9odrKbk
knew where they came from or what their goals were. People who came across them151Please respect copyright.PENANAzcBwtrpDeM
just disappeared.
Alexander seemed151Please respect copyright.PENANAkcjGq5SZyP
tense as they went from the Eastern District into the Southern District. The151Please respect copyright.PENANAmfqYpNF7y4
guards stationed at the gate didn’t even acknowledge them as they walked past.151Please respect copyright.PENANAEq4v5ue0xJ
Seeing well-dressed people heading inside wasn’t uncommon on this kind of night151Please respect copyright.PENANAeuZHKuBzFG
and they knew better than to open their mouths. Shea looked around nervously151Please respect copyright.PENANAPlSBuHYuKW
with her hackles raised. This area put everyone of edge as if they151Please respect copyright.PENANAFFGuI1eq9G
instinctually knew they shouldn’t be here.
The three of them151Please respect copyright.PENANAbZtixMXiuY
stayed along the well-lit streets, Shea warned off anyone who wanted to try151Please respect copyright.PENANAms9Qc4Rlol
their luck, but for the most part their trip towards the warehouse went151Please respect copyright.PENANAwbknbUKwNr
unabated. The warehouse they were headed towards was called the Orange Fox Inn,151Please respect copyright.PENANAynrLC47VSq
Ross’s moniker. Vander could hear the music blasting from all the way out here,151Please respect copyright.PENANApQHKGWQ4Qw
a good sign. There were two guards blocking the door. Huge men that knew their151Please respect copyright.PENANAv1EAFu9sUx
way around their weapons, the only ones allowed to carry weapons anywhere near151Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZjIgi9Wan
this establishment. Vander could never remember their names, so he just called151Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8rrNfLqoS
them Right and Left.
Right was the151Please respect copyright.PENANAHwapvBoaDZ
taller of the two with short brown hair and brown eyes. Even at night he wore151Please respect copyright.PENANA2JTNiyZOEp
shades to cover his eyes. Left was short with a bald head and blue eyes. He did151Please respect copyright.PENANAKQoTOW0dMn
a lot of the talking for the two of them and he never much cared for Vander,151Please respect copyright.PENANAwEIYk4F0EO
which was apparent the way he eyed him as the group walked up.
“No dogs151Please respect copyright.PENANAFQVWUqJQMu
allowed.” Right said. Shea bared her teeth.
“Come on Right.”151Please respect copyright.PENANA5pBK2jfpPd
Vander rolled his eyes. “You remember what happened last time you disrespected151Please respect copyright.PENANA6t5v1teofn
Shea? I heard they needed forty-three stitches to make sure your testicles were151Please respect copyright.PENANAAGxbIzZMg8
still functional.” Anger blared in his eyes as Right stared at Vander.
“What do you151Please respect copyright.PENANAm5XNWbYUo5
want, Blade?” he hissed.
“Drink, party,151Please respect copyright.PENANAvnIGMFFmoe
have a little bit of fun.” Vander grinned. “Why else would anyone come to this151Please respect copyright.PENANA4u9iYRju8u
dump?”
“Last time you151Please respect copyright.PENANAp7OS8LBmHW
came here for ‘fun’,” He clenched his teeth. “Two of our women couldn’t work151Please respect copyright.PENANAAbCm4aYd0Q
for days you sick fuck.” Alex looked over to him with a concerned expression on151Please respect copyright.PENANAnqgIKrMAom
his face.
“This was before151Please respect copyright.PENANAfSmBdK2o7W
we left for the bunker.” Vander hurriedly explained. “After Bree…you know.” He151Please respect copyright.PENANAv4aAeRf7Pb
turned back to the two guards. “You do realize that they are there for pleasure151Please respect copyright.PENANASRwmPx22Fc
and that’s what they got. They were just a little sore after, but otherwise perfectly151Please respect copyright.PENANAVuu2me41jp
healthy.”
“We know.” Right151Please respect copyright.PENANANq6XkyRkZi
growled. “You just made them unable to work with anyone else. They now serve151Please respect copyright.PENANAyLnXLn57Hc
the bar you bastard.” Alex raised an eyebrow, but he was ignored.
