Hideout greeted us with its usual cold light. Only then did I realize how drained I was.

  After we returned, Kristin dismissed the squad. We said our goodbyes and headed to the Principal’s hall together.

  He was already there, as if sensing our arrival; standing with both hands braced on the table. Our eyes met. We bowed and greeted him. Raven stared at us in silence, his silver-gray eyes piercing. He slowly ran a finger along the golden patterns carved into the table. “My grim premonition tells me your visit to the swamp was not a success,” he said. Leaning back, he laced his fingers. “So... tell me. What horror did you encounter?” His voice was calm, but there was a shadow of worry on his face.

  We told him everything; down to the smallest detail. Kristin cursed more than once; and for the first time, Raven didn’t even raise an eyebrow. He usually couldn’t stand foul language, made his opinion about such manners painfully clear. But now, he just listened. Silent. Cold as ice.

  When we finished, the captain tossed the notebook onto the table. I placed the dagger beside it. Raven stared at it like he’d seen a ghost. “I’m truly sorry…”

  His voice was quiet but firm.

  “Another one of your subordinates lost to this mess. I hope we can still bring them back.”

  Kris clenched her jaw. “You understand I can’t just let this go, Lord Raven?”

  He was silent for a moment, tracing the gold inlays again. “You need to find Professor Heinemann.” His gaze fixed on me.

  “From the name and title, I’d guess he’s a human scholar. Most likely from the South. Kai, deliver my order to the library master today. I want everything they can find on him.”

  “But even if we find him,” Kristin cut in, folding her arms, “how are we supposed to get to the Southern Empire? They’ve hated us since birth. It’d be suicide.”

  Raven allowed himself the smallest smile. “After I took command of these lands, I’ve spent many years playing political games, child.” He paused briefly; like savoring a private joke. “I have... certain levers. Ones that might allow you to travel through the outer world with relative safety.”

  Kris narrowed her eyes. You could tell her mind was spinning with even more questions. “Meaning?” she asked, clearly demanding answers here and now. “For now; focus on the search. And be ready to move at any moment.”

  “I’ll handle the arrangements for your journey,” he said, voice sharpening with command. “But I’ll need... a little time. Kai, go to the library. Now.” He turned his full attention to me; then looked to Kris. “I need a few more words with you.”

  I bowed, glanced at the captain. She gave me a subtle nod; the kind that said, I’ll fill you in later. With that, I left the hall.

  My thoughts tangled. The past two days had wrung every drop of strength from me. I barely made it up the stairs to the library, gave Torelius the Principal’s instructions, listened to him grumble about how tired we all made him; then dragged myself home. What the hell really happened to all those missing townsfolk?

  Marcus... Damn it; he’s alive. He has to be. Hot water scorched my skin, but couldn’t burn the thoughts away.

  I stared into the mirror; a few cuts still marked my face. Within the hour, I could barely stand. I hit the bed like a stone, closed my eyes... ...and passed out before the sun even set.

  ***

  I slept straight through until morning. What finally woke me was a persistent knock at the door. Through the window, I saw a familiar face; Bernessa. It had been a while since we last crossed paths.

  We rarely worked together; she was usually tasked with “more important” assignments. As always, she looked flawless; elegant in a way only someone related to the Principal could. Sharp features framed by delicate jewelry, long ears adorned with silver chains, a pale blue dress tailored to perfection. Wide cuffs with old elvish script circled her sleeves, and everything about her presence radiated noble blood.

  “Raven sent me,” she said, her tone calm, though her eyes held a flicker of curiosity. “You’re relieved of your duties for two weeks. Time to prepare for the journey.”

  “How exactly?” I asked, frowning. “He didn’t say?”

  “No. No specifics,” she replied. Something like sympathy flashed in her gaze; though it clashed with her carefully measured smile. “How are you holding up, partner?”

  I let out a slow breath. “I’ll be better once we pull Marcus and the others out of whatever hell they landed in.”

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  She held my gaze for a moment. A shadow of sadness passed through her eyes. Then she nodded. “Take care, Kai.” She disappeared behind the door; only the cascade of her thick ash-gray hair lingered in the frame for a heartbeat longer.

  Two weeks... Way too long. Sure, rest was nice; but doing nothing would drive me insane. I needed to use this time wisely. But how?

  I bit into a piece of fish, but the taste didn’t register. The thoughts wouldn’t leave me alone. First stop; Kristin? Yeah, makes sense.

  I should find out what she and the Principal talked about. That’d be smart. Logical. But what if she shuts me down; says it’s not my concern anymore?

  Madeline? Ask how she’s doing. Good idea? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe she doesn’t want to see me. After everything… she’s probably exhausted. She doesn’t need more questions; especially not from me.

  I kept eating, but the appetite was gone. I sighed. Yesterday I threw myself into battle without thinking. Today I couldn’t decide who to talk to.

