Unwanted Advances

The morning came with a rude awakening. Banging and clamoring was coming from the front rooms. Sighing, I stared out the window at the flower fields. The sun shone through the open pane, illuminating my room. The events of yesterday came rushing back to my head, the kiss, his touches. My cheeks heated and I was tempted to cover my self in the blanket and hide out in my room.

I noticed an alert flashing in the corner of my vision -- a waiting message. I waved in the air to open my menu and selected my inbox. It was from Axel, and the subject line read: "SYSTEM EVENT REWARD". 

Fayre,

There was a drop from the chieftain awarded to the guild leaders. Come to HQ to discuss this and future plans.

Axel

I sighed and closed my menu, running my fingers through my dark tresses. I tossed my hair over my shoulder. Axels lecherous gaze made me shiver, I wanted to punch him right in the face. Yet, I knew I couldn't. We need more information on the kind of operations the Scythes are undergoing, attacking Lost Souls.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I sat up. Stretching my arms over my head, I leaned to the side. I sorted through my inventory and donned the same revealing armour I had worn in Axel's presence before. Looking at myself in the mirror, I scowled. Moving to my sword near the wall, I placed it on my back. 

Sighing, I opened the bedroom door and walked out into the living room. There were boxes full of what looked like manuscripts scattered about the living room, various papers littered the floor and couch. A stack of swords and daggers and what looked like throwing stars littered the corner of the room. My ire grew and I clenched my fists as I saw wrappers from street food littering the floor. I followed the trail to a stretched-out form of Vane hanging over the couch.

His white hair hung in his eyes, which were closed in slumber. His mouth gaped open like the dead, and a boisterous snore sounded through the room. His body was too long for the couch, and his legs dangled over the edge. A smirk played at my lips. He looked ridiculous. His face looked peaceful in his slumber; I reached a handout to caress the side of his cheek. He twitched. 

I drew my hand back, then brought it forward again in a resounding slap. Vane leaped up and tripped over the blanket he had pulled over himself and fell straight on to the floor. He rested on his hands and knees holding his face.

"What on Earth?" He growled. I put a scowl on my face, struggling not to laugh.

"Who said you could move in? What have you done to my apartment?!" I queried, examining my fingernails. He scoffed and looked around the room. Then he shrugged.

"These are all essential to our mission, plus, my house is back in Vale." He rubbed the back of his neck and his cheeks tinted pink. "I thought you wouldn't mind if I crashed, we got in late last night." 

"Sleeping here is okay, turning my living room into a bachelor pad is not.�� I pointed to the mess around the room. He sighed and nodded. I nodded, satisfied, and walked toward the front door.

"Aine still asleep?" I asked. Vane raised a brow and nodded, a smirk playing at his lips.

"She's down for the count. Where are you going?" He asked. I raised a brow and folded my arms over my chest.

"Axel wants to meet. I have been summoned." I scoffed. His lips fell into a thin line. His gaze narrowed and his eyes roamed my outfit. Turning slightly away, I felt self-conscious under his stare.

"Be careful. He's a creep." Vane's lips quirked up. I sighed and the tension left my shoulders. I had been prepared for him to argue with me on going alone. I was not a caged bird to be protected. I nodded and walked out the door.

The Spires building rose before me, beautiful in its splendor. I walked through the double glass doors into the building and stared at the spiral staircase that wound above me. Ascending the staircase, I nodded to guild members moving in and out of the building. 

I made my way through the endless corridors until I came to the same guild room, I had originally met the Scythes in. I pushed my way through the large double oak doors. Heads turned as I entered, a few waved. I raised my hand in greeting and wound my way through the room. Toward the back of the room there was another set of Oak doors that led into Axel's office.

I knocked on the door and heard gruff reply from the other side. Opening the door, I stepped into his office. Axel was sitting behind his large wooden desk, piles of documents in front of him. He had reading glasses on his face, which somehow made it look less harsh. A giant fireplace roared behind him, the walls were made of a bricked stone, tapestries of battle scenes hung from the walls. Various swords and daggers were mounted on the walls.

"Fayre, you came." Axel said, his eyes scouring my body. I crossed my arms.

"You summoned." I gave a fake curtsy. He snorted.

���Don't play humble, it doesn't suit you." He waved his hand and opened his menu. He scrolled through for a few minutes, then a window popped up in my field of view. "TRADE INVITATION: AXEL". I selected the window.

An item window popped into my field of view, "Crystal of Lethe" I opened the description. "If used within 10 minutes of death, can revive a Lost Soul." I gasped and looked up at Axel.

"You're giving this to me?" I clenched my fist. This was a supremely rare item. It could revive the soul of the dead. He could sell it for a fortune, why was he letting me have it?

Axel sighed and pulled his glasses off of his face. He had a small smirk that played at his lips, the scar that marred the side of his face stretched it into a grotesque smile.

"You defeated the chieftain, you ran in first, you earned it." He looked up at me. I bit my lip.

"This is worth a fortune, it was given to the guild leader, I don't understand why you are giving it to me.��� He rested his chin on his hand on his desk.

"You're more likely to come across someone in need of saving. Maybe it will save your life one day." He mused. He gestured to the seat across from his desk, I hesitated, then walked forward, pulled out the chair and sat down. He pulled out his chair and came around the desk, placing his chair down next to me he sat. He rested his elbow on the desk casually and leaned his head on his hand.

"I will take it then." Clicking accept, I closed the trade window. I scooted my chair back a little away from him, and turned toward him, crossing my legs. "You said you had other business to discuss."

He smiled and leaned in closer to me. I swallowed audibly.

"I think its time to discuss your position here…" He started, his hand reached out and he placed it on my thigh. Stiffening immediately, I tried to move my leg away, but he held it in a firm grasp.

"Axel, I think you're mistaken…" I started; he held a hand up to silence me. I bristled.

"You could go far in this organization, with the right connections." He continued, moving his hand up my thigh. I stood up quickly, nearly toppling him over as he was leaning into me. I pulled a dagger out of my sleeve and spun, placing it firmly against his carotid artery. The blade slid against his skin, and a beading of blood welled up where the knife pressed. Axel held up his hands in surrender.

"If you ever touch me again, I will cut off your dick and feed it to the monsters." I spat at his face. He laughed and leaned back in his chair, moving away from the blade and away from me.

"Fire… I like that." He licked his lips. He brought his hand up to wipe at the blood on his neck. I snorted in disgust and crossed the room to the large oak doors.

"If you call me here again, it better be for business." I scowled. He chuckled in amusement.

"I'll see you soon, Fayre." He called after me as I slammed the door shut.