“Just let us in.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAwYCNZ4JJzZ
Vander rolled his eyes. “You know Ross wouldn’t like it if you kept me out.”
“The door charge151Please respect copyright.PENANAN9jFHqt5oT
is two gold coins.” Left placed his hand on Right’s shoulder to keep him from151Please respect copyright.PENANAGtY4TDCrNU
arguing further. Vander reached into his pocket for the money. “Each.” Grinning151Please respect copyright.PENANA2PRBKKu8oz
from ear to ear, both guards held out their hands. Clenching his teeth, Vander placed151Please respect copyright.PENANAothEs8Cltk
two coins in each of their hands. The two men pocketed it then stepped aside.151Please respect copyright.PENANALkcXTD6hgh
“Enjoy your stay.” Vander went through, but they blocked Alex from entering.
“Entry fee.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAnoNYcKNnKG
Right held out his hand.
“You can’t be151Please respect copyright.PENANAZsufvhzdPx
serious.” Alex stared at the bouncer. He wiggled his fingers in response. Alex151Please respect copyright.PENANALxexpV2v6U
grabbed his hand then squeezed. Right’s eyes bugged out of his head as he was151Please respect copyright.PENANAZSgzDAdWbE
brought to his knees by Alex’s crushing grip. Left stepped forward towards151Please respect copyright.PENANAz3CWKhOr0M
Alex, but Vander placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“You already got151Please respect copyright.PENANA9bEa2JJhup
double the door charge, taking the win or take a trip to the doctors.” He said.151Please respect copyright.PENANAtdHyTMzzSZ
“Your move.”
“Fine.” Left151Please respect copyright.PENANAfCGwY3t01w
ripped his shoulder from Vander’s grip. “Welcome to the Orange Fox gentlemen.”
The Orange Fox151Please respect copyright.PENANAjnhJDbFTAW
looked large from the inside, but it was nothing compared to the true size of151Please respect copyright.PENANAdiGwrsJsV8
the establishment. There were two floors: one for the festivities and the other151Please respect copyright.PENANAe7ghKxQhqH
for the after parties. Inside everything was bustling. Waitresses wearing151Please respect copyright.PENANA1koyYqz0jB
barely any clothing were walking around the tables taking drink orders and151Please respect copyright.PENANAYiXotAy6dF
flirting with men. Dealers were at the head of each table, some dealt dice151Please respect copyright.PENANAC17XYjTgf8
while others oversaw the card games. They wore white shirts with orange151Please respect copyright.PENANAC09dkDdl4V
bowties. Men and women from all walks of life frequented this place, some tried151Please respect copyright.PENANANg9iqMVxiK
to make their fortune while others came to spend a fortune. Here nothing was151Please respect copyright.PENANA61kKkojagO
off the table provided you were willing to pay the price.
Normally Vander151Please respect copyright.PENANA1kfrzgNS4e
would spend some time checking out the women and ordering drinks, but today the151Please respect copyright.PENANAKW78RTKo64
two of them were here on a mission that couldn’t be stopped, not even for the151Please respect copyright.PENANA30erreQ8tj
attractive blonde bartender.
“You again?” she151Please respect copyright.PENANAu49mJYWfs2
smiled coyly at him. “And you brought an attractive friend, you want the same151Please respect copyright.PENANAJBJCN4LOpl
as last time?”
“I’m not here for151Please respect copyright.PENANAJOOOsCbnxv
pleasure this time.” Vander shook his head then took a seat across from her.151Please respect copyright.PENANABH2BuIog0A
“And this guy is here as my bodyguard. I’ll have a shot of whiskey please, make151Please respect copyright.PENANAg5Oz4wh8qt
it strong.”
“Of course.” She151Please respect copyright.PENANAyas4ceDW2P
sounded disappointed but did as she was asked. She came back a second later151Please respect copyright.PENANAp3Mshcd9Vy
carrying a bottle of Redrum Whiskey and two shot glasses. She carefully poured151Please respect copyright.PENANAGwAQ7NgINd
them before sliding them over. “That’ll be a gold coin for the bottle.”
“Just a gold?”151Please respect copyright.PENANAdMtYqssBw1
Alex frowned. “We paid the two men outside four just to come in.”
