Chapter Four

  I shifted my weight uncomfortably as I looked around my room. I wasn’t sure when I’d be back, and I didn’t want to bother Shane by treating this room like a storehouse in the meantime. So, I just packed everything. The life I’d built was now condensed into a few various packs, crates, and chests scattered about my room.

  The note that I’d taken from The Eel stood out like a sore thumb on my empty desk. I had planned on opening it when I finished my bath, but I’d lost track of time in the hot spring. I spent the entirety of the afternoon in a daze as I packed my things. Now everything was finished, and I stood in the middle of the room just staring at the piece of paper on my desk. I ultimately decided against it, and put it in the bag resting on my hip. Plenty of time to read it on the trip. I reasoned, shrugging off the eerie feeling I was getting.

  The sun was casting an orange glow through the window, signaling that my deadline was quickly approaching. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t going to end well for me. It’s not like you have any other options. Call it the consequence of your actions. That much was true. I never would’ve been in this situation if I wasn’t so careless. I shoved away the heavy feeling of dread, and mustered up some bitter enthusiasm. I should consider it an opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience.

  My evening meal was uneventful. I stopped by the kitchen to thank Gristle, and let him know I’d be going for a while. The old man was chopping carrots for his nightly stew. He looked up, locked eyes with me and spoke;

  “Watch your back out there, Wren. You’re a good kid. Euloth is a much darker place than Sailor’s Rest. Don’t end up in the wrong crowd. For all of our sake.”

  I coughed a bit, my throat suddenly dry. That was the most Gristle had to say at one time, and Nine Hells, was it ominous. I dipped my head in response. “Of course. Keep an eye on Shane while I’m gone. Don’t let anyone push him around too much.” He chuckled at that, then motioned to the door with his knife.

  “Get out of my kitchen, kid, before we both get too sappy.”

  With that, I turned and pushed my way through the door. There was a pit in my stomach as I thought about Shane. Maybe I can just leave without him noticing? I eyed the front door on the other end of the room. It was an option, but Shane would hate me for it. A lighthearted palm-slap to the back of my head made me flinch and duck into my collar. So much for that option.

  “Yer really considering goin’ out the door without so much as a word to yer ol’ mate Shane, is ya?” Shane chastised from behind me. “And after all we’ve been through.”

  “I don’t even know how to begin, Shane.” I admitted. “I feel like I’m walking to my death. I don’t want to get all sentimental on you.” He stepped in front of me and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

  “Wren, ye’ll be back just right as rain. Ye’ll have all kindsa stories for me and ol’ Gristle when ya get back, I reckon. Don’t even fret about it. We’ll have a nice, dark elven waiting for ya.” With that, he used the hand on my shoulder to push me towards the door. “Now get goin’. Can’t be keepin’ yer clients waitin’. That’s bad business y’know.”

  I looked over my shoulder at him, fighting the urge to get emotional. I was eternally grateful for his wisdom and spirit. I set my jaw and furrowed my brow. He’s right, you know. You always said you were made for more than this. I gave him a curt nod, solidified in his assurance. I will be back. These people are my people. I will not let them down. I straightened my spine, put the hood up on my cloak, and marched through the heavy oak door for the last time. For now.

  The two men were waiting across the street in the square, as promised. They stood side by side once again, exactly as they had in the early morning. The sun was low now, almost gone. Their golden brown eyes seemed to almost glow in the dusk light. Had I missed that before? I strode forward, stopping six feet away from them. “When can I expect to send for my personals?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

  Tall spoke first again. “Already arranged, Mr. Huntsman. You can expect your belongings to be there shortly after we are.”

  “Where is ‘there’?” I inquired, not really expecting an answer.

  “That’s information you’re not privy to right now.” The short man barked. “We’re wasting time. Boss will be angry.”

  Tall tapped his chin in thought. “Hmm. Yes, you do have a point, Kir.” Short man glared at the taller one upon being called that. “We should really be going, Mr. Huntsman. We’re already very behind schedule, and the boss really doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Lead the way, then.” I motioned to them, but they both stepped forward. The hairs on the back of my neck went up, but I held deathly still.

  “This might be a tad bit disorienting. My sincerest apologies.” Before I could ask what the tall man meant, they both grabbed one of my arms. I protested, trying to yank my arm free from one of them, but they both touched that suspicious purple thing again and pulled me through the void.

  Time stopped. The world seemed to flip upside down. My pulse roared in my ears. It felt as if I were on a boat in the middle of a violent storm. As soon as we stood on solid ground, I staggered. My vision swam and I doubled over, clutching my head. My final meal at the tavern threatened to make an unwelcome appearance. The men were no longer holding my arms, and I dropped to my knees to compose myself. Nine Hells, whatever this is might be worse than death. My fingers dug into my hair, but that only added to my confusion. My hair was short. I pulled my hands away to look at them.

  They were grey-blue, and my fingernails were long and pointed. Whatever had just happened, it was strong enough to knock me out of my Persona. That realization quickly grounded me.

