3. Chapter 3- Felix

Winter will be upon us soon. The Reckless and Forsaken will suffer during those cold four months. But there is nothing that can be done right now. The populous will dwindle. Meaning the Keryth must substitute with physical food. The Dutiful will get the leftovers and everyone else will have to fend for themselves.

But that is weeks away. My focus must remain on the figure on the roof, which has been stalking me for the past few weeks. They are magnificent at what they do. Once I figured out what was going on with the Keryth, it took me months to spot them the first time. They were careful not to leave any evidence behind, so I had to stalk and hide until I caught on to who their targets were.

I have no intention of stopping them, but there are those who do. And those individuals are getting closer to finding out who they are. I need a way to warn them, but I can't keep them within sight even when I do spot them. They are more elusive than the wind.

Maybe the only way to get close enough is to become one of their victims. They already have their sights on me, so half the work is done. Tia, my opinionated right hand, won't like the idea, but will have my back nonetheless.

I groan from the effort it takes to get up from the bench. I need to feed, but the thought of sinking my fangs into any of these Elani makes my stomach cramp uncomfortably. I'll drink some of the donated blood when I return home. For now, food from the Inn should suffice.

The Thorn Inn is crowded and loud tonight. It both sets my teeth on edge and relaxes me. With there being more people, I'm less likely to be noticed. And I cannot afford to be noticed right now. It would undo everything I have worked so hard to put into place. Years would be wasted. My black cap hides my hair, and I make sure my glasses are hidden away, but you never know who you might run into in places like this.

"The usual, Sir?" the barkeep asks.

"Yes. I will need a set of night clothes to wear while these are being washed and ensure plenty of food is waiting for me. Also, tonight I need a room with a window that is not covered in vines. I would like to have fresh air." And maybe I will be visited by a mysterious creature. I shouldn't be hoping for it, but something in my soul screams that we would make an unstoppable team.

"Right away. Here is your key to the baths; please take your time." He hands me a heavy metal key and a couple of thick brown towels.

I nod and make my way through the crowd toward the back door. Drinks splash against the floor at my feet and laughter fills the air. Harsh words are shouted in the opposite corner, and smells of different dishes being served mix with the odor of sweaty bodies. It forces me to breathe heavily as I shut the door between me and the chaos.

I will have to be careful once I am done bathing to make it through the room, allowing none of them to touch me. I won't be able to sleep tonight if their scent lingers on my skin or clothes.

The stone steps are slick from the steam of the pools beneath the Inn. They are the only reason I ever come here. Since the vines popped up and surrounded the Kingdom, no one bothered to build another inn. There's no need when no one can enter or leave the city. So, the Thron Inn has become a social location for mistresses, tousles in the sheets, and unsavory business dealings — or, in my case, an escape from the mask I must wear to hide who I really am.

I quickly undress, setting my cap and glasses away from my clothes in case they come to get them, and slide into the nearest heated pool. The steam envelopes me and clouds my vision of the room. It is perfect. I lean against the ledge, savoring how the bubbles flow, and massage against my sore muscles, working out knots I didn't even know existed.

The past week has been full of moving Elani around, dealing with angry Keryth, and neglecting my needs until the job is done. I still have at least four more days before I can return home. I am so close to answers. But my research back home is suffering from me doing this instead.

I rub the bridge of my nose as the stress of everything on my plate returns to rest on my shoulders. The future rides on me being able to handle both things. Tia helps with some of it, but she can only do so much. I need more help. The cloaked figure would be perfect for what I am currently working on while I focus on my research. But I must first talk to them without getting my throat slit.

Ugh, when did everything become so fucking complicated?

With fingers pruned, my body washed, and my muscles a little relaxed, I drag myself out of the pool and pull on some of the night clothes stored here. They have to be made from the scratchiest material in existence, but they'll suffice until I can get to my room.

I mentally kick myself when I find the room key where I had left my soiled clothing. They came down here, took my stuff, and I didn't even notice. I slip my cap back on before returning to the slippery stone steps.

"Go ahead and get yourself killed. This kingdom isn't quite fucked up enough," I chastise myself.

I slowly open the door to the bar and sigh in relief that many of the patrons have left, making it easy to get to my room without being touched or stopped. I lock the door and groan from the smell of the food stacked high on the small table beside the window.

It isn't the biggest room, but it is enough. And by the smell of the food, I will be satisfied enough that I can stick this mission out for a few more days without blood.

The small wooden chair in the back corner of the room calls to me from deep within the shadows the candles can't penetrate. I sit with a grunt of exertion and spread out my legs as far as they can. My fingers brush against metal when I slide my hands into my pant pockets. I put my glasses on and remove my cap so my hair can fully dry before bed.

I need to get up and eat, but the thought of moving from this spot makes me nauseous. It just seems like it requires a lot more effort than I currently have. But at the same time…food. There are so many choices. Food, bed, or slowly disintegrating in this chair? All of them sound like a good plan.

But before I can decide on anything, a subtle brush of fabric comes from the opened window. I sit perfectly still, knowing exactly who it is. I am both nervous and excited. And if I am candid with myself, I am also frightened. I have seen their handy work and would rather not get tangled in their ropes before I can ask for their help.

A black shadow fills the window and quickly flows through the space. Nothing in their movements is wasted or unnecessary. I hold my breath as they work their way around the table, and my heart completely stops as they pull their scarf down and take small bites here and there.

A female…or woman. I am unsure if she is Elani or Keryth, but her mouth is appealing either way. Her skin is impossibly pale, and her full lips are a soft pink. They mesmerize me to distraction as they devour meats and cheeses.

"Hungry, Little Thief?" I should have stayed hidden and soaked up as much of her as possible. But I NEED to hear her voice.

She stills, giving away the fact she didn't know I was in here. But then she looks at me over her shoulder and graces me with a heart-stopping smile. "Most people in this area are."

I suppress a groan. Her voice has a smooth rasp that brings forth images of roaming hands, soft kisses, and explosive passion beyond the imagination.

"So, should I invite everyone over for dinner?" I chuckle. It sounds so stupid, but hopefully, it gets her to talk more.

"Maybe you should keep your window closed. It could invite death." Something in her tone tells me she is referring to herself, and I can't even dispute it.

I close my eyes as the most beautiful moan escapes her as she takes a bite of the roasted meat. It works its way through my body until it stirs my cock.

"You can eat as much as you want if you keep making that sound," I say through clenched teeth as I adjust myself in the small chair. No female or woman has ever had such an effect on me.

She throws her hands up and backs away from the table.

"Then I am quite full." But I can't focus on her words. The sleeves come up and reveal thick scars that crisscross her wrist. The urge to protect her and discover what happened surges so fast through me that the chair crashes into the wall as I reach my feet. "That's my cue to leave. Bye-bye now!" And before I get my hands on her, she flies out of the window.

I quickly look out to see if she is okay. I am up on the third floor, and she just leaped with no rope or help to get down safely.

"Fuck!" I growl, watching her roll before magically getting up and continuing to disappear into the shadows. "I will find you, Little Thief!" I don't know if she hears me, but the promise still stands. Because this just went from needing her help to a need for her. Yes, she is a killer of my kind, but in my screwed-up brain, that doesn't seem to matter. I want more of her. I need to hear, touch, and get to know her. I won't give up until she is entirely mine.