“So,” Megan says while looking at a jar of stamina enhancement, “are you...” She stops and then exhales as though she cannot bring herself to form the words.

  “Yes,” I say simply. “Though I have not sought any further targets since we have been traveling together.” I move away and head towards the magical bags. Expensive, but well worth it. We will be able to carry more luggage without being weighed down. “Nor do I pn to take on any other assignments.”

  “Assignments?” she huffs. “I’m not upset, and I can’t say I’m surprised. Not really. Murder always seemed to be your default option. But as long as you aren’t doing that from now on, then we can just leave that in the past. Is that why you want to run an inn?”

  “You are interested in cooking and beverages, so I figured it was something you would want to do.” This bag, a simple bck bag with a drawstring to keep it tied, will do. The design does not matter so long as it carries what I need. “Coin is important and while it is possible to make do without, I enjoy spoiling you.” I grab another bag, a green one for Katsuro and Chloe, so they can gather their own items without relying on me. “It does not have to be an inn. I can always make more coin by selling the material from beasts.”

  Megan crosses her arms and bites her lip. She stares intently at the shelf of bags and skulls. Zika enjoys having skulls around his shop. He once said it was because the sight of skulls makes others think twice before pissing him off and that there are magical properties to be found in them. I am no mage, nor do I dabble in potions, so I take the dragon’s word for it. He is much older than I and dragons are fearsome creatures. Not something I would take on without preparation, and even then, the fight would be an uphill battle.

  “What is it? Do you not like this bag?”

  “Huh?” She looks at the bck bag in my hand and then at the green one. “Those are pretty small. Are they to carry more money? Coin?”

  “No, these are the magical bags I mentioned earlier. This rune is what sets them apart from the others.” On the bags is an upside-down triangle that is struck through with an arrowhead. A double-headed snake is wrapped around the arrow and points to the left. The rune glows purple for a moment. “While this bag is small, the inside is not. We could fit a home in here. As long as you can lift it, the bag will hold it.” I motion to the other bags on the shelf. “I chose these two because they hold more.”

  “A house?” Her green eyes widen. “I’ll just take your word for it. That’s insane.” She scratches the side of her face. “And it sounds expensive. You want to get two of them?”

  “One for us and one for Katsuro and Chloe.”

  “And you say Katsuro isn’t your friend.”

  I roll my eyes. “The cat will pay me back for these. I am not doing it out of the goodness of my heart. If there is nothing else you wish for here, then we will make our way to an inn before shopping around. Best to find a room now before night falls and everyone else is cmoring for one.”

  Megan smiles and while I enjoy how joy looks on her face, I do not enjoy this particur smile. One that suggests she knows something I do not.

  Zika yawns from behind the counter. He props his head up with his fist. “Find what you need?”

  I pce the bags on the counter and raise a brow at some of the items that Chloe sets down. Potions, candles, and a spell book.

  “Where’d you find the candles?” Megan asks, though she loops her arm around Chloe and wanders off before getting a response.

  “I suppose we are still shopping.” I turn to the side and rest against the counter. Katsuro throws his head back and then resigns himself to follow Chloe. There is no danger in this shop, but one could never be too vigint.

  “So,” Zika drawls. “You’re getting out of the business?”

  “It is not one suitable for a male with a mate.”

  “A damn shame. I had another contact come through for the temple.”

  “Why would anyone want to take out someone from the temple?” I keep my tone even. “Someone upset they did not get their wishes granted?” The st thing I want to do is go sneaking around the temple right now. It would be best if Megan forgets about the other humans and leaves things alone. There is also the matter of that cupcake and the information he has yet to bring me. No, I will not allow myself to be dragged into whatever schemes Zika is cooking.

  He leans forward and lowers his voice. “There are rumors that the saintess is a fake. A dark mage perhaps.”

  “And this someone is you?”

  “Stealth isn’t my strong suit.” He leans back and then puffs out a breath of smoke. “I would pay you handsomely for the information. That’s all. Not asking for yer to bring me back any skulls. Just want some information so I can make my decision.”

  I sigh and turn around to face him. “You do not have to be stealthy to request a meeting with the saintess.”

  “No, but the temple is no longer allowing for citizens to meet with her directly. If you want a blessing, you have to meet with one of the attendants and they will pass the message along... for a generous donation.” His golden eyes narrow. “The shadows have been restless, but you know that better than anyone. All I’m asking for is information.”

  Zika says that, but if I do this one thing, then he will be requesting for more information until it comes to a head and he is putting in a request to have the saintess or her attendants killed.

  “I will think on it.” I move out of the way for Megan to pce more candles on the counter.

  “Think on what?” she asks.

  “A request for information. Is this all?” I motion to the small haul on the counter.

  “I think so... this isn’t the only store we’ll be checking out, right?” At my nod, she continues. “Then yes, this is all.” She rubs her forehead. The heat must be getting to her. Zika, like most dragons, prefers the heat. He stares at me for a moment before shooting off a number that has Katsuro choking.

  I deposit the items into our respective bags and then toss the green one behind me to Katsuro.

  “Roharu,” Zika calls. “Think about it. It’s not just me that could benefit from it.”

  I pause right before the door and look over my shoulder. He stands there with his hands spread out on the counter, slightly hunched over. It is not like him to be so insistent. My stomach churns with unease. “I will think on it.”

  “Here.” He throws a small box my way. “It’s on the house.”

