While generally concerning, Shay’s vacuous expression and disoriented behaviour were not unusual of her.

Tyvan sincerely hoped that, given enough time, she’d eventually grow accustomed to meeting their non-human clientele.

Of course, Alexei Balanescu was a special case-- a particularly droll specimen, even amongst the monsters and miscreants who called Archangel their home.

Shay had the grave misfortune of meeting him and exchanging basic pleasantries. If she’d been forced to listen to his various pretences-- or worse, if she, for even a single moment, considered entertaining them...

Bah. If he determined Alexei’s idiocy to be contagious--

And for What. Possible. Reason. had that dastard...

Hm.

A clipboard with the renter’s agreement had fallen to the floor.

Oh.

Tyvan sighed to himself.

Alexei’s ostentatious signature had marred one of his precious contracts.

The situation was regrettable, but... contracts were sacred.

The circumstances for a man of Alexei’s station must have been dire for him to seek refuge within another faction. And he wisely avoided the proper channels, relying on the kindness of Tyvan’s newest employee in order to get ahold of one of his contracts.

Alexei Balanescu was a rogue. And he knew well what rules to bend and which to adhere to for maximum personal gain. With that contract signed, he had secured the protection of ❴The Kingdom❵ for as long as he remained on Elysian grounds and abided its laws.

“Mister Valorum?”

Tyvan shut his eyes out of frustration. “Whatever it is, I’m very busy. So not to disturb the other guests, I advise you lock yourself in your room and wither away to naught, keeping to absolute privacy.”

Alexei lowered his head and wrung his hands together like a beggarly merchant. “Mister Valorum... with all due and my utmost respect, I... was wondering when dinner would be served? I am famished.”

He smiled-- in an attempt to further incite Tyvan’s ire. Or perhaps he was brandishing his fangs.

It wasn’t intimidating in the least.

Tyvan sighed again, not bothering to hide his general disdain. The Elysian Heights were ill-equipped to accommodate a person of Alexei’s status and unique biology.

Nevertheless... on account of Tyvan’s so-called professionalism... he was still obligated to try.

“A meal will be prepared in two bells,” he said. “If you find that unacceptable-- we can discuss the details next week.”

Alexei coughed into a closed fist. “Ahem. I uh... I do plan to attend the meal this evening, sir.”

Tyvan then looked to Shay. “I was disappointed our time was cut short earlier. I hope you’ll come by for dinner and dessert.”

“O-oh! Sounds good!” she replied, “I’ll be there! Tonight! Which is today-- but later.”

Alexei raised his hand. “I’m noticing a conspicuous difference in treatment, between me and your... companion.”

Tyvan ignored him, turning on his heel and walking back toward the hall. He needed to meet with Heidi in order to make proper arrangements.

Hm. But one more thing.

He turned back to his companion-- who was... staring at him expectantly.

--the better to heed his words of warning.

“Shay, don’t take what this person says too seriously. I’ll see you tonight.”

----------------------------------------

Shay gave Tyvan a little wave as she watched him walk off.

“S-see you...”

Annnnd... he was gone. Shay let out a big sigh of relief-- all her nervousness draining away, at once. Why did she get so nervous, anyway? It wasn’t the first time they had a conversation.

“You must be special to him.”

“HaHh?!” Shay ducked away and got into her ‘I know gong fu’ stance.

Oh. Alexei was still with her-- err... she was still in Alexei’s room.

He was half-crouching, half-leaning down, looking at her with an amused expression. He had a weird way of standing. It was different from earlier-- more casual. When Tyvan was still in the room, Alexei had perfect posture, straight-back, chin-up.

How mysterious...

What was their relationship, exactly?

“Lady Shay,” he said. “Are you two...?”

Oh! Shay stood up and folded her hands. “Are we what?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Then, she remembered what Tyvan said-- so she unfolded her hands and wiped off her smile, replacing it with a deliberate frown.

Alexei snapped his fingers. “You must be Valorum’s newest concubine.”

......Shay picked up her clipboard and her vandalized library book. “So if there’s nothing else--”

“I was joking!” Alexei said, laughing awkwardly. “Valorum doesn’t take concubines. I know. Believe me.”

He actually lost his smile for a moment. And when he tried to find it again, he looked actually embarrassed. “I... apologize for my earlier joke. I heard Mister Valorum approaching-- but I realize now that I acted in poor taste.”

“From how Mister Valorum spoke,” Shay said, “you being here is in poor taste.”

As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted it. That was a horrible thing to say to someone looking for sanctuary.

Alexei sighed. He managed to keep his smile, but it didn’t extend to his eyes. “I am sincerely grateful to you and ❴The Kingdom❵ for hosting me. Truly.”

