A/N - A long chapter today! - Heads up, there IS a romance scene at chapters end. Separated by ***. As always, I try to keep the descriptors tasteful, but 'wrestling' is definitely involved! Even if you skip, you still get to enjoy 7000+ words :) - Enjoy your weekend!

  A bemused Eric soon found himself flowing through a crowd of elegantly dressed men and women wearing attire quite similar to the glorious spectacle of tailored finery that he had found so captivating in the theater district. If anything, the single breasted waistcoats, ruffled skirts, and silk jackets on display were of even finer cut and weave than what the distinguished personages had worn while dining in the classiest 19th century restaurant Eric ever had the pleasure of dining in.

  Surprisingly, top hats and bonnets were not in evidence here, in the plaza outside the palatial manor that Lord Stephan was so graciously leading them to. Though waiters holding trays filled with sparkling wine and any number of meat pastries and skewers was quite common. Eric politely declined drinks offered by an impeccably dressed individual in a white frock coat as they made their way through the crowd while the gentle notes of flutes, cellos, and violins graced the air in what Eric supposed was an outdoor gala.

  Though Eric felt the speculative gazes of any number of distinguished folk upon his back, he and his companions still flowed through the crowd effortlessly until they were before the marble steps leading up to the foyer of the grand manor.

  Stephan’s twinkling blue eyes lit up with what seemed relief as a servitor immediately approached with a florid bow. “Please, allow me to take your cape, Lord Stephan. Shall I announce our latest guests?”

  Stephan flashed a pearly smile, handing the man his silk cape. “Ah. Home at last. Come, my friends. Let’s join the true party, shall we? Lady Thorn will be so pleased to make your acquaintance, young Earnest. I am sure!”

  Eric blinked, smiling in bemusement at the lavish Rococo style of the interior, the grand vaulted ceilings lined with polished mahogany lit to glorious effect by the brilliant crystal chandeliers overhead, light reflecting prettily off the stained glass windows as Eric caught sight of magnificent landscapes filled with light, pastel colors contrasted by whimsical portraits of a strikingly beautiful woman with high cheekbones, carmine lips, and eyes that glittered like rubies as she took her ease upon a plush silken chair that could have been a throne. Despite the bucolic, almost whimsical nature of her fanciful dress and hairdo, her measuring gaze seemed to pierce the soul, her demeanor that of a queen who held life and death over all her subjects.

  He couldn’t help grinning in admiration at the grand portrait positioned to catch the eye of everyone who entered the grand ballroom, the air alive with woodwind instruments that gave him the momentary feeling of striding peacefully within a woodland glade.

  “Now that’s a woman with some serious Charisma,” Bunbun cheekily noted, earning an easygoing chuckle from their host.

  “Yes, she does indeed! That would be her Duchess, one time ruler of this colony, who you may address simply as ‘Lady Thorn,’ though don’t be surprised should you here her honored with other titles as well. Now come this way. I do believe that is her, greeting the most distinguished guests of our gala as we speak.”

  Lord Stephan wasted no time, heeled boots clicking upon the glossy marble tiles as they crossed the grand ballroom and made their way through a gaggle of particularly distinguished looking lords and ladies even now paying their respects to the striking beauty in a black dress far more elegant and sheer than that depicted in the grand portrait hanging above them all. It was a timeless extravagance of sheer silk and lace that bridged the eras with its multiple diaphanous layers while still wrapping about her as snugly as custom-fitted mithril, or a sleek dress of the pre-apocalypse era.

  “A pleasure to see you again, Your Grace. Your galas truly are the talk of the town.”

  “My lady, you’ve outdone yourself!”

  The murmuring compliments washed over Eric as two strikingly beautiful ruby eyes glittering with potency, sensuality, and sheer force of will abruptly looked up from her admired and caught ’s own.

  His heart skipped a beat, struck by the sheer sensuality of the woman now before him, stunningly beautiful features complimented by high cheekbones and lush carmine lips widening just enough to reveal tiny pearly white fangs as she smiled, her nostrils flaring ever so slightly.

  Eric swallowed, feeling like he was falling into those sparkling eyes, when Lord Stephan spoke. “My queen, may I present our guests Lady Drachen and officer Ernest.”

  Eric could hardly hear a word spoken, so loudly was his blood pounding in his ears.

  “Officer Ernest is it?”

  “You could say that… Your Grace.”

  The honor of her title pleased her, if the twinkle in her eye was anything to go by. “True. I am. Once a duchess, and soon to be again. And how gracious you are to honor the Old Ways, young Ernest. So, what do you think of our gala so far?”

  “Absolutely riveting,” Eric said, not even caring how his cheeks blazed, or the surprised huff of Lady Drachen, the cooler murmurs of the lords nearby, or Lord Stephan’s soft snort.

  All he cared about was the bemused fire in Lady Thorn’s twinkling eyes as her lips curved in a smile.

  “What a pleasure to meet an officer exuding such… competence. What company do you serve with, Officer Ernest?”

  Eric couldn’t help it, cheeks widening in a grin of his own. “Slaughter Company.”

  Lady Thorn’s brow furrowed, even as Lady Drachen gave a surprised hiss. “I haven’t heard… oh… oh, my darling boy!” She gave a throaty chuckle, pearlescent fangs flashing so prettily in the light of the brilliant crystal chandeliers overhead. “Dreadlord Slaughter? The one my dear associate Grim was mentioning? Truly making a name for himself on the New Continent, isn’t he?”

