After what felt like months, Alex Roth stepped onto the streets of Generasi. The noise and bustle of the city exploded, bringing back mories of Jarethas chaos. Powerful demons had ruled there, Ezaliel had once attacked Generasi, Burn-Saw had wanted Alex dead, Kaz-Mowang had fought to the death to enslave him and his companions; those attacks were still fresh in his mind and he almost expected another onebut reason told him that another demon attack was unlikely.
Not from the forr inhabitants of the ruins of Jaretha, in any case.
Kaz-Mowang, Burn-Saw, Yantrahpretaye, Zonon-In and even their mighty leader, Ezaliel, were all dead and wouldnt be attacking anyone in the mortal world in this lifeti.
So of Kaz-Mowangs subordinates still lived, but they would, without a doubt, be busy picking over the ruins of their fallen masters empire and fighting for scraps for leadership.
Alex took a deep breath, shouldering the sword on his back and touching Hannahs precious artefact in his satchel. Were ho, he whispered, stepping into the crowd. And I need a good, long rest.
There would be much to do soon: catching up on classes hed missedwhich thankfully would be easymaking the preparations hed told Baelin about, hunting for both Keldas lair, and the secret wing of the church of Uldar.
But right now?
Hed earned the right to relax a little.
With a spring in his step, he made his way through the busy boulevards and toward ho. It felt good walking through the crowds without that jesters costu on. Getting lots of attention because of Claygon and the minor fa theyd earned from the Gas of Roal, was sothing hed gotten used to, and drawing that type of attention was one thing, but having folk stare at him because of a wretched costu that felt way too close to his secret, was quite another.
If he had his way, hed never wear anything like it again.
With this happy thought, he strolled down his street, eager to get ho and into bed. Claygon would likely be waiting for himunless hed gone to campus to see Selina.
It was the middle of the day, which ant thatif Claygon wasnt hothen the only person there would be Troy, who was experinting with so new recipes Alex had given him.
The young wizard would have been happy to see his family right awayhe had a lot to tell them after allbut a little ti to himself was also good.
Ive had enough excitent for one day, Alex said, climbing the steps to the bakerys front porch and pulling the door handle. Troy, where are you? Im back, is Claygon here?
Alex reached out with his mind, but didnt feel his golems presence as he walked through the eating area. Maybe he was with Selena, after all.
Welco back, boss! Troys voice ca from the kitchen. A mont later, the bakers assistant poked his head out from the back, his apron covered in flour and bits of dough. I only saw him for a minute, then he went off to the campus.
Alright. Alex started for the stairs. Then Im going for a bit of a nap. Its been a rough few days.
Right, boss, Ill keep going through those recipes. I should have butter bread and hot almondine pastries waiting for you if you wake up in the next hour or two.
Oh that sounds like heaven! Alex said enthusiastically, making his way up the stairs.
Oh! Before you go, though, there was soone that stopped by looking for you.
Alex paused.
For a wild mont, he imagined a horde of angry demons casually asking Troy where his boss was. He shook away the delusion. Was it Toraka?
No, a woman by the na of Lucia. Troy wiped his hands on his apron. She said youd know her?
Alex stopped cold.
His mind went back to the morning he, Ripp, Claygon and Thundar were heading out of Generasi, on their way to Cretalikon. He rembered seeing a woman that looked a lot like Lucia strolling down the streetsof the city.
Was that her? If it was, shed seed so different: Luciathe sky-gondola driverwas always dour, closed off, definitely no barrel of laughs, and looked like she was dragging herself along lifes bumpy road. The woman hed seen almost seed radiant.
Alex shook himself, realising that Troy was waiting for him to answer. Uh, yeah, I know her. Whatd she want?
She said that she wanted to et with you as soon as you could make it, and that you could find her at the Royal Griffon. Shes staying there for the rest of the week, apparently. Youve got so rich friends, boss.
Wait, what, rich? Alex blinked. Lucia?
Yeah, the Royal Griffons one of the best hotels in the district. Pretty much the only people who can afford to stay there are rich rchants, and nobles visiting the city.
Alex blinked again. And you said her na was Lucia?
Yes, boss, she gave her na as clear as the sunrise.
And shes staying in a fancy hotel?
Thats what she said; she was dressed real nice tooWait, is she a scamr or sothing? Or soone coming to curse our business? You look like youve seen a ghost, if you dont mind saying.
No, quite the opposite, Alex muttered, turning around and heading back to the front door. Sleep would have to wait, he had to know what was going on. Thisll be the second person Ive seen whos co back from the dead in the last week. Now, where is this hotel?
###
The Royal Griffon was less hotel and more palace.
It was imnse, taking up half a block of space in a district where land was at a premium. White stucco walls were capped by a red tile roof, and trimd with paint in shades of royal purple and gold. Evenly spaced towers rose several stories high, each bearing a purple banner with a golden griffon emblazoned across it.
The vast structure thrumd with magic, and Alex noted tiny summoned elentals, and nearly invisible constructs darting over it like busy bees in a hive, cleaning every inch of it. The building was immaculate, completely free of road dust.
Wonderful aromas of fine foods and even finer wines drifted through open windows and a giant pair of doors wide enough to admit a wagon capable of seating eight comfortably, or even a sizable group of Grimlochs. As Alex gawked, four of the hotels well dressed guests ca through the doorway, wearing the finest silks dyed in colours affordable only to the very wealthy.
Before hed started his partnership with Toraka, he couldnt have afforded to even look at this place for too long, let alone stay here. Not without touching his and Selinas inheritance, at least.
