“Why?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager.
“Because they start using your secrets against you.” His voice is deadly. “Then you’ll find yourself doing things for them to keep your secrets from getting out.”
“I see…” My voice trails off as I glance back at Zev. The table is empty, as though he were nothing more than a ghost conjured by my imagination.
“I must depart, but I’ll see you tomorrow.” Sebastian drops his hand from my waist, moving toward the exit of the tavern.
Sebastian appears a bit shaken from the presence of the Shadow Weaver, and his abrupt departure makes me wonder if he’s chasing after Zev. Does Sebastian have a personal experience with the dark exchange he’d warned me against?
Shrugging, I turn back to my work, moving throughout the tables to pick up discarded cups and clean off tables. By the time Alastor lets me go for the night, my eyelids are heavy and my steps slow.
Leaving the Whispering Willow, I turn west and head toward the manor. Kaia may know something about these Shadow Weavers. I’d spent weeks at the tavern, and this is the first time I’d seen or heard of one. I don’t like being out this late at night alone, the streets barren and quiet. My steps are quick, the hood of my cloak pulled high to conceal my face. Weaving through the hedges, I open the back door and head upstairs.
I find Kaia pressed against the bookshelf, a man’s hand reaching underneath her dress, the two of them passionately kissing. Her fingers thread into his hair as she tilts her legs further apart to give him more access.
“Oh Gods—sorry!” I gasp, quickly slamming the door shut.
I hear Kaia’s laughter on the other side. “Come in, it’s fine!” she calls out.
Hesitantly opening the door again, I see Kaia smoothing out her dress with her hands, a broad smile on her lips. “Now go be a good boy and finish your guard shift,” she coos.
“Yes, Madame,” he obeys, passing by me to leave.
The door closes, and I do my best to regain my composure. What am I here for again?Gods. Maybe I need to take my pent-up aphrodisia out on a man.
“You know, Lord Cerian is downstairs.” Kaia’s words break me out of my thoughts.
“He is?” My eyes widen. “Dress me up like one of the guards, quick!” I say urgently, rifling through my satchel for Lydia’s dagger.
“Here.” She plops a garment bag on the desk for me. “He’s in room six.”
“Do you have something to cover my face?” I reply, quickly pulling on the pants and coat.
I pull my hair back as much as I can, tying it into a low bun at the base of my neck. Kaia hands me a strip of black cloth, and I tie it around the lower half of my face, just like Zev’s had been. Pulling on my cloak and hood, I slip leather gloves on, grab the dagger, and dash for the door.
“Have fun!” Kaia says playfully.
Racing downstairs, I scan each room until I find the one labelled six. Flinging open the door, it slams with a loud bang,startling the people inside. In three long strides, I’m across the room, pressing the dagger directly into his cock.
This is the most deranged thing I have ever done.
Cerian screams. The two girls run from the room, taking armfuls of clothing with them. The door slams behind them as they flee, leaving us alone.
“You didn’t heed my letter,” I say, then suddenly realize I’m supposed to be a Shadow Weaver. I clear my throat, lowering my voice as much as I can. “Where’s the shipment?”
“I-I sent half of it away?—”
I press the dagger harder, drawing a small droplet of blood onto the blade, causing Cerian to yelp in pain. “Do you know who I am?” My voice nearly cracks as I try to growl my words fearsomely.
“Y-you’re a Shadow Weaver.” Cerian’s voice shakes. “Look, whatever you have on me isn’t true.”
“Make it all go away,” I demand, forcing my voice to sound baritone. “Send it south to the town of Karnys if you value yourlife.”
“That would cause a famine in the North,” he replies hesitantly.
I dig the dagger deeper into his cock. “I guess you won’t be needing this.”
“Wait!” he cries out.