  Her throaty laughter sent shivers down Eric’s spine, as soft ruby lips whispered in his ear. “I hear our Dreadlord Slaughter will soon be as famous as Napoleon.”

  She leaned back, eyes gazing hungrily at him.

  A hunger that burned through Eric as well.

  “You are an intriguing one, young Officer Ernest.”

  A silk fan snapped out of nowhere, the duchess fanning herself as she gazed Eric’s way with hooded, thoughtful eyes. “In fact, I think you might be absolutely perfect for a little private gathering of some of my closest… associates. Perhaps you would care to join us?”

  Eric’s racing thoughts finally clicked onto the one thing she had said that should have sent alarm bells ringing in his head. Delightful alarm bells, for he dearly missed his friends.

  “Wait, you know Grim? I mean… yes. Yes, I would very much like to attend.”

  “Wonderful!” She turned to Lord Stephan, a flare of her fan instantly silencing a flustered Lady Drachen. “Stephan, do escort our dear guests to the conference chamber.”

  “At once, Your Grace,” Stephan said, flowing into an elegant half bow before smiling at a breathless Maybel and a dazed Eric. “Right this way, dear guests.”

  Eric found himself walking down luxuriously appointed hallways lined with polished oak stands and vases filled with tulips, marigolds, and roses perfuming the air with their heady scents. He couldn’t help but smile, filled with a sense of exhilaration even as Lady Maybel cursed under her breath.

  “Here we are, on the eve of everything coming together, and she would rather flirt with a complete unknown. Madness!”

  A tiny corner of Eric’s mind grinned, knowing that Maybel was speaking so softly it was as much thought as mouthing the words, but his Perception made those thoughts exquisitely clear.

  Bunbun snorted, and Eric felt her thoughts in their party chat. “You totally failed that resistance check on purpose.”

  Eric flushed, but said nothing.

  “Not that I blame you. She is a hottie!”

  Before Eric could think of any appropriate response to that, Stephan was knocking on the finely crafted mahogany door now before them, inlaid with elegant gold calligraphy that was both striking and laden with protective enchantments.

  “We have several guests Her Grace wishes to join us,” Stephan said with a flick of his hair and an absolutely dazzling smile for the scowling woman who answered the door.

  Eric froze, speechless. Whatever bemusement he felt instantly froze to crystalline awareness of himself and his surroundings and a warm joy welling up in his heart when he saw none other than Alice, glaring back at Stephan. “You know damn well we’re not—” Her words cut off, eyes widening when she caught sight of a positively beaming Eric… before rubbing her brow, beautiful amber eyes gazing intently at him for long moments. “Do I know—”

  He winked.

  She froze. Eyes widening. “Eric?”

  Ernest chuckled. “Just Ernest. Now, who is this Eric fellow? Is he as handsome as me?”

  Alice’s eyes bulged prettily, cheeks huffing, and Eric wasn’t sure if she was as frustrated or as amused as he was, but the way her eyes were dancing, there was clearly a lot she wanted to say.

  Before she stole a quick glance their guest’s way, having made full use of her Quickness which Eric was ecstatic to say was now a lot closer to a level 50 well-rounded character than a Level 10 Conscript.

  Which meant that she had found a path forward.

  Eric gave her a thumbs up.

  Alice chuckled throatily. “Well, come on in, then. It’s just a private little get together with friends in the know. Lady Drachen?”

  “Alice,” Maybel said with a spike of disapproval in her voice, earning an immediate frown from Eric, who quickly schooled his features when she turned to face him. “Alright, Ernest. Here’s where things get exciting. But please brace yourself, our fellow… associates, are hmm… very vibrant characters? So please don’t let them ruffle you.”

  Eric grinned, trading a wink with Alice. “It’s alright, Maybel. I think I’ll be okay.”

  Eric didn’t hesitate to link arms with Alice and step back inside, heart pounding with a different sort of excitement that had everything to do with precious friendships when he caught sight of Morlekai’s double-take, his handsome Japanese-Italian features turning to nonplussed surprise as a beaming Alice strutted back inside the luxuriously appointed chambers, positively beaming.

  Eric couldn’t help grinning when he saw both Drake and Louie looking much more like 1930s made men than 19th century aristocrats in their reinforced 3-piece suits barely fitting their powerful frames. Though their looks were a bit confused, Louie even flaring a tiny spike of irritation, the tall Moorish gentlemen at the far head of the polished oak table, seated what Eric assumed was opposite where Duchess Thorn herself would sit, looked amused, all the more so when he gave a knowing wink, flashing the treasure on his hand, the Gold-Tier artifact of a tiny silver ring of a serpent biting its own tale. Now wrapping about Eric’s finger 37 times, yet only slightly thicker than it had been at the start.

  “Guys, it’s Ernest!” Alice said with an excited squeal, while silently mouthing ‘Eric’ for his friends.

  Louie’s scowl at Alice holding another man so familiarly then eased into a bemused smile, Drake just shaking his head with a grin.

  “How’s it going, Boyscout? Long time no see!” Louie said.

  “It’s going pretty damn good, Louie! All the more so, seeing my friends in unexpected places,” he said right back, before bowing his head before the warmly smiling Moorish man’s way, who now looked absolutely where he belonged in his historic attire, presently embracing an 18th century fashion sense, wearing a silk vest and a frilled linen shirt, his customary top hat and frock coat nowhere in evidence, and Eric was certain he’d see knee breaches and very human and not at all lich-like calves if he dared a glance under the table.

