Chapter 4
Vander pushed open the door that135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1zzK7JNIT
led into a large, spacious office. The walls were blocked by large bookshelves135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCw8xWMIhy
filled to the brim with various books from Eluvia’s history, there were even135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW8iA35DwU
some books from their neighboring countries. 135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLnyeVcerp
When he was younger he had wanted to read them all, but it was a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78fuaSIeVx
daunting task that would take him many lifetimes. Each shelf was painstakingly135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQjFpCUj5H
ordered alphabetically and by subject so you could find anything you wanted135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXxpLj3Wly
quite easily.
There was a desk in front of the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vq8NtOspz
left wall that was kept clean, only a letter or two adorned in. Inside the desk135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJZIYnnkFL
were reports from all the Blades scattered throughout the kingdom and a wax135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ5uZ5s5oL
seal the Commander used on the letters before sending them out on delivery. On135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGHfV5drJo
the right side was a massive fireplace with two large chairs set up in front.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKllCkRRGvH
There was a table between them where his grandfather sat drinking after a long day’s135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZxpmXAiFP
work before he retired for the night.
“Are you just going to stand there135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D4mgE4IPY
looking around or are you coming inside?” Vander looked towards the window135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9yZaisKpR
where his grandfather was standing.
Charles Pendrake was staring at135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd7EontLJy
him over his shoulder with a hard look in his eyes. Despite being an adult,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAdWUby5wi
Vander found his grandfather to be quite intimidating. Despite being almost135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWTalZAiTM
sixty years old, at 6’6 he was still able to run over the younger Blades quite135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM7Bpu8IEB
easily. His mind was still sharp, and he commanded an air of respect that few135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv3af0tOiu
could ignore. Despite being family, the two of them look nothing alike. He had135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fcAyRQOZb
brown hair with graying edges and brown eyes. While Vander was wiry, Charles135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97WOFeFlso
was pure muscle. Charles was respected while Vander was feared.
“Apologies135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgLWOGFBX0
Commander.” Vander stepped inside then closed the door. “It’s just been a long135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQZWxC20jh
time since I’ve been in here.” Shea followed him in and went to sit by his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNPYkuiUcc
grandfather’s desk chair.
“I’ve told you135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmsS2zRjvQ
when it’s the two of us you can call me grandpa.” Charles sighed.
“Sorry135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqhs9Dt22n
Commander.” Vander bowed his head.
“Still just a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh3e66itsD
pain in the ass as always.” Charles stepped away from the window then sat down135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzmPxQ5ODn
behind his desk. “I thought spending the past six months up in the woods would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v8BnTWoLY
have tempered the attitude of yours.” He rubbed the top of Shea’s head as she135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeLXzxu5ds
placed her mouth on his leg.
“Don’t pretend135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZgmLc4R1B
that’s why you sent me up there to train.” Vander took the seat opposite him.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSvynIxTNG
“Though it was nice to get away from the city for a change.”
“I did it for135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhz97u9OhE
your own good, you know it.” Charles sighed. “I don’t know how I wound up with135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4yGJTYtA1
such a head strong grandson.”
“And people say135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWlo1u78aP
we’re nothing alike.” He snorted. “Anyway, I received your letter and came as135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI5Z09my91
soon as I could. What’s going?” Charles leaned back in his chair.
“Since you were135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiIRFBYfci
sent to the woods and Cuvera went to pick up his bride from Bricen, things have135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiLtcHmOWK
only gotten worse here.” He rubbed the back of his head. “What I am about to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR7wngMY7H
tell you, you can tell no one else about. Not even Alex, am I understood?”
“Is that135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDbQPf0AgN
serious I can’t tell another Captain?” Charles nodded grimly. Vander sighed135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEybhCYuIK
before agreeing. “A couple weeks ago, Malcolm had fallen mysteriously ill. We135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM2y9lgirl
aren’t sure the cause of it, Topal is by his side every day and night, but none135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPyJckoX36
of his remedies are working.”
“Really?”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdnFOlqOx3
Vander frowned. “When I passed through the city earlier, nothing seemed amiss.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3HivQonik
There was no one sick and everyone seemed quite happy.”
“That’s because no one outside of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DiNGFifbg
the council knows.” Charles explained. “We wanted to keep it quiet to avoid a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQxx6CRjom
panic.”
“So why tell me?”