“Vander.” The151Please respect copyright.PENANA5hhOM423Bp
blonde sighed. “You know you don’t have to pay those two idiots of entry. Why151Please respect copyright.PENANAHrXreOUtxR
did you?”
“He seemed real151Please respect copyright.PENANAuAbTnej9I7
upset that I ruined you for other men.” Vander chuckled. “So, I threw him a151Please respect copyright.PENANAWKFtP0jpJ2
bone.”
“Ruined me?” she151Please respect copyright.PENANARqUn56eNqr
laughed. “Hardly. You were good, but you were a crying mess that night. I just151Please respect copyright.PENANAlmeyZ9HGQ2
decided that I didn’t want to sell my body anymore. Plus, he’s just upset151Please respect copyright.PENANAnOmGMnj9by
because I wouldn’t sleep with him for free.”
“I thought you151Please respect copyright.PENANAHOdGgEr2p7
had to pay for it here?” Alex asked.
“You do.” Vander151Please respect copyright.PENANADTKZRt04vb
and the blonde said in unison. They clinked their glasses together then tossed151Please respect copyright.PENANAfTHKlnshhl
back the drink. Vander placed two more gold coins on the table. “Now, where can151Please respect copyright.PENANAp48ag53eAp
I find Ross?”
“Downstairs.” She151Please respect copyright.PENANAH8OuFh3WSg
said. “The main attraction is about to begin; you don’t want to miss it.” She151Please respect copyright.PENANAabrA1raeLd
got a sad look on her face, but that was to be expected. Like everything, this151Please respect copyright.PENANAfo2y3sGEYu
place had its dark side.
“Alex, bring the151Please respect copyright.PENANApEBJovEu36
whiskey with you.” Vander got up from the bar. “We might need it.” Alex did as151Please respect copyright.PENANAtGRVFZWmT1
he was asked. He didn’t ask any questions as the two of them walked towards the151Please respect copyright.PENANAaTOqrTUjbq
back corner of the warehouse. Vander did the secret knock then the door slowly151Please respect copyright.PENANAZqHpAulZqr
opened. Upon recognizing him, the man stepped aside and bade them entry.
The two of them151Please respect copyright.PENANAPr0AaP9MmS
were quiet as they walked down the hall. At the end of the area was a flight of151Please respect copyright.PENANAfCrgwIl4Wk
stairs that walked down into darkness. Vander grabbed a torch from the wall and151Please respect copyright.PENANAPq7VR2az6e
lit it. It would get dark from this point forward and while he would be able to151Please respect copyright.PENANAiWs0Dlq42e
see without issues, Alex wouldn’t be able to. The area became damp and cold as151Please respect copyright.PENANAYC8zudEuRs
they traveled deeper below the surface. It was hard to tell, but the stagnant151Please respect copyright.PENANALGmYqe7sUL
smell of blood lingered in the air.
“Alex.” Vander151Please respect copyright.PENANAAJmia1m5ie
stopped and turned to look at his friend. “What you are about to see you cannot151Please respect copyright.PENANA7L16SUydLl
tell anyone about. Do you understand?”
“What’s going on151Please respect copyright.PENANAAESPIkJdue
Vander?” he asked.
“I will explain151Please respect copyright.PENANAQR2xwv9dqM
it all in due time, but do you trust me?”
“With my life.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAARDdOkPtJM
Alex nodded.
“Then stick close151Please respect copyright.PENANApiOe6ye4Yw
and follow me.”
It took them a151Please respect copyright.PENANA85u2Gm11Jf
few more minutes of walking before they started to hear the deafening cheer151Please respect copyright.PENANAeTLTEjMN8H
coming from ahead. The sound always chilled Vander, but he knew what they were151Please respect copyright.PENANAd98bHqHCML
cheering for, and it made him sick to his stomach. He put on a brave face and151Please respect copyright.PENANAJlYFeqtp0I
stepped through the small doorway and into the large subterranean cavern151Please respect copyright.PENANAmCNaceeXj9
underneath the city. There was a massive pit in the center with a large151Please respect copyright.PENANAMcACVGW9dd
concrete wall surrounding the top for spectators to see what was going on151Please respect copyright.PENANAMqvHvsClHo
below. Hundreds of people were peering below shouting either words of151Please respect copyright.PENANAVpeoJqGokG
encouragement or curses to those below. One man, who worked for Ross, was set151Please respect copyright.PENANALvfpobshqt
up in the corner with a large board behind him shouting odds as people thrust151Please respect copyright.PENANAqOyxr0kTR3
money at him to bet on the match.