  Voice changing tablets. I stuff them into the bag and let the door sm shut.

  ***

  I close the door and lock it behind me. This inn caters more to adventurers, so the rooms are soundproofed, and the doors are reinforced. “Why are you outside in the hall like some rouge?”

  Katsuro huffs. “You’re up to something. Do I need to stay up tonight?” He motions to my outfit, to the hooded cloak.

  “Apollo is keeping watch... but if you wish to hear the comings and goings from the hall, then you will need to adjust the runes in your room. I will not be long.”

  He narrows his eyes until they resemble slits. “So, you are up to something. Is it because of that—”

  “This is not the pce,” I interrupt, turning away from him. “Stay awake if you wish.” There must be something in the air because madness swirls in my chest. I must be mad to take on Zika’s request. No one breaks into the temple. It is heavily guarded with wards and yet my legs take me down the main road. Guards walk the streets, but they are few and far between.

  The capital has gone x. Soft.

  I turn an alley and call forth the shadows, cloaking myself in the darkness. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the bck bag and the tablets inside. For this, only one tablet will be necessary. I swallow it down and grimace at the bitter taste. The closer I get to the temple, the fewer guards there are. Is it because they are confident in their wards or have they too grown x? I leap onto a building and then down to the woods below. The temple stands taller than all the buildings in the capital. From a gnce, it appears to be inviting. The front consists of a rge golden double door. Roughly 300 steps. On the side is a ramp, though it is as long as a bridge. The flowers on the sides are wilting. I move away from the front.

  There may not be guards walking the perimeter, but the two stationed in front of the door appear somewhat competent.

  A temple this rge should have more than one entrance. The wind blows, rustling the leaves. On the third floor, someone, a woman, walks out on the balcony and rests upon the railing. I keep low and wait for them to go back inside.

  “I know you’re out there,” she says, her voice carried by the wind.

  How? The shadows are covering me, unless this is not a fake. I keep still and observe. She should not be able to see me or sense me. Perhaps there are runes or spells covering the temple that allow her to do so? No, that cannot be it. The guards did not react, but it makes little sense for the temple to only have two guards.

  I search my memory, but visiting the temple was never a priority, and thus I come up empty. There should be wards. There should be more than two guards at the front, but I see no discernable traps. Sense no animosity coming from the woman. Something is wrong.

  “If you’ve come for a blessing, I can’t help you,” she continues. “You’re better off saving your money.”

  I run my tongue across my fangs and step out from the shadows, plucking a few herbs from the ground on my way out. My fingers tighten over my hood as I jump up to the railing. The woman steps back and covers her mouth with her hands. In her haste, her feet step on her white robes and she falls with a grunt.

  “Are you the saintess?” I drop from the railing to the balcony.

  “Depends,” she says slowly as she gets to her feet. “Are you here for a blessing or to kill me?”

  “Neither.”

  “Because I won’t let you—what?”

  “Tell me, why would a saintess accept coin for a blessing? Is it not in your vows to the temple to serve the people?” There is something odd about her. Earlier she mentioned money, and she appears far too trusting, though the tter could be chalked up to her being raised for the sole purpose of serving the temple. Her robes are dingy as well. White with only the gold crest of the temple embroidered into the fabric, it looks cheap and far too rge for her.

  She turns her head away while her hands fist her robes. “I don’t get paid anything, but the temple takes the money. You can’t get a blessing without paying a donation.”

  “Is that what you call it? A donation? Sounds more like a price to be paid before receiving a service.” I lean back against the railing and give off the impression of being cool. I keep my hands in reach of my daggers. “Though I heard it is impossible to arrange a meeting with you.”

  She falters. “I haven’t been feeling well, is all.”

  “Apologies. Perhaps I should pray for you to recover.”

  “What do you want?” She gres. Her shoulders tremble with either fear or anger. “If you’re here to get rid of me, then get on with it.”

  “Honestly, I was taking a stroll when I came upon these herbs,” I lie as I pull out the herbs in question and hold them out to her. “Apologies for taking from the temple. I saw these and could not believe my luck.”

  “Oh... that’s fine.” She rexes and then tugs her robe closer. “I’m sorry for being so hostile. Forgive me. Come back in the morning and someone will assist you if it is a blessing you need.” The saintess takes a step back towards the door to her room and leans back against it. She smiles, but her eyes are weary. Her skin, while brown, appears pale.

  Stress.

  “Thank you for the good word,” I say, bowing as I pocket the herbs that have no true medicinal benefit. “A restful night to you.”

  The saintess opens her mouth as though there is more she wishes to say but changes her mind. She nods and shuts the door behind her. I drop from the balcony and seek shelter in the woods once more. For her to sense me when the others could not is impressive. The trek to Zika’s shop takes longer than I would have liked, but I move slowly to keep any attention to myself to a minimum.

  The door is not locked, but the bell overhead rings, signaling my presence. I push the hood back and tap my fingers on the counter. Zika emerges from the door behind the counter. He yawns and then brightens when he sees me.

  “Well, well. Knew you’d be back. So, you’ll check the pce out?”

  “I already did. What do you know about portals?”

  He blinks once and then untches the gate. “Come, I will make romice.”

  “Perhaps a stronger brew would be more fitting.”

  AutumnBanks

  Thanks for reading! I hope you had a wonderful holiday for those that celebrate. Advanced chapters will be going up on the Patreon this week. I've also started drafting the second book in this world. Take care!