He kept thinking about how startled she was by a nightmare and wondered if there was any truth to her fears. While he had offered to check out her home, he truly was thankful when she said no.
He had left her a note promising to return later.
If what he had learned was true, the ball was happening earlier than he was originally told, and there was much he needed to find out before then. He had been searching the Golden City, hoping to find something more about the Brotherhood, and that was how he ended up at the tavern.
It was midday, and hopefully, someone would come in.
As he sat and waited, a group of guards walked in. Carefully observing them from the bar, he watched the trio sit. The serving wench waved at them as if they were recurring customers.
He needed more information about the Brotherhood and if his trickster fae was anywhere in the city—if she was alive at all. But he couldn't walk up to anyone and inquire about her.
He needed someone in the Brotherhood.
He caught bits and pieces of their conversation, nothing substantial, but he did catch them discussing the upcoming ball.
As the tavern filled with more patrons, the place livened, and it became more difficult to hear.
Lucius stayed in his seat, ordering another ale, trying to stay inconspicuous.
The serving wench had gone to another table, and those patrons appeared to have been drinking since the night before, slurring their words. One of them grabbed her side.
Shifting in his seat to get a better view, he watched as one of the guards from the table he had been eavesdropping on stood up.
“Hands off,” the guard said, and he immediately went to the woman’s defense.
“It's all right, Travis,” the woman said, putting her hand on him, but the guard stared down at the drunken patron, placing himself in front of her and the table.
The drunkard mumbled an apology, and before Travis stepped aside, the serving wench nodded and smiled, mouthing a thank-you to him as the guard returned to his table.
So, Lucius thought to himself,a guard clearly from the Brotherhood—and one who likes to defend females.
An idea formulated in his head.
His plan was risky, and he had yet to share any of it with Tavia.
As he watched this human guard keep his gaze onthe serving wench and the surrounding patrons, ensuring her safety, Lucius knew if this guard, clearly from the Brotherhood, was attending the ball, then he might be the perfect target.
Lucius left a few coins on the table and scurried out, hiding behind the shadows, keeping to the tiny alleyways between the shops.
He waited until the trio left, then followed them, keeping himself unseen and blending with the crowd.
During his captivity, he heard the guards and the Brotherhood brag about all the mystical items they had collected over the years. He knew that the vault was here in the Golden City—and that his precious item was most likely hidden within that stash.
But this was a large city, and he had no idea where the Brotherhood hideout was located. Even if his plan seemed to work, he wanted to be sure of the place they would be breaking into.
And if all went well, he wouldn’t be the one breaking in.
The trio weaved through the city, away from the main square that connected the different quarters. There was a quarter for fae, for humans, and thetemple quarter.
They headed toward the outskirts as they left the busier section of the human quarter. Not too long after, the trio stopped at a building.
It was just by a river that weaved around the city. The large stone structure held one symbol etched in the front.
The trio walked in, and Lucius knew that had to be the place.
He wanted to get closer, but suddenly, a familiar sound drifted on the breeze.
He slunk back into the shadows, his hands beginning to shake.