“What is this151Please respect copyright.PENANACiE8H4f5zz
place?” Alex whispered to Vander.
“It’s called the151Please respect copyright.PENANAGTEDYHVR50
Pits.” He whispered back. “Stay close, you don’t want to get lost in here.” At151Please respect copyright.PENANARRT8kRuDif
first you couldn’t see it through the thick crowd trying to get their bets in,151Please respect copyright.PENANAPMdxOF0t2E
but as he masterly maneuvered through the crowd, the true horror of the Pits151Please respect copyright.PENANAUTr6rwlz9u
came into light.
In the center of151Please respect copyright.PENANAuERnPIEcz1
the room was a massive hole in the ground. There were study railings in place151Please respect copyright.PENANA10eiWNfazC
to keep over eager patrons from getting too close to the edge, but accidents151Please respect copyright.PENANASLcVMicnaU
sometimes happened. However, that was the only way to truly witness the blood151Please respect copyright.PENANA7wTayhHbbf
bath happening below. Even though Vander couldn’t see what was happening, he151Please respect copyright.PENANAutrKXCPJBQ
both heard and smelled what was going on.
Two people were151Please respect copyright.PENANAMJL0tPd4Wp
fighting to the death, one male, one female. Based on the sounds, they were151Please respect copyright.PENANAnNk4E6WnXU
only using their weapons to fight one another. He could hear the sounds of151Please respect copyright.PENANABcOMI1NdwY
flesh striking flesh and the pained cry of the man as the female drove her knee151Please respect copyright.PENANAaBEZlnFoJ0
into his crotch. He smelled the irony tang of blood followed by a feminine151Please respect copyright.PENANAzJv9fm9EjJ
scream as the male got his revenge against her. The crowd roared their approval151Please respect copyright.PENANA0Toidw4ynY
and chanted for him to end her. It ended a moment later. People jostled him to151Please respect copyright.PENANAAlHPyoIHkx
collect their winnings while the losers shuffled out cursing their luck under151Please respect copyright.PENANAL8EbZEzipC
their breaths.
Vander ignored151Please respect copyright.PENANAOMd0VujOja
Alex’s questions as he headed towards the VIP area where he knew the person he151Please respect copyright.PENANAwfJbYkG0Q1
was looking for was sitting. He was wearing his traditional long black cloak151Please respect copyright.PENANA3rCJr1cJWk
and mask to cover his face. Only a select few were allowed to know what the151Please respect copyright.PENANAkXYZ2YjThg
Lower King looked like. For his protection more than anything else. There were151Please respect copyright.PENANAB9QtW1dyDy
three guards on each side of a raised platform, the best seat in the house to151Please respect copyright.PENANAwnttYhBaku
see what was going on below. The orange hair looked blood red underneath the151Please respect copyright.PENANAejkEfsVQSE
torches above.
“He’s been151Please respect copyright.PENANA5m58sX6D2p
expecting you.” One of the guards stepped up and slightly lowered his head in151Please respect copyright.PENANA4Sg6ex01cL
difference to Vander. “Who have you brought with you?” He turned to face Alex.
“A friend.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAh4NVb4KLDc
Vander stared the guard down. “He knows to keep his mouth shut about what151Please respect copyright.PENANAaMYlgmVD1d
happens down here.”
“He better, you151Please respect copyright.PENANAx653lQ0Xmn
know what happens if they don’t,” Vander nodded. The guard took a step back to151Please respect copyright.PENANAMgPyarkwyb
whisper something in his King’s ear. He returned a moment later. “He will see151Please respect copyright.PENANA1wJRx3uIot
you, but you must wait until the end of the next fight before he will discuss151Please respect copyright.PENANAswO5EdpVKv
business.”