  “Lord Grim, a pleasure.”

  “The honor is mine, Learned One,” Grim said, the ancient and powerful lich dipping his head in respect, Eric instantly understanding the degree of honor Grim was paying him, without outright saying ‘Master Necromancer changing the face of the continent with his powers.’ Yet Eric could sense those thoughts so clearly in the man’s approving gaze.

  Eric then winked at a still bemused looking Morlekai, looking handsome as ever in his fine white shirt with a burgundy vest and a collar just high enough that he could blend in either an 18th century salon or a modern club. Eric chuckled. “Though I do miss our crimson companions.”

  Morlekai blinked, then laughed softly. “Oh, they’re keeping an eye on things, Boyscout. And it’s damn good to see you too.” He stood up and they formally clasped wrists, the twinkle in his eye as he smiled making it clear that he was flexing when he squeezed Eric’s wrist. Not to show off, but just to show strength. Competence. He too had clearly grown.

  Yet despite Morlekai’s exceedingly impressive Strength, having shot up all the way to 100, his friend just gave him an awed look. “Just how strong are you now, Er—Ernest?”

  Eric just laughed. “You know me, always training. Anyway, you’re getting strong as anything, aren’t you, Morlekai? That class evolution you chose was perfect. No doubt.”

  “Told you that you wouldn’t be getting the best of Boyscout anytime soon,” Drake teased with a smile, before grinning Eric’s way. “It’s good to see you, buddy. And you are looking truly ripped, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

  Eric smiled. “Thanks, Drake. You’re looking pretty damn fine yourself. How’s the Warrior class treating you?”

  “Good! Damn good, Boyscout. You were right, by the way. Focusing all our efforts into mastering all of those weapons, sensing our Soul Reserves, even if we’re the farthest thing from Necromancers, Louie and I, and we’re doing our best to rank our skills up something serious. Best of all, with Proper Soul reserves? those weapon feats really pay off in the delves.”

  Louie nodded. “Half the peeps we delve with in Ashland call us the ‘bardiche brothers.’ It has a nice ring to it, don’t it?”

  Eric’s eyes widened, lips curving in genuine excitement. “Oh, so you’re doing Ashland now? Which delve? How do you like it? How’s Caliban doing with infrastructure and building up the adventuring town nearby? Is he offering epic rates for the loot, or what? Is it everything I had hoped it would be?”

  Louie coughed, giving a dumbstruck Maybel a pointed look. “No complaints, Ernest. We can discuss the particulars another time. We wouldn’t want to trouble our associates… and oh, look, Lady Thorn’s here.”

  “Wait, Ernest, you know these people?” Maybel asked breathlessly.

  Eric winced, realizing he should have probably seated himself already when warm, sultry laughter washed over him.

  “Ah, dear Ernest. Your timing is perfect, darling. And I see all our friends are now accounted for. So, let us get started, shall we?”

  He shivered under the fleeting touch of her fingertips brushing the nape of his neck. The scents of jasmine, honeysuckle and more exotic scents caressed his nostrils as he felt powerful hands guide him to a chair that he didn’t resist as Lady Thorn took the seat at the head of the table, across from Grim.

  Eric swallowed, demanding that his lips quit perking up in a delicious grin being surrounded by his friends and a woman so strikingly deadly, so utterly entrancing, that he knew he was in big, big trouble if his Sylvan sensitivity to pheromones was reacting this wildly.

  A biological imperative that seemed to trump his absurdly high Mental Resistance.

  She caught his eyes for a heartbeat that lasted far too long.

  He could sense her strength, and just how fierce and deadly a hunter she truly was.

  A true predator looking for something beyond simple prey.

  Her eyes pinned his own.

  He had never been hungrier.

  She smiled when his cheeks flushed, petite fangs biting her lip.

  “Mother!”

  Eric froze at that one word, ice water splashing down his spine.

  He blinked, staring right at an irate-looking Alice.

  His familiar, having hopped onto his lap, turned her head to look at Alice, then Lady Thorn, Then Alice again. “No. Fucking. Way.”

  Alice pointedly didn’t look his way, though Morlekai smirked at a stunned Bunbun.

  Yet before Lady Thorn could pin Alice with a disapproving maternal glare that Eric recognized all too well, Alice had already bowed her head, both as a show of deference and, he suspected, to keep from being pinned by her mother’s gaze.

  “Mother, we have good news,” Alice said in a hurried voice before Lady Thorn’s hard gaze. “We found the key!”

  The duchess blinked, her ruby irises softening to amber warmth. “Truly, Alice? Are you sure?”

  Alice turned to her brother. Morlekai solemnly nodded. “My ravens located the key in question. We know where it is.”

  Lady Thorn gave a delightful little laugh. “Wonderful to hear, my darling stepson. I knew your gifts would finally blossom into their own, given trials and time.” Her lips curved in a sanguine smile that had Eric reaching for the pitcher of ice cold water and drinking deep, not caring at the snort this earned from Louie.

  “He thought he could resist my girl, did he? Look’s like Boyscout’s finally being put in his place.”

  Drake nodded sagely. “Only woman who ever looked hotter than Alice. The duchess herself.”

