Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfiUQPSxsq
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwPqYCMCBN
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUdVfLr3Td
some books from their neighboring countries. 173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZRBxsyh6
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57FdsxWO3o
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4mlr6ifYn
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaqGgLTZTR
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevlEv2zwWb
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp0TxVCERZ
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFKZLycf5I
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFijVtPryD
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhjGOA79mU
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS341I269f
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqkaCXCOdZ
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDFl6yYcKI
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVIrFhEog6
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qKyYmhW0x
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetdH1fyxPe
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yvaD60DFy
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8RaGrjpnb
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xwcAW5KNK
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Odu7IRBne
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwyUUBzAeQ
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5IDKwvYym
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjnYSA0zu6
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU1s5HuWXb
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJKkSB7b2p
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliBw5SWRCp
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4xIB6su9B
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGWB9633sU
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxJXUg0wic
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cv7O3AVe7
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5JNuNP5FA
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVeD5BRtq5
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU42vUlaON
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqLExJkeVR
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzsFcI2nYX
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNNaIKlswD
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRx0VIhB1E
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhAMoCUKha
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAE22XNAGt
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt6gf18EBL
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJR5hXDrHq
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYAqSfvZHq
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHATAkSF37Z
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoVtFZtFS8
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P269tCmVq
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf0AXmH6CS
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdKFjqIU49
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIa8GGlqrc
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIjLWeFA8m
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixfRIzl6b1
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOosJs6FjYA
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92NvLieXkr
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbM2eWShzU
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnEOa5DJF
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGQPqbceB
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrWVjAYMz8
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIlMUuCFOw
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXNPefHshe
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYWnqY2KPi
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Uy87M25dS
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH4rZuBS8I
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyYk90UJ6e
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZwsEnq6Fd
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWta8rBG2GJ
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig1EpWasLl
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMa3uKEK4b
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTgQ9rHlyI
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjq7BfBIhX
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoiWmMW9FR
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsAVOrqv5Y
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSKHpBBbJI
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb8HXKKrwb
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslbWqC3M93
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHur99Ia6k
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8CBVzRS3k
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ORPXZzT9W
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRWTPOaGi3
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjHWsq1TuW
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAEQz1VL8p
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cpkByNttt
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXZ5e3o7D7
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz3wY15UDr
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TOxYZHVQR
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZJ2dDvKy
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0mqHkkdrT
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUbB4jNMB6
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAWP65WSty
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1QAdOlZBT
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hbJ4xLwIE
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCteYag5Ai
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqdx46Syqm
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4C8Edz9E8
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Ar13h23a
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXeMzFlV8w
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5CWsPw4Dd
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtkY7AVRPW
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ8OhBUgiA
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXhgP4O0xw
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96oFdpY4ZB
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwACEKIlJC
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyA8MfX5c4
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLuLSTvtPe
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoE07EQ36n
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLltM8zUFCe
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHT6rvLYcW
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDdWG5CwyW
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5emHueGED
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTloA9Zq7W
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBLyugYXKn
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzetOScFqA
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nkxW5BPA0
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtpmRyELJJ
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6QhAjSwoV
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijzHZunyBT
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUOzDXqCkn
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxLK641YZo
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA3ogMEt11
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd6fLdW0rf
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbqTVDb6KJ
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7ns8sKynN
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsXNLLauhE
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMOSlwsEHt
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbZUCvC2Tn
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICOWr1PXPB
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcwgWSNSRY
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONylu3olqg
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17sLPiXuRn
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZFTjzfcFU
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3gUJCtYQd
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzTyUFpk46
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vtocBveoy
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXinDq8a8
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvgM6NLGxI
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pWSyW4k0c
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbidc9uPyk
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzclz6cH2nP
issues.
By the time he made it out of the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDRhEsa6T
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNji0FibGYD
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afDMi7qQj
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvMDDdlkSN
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgisVtTIYN
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPuvR710je
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1RZfNXSLT
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUzcOWWCQq
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rxufjlASp
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJdi0jLn4v
do with that.
One of the only places that would173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbYYkh4ThK
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JuIU5UdMz
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhNHVslyJw
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOkn96JX7m
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws6MhTDnoc
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFPVHZP54t
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNg1a4nXEH
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgtclm8udt
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx0BsAT2xa
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoBhfrZHpV
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz978hFdqB
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyMPPb9HcO
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNtBVH9PSM
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFreZ9XNkj
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt95uxyQgAP
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QQiC7AfiU
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhriph498N
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iNWSgyrCJ
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwlEtOkc4f
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEFIKRujls
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRoVCd1tnS
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjufYzbkGWx
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM75mNWl20e
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3zpCXptWg
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGHqDaf28
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsMr3LihWt
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ZLma7qiL
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkegHlPOuN
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDum8rWPuhy
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42HSZeTGGj
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqNxlLm6Gy
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H6ZQSZApz
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tcB5s7ugv
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaPTVjspoc
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeePjkBzUt
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA51KDYtVIr
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVsBTbaG7r
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziBQZiUX7M
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMocuCH2igF
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77hn1Nn4sL
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KsxYGxpJ1
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6lnleJW6A
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtg8fY2JQh
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqRyDw1PTG
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa44bsyLmgY
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNgTb78vZj
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjH48vpR68
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c3bqgWjRS
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpnza4khKf
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNl4Z49zi5
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBssyaBphZ
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFpiSyeG8q
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wTSnJ0a7i
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVSOSkUwBi
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnFOCrULO7
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhgKK1uoGA
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQx41zl6yv
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z5SsRdWjf
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31wOzgJYxd
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8czMya4Knt
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDvDvsaAEh
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWJ87Ln15
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XUrrUbrwS
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9QszBBI1L
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObf9pafqu6
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJlQ2tDRji
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWVF0z00Jn
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGDNX0hzqu
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6lbcQIFJo
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K8LcnQIHw
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mP175HEzW
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CilQYciZ7
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ5XrzTrpe
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pUhZ4Fu3A
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRUIvjTdVq
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4dBaLqbo9
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIUNdECbJI
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK5Kfs9SWU
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa83o03kD9
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPassQJe2j
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdntWNp96Kn
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArpPN66QpX
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhQvhpdRWi
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme2cQjTIBk
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELCBerhZS2
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAJy6EdHil
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdCbtnhin4
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBe3mYj2Fb
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zNEtfnWA9
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENoiPMptWr
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSv6hChdCW
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoSnplj4lG
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqtE9r3KQN
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP44fpNjMqZ
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhShOESyRO
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPaJ5go6C8
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1urBQSan1
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTMbz0Z1Mn
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP6PrXR20C
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVOjJQRLyN
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFCpRAGY4t
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWqh3Mbp3z
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr92mm3kAm
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaSy1iyKfi
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQETCfZcEX
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuZ7KYQzOM
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
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