He took a seat on his room’s plush armchair, looking uncertain as he tried to settle in comfortably. Those chairs were really nice, though?

“Shay,” he said... “have you ever experienced the heartbreak and despair of being chased out of your own home?”

Uh. Huh... Shay looked away.

She did. That happened to her-- and not that long ago. The sight of her mattress on the sidewalk, waiting to be picked up by the trash collectors was burned into her memory.

But she didn’t really want to share that with Alexei. She didn’t even want to stand within five feet of him-- and he was going to be at dinner later.

(She was still going to go so she could spend time with Tyvan-- but still...)

“The children have been taking to the street in gangs like common ruffians,” Alexei said.

‘The children’? Was Alexei talking about vampires? He was definitely talking about vampires-- which were real. She was ready to gong fu him in the face if he said he was actually talking about aliens.

(Was he a daddy vampire?)

“In days long past,” he said, “I spent my evenings on leisurely strolls in Rockford Hills-- and without fear! Can you believe that? Feeling unsafe in Rockford Hills? The city where dreams are borne and made?”

Shay nodded without saying anything. Besides the very Korean Nuri Park, most of the people who lived in Rockford Hills were rich, white people. Alexei should have fit right in.

“And then those ne’erdowells have extended their loathsome operations to the Rancho district.”

“Wait, what?” Shay said.

Rancho? That was her dad’s jurisdiction.

Alexei sank back into his armchair, waving listlessly with one hand. “It’s terrible. I fear for the humans living there-- joyfully and none the wiser to the danger... and with the human authorities doing their utmost to keep the peace.”

“I uh-- I gotta go,” Shay said, heading to the door. “Um-- it was nice talking to you.”

----------------------------------------

Shay stumbled out of Tyvan’s apartment and jogged across the courtyard, stepping onto uneven grass and almost falling twice. The sun was going down and all the automatic lights were only just starting to turn on.

She saw Raia! Raia was headed in her direction-- walking opposite the parking lot.

“Raia! RaiA!? I need to go somewhere! Right now!”

Shay stopped to catch her breath and swallow her regret. She needed to explain! Raia was naturally a super-suspicious person, so if she didn’t get the full story--

“Alright,” Raia said. “Just you and me or do we need more muscle?”

Oh. That easy?

“Can I come too?”

Bishop’s voice came from close behind. Raia was coming back from picking him up, so obviously, he--

Holy CRAP!!

Shay literally sCreaMed when she saw him.

Bishop was a six-and-a-half foot giant-- which was naturally scream-worthy from him stepping out of the shadows. But to amp up the terror, his long-sleeve shirt was drenched in blood. He was basically a scene in a horror movie. (Not a character. A whole scene.)

“No, you can’t come with us, PC,” Raia scolded. “You’re literally bleeding? And walk in the grass, so you make less of a mess.”

“Oh, come onnnn~” Bishop begged, “You guys bleed, like, all the time!”

Really? Did he really make that joke?

His sister gave him a good, well-deserved smack in the chest.

“Owwww,” Bishop groaned. “Why can’t I come? I’ll be good!”

But the reasoning behind Raia’s decision was solid: “Dude, you got fucking stabbed.”

Bishop’s mouth hung open. Then, suddenly, he bent over, clutching his side. “Hoah! Ah. Right!”

Shay pursed her lips. “Your brother needs medical attention.”

Raia rolled her eyes. “My brother needs to pay attention, in general, so he doesn’t get stabbed on the job. Hey. Go see Boss. Then, go straight home. Okay?”

“O~kay,” Bishop sighed dejectedly. “Call me if anything goes wrong. I’ll come running! I P-romise!”

“If I call anyone, it won’t be you,” Raia said, tossing him a blood-soaked towel. “And don’t put your clothes in the hamper-- put them in the sink. We have to soak ‘em in salt water or the stains won’t come out properly.”

Did Bishop come home covered in blood all the time? Raia didn’t seem nearly as panicked as she should have been.

Anyway, back to the parking lot. Into Raia’s SUV. Shay gave a brief run-down of the situation.

“So we’re just doing a welfare check?” Raia asked.

“I’m really worried, though!” Shay said, “My dad is-- he’s...”

“Listen to me. And breathe,” Raia said. “The reason. I am asking. is to get a feel for much danger we might be getting in.”

“Raia...”

At the next stoplight, Raia turned to look at her. Her eyes were drawn to the snake pin on her bookbag strap.

“Put the pin on your uniform jacket, just in case.”

Shay opened her mouth to ask why, but Raia suddenly reached over to open the glove box. A bunch of snack packages fell out: beef jerky, nuts, and dried fruits. She swept those aside and grabbed a small black case.

It was a type of case that Shay had seen before. Even if she hadn’t seen that specific one, they all shared the same purpose.

It was a lockbox for a handgun.