Tristan could barely keep calm as the carriage approached Shulan. He must have repeated Emberlynn’s words at least a hundred times to himself, trying to keep track of every minute detail they had discussed. A storm was brewing, and he feared that he and his Party were at the center of it all.

  “—stan. Tristan?” Destiny cupped her hand over Tristan’s, her deep blue eyes glued to him, her brow furrowed. His breath hitched, and he shook his head to bring himself back to the present. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Destiny.” He rotated the hand that Destiny was touching, then intertwined his fingers with hers. She blinked twice rapidly, and a sound between a hiss and a squeal escaped her lips. “I just want this to go well.”

  Destiny turned her head away, her expression hidden beneath her short blue hair. “We’ll… We’ll be with you every step of the way!” Her voice was a little louder than necessary, but the intent was appreciated.

  Lara—the catgirl with long blonde hair sitting across from them—nodded. “You have an army behind you, Tristan.” She tilted her head to one side, eyes half-open, and poked the belly of her chin thoughtfully. “Earth is in an especially good mood today, and that’s rare for him.”

  “I’m glad,” Tristan said, smiling. “How are you doing, Yanni?”

  Yanni said nothing, continuing to peer out the window to her side. She’d been like that for the last hour, rarely offering more than the occasional word or grunt. With how smooth and fair her skin was, she resembled a doll at times. Tristan was grateful that she had come along at Emberlynn’s request, but he imagined being away from the estate, her home, had to be taking a unique toll on her.

  “I am fine,” Yanni said just as Tristan opened his mouth to ask again. She leveled her gaze with him, green eyes as fierce as a snake’s, and brushed a lock of her long black hair between two fingers. “I am trying to determine the best approach.”

  Tristan sympathized. Tackling the economic issues of San Island—and its neighbor, Shi Island, to a certain extent—would take everything he had. Possibly even more than what he had. Emberlynn’s blessing would give him a good head start, but she was one of many who determined the order of things. While Emberlynn was kind enough to guide him during their conversation, he would have no such luxury with Melody or the others who wanted to bar him from enacting changes.

  The carriage slowed to a stop. Yanni pulled at the hem of her white-and-pink half robe. Destiny and Lara adjusted the skirts and aprons of their maid uniforms, and Tristan sat, white-knuckled and terrified.

  The coach opened the door closest to Yanni, smiling wide and gesturing them out. “We’ve arrived.”

  Destiny exited first, landing with a graceful hop. Yanni and Lara followed after, and Tristan followed Lara. The coach slammed the door as soon as Tristan and his Party exited, her palm open, fingers wiggling. Tristan palmed fifty more Bells in the woman’s hand. She glanced down at it, back at him, and Tristan placed fifty more on top.

  The woman at last smiled. “Welcome to Shulan. Watch your tails.” She hopped back into the rider’s seat, snapped her reins, and turned right back around down the path they had come.

  Is she not going to eat or rest? Tristan shook his head.

  “What do you want to do first, Tristan?” Destiny asked.

  “I think we should rest first. We’re not going to do much good going right to the Arch Tower.” He looked past the high walls of Shulan. The Arch Tower stood waiting in the distance. It was an imposing pagoda built with multiple curved eaves. Reds, blacks, and golds made up much of the structure’s color, truly coming to life when the sun fell. “I vote that we revisit the tower tomorrow morning, when our minds are clear and our stomachs are full.”

  “I am quite hungry,” Lara said, swaying side to side as she often did, whether she was hungry or not.

  “Yes. That is a fine idea,” Yanni said, nodding.

  Tristan and the others looked to Destiny. “Okay. Let’s do that then,” Destiny said.

  Recalling what Ravyn had told him before about the nefarious pickpockets in Shulan, Tristan remained in [Combat Mode] and urged his Party to do the same. He caught the occasional girl staring at him from the safety of an alleyway. Most of them were covered in dirt and grime, watching curiously, smacking their lips, bodies so thin it was a wonder they were able to stand. He clenched his jaw, working hard not to say or do anything that could put his Party in harm’s way.

  But damn it, it pained him to see so many children, so many kittens in such destitute conditions. Memories of his time spent on the streets of San Francisco came back as if he’d just left yesterday. Every day was spent hungry, thirsty, tired. These girls needed help. His help. He let the sight of them fuel his desire to do better. To see a brighter tomorrow.

  “We should rest here.” Yanni came to a stop in front of a large building that spanned nearly a quarter of one of the many market squares of Shulan. It stood two stories tall, with a large golden spire at the center of the roof. Above the door was a plaque with several dents and holes in it. “The Half-Eaten Bell is one of my favorite establishments.”

  “Why are there so many holes in the plaque?” Destiny asked, her voice tinted with concern.

  “It was once a barracks,” Yanni explained. She tucked her arms into the sleeves of her robe and tapped the sole of her sandal against the cobblestone road. “The plaque was once the front of a dummy used for archery practice.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “That’s kind of a fun fact,” Tristan said.

  “It is not a fact. It is a lie. That was a joke.” Yanni smiled, glancing at each of their faces. When no one laughed, her face turned a bright red, maintaining her gaze at the building.

  “Haha,” Lara said, her voice airy and monotone. “Good one.”

  Tristan covered his mouth briefly, then said, “Can you show us around, Yanni?”

  Yanni grunted, quickly walking away from the group and up the stairs to the door. Tristan and the others followed behind her, stopping short of running into her when the scent of freshly cooked food wafted its way to his nose. The room bustled with conversation, and a few of the catgirls closest to them took note of him from their tables, one of them wiggling her brows.