  Eric, perhaps the only one who could hear their near silent whispers, felt his cheeks blaze, though the pair of boyish men winced at the look from Alice that this earned them, and since Eric knew she had both men wrapped around her finger... he quickly shook his head.

  Those thoughts were neither here nor there.

  What mattered was the keys, not distractions.

  No matter how fucking hot they happened to be.

  Lady Thorn then turned to an increasingly flustered looking Lady Drachen, who clearly hadn’t expected the conversation to flow as it had.

  “Maybel? I trust you have good news as well?”

  Maybel flushed, opening and closing her mouth, before speaking in a hurried voice. “Yes, Your Grace. My research and divinations bore fruit” She said, nervousness replaced by growing enthusiasm. “I found the location of your faction’s key!”

  Eric blinked at this, eyes bouncing from Morlekai to Maybel.

  Their hostess gave a sultry smile. “Excellent. Excellent! We’ll soon have Primacy over the wolves and the technomancers enhancing them, just as soon as we claim our own sovereignty!”

  These words earned a cold sneer from the one person in the room that Eric didn’t recognize. A saturnine-featured man with thin cheeks, aquiline nose, hazel eyes, short curly hair, and a cold scowl. He crossed arms covered in enchanted beast hide armor that looked as much like a biker jacket as the elite Bronze-Tier armor that Eric instantly understood it to be.

  “We’re sure spilling a lot of juicy intel in front of the new guy here. Ernest? Really? That’s the name you’re going with?” The man smirked. “Trying to jump onto borrowed glory? Think that hustle will see you rolling in coin and credits, kid?”

  Eric blinked at this, before he barked a laugh. “Oh wow. I guess you got me! Sorry, Morlekai. It looks like this complete wanna-be brooding goth biker dude has me figured out already. How’d he figure out my scheme so quick?”

  Morlekai sighed, crossing his arms. “Stop it, Jim. He’s fine.”

  Jim scowled. “Like hell, he is. Just looking at him, I can tell he’s trouble.” His eyes flashed with something that chilled Eric, lips curving up in a mocking snarl. “And you’re lying. You’re lying! What’s you’re real name, asshole? Because sure as shit, it isn’t Ernest. Not really. Hell… I’ll bet that isn’t even your real face!”

  Lady Thorn blanched at that, Maybel hissing and lurching back in her seat as if Eric had turned into a snake. He could even sense the growing killing focus of Lord Stephan, playing at being the handsome courtier awaiting the duchess’s pleasure when Eric knew damn well that man was ready to Fast-Draw his blade and Piercing Strike anyone who so much as looked at Lady Thorn funny.

  Eric blinked at Jim’s accusations before chuckling and shrugging his shoulders. “Got me,” he softly said. “That isn’t my real name, and this isn’t my real face. And isn’t that a fascinating and highly unorthodox power you have, Contender? I can think of at least one organization that would absolutely love to employ you.”

  Jim crossed his arms, nodding smugly, turning to a cool-eyed Lady Thorn. “See? I told you all that there was something off about this dude when he was making his way here. Now we all know he’s a dirty shape-shifting fuck. If you were smart, you’d get rid of him, before he tells the dwarves, werewolves, and Lord Song that their days are numbered.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  He flashed Eric a calculated grin.

  Eric grinned right back, instantly understanding. This Jim, who if he could pierce a Gold-tier ward with his Contender rule-breaking gifts, must also know damn well that Eric was a fellow Contender, had just raised the stakes impossibly high. He had both accused Eric of being a spy, revealed that he was, in fact, disguising himself, and had blabbed aloud extremely precarious intel that they’d be fools to allow any possible agent or enemy to leave these chambers alive knowing, implicating their soon-to-be actions against both the Dwarves, Enigmatics, and the surface territory belonging to Lord Song and his off-world cronies.

  Eric’s grin widened at the sudden flare of alarm and killing intent, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife as Alice blanched.

  “Oh no. Mother, please, it’s not what he’s—”

  Eric clapped. “Well played, Jim. Looking to winnow the competition and maybe earn yourself a Contender throat to cut. Am I right?” He chuckled coldly. “We’re doing the ‘There can only be one.’ movie theme here?”

  Eric smirked, hands behind his head as he leaned back in his seat without at care in the world as a horrified Alice, troubled Morlekai, and amused-looking Grim looked on. “Careful, buddy. We’re soon going to be flooded with both Bronze and Silver Contenders as least as savage as we are. I’m betting that there are all sorts of accords keeping them from killing each other, and taking out hotheaded wildcards like you and I is no doubt at the top of their list.”

  “Enough!” Lady Thorn’s voice cracked, earning winces from most of the classers present. Her cold eyes, now utterly free of a succubus’s sultry charm, radiating nothing but power and a deadly promise, pinned Eric’s own. “I would have the truth of who you really are, and I would have it now.”

  Eric, eyes twinkling wildly, laughed, lips stretching wide in a feral grin. “No more vamping me? Just pure lethal killing intent in the sweetest face with the deadliest eyes I’ve seen in a very long time.” His grin widened further, earning a flinch from Maybel as he just kissed the limits of normal, and began to stretch beyond.

  “Good. Because I’ll tell you a secret, duchess, if I had the hots for you before, I’m so hungry for you right now that I could BURST! You’re a shockingly deadly predator that reminds me so much of my deadliest fling that it’s not even funny.”

  Lady Thorn’s gaze grew hot.

  The tension in the air spiked yet again, and Eric could taste it.

