“You look…terrible.”

  Robert wanted to return the sentiment, but the petulant lie wouldn’t benefit him. Far from it. If anything, it would put his life in danger, as the woman looked for opportunities to inflict suffering. He knew it, but he couldn’t bring himself to truly care. Lou tried his patience in ways he’d never experienced before.

  “Isn’t this post supposed to be voluntary? Let me know if someone’s pressuring you. Can’t have the future hero dropping dead in my city.”

  “But it’s fine if the city drops dead around me.”

  Another sputter, another laugh. He wanted to smack the smile off her face. She had no right finding joy in her misdeeds.

  “Saints. If we hadn’t had such a terrible start, we might have gotten along. Unless you still have a thing for Alana. Eh, maybe we could have been friendly rivals…no. Nevermind.”

  “Did you need something?” he asked, desperately wanting the conversation to be over.

  “How have you been?”

  “I have important duties—”

  “Hey, this is important. How. Are. You?”

  Robert took deep breaths, forcing down his temper. “I’ve been tired. There’s a lot of work to do around here, if you haven’t noticed.”

  “So, you like the city? Make any friends?”

  “Sure.”

  “Enjoying your first acolyte year at the Hall?”

  “Sure.”

  Those unnatural eyes narrowed, her lips turning down. “Did you forget how to hold a proper conversation?”

  “I haven’t. I just don’t want to have this conversation.”

  An elbow drew his gaze to Cecile, a quick glance to take in her raw fear and concern. He turned back, unsettled but unwilling to walk back his words.

  Luckily, Lou didn’t take offense. Her glare softened as she gazed at him piteously. “Alright, to the point then. Like I said during my speech there, I intend to make this city into something great. Part of that is law enforcement that enforces the law. A group people can rely on. I don’t know what kind of connections you have, but in case you haven’t heard, I’ve entrusted the Temple with that duty. And while they’re certainly capable, they’re…specialized. It’s very possible that they’ll run into situations they’re unprepared for.”

  Almost as if they weren’t trained for it.

  “For that, I’ve given them to power to hire experts. I expect most of their problems to be magical in nature and I expect they’ll hire acolytes to solve them. I hope you’re one of the people they’ll be able to call on.”

  “You’re asking me to safeguard your city?”

  “More the people in it. I doubt even a hero’s heart can embrace me. But you wouldn’t leave the good people of New Quest to fend for themselves in the face of danger, would you?”

  “And what if I would?”

  She blinked, unprepared for the challenge in his voice or his hard eyes. She met his gaze and held it, searching. Whatever she found made her shake her head.

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “I won’t help you.”

  “Then, don’t. Saints shining tits, Mr. Talented. It would be nice if we could put our past behind us, but what I said earlier applies to you too. I don’t need you. And while I don’t care if you hate me, I won’t let you get in the way. Mind your business. If you can’t, get out. Ah, ah. Has this been a complete waste of time? You could have told me.”

  Lou addressed the golden-eyed court officer, or whatever Butterfly was. Who, much like the prince, shrunk under her attention.

  “You would have done it anyway. And been far more agitated, wondering if it was some ploy.”

  “But what if you not saying anything is a ploy?” Lou laughed at the woman’s tight expression. “I’m joking…mostly.”

  “Either way, it wasn’t going to work out. Even without my sight, I can tell Robert Quintana thinks very little of you.”

  “Are you kidding? Me and Mr. Four Affinities are great friends. I saved his life, you know.”

  “I despise you.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  The words burst out of him before he could think. Cecile sucked in a sharp breath, but he ignored the hand she placed on his shoulder, his attention solely occupied by the source of his ire.

  “You disgust me. Everything about you.”

  “Not everything.” The arrogant woman ran a hand through her hair and tilted her head, smiling as if posing for an artist.

  “No matter how pretty you are, you’re twisted and rotten inside.”

  “So I am pretty.”

  “You bring nothing but horror to the world.”

  “Hm. Seeing as I’ve brought succubi to the world…I won’t argue that.”

  “And you treat everything as a joke!” he shouted. “Even people’s lives. Are you even human?”

  “Does it matter?” she questioned, dark amusement curling her lips. “If I wasn’t human, would that excuse me? Would it all make sense? Would it make you feel better?”

  He snorted, mirroring her dark humor. “No, I’d still hate you.”

  “See? Doesn’t matter. Though you should get someone to look at that.”

  “What?”

  She pointed at his face. “Heroes don’t insult people.”

  “If villains can prance around with purple hair, I can do whatever I want.”

  “So long as you get the job done?”

  “Yeah.” Why was she smiling? Did she understand that she was the job and by doing it, he intended to leave her in a cell so dark and deep, no one would ever find her?

  “Lady Tome-Delarre!” Cecile blurted with the desperation of a knight throwing themselves before their patron. “My aunt reviewed some of your new laws. You’re making quite the radical change to city governance with these council of yours.”