  Destiny snaked her arm around his elbow and pulled him closer so that her chest pushed against him. She shot glares at the girls, and they seemed to catch the hint. “Better?” she whispered.

  Tristan smiled. “Thanks, Destiny.”

  Yanni was familiar with the proprietor of the tavern and was able to snag them a discount for staying the night. Mentioning Emberlynn had an additional effect, and by the time they were seated, they’d been offered half off their meals.

  “Thanks for doing that, Yanni,” Tristan said as he took a seat at a table close to the wall.

  Yanni bowed at the neck. “You are most welcome, Tristan.”

  Destiny sat in the chair to his left, while Lara lounged in the seat to his right. Both maids remained close, the former glaring at the occasional passerby. A woman with wavy red hair and striking blue eyes came to their table, her long red tail swaying slowly behind her. She wore a brown bandana that covered her ears and a tight brown dress with a high collar to match. She flicked a sheet of paper over the sheaf she held, quill at the ready.

  “My name’s Jesse. What will you be havin’?”

  “Do you have a menu?” Tristan asked.

  Jesse flicked her head toward the wall. Tristan looked over his shoulder, procured four thin boards out of a holster, and then passed one to each of his Party members.

  “I’ll just take some water for now,” Tristan said.

  “Oh goodness, I haven’t had galangel tea in forever,” Destiny said, her voice pitching. “I’ll take some of that, please.”

  Jesse scratched onto her pad and pointed her writing implement at Lara next.

  Lara hummed, tilting her head to the right, and then to the left. “Do you have jojoba juice?”

  Jesse shook her head. “Sorry. Out of sugar.”

  Tristan’s toes curled. A problem without end, it would seem. It was amazing that he had been able to indulge in such luxury when he was still living on Shi Island, blissfully unaware of Celestia’s role in all of this. He felt a pang of guilt, both for having been so complacent and for having enjoyed his time in his room for so long.

  Lara hummed again. “Do you have hilch tea, then?” Jesse nodded. “Good. I’ll take that.” The menu dropped from her hands, smacking the table and startling those around her. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  Jesse raised one brow, then looked at Yanni. “And you?”

  “Green tea and water, please,” Yanni said, carefully setting her menu down.

  “What’s good to eat here, Yanni?” Tristan asked.

  “Oh. I have only had six dishes from this menu, so perhaps my opinion is not—” Yanni paused when she looked at Tristan, then licked her lips. “The hot pot is delicious and should be enough to feed all of us.”

  “Let’s get that then.”

  Jesse nodded and walked away, leaving Tristan and his Party to deliberate their next steps.

  Yanni cleared her throat and straightened her back. “We should not proceed to the Arch Tower without a thorough plan.”

  “I agree.” Tristan leaned his forearms on the table, scratching at an indent in the wood with his thumb. A single misstep could cost them dearly. “If I do most of the talking, can you assist me when matters regarding Emberlynn arise? I don’t want to misrepresent her or say something wrong.”

  “Of course.”

  “Great. I’ll start with something along the lines of ‘this is what I would like to see done. Yanni can elaborate further.’ Does that sound alright?”

  Yanni nodded. “Yes. I will review the details of our conversation with Mistress Emberlynn before we depart for the Arch Tower. I will be prepared.”

  “Thank you.” Tristan drew a deep breath. It was so much harder to stay calm than he had imagined. His heart was beating faster than he could think. His lips were dry, and every nerve in his body screamed at him to turn tail and escape back to his island. This was akin to standing in front of a classroom during a presentation, hoping you didn’t stammer and say something stupid. Except the presentation risked destroying not only Tristan’s reputation, but Cailu’s and Emberlynn’s as well. “D-Destiny, if I refer to you regarding Shi Island’s views in all of this, can you back me up?”

  Destiny blinked, her lips twisting into a wry smile. Tristan feared he let his troubles show on his face. “Of course.” She reached forward and cupped the top of his left hand. “We’re in this together.”

  Tristan smiled at her.

  Lara, surprisingly, raised her hand. “I will remain outside. Last time, I couldn’t hear the Elements. I think it will be better if I can be the lookout.”

  That might be a good idea, actually. “Let’s do that. Good idea, Lara.” Lara beamed, and Tristan continued. “Let’s save the rest of our discussion for when we’re alone in our room. I might be acting a bit paranoid, but I don’t want anyone overhearing us and getting the wrong idea.”

  “That is a wise decision.” Amazing that Yanni could be so calm under the circumstances. Tristan hoped for just a shred of her bravery in the coming meeting.

  “I know we’re just getting started, but thank you, all of you, for helping me.” Tristan glanced down at his lap, licked his lips, then looked back up, locking eyes with each of his Party members for a few moments. “I’m not sure how I would do this otherwise.”

  Lara blinked slowly. “I want to be here. I know Destiny does too.”

  “Mistress Emberlynn took a liking to you,” Yanni said, a smile forming slowly on her lips. “That is not easy to do. You undercredit yourself.”

  “It’s not fair that Cailu left you such a hard task.” Destiny held one hand up, as if to combat any retorts. “Yes, I know he has his share of tasks, but he’s asking for the impossible. The least we can do is be here for you.”

  Tristan’s heart slowed. His breathing steadied. The tingling in his fingers abated. He’d never been so grateful to have company. “Thank you. One way or another, we’ll find a way. Together.”

  His Party members nodded.

  It’s going to be tough, but we’ll get through this. After all, I’m not alone anymore.

  Volume One is out now on eBook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Audible! , , , and are available on eBook, Kindle Unlimited, and Paperback.

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