  A Silver readying herself to strike.

  A Contender grinning in the wings, eager to seize.

  Death, a single misstep away.

  Eric laughed, before falling into a sweeping bow, disguise removed as he stood up straight once more.

  “Eric Silver, at your service.”

  Lady Drachen gasped. “Arcadia’s Prince!”

  “That’s my Boyscout!” A relieved Drake said, giving a fist pump. “You’re looking absolutely epic, my man! A true prince, through and through!”

  Lady Thorn blinked in genuine surprise. The killing aura instantly vanished. She calmly turned to a scowling Jim. “Your thoughts?”

  Eric met the brooding Jim with a cold smile of his own. “Please, Jim. Share your thoughts.”

  Jim glared for long, tense moments, before his lips finally curved in a tight grin… like a slimy worm of a man who finally found a chink in someone’s armor. “He’s holding back. I can tell! He’s still holding—FUCK!”

  You have unsheathed your Lesser Dragon Aura!

  Aura has been Enhanced by Contender Potency (Equivalent to Rank 8 Silver).

  Multiple targets FAIL to save versus Dragon Fear!

  Jim lurched and stumbled back in his seat as Drake and Louie cursed, gazing at Eric in wide-eyed disbelief tinged with a tiny smidgen of fear while Morlekai glowered and Lord Grin filled the air with his rich, baritone laughter.

  Lord Stephan had turned white as a sheet, gazing at Eric with something approaching horror.

  Lady Thorn stiffened, her crimson eyes filled with utmost respect, to the point that she dipped her head.

  One Silver killer to another.

  “You may sheath your killing aura, Contender. Your point is made.”

  An eyeblink later it was just a cheekily grinning Eric seated once more, crossing his legs with his rabbit on his shoulder as he leaned back on his chair, revealed in all his snarky glory. “Well, that was fun. Happy, Jim, or did you piss your pants? Now let’s talk about keys. That’s why we’re all here, right?”

  Lady Thorn’s sultry laughter washed over them all, sending shivers down Eric’s spine. “Indeed, Your Grace, it is.” She gave him a knowing look over a sultry smile just for him. “Considering your impressive… potency and impeccable pedigree, I admit to being curious as to what your goals are, here.”

  “Strictly free agent,” he said out of pure reflex, before turning to smile at a completely shell-shocked Maybel. “Originally, my acquaintance Lady Drachen enticed me with the promise of a most engaging distraction. A treasure hunt, of sorts.” His smile widened. “Though now I suspect that the keys we seek are a wee bit more important than simple curios for an eager collector.”

  The Duchess gave Maybel a pointed look. “You didn’t.”

  Maybel flushed. “I had no idea he was a prince at the time, or quite so… potent!”

  Hooded eyes stole a glance Eric’s way. “And I need the impression of at least one key to perform a ritual to free my cousin from imprisonment. That much was very true.”

  Eric blinked at that. “Wait, Irene is your cousin? That means…”

  Maybel scowled. “Yes. Yes it does. And I offered you fair coin for service!”

  The Duchess’s ruby eyes twinkled with mirth. “Truly, we are a den of secrets, I see. Well then, let me clarify for our royal guest.” Her fingers flashed and the room suddenly filled with golden light.

  Alex’s eyes widened before the sight of a brilliant shimmering key covered in sigils and runes, sparkling in the air before him.

  His breath caught in his throat, heart hammering. He was able to taste, for just a heartbeat, the significance of that wondrous, glorious key.

  A key that seemed to pulse with an echo of the land itself. It’s significance, the priceless treasure it signified, was absolutely undeniable.

  The entire chamber had grown silent. Eric swallowed his once more parched throat, before turning his gaze to Jim the hard-eyed man gazing at the key as raptly as everyone else.

  “You have a sense of it, then?”

  Eric and the others solemnly nodded.

  “Yup! No chance we’ll mistake it for anything else,” Louie assured.

  “It radiates an aura of rage and power,” Morlekai softly said.

  The duchess dipped her head. “It does, my son. And you know why.”

  Morlekai’s brow furrowed, though he dipped his head. “I do, Mother.”

  She smiled approvingly. “Don’t worry. Should our dear Maybel have kept her promise, the path to the key most vital to our fortunes shall soon be at hand.”

  Maybe immediately lowered her head. “Yes, Your Grace. I just...” Her cheeks flushed prettily. “You were right. We do need a Contender to retrieve it. That requirement is inescapable. At least in the Enigmatic quarter. And since Jim is no longer welcome there…”

  A glaring Jim banged the lip of the table. “Shit got out of hand, but it wasn’t my fault! That place was a deathtrap! And it’s your fault anyway. How the fuck was I supposed to know that they cared that much about their precious wands? It was an easy score! And how the fuck was I supposed to know I’d have to go back? You never told us that the key was there!” He snapped, glaring at Maybel.

  “That’s because I didn’t know for certain until today, fool! We all warned you that you had to be careful, but you insisted on showing us all just how ‘rich’ this city would make you! Relying on your Contender status as an excuse and justification for everything you do!” Maybel snapped right back.

  Jim’s hot glare was that of a man ready to commit murder. “I earned three levels with that heist, and you haven’t earned a single goddamned one since I met you! So fuck right off, bitch! I’m going places!”

  Eric frowned at this. “Sure, you’re going places, Jim. Anyway, what’s this about a deathtrap?”