“Because I want you to take over135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr2K2i25xn
the investigation for me.” Charles explained. “I don’t think the cause of his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHID1hDTcd
sickness is natural causes, I think it was poison. Topal agrees with me, but135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuVpG07l4z
the council doesn’t agree. While the King is fighting for his life, the council135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCKQq972sI
is trying to undermine him by passing laws that bolster their own power while135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJhiJ7gOKg
restricting ours. So now I must fight them off and can’t concentrate on finding135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGUodBoRaV
out who did this. So, will you do it?”
Vander folded his arms and thought135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyZ9qp0JZu
for a moment. It was a lot of information to absorb at once, but he knew his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFwOsjQFRO
grandfather was pressed for time. Despite his anger towards the old man, he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5DxeQW1RM
didn’t really want to see him suffer anymore.
“I will help you.” Vander sighed.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacHKWkD2wa
Charles broke out into a large grin.
“Thank you.” He reached into his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72MzjhEp0l
desk and pulled something out. He placed the small item on the desk in front of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHZFUhx9Ze
Vander. It was a small blue medallion with the royal family’s crest on one side135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsa3Fcao1D
and the Blade symbol on the other. “This will open all doors for you inside the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpnV0Q8zau
city. Get whatever you need, but you can tell no one about your mission.”
Vander took the medal then slipped135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe2Z8lxanN
it into his pocket. “Is it alright if I see the King now?” He got up from the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOOFATatFF
chair and headed towards the door.
“Yes, but there is something I135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbJStpjrtC
should tell you-“ Vander opened the door while looking at his grandfather.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ili1Fgz8M
Shea’s hackles raised as she started snarling. He turned to see who was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJJNyxgL5m
standing there and upon recognizing him, his blood started to boil.
“What the hell are you doing135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknoi0tNPES
here?” he snapped. He grabbed the man by his collar and pushed him up against135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8rSYS4oVh
the hallway wall. “Give me a reason why I should gut you where you stand.”
“Because I’m still a Blade and a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGKBe7myN6
captain now.” Leon smirked. “You can’t do a damn thing to me.”
“What?” He spun around to see his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakAhPoG7X6
grandfather standing in the doorway looking at him with a dejected look on his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEbT7XazfJ
face.
“I had no choice in the matter.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK4Tuf4y2g
Charles looked pained. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to see you; will you135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o3Pg6t1Az
sit down? Please?” Vander took one more look at Leon’s smug face before shoving135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrwqFaSw3R
him back against the wall and walking back to his seat. Shea, still growling,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nEELsiHOC
kept her eyes locked on Leon perhaps daring him to make a move against her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoR4uMFrBR
master. Vander sat down.
“The council is making moves to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn5QyDOgUo
limit the power of the Blades, or to remove us completely.” Charles explained.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOaVpDNua
“Since the wars ended, they decided there isn’t a need for us to carry on how135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVpuFNfV9
we are. With the poisoning of the King, it further reinforced their views. They135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSFd8CxYUS
appointed Leon as Captain to oversee us and to report back.”
“And what qualifications does he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmXnzMG6dc
have to report on anything?” Vander glared at the other man who was leaning up135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CYhxtgJkE
against the wall with a broad grin on his face.
“None whatsoever.” Charles135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFnWXhsJRs
snorted. “His father just promoted him into our ranks to be a pain in the ass.”
“That’s not going to win you any135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMpCyuYGeK
points, Commander.” Leon sneered. “I have absolute authority to decide the fate135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO6b4GtlWw
of the Blades. It wouldn’t go well for you to get on my bad side.”
“Shea kindly escort him from the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvZCUBWqFT
room.” Vander commanded. “I don’t need him overhearing actual Blade business.”
“With pleasure.” She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUeud0hC1a
snarled. She got up from off the ground and with teeth bared, she stalked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKb1Yzqfl0
towards Leon. Leon’s smug smirk disappeared instantly as he slowly started135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOynDwamkM
backing up towards the door.
“Call off your mutt, Vander.” His135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN9aXhVJSl
face became pale as neither of them moved to help. “Vander.” He quickly ducked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP0zuQdNFu
through the door and slammed it shut as Shea lunged at him. She landed nimbly135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCL9LnAC4p
in front of the door.
“Don’t come back.” Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9b0jC5LsR
heard Leon’s panicked footsteps echoing down the hall. The thought of the man135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VOLCTCuYR
pissing himself brought a small smile to his face.
“That was unwise, yet very135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqRUqdgJLl
satisfying.” Charles chuckled. “Viggo won’t be happy.”
“I don’t give a shit what makes135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2D3NzM7ZH
him happy.” Vander sighed. “He just wants to control us for his own personal135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDIH6Xf9BY
gain. Man’s a snake and should be removed.”
“We are just protectors Vander,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgsLAqnaco
not politicians. Leave the removal to those with the mind to do it.”