“I understand.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAZkRMLjKTDe
The guard stepped aside motioning for the two of them to step forward. Vander151Please respect copyright.PENANAwXocaJpIP6
took the spot next to the King while Alex stood behind him. The King didn’t151Please respect copyright.PENANABRuBTdmLNy
acknowledge him but stood up to address the crowd.
“Now for the main151Please respect copyright.PENANAxDzkGGl4pT
event.” His voice boomed. “We have a treat for you, a specimen that had been151Please respect copyright.PENANA3FuMjD6rYh
captured several days ago, a large brown bear.” The crowd cheered. “We starved151Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7dqsZLsAi
it just for you. And now, the challenger wanting to make his fortune is ready151Please respect copyright.PENANAIh6x6WVEqq
to stake his life.” A louder cheer erupted as a young man, no more than151Please respect copyright.PENANABLzRd3xVhY
sixteen, walked out carrying a large axe and wearing no armor, just tattered151Please respect copyright.PENANAYnENieRHI5
clothing.
“What’s going151Please respect copyright.PENANAlzbJYv9mKy
on?” Alex leaned over to whisper into Vander’s ear.
“Don’t say a151Please respect copyright.PENANAjvpClf0UQ4
thing.” Vander whispered back. “I’ll explain later.”
“You know the151Please respect copyright.PENANARP9WFuvdQc
rules?” The teenager nodded his head. “If he wins, he gets all the money from151Please respect copyright.PENANATKyXLeCGwO
those who bet against him, however if he loses, his life belongs to the gods.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAzZJPSH4oqU
He turned towards the teen for the last time. “Are you sure you want to do151Please respect copyright.PENANAiQiMuDB6jM
this?”
“I do.”
“Then let’s get151Please respect copyright.PENANAGuteo1h6oW
on with it!” The crowd cheered as the boy was led away from the podium. He151Please respect copyright.PENANAoEaDnc6NP3
didn’t make an appearance again until he reached the bottom of the pit. The151Please respect copyright.PENANAHPW9TETeon
crowd cheered again, placing their bets against the boy while he walked around151Please respect copyright.PENANAS5ZKvXhzfA
the edge attempting to hype them up. They fell silent as the King stood once151Please respect copyright.PENANAbwukVr4DEz
again.
“Release the151Please respect copyright.PENANA6Idp1rGhre
bear!” The crown cheered as the massive gates holding the ravenous bear back151Please respect copyright.PENANAC7CfmxKUIf
open and with a snarl, the creature lunged forward.
From his vantage151Please respect copyright.PENANAFV0epLCsey
point, Vander and Alex could see the entire fight unfold the way they expected.151Please respect copyright.PENANArWBfXeHGus
There was no way an inexperienced fighter could take on a full-grown brown151Please respect copyright.PENANANKeYRDADnw
bear, especially not one that hasn’t fed in days, but he did put up a good151Please respect copyright.PENANApJP9JowZB9
fight.
When the bear151Please respect copyright.PENANArEjsHjtiRt
charged him, he rolled to dodge the massive strike from the bear’s claws and151Please respect copyright.PENANAayNv2lcwWz
got in a strike of his own raking the creature’s side with his axe. The bear151Please respect copyright.PENANAN2QKRtGmY9
bellowed in rage then got up on its hind legs and tried to intimidate the boy.151Please respect copyright.PENANAdrYhlrYjSU
He swatted at the axe but was met with the blade. Blood sprayed from the151Please respect copyright.PENANAtPpNrlLNyC
creature’s paw causing him to roar out in pain. It was at that moment the kid151Please respect copyright.PENANA74kplqNeRG
got overeager. He rushed forward, the sight of the kill fresh in his mind, but151Please respect copyright.PENANAF2cZjuNTH1
one strike from the other paw was enough to send the boy spinning. He got to151Please respect copyright.PENANAp9AtDiAaNW
his feet, his head whirling. Half his cheek was torn, and his eye was dangling151Please respect copyright.PENANAwTe1bG9KTH
from the socket. He was too stunned to scream as the bear tore out the kid’s151Please respect copyright.PENANAKgvGcEXpnx
throat.