  Louie and Drake shared glances, then looked pointedly at Maybel. “Jim might be a bit too eager for the heist, but that’s no reason to be holding back intel, Maybel. Especially not if Boyscout here’s going to be filling in for him.”

  “Eric’s someone want in your corner when the chips are down. Not a chip to be used, Maybel,” Morlekai coolly said.

  Maybel flushed. “Well I had no idea who he was, or that you knew him! I met him less than an hour ago!”

  Alice snorted. “And that was still more than long enough for you to try to butter him up to go play fetch.” Then she chuckled, eyes twinkling. “You work fast, Maybel. And we do need another Contender.” Her smile hardened. “But we don’t use our friends. We bring them onboard.”

  Maybel seemed to sink into her chair with the near half-dozen cool-eyed looks being sent her way. “But I didn’t know you all knew him! How could I know he was your friend?”

  “More than a friend. He’s one of us,” Morlekai corrected. “And as such… I vote we make him an equal partner.”

  The Duchess blinked at this, ignoring Jim’s disapproving snort. “Truly, Morlekai? Just how close a friend is he to you?”

  “He saved our lives, Mother,” Alice said, heart in her eyes as she smiled a suddenly flustered Eric’s way. “When Junk Town was flooded by undead zombies and greater revenants… when I thought for sure we were gonna meet our maker… it was Eric who arrived in the nick of time and saved the day.”

  “Amen to that” Louie breathlessly said, bowing his head in gratitude and memory, as was Drake.

  “He is worthy,” Lord Grim softly concurred, his words having as much impact on Lady Thorn as anything else.

  The Duchess’s gaze warmed to genuine gratitude. “It seems that my children were keeping certain secrets close. I’m glad to see that they have a gift for finding worthy friends.”

  She gave an approving nod. “Very well, Eric. Welcome to our inner circle. Our goal is nothing less than seizing the literal keys to the kingdom and freeing New York from the yolk of Lord Song and all his ilk!”

  Alice flashed a brilliant smile. “Are you up for playing the hero one more time, Eric?”

  “And don’t worry,” Louie said with a chuckle. “We are most definitely getting paid for this heist!”

  “Indeed,” The duchess, assured, reaching over to gently squeeze Eric’s hand. “I can think of any number of exquisitely profitable trade alliances that can be forged between our two kingdoms, once our power here is solidified and safe passage cleared.”

  Eric grinned. The twinkle in Louie’s eye made it damn clear that his friends had something exciting on the side, and he most definitely wanted in on that action.

  But more than anything else… he wanted those keys.

  All of them.

  “Connecting New York to New Arcadia, Freetown, and Ashland Territory is why I’m here in the first place. Because if we can pull that off and effectively connect Lake Ontario to the Atlantic, we’ll have direct access to Canadian goods and resources and open the way up for trade all along the northeast. And you’re damn right I’m up for playing the hero, especially if it involves putting that Song asshole in his place. So, what’s the plan?”

  The duchess gave an approving nod. “Thinking of your territorial responsibilities more than personal gain. You are a wise prince indeed.”

  Eric winked. “Strictly free agent. No sense of societal responsibility at all. I’m just in it for the thrills and kills. Just like Jimmy boy. Right Jim?”

  He flashed the scowling man his brightest smile.

  Jim curled his lip. “Fuck off, prick. You think I’m that easy to cow with your punk-ass Intimidation skill? Now, I know to expect it. But hey, if you want to try it again…” He cracked his neck and smiled. “I’d consider that an attack, and I’ll respond accordingly.”

  Eric blinked at this, then turned to Morlekai. “Where did you dig up this asshole again?”

  Morlekai snorted, but said nothing, the air ringing with a sharp clap.

  “On to the mission at hand,” the duchess said with a pointed look to both Eric and Jim. “We now have two Contenders on our team, and we now know the location of two other keys. Jim, you’ll be heading to the surface Regio where Song’s claimed dominion, the fool not even realizing how intricately our city’s been dimensionally folded. Alice, you and your brother’s crew already know what to do.”

  Alice and the others nodded. “Don’t worry, Mother. We have Jim’s back.”

  Louie nodded. “Yeah, no worries. We’ll make sure he knows that Eric’s good people. It’s our fault for never filling Jimmy in about our history with Boyscout. Everyone knows how prickly Contenders are when they first meet.”

  “Like cats,” Drake said with a chuckle. “So, we probably should have briefed him.”

  “Not that we were expecting Eric’s sudden appearance,” Morlekai noted with a bemused smile. “Though I must say, it’s good to have you with us once more, Eric.”

  Eric grinned. “likewise, Morlekai. It’s good to be back.”

  Lady Thorn smiled approvingly. “And you, dear boy, will be accompanying Maybel. Just as soon as I finish bringing you on board.”

  “Mother…”

  “That will be all, darling.”

  Alice blanched, before gracefully curtsying. “As you decree, Mother.” She then left with a final worried glance Eric’s way, though Drake and Louie were openly smiling and Morlekai gave Eric a nod which he returned.

  Jim, of course, didn’t leave without glaring at Eric as he sauntered toward the exit, and Eric just couldn’t help flashing a high megawatt fuck you smile right back.

  “When this is over, shithead…”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Good. Our shares will be the prize.”

  Eric’s grin widened. “Damn right they will.”