“Yes sir.” Vander sighed. “When do135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCenTZCBEl
you want me to go and see the King?”“The investigation can wait until you are135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC0gkLUCNh
fresh faced and rested.” Charles said. “Everything is how it was; the King has135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugxd0mKwqf
just been moved to a secret location while he recovers. This is our last chance135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8UmoIVnh7
to prove our worth to the council.”
“We shouldn’t have to prove a damn135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX0QNIX5Bz
thing, but I’m with you.” Vander got up to stretch, stifling a yawn. “I will do135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuTLtQPQZg
what I can to find out who hurt the King and bring them to justice.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled. “How135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUEYn2z7Fp
are the recruits coming along? I wanted to give a demonstration to the council,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRv8f3xXsn
but only if you think they are ready.”
“Their teamwork could use some135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDt4y8dx1Y
help and if they stopped letting their hormones get the better of them they135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Y7ffnTru
would be solid fighters.” Vander explained. “We are meeting at my place for135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV20oh60mv
celebratory drinks and food. They deserve it.”
“I don’t know why you still stay135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNscOfYA2N8
in that shit hole.” Charles said. “We have plenty of rooms for you in the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Okf4m714
compound, you should stay there.”
“You know my feelings on its135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4px2DQ36R0
gramps.” He said. “I don’t like how the others look at me. At least in the city135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv2pUwknAI
I can be a little anonymous and keep to myself.”
“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3nPhdklqG
will see you tomorrow. The price will be arriving in the next couple of days135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBpVvNwwnZ
with his new bride, I would like the investigation to be wrapped up by then,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VdrdzBTXd
then we will have the recruits tested. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” He stared down at his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZz460yzS
grandfather. “And just because I’m being civil with you, doesn’t mean I’m not135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fYiaFj916
angry with you. We will have our talk once this is all over.”
“I understand.” Charles looked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCGeT8hc1Y
down at his desk and began rifling through his papers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5qqjjsw0h
Realizing that was his cue, Vander opened the door for Shea and the two of them135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2k2ePnkhe
slipped out quietly closing it behind them.
The walk back through the castle135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsRb0fAZOK
was uneventful. Most of the servants were too busy to talk to him, as they were135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8C3E6KDec
preparing for the prince’s return along with his new bride. Vander was hopeful135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIv0OJ3Exh
with their union because finally the long war that killed thousands of people135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbWp0FPFY4
was finally at its end. Peyton’s words at the front door didn’t surprise Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOPqYup7ZU
in the least. The two countries would finally be allowed to heal but some135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86xzn81PSN
people didn’t care about that. They just wanted the war to continue because it135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXCYixoTbg
just made them richer. It was a disgrace, but greed ruled overall. Part of him135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi10zMtoTL
had hoped that the would be told who was against the treaty and toss them in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqdPN6ThbT
jail, but if the King, Charles, and Peyton wanted them to stick around, they135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODZecHHLed
must have a good reason for doing so. It was above his paygrade at any rate.
He headed back towards the gate135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPBplj5stt
where Jeffery Jilena’s soldiers were guarding the passage through, and to his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHeDhXM4MZ
surprise, it seemed as though his advice worked. They were alert and not135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nrQpHkDX
leaning up against the walls. Their weapons were at attention and even though135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUecXL6eD1
they gave him a dirty look as he passed, one snarl from Shea kept them from135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ6uciAllJ
saying anything they would regret, and they allowed him to pass without any135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BZrQH0pV7
issues.
By the time he made it out of the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFRk0TG93L
middle ring, the sun was beginning to set illuminating the sky with colors of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH699DJYlEW
bring pink and yellow. Most of the people he walked past were scurrying to get135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwzPWMtdSW
home before nightfall or closing shops so they could calculate their profits135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dRGcHC0Dd
before heading in for the night. Nighttime was always Vander’s favorite time of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eSjSkU5rU
day. The hustle and bustle of city life would disappear into almost nothing135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreMRT0kUgV
giving him the peace and quiet he and Shea desperately enjoyed. Being back in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv0Pc9OobN
the city would be a challenge and he knew it would only be a matter of time135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXGIXsrO1Y
before they two of them wanted to go back to the woods where they both felt at135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbB18QE3Sg
home. For now, they would just have to enjoy the place they lived in and make135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Bqc4llmt
do with that.
