“Speaking of...” Francis nodded at the weapon attached to my waist. “Can they remold Cordelia’s sword into a few daggers?”
Simon eyed the sword, his eyes squinting. “I don’t see why not.” He shrugged.
“Perfect.” Francis nodded for me to take off my sword. “Tell Ash we are very appreciative of their help.”
“Actually, I have something for all of you upstairs, why don’t you come up? We can discuss our plans there.” Simon got up from his chair, ushering everyone to do the same. “And you can thank Ash yourself.”
“What is it that you have for us?” Roxanne’s eyes filled with excitement.
“Come and see.” Simon laughed, gesturing for us to follow.
The musicians skillfully bowed their fiddles as we passed them, each note replacing the former swiftly.
My mind drowned in the bliss of their music, putting a genuine smile on my face.
“This way.” Francis rested his hand on my lower back, ushering me towards the back of the tavern, towards the door that carried aresidents onlysign.
I entered after Roxanne who leaned onto the wall for support.
The music echoed through the dark hall when the wooden door closed behind us; a set of stairs stood ahead, each level carrying two doors across from each other.
“Simon,” Roxanne groaned, struggling up the stairs: she leaned on the wall as Florence put Roxanne’s hand around herself, pulling her upwards. “You should consider moving to the first level.”
Simon chortled, “Perhaps I should.” He watched Roxanne struggle. “Many of those apartments are now vacant anyway.” He continued up the stairs. “A lot of vampires left after the Wurdulacs came back.”
“Others will come,” Florence’s soft voice traveled through the set of stairs despite practically carrying Roxanne. “They always do.”
“Oh, finally!” Roxanne groaned as we reached the fourth level. “This is exhausting, how do you do this everyday?”
“I don’t drink everyday, despite what you choose to believe, Roxanne.” Simon fiddled with the lock of his door that carried the number seven. The door creaked when Simon pushed it open, inviting us in.
Roxanne rushed to the couch that occupied the majority of the guest room, dropping onto it as though she’d run a few miles. “I am staying here tonight.” She yawned.
Florence bestowed her with an eye roll, settling on the couch next to her lover. “I hope I won’t need to carry you home...”
I took a few steps into the room, gorgeous rugs covered every inch of the flooring and one of the walls. The metal chandelier carried dozens of lit candles, illuminating the detailed woodwork of the bookshelf and doorframes leading into the depths of the apartment.
The apartment was small, yet carried an irreplaceable spirit of love.
“Wait here,” Simon told us before disappearing into the room in the back.
“Are you all right?” Francis leaned, whispering into my ear when Roxanne lay onto Florence’s lap, demanding a kiss.
“Yes.” I averted my gaze from the couple when Florence decided it was useless to argue and obliged with Roxanne’s demands. “Why do you ask?”
“You have been awfully quiet.” Francis frowned at the couple before turning to me. “I’m sorry if Roxanne made you uncomfortable with her chatter.” His gaze fell atop my neck, sending my mind into a hurricane. “I didn’t share anything private about us, only confirmed what she already knew. I didn’t mean to, but she sees through my lies far too easily... even when she is drunk, apparently."
“No,” I breathed, sending a glance to his lips. “It’s all right.”
The wooden floors squealed under Simon’s and Ash’s steps as they appeared from the back room. “A present.” Simonmumbled, showing off five shining daggers and a letter in his hands.
“You made those?” Roxanne crawled off the sofa, taking one of the daggers. “You made Royal steel.” Her eyes grew bigger as she studied Ash: clarity returning to her eyes.
“It’s from Caleb, he asked us to give them to you.” Ash passed the daggers to Francis, Florence and me.
Caleb stole the daggers for us,the realization settled in my mind.He fulfilled my long forgotten request.
“You saw Caleb.” Francis glanced at Simon and Ash before moving the dagger under the candlelight.