  “Boys!” Lady Thorn’s voice stilled them both. “Contrary to rumor, you don’t have to play the raving fools. Your bloodlines are rare and precious. Killing each other off like feral cats looking for mates or… highlanders, of all things, is beyond stupid, and would play right into our enemies hands, and I refuse to have any fools on my team. Is that understood?”

  Eric gave a lazy shrug. “Sure. Whatever.”

  “He still looks like a punk to me,” Lilly declared from Eric’s shoulder.

  Jim glared hotly at the lazily smiling rabbit. “Unnatural freaks!”

  Bun looked up at Eric. “He’s saying that in the middle of a vampire den with a super hot succubus queen glaring at us.”

  Eric grinned. “I know, right?”

  “Boys!” The duchess snapped, eyes radiating a fiery heat as she allowed her own killing aura to flare.

  Jim paled and stumbled back, veneer of bemused contempt showing an unmistakable flinch of fear.

  Eric grinned, still leaning back in his chair. “I think our duchess hit Silver. What do you think, Bun?”

  “I think you’d best be careful, Fearless Leader, or you won’t be leaving here anytime soon.”

  Maybel flinched and paled. “By your leave, duchess… I will wait in the study.”

  The duchess gave the tiniest dip of her head as Maybel fled, Jim still gazing in rapt horror at the strikingly beautiful and deadly queen of the night now gazing down upon the man like a particularly juicy morsel while Grim sipped a crystal goblet full of ruby red port, eyes twinkling merrily as Eric winked his way.

  “Do you have any complaints about your employment, dear Jim?”

  “No, no, not at all, Your Grace. You’ve been generous. Very generous!”

  She nodded solemnly. “And you’ve proven yourself admirably. Your unique skills uncovering no less than two moles in my own villa has proven to be invaluable. Well done!” She reached down, gently stroking the trembling man’s cheek. “And when your mission is accomplished, do you still wish the gift?”

  Jim jerked his head. “Yes. Yes, please! Your blood is exactly what I need to earn an Adept Vampire class! And with the unaffected by sunlight perk, unnatural strength, enhanced vitality, and the mortal appetites boon letting me eat and drink and score hot chicks the same as always… and all the stealth and assassination bonuses, it’s so much more powerful than any Adept class should normally be without any drawbacks that I care about. It’s absolutely perfect!”

  Lady Thorn gently stroked the man’s trembling cheek. “Then you need but retrieve a single key and the gift of my blood is yours, boy. And should you stick around and aid us with a second key…” Her smile widened, showing her adorable pearly fangs once more, though her whisper made the man tremble with desire. “I just might have the key to an Elite Class evolution that will be all that you crave and so much more.”

  Jim gave a nervous swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing in his excitement. “Truly, Lady Thorn?”

  The air filled with her sensual, teasing laughter. “Go. Meet up with my daughter and your new friends. Complete your mission, and I’ll give you a gift to remember.”

  “Yes, Lady Thorn! Right away!”

  Jim bowed low, eyes to the ground, then raced out of the chamber as fast as he could.

  Lord Grim saluted the duchess. “Well done, Natasha.”

  “Hardly, dear Grim,” the duchess sighed. “I have my doubts, but he has shown his use, and second-rate or no, once I’ve bound him to my blood, I never have to worry about treachery or betrayal from my spawn.”

  “Indeed.”

  She sighed, turning to Eric, stroking his cheek with a hunger in her eyes that made Eric smirk.

  “So, what do you think of this one?”

  Lord Grim gazed thoughtfully at Eric. “A true friend of my house. And by extension… yours. His valor in a night few remember is something I will never forget.”

  Eric bowed his head at the sincere compliment.

  “Just how strong is he?”

  This earned Grim’s rich, baritone laughter. “There’s only one way to truly know, Natasha. And I would be very surprised if he objects.”

  Grim saluted Eric once more with his glass. And this time it was Eric who laughed, rising from his chair to pin the duchess with his gaze. “And what is it you wish to know exactly, Your Grace?”

  Her eyes widened, pearlescent fangs showing from between ruby red lips. “I would know just how strong a Contender you are… Eric Silver.”

  Her breath smelled of cinnamon and spice, her scent that of furious passion and wildest desire.

  Eric’s lips stretched in a grin far wider than her own. “Only one way to find out, Natasha Thorn.”

  Her smile grew. “Lord Grim, a pleasure. My facilities are yours.”

  “Natasha, Eric,” Lord Grim said, dipping his head as he made his way out at a gentlemanly pace and just moments later, Natasha had claimed Eric’s hand. “Come. This way. To the interview room.”

  (Romantic interview scene below, read or not as you like! :) )

  ________________________________________ *** ") *** _________________________________________________________

  Eric’s heart was pounding, his familiar snorting, and he just didn’t care! As the duchess slipped into the hallway, down a long corridor that would be perfect for an ambush or a setup but instead led to a basement chamber that, far from being a dungeon, turned out to be a luxuriously appointed and very modern looking bedroom, including a plush bed reinforced with runes of resilience and lined with enchanted silk sheets and Eric found himself gazing into fiery eyes that were so desperately hungry.

  Feeling the crush of warm red lips so delightfully soft.

  Tongues locked as arms wrapped tightly around him, a soft moan slipping free of the beautiful succubus locking her legs around him and suddenly he was falling into the plush soft bed as clothing was shredded as the air filled with warm, sultry laughter. The succubus queen gazed down at him as she rocked and swayed her hips against him, her voluptuous figure now free to inspire awe and worship as smooth hands flowed into his own.