“And there we151Please respect copyright.PENANAsJtCVbZFKU
have it!” The King stood ignoring the sound of the bear gorging itself on the151Please respect copyright.PENANAue0GNpf0Ej
kid’s body. “Everyone, make sure you collect your winnings. My bar is open to151Please respect copyright.PENANAPrPJ1CZnlS
you all night long.” The crowd cheered as the King stepped down waving for151Please respect copyright.PENANABUciWU6hV9
Vander to follow him. Without a word, Vander got up and followed the cloaked151Please respect copyright.PENANACR21NOcm3V
figure with Alex behind him. The guards took up position on both sides151Please respect copyright.PENANACYAI7DoOXE
escorting them away.
They walked down151Please respect copyright.PENANAJGKftcm1wh
a long hallway the slope upwards leading back into the warehouse. Vander only151Please respect copyright.PENANA7MuTN1l96d
knew where he was going because he had been there before. The hallway became151Please respect copyright.PENANAtQlKoFbSr9
lighter, and they came to a metal door. The King removed a key from around his151Please respect copyright.PENANA9WdTdXct19
neck then opened it, ushering the group inside. On the other side of the door151Please respect copyright.PENANAbqFdpFMQ5T
was another hallway that led to the rooms where the patrons of the Orange Fox151Please respect copyright.PENANAeldS97xnbq
would be well taken care of tonight.
“This way.” Ross151Please respect copyright.PENANAdPxnQF0QfE
said. He walked a couple of doors down, removed another key, then ushered them151Please respect copyright.PENANAL8NUN22XcZ
into his room. The guards took up position inside and outside as Ross moved151Please respect copyright.PENANAf8dBLMBF9l
towards his bedroom shedding his cloak and mask as he went. “Help yourself151Please respect copyright.PENANAbtVORCHBqH
while I freshen up.” Ross shouted over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe how151Please respect copyright.PENANAmxivF4agcv
hot it gets under that get up.” The door closed leaving Vander and Alex alone.
The room wasn’t151Please respect copyright.PENANArMWZagRLBp
much compared to the King’s estate, but for a man living in the slums, it was a151Please respect copyright.PENANAoxRHM6SNwS
palace. There were three rooms, a living space, bathroom, and bedroom. The151Please respect copyright.PENANA4AlaZRx21i
living space had a full kitchen, was fully adorned with bookshelves, a desk,151Please respect copyright.PENANAbE1tql1SqK
several couches and chairs, along with several alcohol cabinets. This was home151Please respect copyright.PENANAWemJYZScyI
to hundreds of parties a year and people from all walks of life was invited,151Please respect copyright.PENANA4yW5Wg4IvI
including the noble families.
Alex spun on151Please respect copyright.PENANAeydAyHWlzX
Vander, grabbing him by his collar and shoving him against the wall. “What the151Please respect copyright.PENANAQVFCFAC66K
hell was that?” He spat. Vander waved the guards away as they made their way151Please respect copyright.PENANAXoT6MTbsMy
over.
“You know we151Please respect copyright.PENANAZdAta6EcVt
couldn’t get involved to save that boy.” Vander growled. “He made his choice151Please respect copyright.PENANA7KbyWcIXfO
and tonight we aren’t agents of the king or Blades, we are people looking for151Please respect copyright.PENANAOuTNDUhWae
information and in this area, Ross is King. You know this Alex.” Alex stared at151Please respect copyright.PENANAHTdSb5LEG7
him for a moment before shoving Vander against the wall and letting him go.
“I hate making a151Please respect copyright.PENANA2LLahwlV7m
deal with the devil.” He grumbled.
“Deal with the151Please respect copyright.PENANAmTmEsbKdaQ
devil?” Both looked up to see Ross standing there. He shed his old clothing and151Please respect copyright.PENANAiS8tR4YuT2
wore a collared white shirt, unbuttoned on the top to show off his gold151Please respect copyright.PENANAUj0CLSjYXT
necklace, and black pants. He put on151Please respect copyright.PENANAdGISwxAuYM
some tall boots and many bracelets adorned his wrists. “Alex, I am much worse151Please respect copyright.PENANAmsOny8EvEc
than Unna.” Vander snorted, but Ross chose to ignore him.
“How do you know151Please respect copyright.PENANAYiC0rwCOui
my name?” Alex growled. Ross poured himself a glass of booze before walking151Please respect copyright.PENANAqr0J0FWjpG
proudly over to the other couch. He sat down across from the two of them giving151Please respect copyright.PENANA6z9Ri3ydsQ
both a wide grin.