So how in the na of burning Jaretha can Lucia afford to stay here for a single night, never mind a whole week? he wondered. Did the sky-gondola company give her the worlds greatest parting wage? Unless
Alexs grip tightened on his staff.
Maybe it wasnt Lucia staying here: maybe it was a mana vampirewhod assud her formthat he and Troy had seen. Or maybe a shapeshifting Ravener-spawn, trying to get at him through soone he knew.
No, that doesnt make sense, he muttered to himself as he entered the hotel lobby. If a shapeshifter was after , then why would it pick Lucia? Why not Khalik? Or Isolde?
He took in the lobby at a glance, noting marble columns, statuary and a fountain sprayingwas that wine!?
For one thing, Khalik and Isolde could actually afford this place, he muttered, heading for the front counter and passing curious staff mbers and guests. He took them in as he walked by, noting their body language and ticks.
So far, no one seed to be hiding anything. No one wore the sinister air of an assassin. No one was looking at him with anything above mild curiosity, the sa curiosity that a man dressed in a crisp uniform in the hotels colours displayed when Alex stopped in front of his desk.
Good day sir, the older man said, his accent very posh, well cultivated andif Alex was hearing correctlyslightly fake. Might I help you?
Well, I think so, Alex said, growing more bewildered. My na is Alex Roth and Im here to see a guest of yours nad Lucia. His eyes narrowed slightly, rembering that he didnt know her last na. Is soone by that na staying here?
Ah yes, Miss Lucia. The desk clerk nodded, his eyes falling on an open book of nas in front of him on the desk. She inford us that we should expect your visit. Soone will take you up to her suite, Mr. Roth.
O-okay, then, Alex said awkwardly.
Soon, the young wizard was being escorted to a floating stone pad that conveyed him and a porter to the third floor of the hotel. The young woman led him to a room in one of the towersnot on the topmost floorbut high enough to provide an incredible view of the district.
The porter knocked once. Miss Lucia? Mr. Alex Roth to see you.
Co in, said a warm voice, one that sent shock running down Alexs spine.
That was definitely Lucias voicecalling on the Mark quickly confird itbut the tone? The tone sounded like it belonged to a completely different woman. His grip tightened on the staff.
The door swung open silently.
And there, standing before him, was Lucia the sky-gondolier.
Her transformation was startling.
Alex had to fight doingan obvious double take.
Her figure was fuller, for oneshe looked healthier, like shed been eating regularly, and spending ti taking care of herself. She was wearing a bright yellow top, a calf length blue sarong skirt, and jewel-studded sandals. Lucias forrly dead eyes sparkled with an amused, mischievous energy, and the coy smile on her once dead looking mouth, spoke volus.
She looked healthy, confident and energetic as she approached him with an outstretched hand. It was like shed changed in both body and personality, which started alarm bells screaming in his head.
Alex took a step back, focusing on her body language for any sign of threat. A sense ofcalm drifted from his staff. His eyes shifted to its glowing blooms: there was no distrust or fear coming from them, only curiosity.
The young wizard tried to keep all the scepticism hed been feeling from his face, instead, his smile appeared surprised and easy.
Luciahello.
Hello to you too, she said with the sa warm tone as earlier, gesturing for him to enter her suite. Co in, have a seat.
While the young wizard walked in, looking around, she took a coin purse and removed a hefty five gold pieces for the porter. The young woman smiled broadly, bowing to Lucia. Generous as always, Miss Lucia, her face lit up. Will you be needing anything else?
Ill ring if I do.
Of course, enjoy your visit. The woman bowed one final ti, shutting the door behind her.
Alex was looking around the sitting room: it scread wealth, with intricately carved furniture, silken fabrics, and handwoven carpets filling a space that was definitely much showier than even his new ho.
So, first things first, I am not a mana vampire, Lucia laughed, sinking into plump cushions on one of two couches. So you can sit down, I wont bite.
Alex flinched inside, but maintained a relaxed expression.
Youll have to forgive , but for a minute, I did think that you might be a shapeshifter, he said, taking a seat on another couch across from her. Because uh, you seemdifferent.
Different from this, right? her voice imdiately went flat, losing all animation. Her smile died and her eyes took on that dead fish gaze she was known for. Shoulders slumped. Posture wilted. In breaths, Luciathe half-dead, overworked sky gondolierwas back.
The transformation was so startling, Alex scarcely believed it. Yeah, not to be rude, but thats almost the Lucia I rember. He took in the room again. Your fortunes must have changed. Like a lot.
Yes, yes they have. She sat up again, her face softening. And I have you and your friend Khalik to thank for that, as well as your other friends Thundar, Isolde, Theresa, your golem
She lowered her head. I have a lot to thank you for, Alex.
Iwe only gave you like thirty gold for ferrying us to the Barrens, Alex said, confused. I dont think that really counts as being a lot to thank for.
No, you dont understand, your help didnt stop there, even if you dont know it, Lucia's eyes shone. You helped again and againwell, you helped help myself.
Alex combed through his mories, looking for any evidence that hed helped her in the past year. Nothing ca to mind: he hadnt seen her since that fateful mana vampire night.
His suspicion grew: what was she talking about? Was she making things up? Maybe it really was a shapeshifter and
Lucia shifted on the couch, the action moved the neckline of her top. There. There was the scar, still reaching to the top of her chest. Unconsciously, she adjusted her clothing, hiding it again.
It didnt seem shed noticed him looking at the old wound.
Itll be clear to you after I tell you what happened over the past year, Lucia said. Would you like a drink? Its a bit of a story. And when Im finished? Id like to make you an offer.
Oh? Alex cocked his head. What sort of offer?
A business offer.
Reviews
All reviews (0)