One of the only places that would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbCfNpO80m
have Vander and Shea was a little inn within the eastern district called the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpntFhd5R4
Warm Hearth. They got hunters coming from the forest to try and sell skin,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFEmxjRs89
meat, bones, and fur to anyone who wanted them. Often the hunters would bring135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S8WFw7df5
their dogs with them as an insurance policy against thieves. They were unruly135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB4jMrX6CV
to the inn owners and would often feel up many of the servers. One time Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IxXqd44nL
got into it with a couple of them who felt they were entitled to the servers135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lV349PwXe
after hours. The sicced their dogs on him, but once Shea jumped in killing two135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGOm5eky4Z
of them, the hunters knew better than to fuck with them and, by extension, the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjBdoK6bnz
serving girls. From the day forward, he had a discounted room and a place to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQvwh1B3aq
relax after work.
Upon arrival, he could hear dozens135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBns7W5veN
of patrons talking and demanding foo and drinks. It wasn’t a bad place, a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp23dMenkq
little run down, but kempt. The front door was missing a hinge causing it to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC30bMeAeX
lean slightly. Once you opened it, you had to lift it a little bit to make sure135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nlF6dZ6DK
it didn’t catch on the stairs. Unknown to all but Vander, the servers and the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjTy3HUTwF
owner, the stools were slightly off center. It was a way to make sure people135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTva6ItyVv
weren’t drinking too much. If they fall to the floor, they get cut off and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE1YcRCQyv
taken somewhere to sleep it off before going home to their families.
Vander pulled open the door,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LNKvR1hJR
making sure to lift it, and was greeted with even more noise than he was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQFnD6PvCi
expecting. There were thirty people jammed inside all shouting to be heard over135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg7KaFOwlk
the music playing in the corner. A couple of people, men, and women were135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGGs5PiICJ
dancing on the floor in front of the band twirling their dresses and spinning135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg3ENMaBQh
on their feet to the beat. Shea, hating all the noise slunk off behind the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPSoupFSdb
counter and quickly made her way over to the rear corner to scamper her way up135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKqMSt78sk
the stairs and out of sight. She knew where she was going, they had installed a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ANCkY5ihk
little door for her to come and go as she pleased so she would have no issues135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKPj6v35Ew
getting into his room. He just hoped no one was squatting there or they would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrq2cqp2Ty
be in for a real rude awakening.
“Vander!” Someone shouted at him.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSGIEDP12q
The voice came from the Inn Keeper, a young woman named Julianne, who had135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj6um650n7
received the bar from her father after his untimely death. She had long black135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3vMppwemc
hair, brown eyes, and a figure that drew the eye of every man in the room. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFut5VaY0p
flirted harmlessly with the guests, made sure to top of their drinks whenever135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0gj75iL9X
she could, but was still responsible in making sure people didn’t drink more135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI42tApvEYF
than they could handle.
“Julianna,” he waved to her. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00meBNq6uZ
sashayed her way through the crowd to embrace him in a quick hug followed by a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU4UXqYyfy
quick peck on the cheek. Today she was wearing a low-cut navy-blue dress and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW0K4SCRQe
blue boots. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep any loose135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd2qGx7Gde
strands from falling into anyone’s food or drinks.
“I had a feeling you might be here135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjpGSKAebu
today.” She beamed causing dimples to form in her cheeks. “I had your room135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtDf3wPLkQ
dusted then the linen and your clothing cleaned. My maid, Kyra, just finished135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod1NWw0DJT
an hour or so ago.”
“You have a knack for knowing when135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe45Xh6BZbM
I get here.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Are you sure you aren’t a seer?”
“Nonsense,” She slapped him135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkWww53Hag
lightly on the arm. “Get upstairs and get changed, you smell like stale sweat135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS79FPnxjJ
and feet.” Vander lifted his arms then grimaced. She was being polite about it.
“Alexander and the recruits are135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWQoH4gwjF
coming tonight.” Vander said. “If they arrived before I come back down, will135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KlAzrlz3I
you get them a table?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “After135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjoE7fQLrW
they leave, I’d love to hear how your time away from this place was. We can135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEOywUd2rs
drink and relax, how does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” He waved goodbye135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R0b4SaBZo
to her as he tried to make his way though. The servers smiled and waved at him135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkNgy5zs6d
while the patrons backed up several steps. He wasn’t sure if it was because135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjagKfXbBu
they recognized him or because of the way he smelled, but he guessed it didn’t135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzQdGOfuVF
really matter. He was glad to not have to talk to any of them.