“Who doesn’t know151Please respect copyright.PENANA234vAIXmjP
Vander’s Shield?” He asked. “The one man who would risk his life for his151Please respect copyright.PENANAiKPmAropT7
friend. You’re a legend.”
“I hate that151Please respect copyright.PENANA3BmelIshcx
nickname.” He snapped. Ross raised his hand peacefully.
“Noted.” He took151Please respect copyright.PENANADRSmZZzDeR
a sip from his glass then turned to look at Vander. “What can I help you with151Please respect copyright.PENANASVDfhzOpUt
Vander?”
“I need151Please respect copyright.PENANAe9N3F1Vfvz
information.” Vander said.
“Information151Please respect copyright.PENANAlNMHzNAhGg
isn’t cheap.” Ross smirked. “Are you prepared to pay the price?” Vander removed151Please respect copyright.PENANA5t7tcSixtw
a sack of gold from his pocket dropping it on the table in front of him. “You151Please respect copyright.PENANAFaJSz3ni4G
came to play.” Ross laughed. “How can I help you.”
“I want to know151Please respect copyright.PENANAlo62yEJc37
what you know about the King’s poisoning.” Ross didn’t even flinch at the news.
“How did you know151Please respect copyright.PENANAkz8tdM36Vr
I knew?”
“Because you know151Please respect copyright.PENANAsU3cZjoJYd
just about everything that happens.” Vander rolled his eyes. “I’m not an151Please respect copyright.PENANAM3UDPNEBU4
idiot.”
“Fair enough.” He151Please respect copyright.PENANAPWyCosdFRS
smiled. “This is just enough for me to tell you who they are.” Within one swift151Please respect copyright.PENANAPExHI8w4Rp
movement, the coins disappeared. “The Green Serpents were the ones who poisoned151Please respect copyright.PENANAHh3iEyL7eo
the King.”
“A mercenary151Please respect copyright.PENANAh1A3gkOTSZ
group?” Alex asked. “Who paid them?”
“That’s not151Please respect copyright.PENANAWJZRLn7d3j
something known to me.” Ross shook his head. “Even if it was, you’d have to pay151Please respect copyright.PENANAYQiv3a2N1d
me more to know that.”
“You bastard.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAekrbVHsexN
Alex snapped.
“It’s the price151Please respect copyright.PENANAGFTqEC0gph
of business.” Ross shrugged. “But I can find their hideout for you.” He took151Please respect copyright.PENANAhjnSoUVofp
another sip of alcohol.
“What would it151Please respect copyright.PENANAdcUCb4g8eP
cost me?” Vander asked.
“You know what I151Please respect copyright.PENANA5rSHYWmezO
want.” Ross rolled his eyes. “I want you to fight, in the pit. Against a151Please respect copyright.PENANAjTq4eP7Le8
creature of my choice.”
“No,” Alex folded151Please respect copyright.PENANApGRXmRvUup
his arms over his chest. “It’s too dangerous. We can send our own spies to locate151Please respect copyright.PENANAswO0KG2K0x
them, we don’t need you.”
“You might want151Please respect copyright.PENANAUaYoXzrkQP
to reconsider.” Ross sighed. “But that’s for you to find out on your own.”
“Vander, let’s151Please respect copyright.PENANAXt8slwIO8Q
go.” Vander saw the rage burning in his friend’s face and he knew there was no151Please respect copyright.PENANAhuaGzUIhdt
time to argue with him. Defeated, he got to his feet to walk towards the door.
“Before you go.”151Please respect copyright.PENANAK5yInsgEoh
Ross spoke up. Vander turned to see him staring up at him. “I will give you151Please respect copyright.PENANAEHXyUImazq
some information for free: don’t trust those you claim to be your friends. You151Please respect copyright.PENANAg6o8uT4cAJ
have a spy within your organization, Vander.”
“Come on, let’s151Please respect copyright.PENANADuaWUMEYex
go.” Alex spun Vander around.
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“Don’t say I151Please respect copyright.PENANAIguAqElKab
didn’t warn you!” Ross shouted as the door closed behind them.