  “You’re…”

  “I’m—”

  “No, don’t tell me. I’m usually good with ladies. Er, Cecilia? No, Cecile! Am I right? Guiness girl.”

  Robert knew his friend well enough to know that her strained smile meant she wasn’t wholly happy to be remembered. “Yes. I’m honored I left enough of an impression.”

  “Heh. Honored, she says.”

  Cecile cleared her throat. “I wanted to ask. Aren’t you worried?”

  “Hm? About what?”

  “…giving so much power to people who…don’t think highly of you.”

  “Should I be?”

  “Aren’t you concerned they will undermine your authority?”

  “Nope. Saints, I want them to try. Usurping my authority means taking on my responsibilities. They can have as many as they want so long as they do right by the city.”

  “I…see.”

  “Can’t believe a noble doesn’t care about being the face of everything?”

  “It’s surprising. Almost as if you’re inviting chaos.”

  “Since when does trouble need an invitation? Anyway, I’ll let the two of you get back to your date.”

  While Cecile sputtered over the romantic insinuation, Robert’s thoughts turned over their conversation, searching for the trap. She wanted him to fight for the city. To tie him to the city. But why? Whatever he thought of himself, he knew she didn’t care about his abilities or his potential. She clearly showed that she didn’t care about her reputation, so it couldn’t be that either. What did she gain from his presence?

  He couldn’t figure it out and his thoughts spiraled, his gut twisting with the dread that he was being pulled into a catastrophe. Maybe Cecile was right. Maybe he should simply walk away from the city. It didn’t have to be forever; he could return once he was surer of himself and his abilities.

  But no. If there was one area he didn’t lack, it was heart. Robert was no coward. He’d get to the bottom of her agenda and the best way to do that was to be right next to the action.

  “Fine.” He stared the villain down. “Of course I’d defend the people of Quest.”

  “Of course. Didn’t doubt you for a minute, hero. Don’t worry. I won’t exploit your good nature. You will be fully compensated.”

  “But I don’t work for you. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it, but not on your orders or anyone who works for you.” It was the best way he could think of to protect himself.

  “That makes things difficult.” Lou tapped her chin. “Then again, you won’t be the only one who won’t want to work directly with anyone associated with me. Bounties, then? Really, that might be more effective. Alright. Though, you should understand that you won’t be the first one picked if you can’t play nice. And you’ll be under far more scrutiny. Can’t expect my people to trust you if you don’t trust them.”

  “Hopefully, we will have little opportunities to test the bounds of that trust,” Cecile cut in.

  “Hopefully,” Lou drawled. “I’ll see you two around. Say hi to your other friend for me. I liked him.”

  With those flippant words, the menace in the guise of a woman strolled off, anyone in her path veering away before she had the chance to move them, as she passionately promised in her speech. The woman with the golden eyes remained, her face turned toward him.

  “Did you need something?” he asked when her quiet attention began to feel uncomfortable. He startled when blood began to leak from the corner of her eyes. “Hey!”

  The woman jolted, as if someone had disrupted a deep state of focus by poking her side. “Wha…”

  “Are you okay?” he asked, taking a hesitant step forward. Would it be improper to force a court officer to see a healer? Probably. Should he do it anyway? “You’re bleeding.”

  A hand reached up, a finger smearing her cheek with one of the blood trails. “Ah. Seems I am. Nevermind that.”

  “What do you mean nevermind?” Cecile scolded. “You need to see—”

  “No one. There’s nothing a healer can do for this,” the woman interrupted curtly but not unkindly. “More importantly, Robert Quintana. I have a mission for you.”

  “What?” It was him time to be startled.

  “You do recall me handing you a royal writ informing you that you are under my authority, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but…” What use did she have for him? “I have work here. And classes.”

  “This won’t take you away from either, least not for long.” The woman approached him, reaching into the pocket of her robe. She removed a coin purse. “Give me your hand.”

  He followed the direction, watching dumbly as five gold crowns were placed in his palm.

  “Your mission is to find four others and spend the whole of that gold in the Myriad Zone within one night. It can be on whatever you want, but you must spend everything. The deadline is one week.”

  “…what?”

  “What part don’t you understand?”

  “All of it? You’re ordering me to spend your money?”

  “Yes.”

  “…why?”

  The woman sighed. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Four others. The Zone. Spend everything. Good luck.”

  And she walked off before he could try clarifying the confusing statement. Robert watched her retreating back with bewilderment, the coins too hot on his skin. He turned to Cecile, who looked just as confused. “What just happened?”

  “…you were given an order,” she eventually responded, shaking her head. “I don’t understand, but I suggest you complete it. It’s not as if it’s hard.”

  “I guess.” His fingers closed on the money and he shoved it in his pocket. “You know three people who would want to spend someone else’s gold?”

  She smiled at his automatic inclusion of her in his plans. “No, but I’m sure we can find some. Five gold isn’t much. Enough for a decent meal.”

  He chuckled, the sound containing a little more life than usual. “Definitely a Guinness.”