His room was on the third floor135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJecIngFkg
all the way at the back. Julianne had offered a closer room on the lower floor,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4jCbIJWl5
but he liked his privacy as most of the people who stayed here were either135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxL3nnnWlx
travelers who wanted a cheaper room or patrons who were too drunk to walk and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjum3rot8oB
couldn’t walk. She had her own room in the basement where it was warm and where135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29UuIP16su
she didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to get into her room. The basement135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr6buaByc2
was only open during business hours and was locked during the day. He had never135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz815y0qfw6
been down there, but he expected there was a second door that was always locked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8cdDsV0JN
to keep anyone from sneaking down there when she was busy.
His room wasn’t much to look at.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwhJna1RDw
It was big enough for a small bed, a desk, and a dresser. There was a closet135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3UE1ftT4P
along the left wall and a door that led into a bathroom complete with both a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcylxgQEVzp
shower and a sink. True to her word, the room smelled freshly cleaned the smell135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lCApBHDto
of lemon still fragrant in the air. As they were getting closer to fall, his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40qa0tCu8f
lighter blankets had been swapped for a warmer one. Shea was in the process of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxROVDdOEF
rubbing her scent on everything when he walked in.
“I hate it when she cleans in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb5Xp81e9j
here.” She complained.
“Not everyone likes the smell of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdiDuxBnhp
wolf day in and day out.” Vander said. “Maybe we should give you a bath as135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mqPF6bxCy
well?”
“Try it and you’ll be minus a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCJVFeg8wM
hand.” She growled. The two of them looked at each other, but eventually135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4FXHa34dg
Vander shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself sinky.” She lunged at him, but he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWvEy86wy4
jumped nimbly away. He quickly removed his sword, placing it carefully on the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYRZv3MjQn
ground. Then he grabbed her, picked her up, then threw her on the bed. Before135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG8hmmk0Cq
she could right herself, her body slammed her then started rubbing her belly.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrpi4VrQVP
She squirmed under him, but eventually she told him she gave up. Laughing, he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4ajXBTHRQ
shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on top of her.
“I’m going to bathe and change135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYevG8eE2pE
before I meet the others. I assume you want to stay here?” she nodded her head.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcLwbBqX4o
“Want anything from the kitchen?”
“Beef.” Was the response. She wiggled her way under135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfjYpYS4BR
the blanket and moments later, he could hear her snoring gently from135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87FJazOztA
underneath.
Vander shrugged off his clothing135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsrHFLoijs
and dumped it in a pile by the door. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lhdiKuwVR
water faucet on. It took awhile for the water to become hot enough where he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRKx2H5wmb
didn’t freeze. He stepped inside and felt his aches melt away with the hot135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxQWl4dSpy
water pounding into his body.
He always enjoyed this part of the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lQnJTeCxj
day. Even if it was day of just sitting in meetings, just washing away your135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5dcC4qITe
worries for even a little bit was enough to make him happy. He didn’t get to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZPZMCLkQj
shower at all while he was in the woods. The closest he got was taking a dip in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkyjx9pnm
the lake every other day, but that wasn’t the same. He got clean, but it was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7AbCX1mLf
never truly relaxing for him.
He lost track of how long he was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EOQ49R2Lk
under the water, but he turned it off once it became cold. He grabbed the towel135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQlOJJPd6x
hanging up next to the sink to dry off then wrapped it around his waist. When135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4dKFGlJju
we walked into the room, he noticed that Shea was on alert. Her ears were lying135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4LqV9eCb5
flat against her head and her teeth were bared. Only one person would make her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9glxD3VDt
that upset in the inn, someone he had hoped would take a little bit longer to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO8oxNmguj
see him, but it wasn’t an unexpected visit. He could hear her voice coming up135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCzNNEgOV
from downstairs, so he figured he still had some time.
Whistling to himself, he walked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT2qzuNiPG
over to his closet and removed a brown shirt with strings which would allow him135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex0nSjRv4i
to pull it tight over his chest or leave it loose. He picked out a pair of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2uaF4XQMB
casual black pants along with a pair of black boots. He removed two black135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWqgl13wFh
leather cuffs and carefully tied them to his wrists. He didn’t like wearing135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J6iMJlfvm
jewelry while on duty, however he wore a silver ring with an emerald embedded in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkcWFclNcd
it when he was off duty. It was the last thing he received from his mother135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUdLKefubK
before her death.
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He heard the footsteps coming up135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWW2QfpXPc
the stairs then stopped right in front of his door. “Behave Shea.” He said. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdiin3Okpp
didn’t relax, but she did hide her teeth so as not scare his guest. His heart135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLaDJm2DjY
pounded in his chest as he waited for the knock. As soon as he heard it, he got135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql735TqVKZ
up from his bed and opened the door. “Hello Bree.”
and then Add to home screen.