  “What is the meaning of this?” I barked, my natural accent thick now. “What did you do to me?” I stood, looking around the place I’d been cast into. The men who brought me here were gone.

  I was in a study of sorts. Many filled bookshelves lined the wall to my left, and a fire crackled in a hearth to my right. Ahead of me, a wall of glass windows. There were a few large upholstered chairs positioned to face a desk not much different than my own. Behind the desk sat a large middle-aged man, properly dressed in black. His eyes were golden, and his hair was black and slicked back. Danger radiated from this man. My body tensed as he came around the desk and extended his hand. His voice dripped with power as he spoke.

  “My apologies, we’re still working out the kinks in the Traveling Stones. They tend to shake you up a bit if you’re not ready for it. My men should’ve warned you.”

  I surveyed this man fully now that he was arm’s length from me. His attire definitely looked upscale, like he was some sort of noble. He was tanned, and had a good bit of muscle to him. Up close, I could see a hint of a tattoo through the collar of his shirt. Rings adorned three of his fingers on each hand. “You can call me V. I’ve heard a lot about you. What’s your name, kid?”

  His name clicked in my head as soon as he said it. Now I REALLY need to read that goddamned letter. “Wren.” I answered shortly, and reached out to shake his hand. He pulled it back before I reached it, though, and cocked his head slightly.

  “We’re going to be working together for a while, son. I’d suggest we get off on the right foot. I don’t really appreciate being lied to. I’d hope you were brought up with more respect than that.”

  Shit. What? How? My eyes widened slightly as the man, V, continued to grin at me. When I didn’t answer right away, he dropped his hand and strolled back to sit behind his desk. He motioned to one of the chairs, and I followed suit. The plush chair was more comfortable than I’d like to admit, and I might have been able to appreciate it more if my nerves didn’t have me at the edge of my seat.

  “Let me be forthright, Rune. You’ve been causing me quite a bit of trouble. Every man that I’ve sent to Sailor’s Rest has come back with their tails between their legs, saying the Huntsman was some wicked force of nature.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the tabletop. “I’ve brought you here to make you an offer. Come work for me. You’ll have your own flat at the headquarters, provided meals and ale, and fair compensation for your work. You could have anything you desire in an instant. It’ll be no different than your time at the tavern, except you won’t have to look for work. You’ll answer to me. I’ll bring the jobs to you. What do you say?”

  To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to say. It really sounded like a solid deal, but there were a few things that were bothering me. For starters, the man seemed unfazed to see me in my natural state. Seeing how my kind were outlawed, that was a bit unnerving. He called me by name, what else did he know about me? “Your men promised safety to Sailor’s Rest?” I finally asked, “Are you honoring that?”

  “Of course. You can visit them whenever you please in your downtime.” His eyes narrowed and he lowered his voice. Then he leaned in as he added, “And if that’s not enough, I’ll also promise safety to Haven.”

  I froze, my blood turning to straight ice. He knew about Haven. This man was definitely not an ordinary citizen. “If you knew about Haven, why haven’t you spoken out yet?” I hissed through gritted teeth.

  V tilted his head, as if thinking to himself. “Let’s say… I’ve been waiting for a specific opportunity to present itself to me. I have no quarrel with the Changelings. The King’s personal vendettas have no weight here. You’ll be safe with myself and the rest of my men in this wing.” Again, he stretched out his hand across the desk. “So, do we have a deal?”

  This man had me in a chokehold. He promised sanctuary to my people. ALL. Of my people. My hands were tied before I even knew his name, and he knew it. He knew the whole time that I wouldn’t refuse him. Either way, I wasn’t leaving this room as a free fae. I straightened my spine and stood up from the chair. “You’ve got a deal.”

  I clasped V’s outstretched hand and felt a rush of power surge through my veins. It wasn’t like mine, though. It didn’t give me a high. It weighed me down. It felt like tar creeping through my blood. I tried to pull away, but I was immobilized. Fire coursed through my body and up to my neck. I cringed, crying out. I could hear the flesh on my neck sizzling. When he released me, I stumbled back and fell back into the chair behind me. I put a hand to my neck, checking for blood. Although no blood came away on my hand, the flesh on my neck was now tender and new.

  “What in the bloody Hells did you do to me?” I demanded hoarsely, my entire body feeling heavy. “And how?”

  V stepped out from his desk and pulled me up out of the chair. He clapped me heartily on the back, as if we were friends celebrating a personal achievement. With one hand still at my back, he used the other to turn my shoulder so that I faced the window. Our reflections stared back at us, his stature an entire foot taller than mine. I peered closer and saw that I now had a snake tattoo identical to his, running from my neck to my collarbone. The black and gold mark was glaringly obvious against the pale blue tender flesh. I swallowed and touched my collar once more. What did I just do? V patted me on the shoulder before stepping away to continue whatever he was doing at his desk before I had shown up.

  “Welcome to the King’s Venom, Rune.”