  Pinning him with a Silver’s strength.

  Natasha smiled down at his gasping form, her sultry, half lidded eyes peering so deeply into his own.

  “You have no idea how much I want you, you wonderfully delicious boy.”

  “Feeling’s mutual, Natasha.”

  Her head tilted back in a throaty chuckle, hair smelling of jasmine and lust flowing free from its bindings. “I can tell, you beautiful boy. I can feel that truth better than most,” she said with a wink, before dipping low to brush her lips against his own, though arching her body so relief was teasing inches away. “I find nothing kindles passion like passion. Like struggle! So how about a wager, Eric Silver?”

  Eric ignored the roar in his ears, the desperate hunger that could so easily consume him, how desperately he WANTED the beautiful winsome creature teasing him with her mount without truly committing at all.

  Even so, he was no fool.

  “And what would that be?”

  “The truth. Why are you really here?”

  Eric grinned. “I think you already know the answer.”

  Hard eyes glared into his own. Yet before he could brace himself or even think of what his next move should be, her warm sinuous movements had claimed him.

  His eyes bulged.

  “Tell me,” she whispered in his ears, silky soft hands sliding across his frame and caressing his weakness. “Tell me, and I will fulfill your every desire.”

  Eric grinned. “Finally! A lover I don’t have to worry about breaking.”

  This earned a throaty chuckle. “Don’t worry about me, boy...What?”

  Unarmed Combat (grappling) skillcheck: Success! You have successfully hidden your Strength!

  A surprised Natasha gazed up at him as he spun free of her mount and suddenly she was underneath him, Eric smiling into her startled eyes. “I want New York,” he whispered. “I would claim it all.”

  She flashed a wicked smile. “You’ll need all five keys for that, boy,” she said, before revealing ever more of her Silver Tier Strength, arms now wrapped tight around him as delicate fangs nuzzled his neck. “And you’ll find the price of my key to be extremely… steep. Perhaps fatally so.”

  Eric chuckled at that. “Sorry, Natasha. I have no plans of hurting or robbing the mother of two of my closest friends.”

  She blinked in surprised, then flushed. “They are my lovelies. A mother I most certainly am, but my body’s that of oh!—”

  “I know,” Eric growled as he claimed the woman in his arms, kissing her fiercely, drinking down cries were the farthest thing from pain.

  Warm sultry laughter filled Alex’s ears. “Wonderful. YES! A contest then, my delicious boy. If you manage to best me in this room, my key is yours, and we will claim New York together. But you will claim me as yours, Eric Silver! But if I best you, here and now, if I bring you to submission, then you’re my treasure, and you will pleasure me just as you are right now. Agreed?”

  Eric choked back his hungry growl, forcing his thoughts to clarity. Wrapped in passionate kisses, arms around the beautiful luscious woman in his embracing, thinking was the last thing on his mind.

  But he refused to play the fool. “If I win and embrace the Ruler’s Mantel, I will either claim you as a prize of battle and treat you as tenderly as I would my future wife…” Her cheeks positively glowed at that. “Or I will leave New York and the Ruler’s Mantel far behind, once I’ve left my mark upon this city, which I will leave in the care of someone shockingly sweet and beautiful and everything I could want in a lover.”

  “And if I best you?”

  Eric grin. “Then I am yours for a full moon. And then I’m off to continue my adventures, and I will slake my hunger and give you a gift…”

  “The gift of your blood, boy. Your sweet, delicious blood!”

  Eric chuckled. “Within reason. Every month for a year. Or longer, and as often as we like. Every night, even. Assuming we’re both feeling… hungry.”

  She then pouted. “But I can’t draw a drop of blood from your neck!” She then darted forward with pain so sweet it was almost pleasure. “Even when I bite your lip.”

  Eric flashed a wicked smile. “Then I suppose you’ll have to settle for other fluids then.”

  Her cheeks blazed, soft red lips curving in a hungry grin. “Then let the contest begin.”

  And in the blink of an eye, almost too fast for Eric, she had locked him in a frontal choke even as she spread her legs and claimed him, stunning him with shocking pleasure and the perils of desire.

  Strength Check: You have FAILED to break your lover’s grip!

  - 5 To all skill checks: You are being Consumed by Ecstasy!”

  “Well played,” he hissed as she tightened her grip on both ends, earning a throaty chuckle.

  “Don’t pass out yet, beautiful boy. I want to savor your delicious Strength until—Oh my. Oh my, YES!”

  Finesse check: Success!

  Burst of Strength in effect!

  Modified Strength of 2930 effortlessly overpowers your opponent!

  Rank 31 Unarmed Combat successfully slips out of headlock!

  You have successfully mounted your opponent! Your opponent is no longer resisting!”

  Eric flashed a fierce, triumphant smile as Natasha gasped beneath him.

  “Yes, yes, Claim me! Master me! Make me yours!”

  And he did, riding waves of sweetness that he refused to let burst.

  Not until his mastery was complete.

  Rank 4 Essence of Dominion overwhelms Rank 1 Essence of the Succubus!

  You give your lover the barest taste of your life force (100 ex) and the essence of life itself!

  “I submit, Eric. Please don’t stop. Please! I am yours!”

  Congratulations! You have bested your Silver Tier opponent!

  Eve approves of this battle.

  Evolution with a chance at procreation!

  You are now a Level 62 Cultivator!