  What the hell was wrong with me? I forced down the last bite and stood. If I kept sitting around, I’d waste the whole damn two weeks overthinking everything. Time to get up and move. I paid for the meal and left the teahouse, still trailed by that gnawing uncertainty. As I walked through the narrow streets of Hideout, I breathed in the faint dampness of dark stone. After everything that happened in the swamps, these familiar corners warmed the part of me that had been frozen by it all.

  The city greeted me with its quiet, unchanging hospitality. The tailor I always passed gave me a teasing comment about how his favorite sharp-nosed customer had gone missing. I lied and promised to stop by soon. Not that much time had passed; but it felt like we’d been gone for a week at least.

  Here, everything was as it always was: the dim light of the magic-lit sky cut sharp shadows across the buildings, townsfolk flickered between the alleys like silent ghosts, and in the distance, the crackle of the lightning fountain pulsed like a heartbeat; steady, perfect. Considering how much closer Kristin and I had become after all the shit we went through, I figured I’d show up not with another terrible joke… but with something else.

  ***

  I passed a few streets on my way to the Watch building and made a quick stop at a familiar tavern; not for a loud drink, especially not at that hour. No, I was there for a very specific reason.

  A hot drink the captain and I both had a weakness for. You could only get it here; the owner, Darius, had struck an exclusive supply deal with the Principal’s deputy in charge of trade, import, and export. Inside, the place wasn’t empty. A few shadowy figures sat at massive tables, slowly savoring their cups.

  Behind the counter, Darius’s deep voice rolled across the stone walls as he chatted with one of the guests. I ordered two cups of the dark-brown, nearly black drink humans called “coffee.” It wasn’t magical; not technically; but its deep, bitter flavor gave you a jolt of energy from the very first sip. For our city, it was a rare treasure; shipped from the southern continent. Cargo ships loaded with sacks of roasted beans crossed rough seas to reach the northern lands, where Raven had fostered solid trade relations. After that long journey, coffee made its way to us; or rather, to Darius. Those who appreciated its taste waited eagerly for the chance to enjoy it. Some paired it with sweets to soften the bitterness, but for me, the sharp edge was the whole point. I picked up the drinks; they came in strange cups with a slit at the bottom. Into that slit, a glowing coal was placed, keeping the drink hot longer.

  On my way to Kristin, I passed a few scattered figures. Didn’t pay much attention. For a split second, I thought I saw a flesh-eater standing beneath the building, grinning at me with those crazed eyes. I staggered back two steps and nearly knocked over a passerby. “Watch it, will you?” the man muttered, giving me a look. I ran a hand down my face, let out a shaky breath, checked if I’d spilled the coffee; and kept moving.

  I found Kristin at her desk, signing off on Watch reports. She looked surprised to see me; but when she caught the familiar scent, she broke into a grin, sprang up, and snatched the cup out of my hands. “After a trip like that, I figured you’d never come near this building again,” she said, taking a sip. “It was a rough ride. But at least we started untangling that cursed mess.”

  “Agreed,” she said softly. “But at what cost…”

  She told me she’d sent a few wardens back into the swamp right after we returned. No sign of flesh-eaters since. Good news, sure; but the real problem was still the missing people. I asked what Raven had talked to her about, back when he’d asked her to stay behind.

  “Besides a load of boring administrative crap you don’t care about?” she smirked, taking another sip. “He asked how we figured out that damn portal was exactly where it was. Madeline’s ability... unsettled him. A lot.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, frowning. “Far as I know, she just has insanely sharp hearing; because of the blindness, right?”

  Kristin raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t think it’s just heightened hearing. Says he’s known dozens of blind elves and humans in his time; and none of them were capable of anything like that.”

  A chill crawled down my back.

  “That’s why,” she continued, “if we do head south; and it’s starting to look like we will; he wants you two to go first.”

  “You mean… me and Madeline?” I asked, still trying to follow her logic. “Yeah. And also her sister, Heles; smartest damn elf I know, trained in medicine and fully capable of kicking several men’s asses if needed. And Garrel, who’ll deal with anything Heles doesn’t flatten.”

  She grinned, predatory and amused. “Do I need to explain why you’re on that list?”

  I smirked and offered a half-joke. “Because I’m a nimble, sneaky little knife-rat. Right?”

  Kristin simply nodded, raised her cup in a mock toast, and took a long, content sip. “I’ll talk to Madeline about training.

  I want to push her senses even further before the trip; while we still have time.”

  She narrowed her eyes and winked. “Might need you as an assistant. Pretty sure there’s a part of her, deep down, that’ll be glad to have you around.”

  I shrugged, trying to hide the little spark her words lit in me. “Toss me in; I’ll help.”

  Doubts aside, I wanted to see Mads again.

  More than I wanted to admit. We wished each other a good day; and laughed at the exact same moment. As I was heading out of the Watch building, I heard her call behind me:

  “Later, bony ass!”

  I turned, pulled a face, and left the building.