Chapter 34 – Meeting the fox

The rough side of town welcomed them with the stench of desperation and decay. The kind of place where shadows moved when they shouldn't, and the air whispered threats if you listened closely enough. Rose fidgeted, her fingers brushing against the hilt of her concealed blade. Anastasia, on the other hand, strode forward without a hint of hesitation. The streetlights flickered overhead, casting eerie glows on the graffiti-covered walls.

"I don't like this," Rose muttered, her eyes darting to every darkened corner.

"We're not here for a picnic," Anastasia said, her tone clipped. She scanned the alley ahead. This was the meeting spot Rhino had arranged, and if Zander was as slippery as they'd been told, they couldn't afford to show weakness.

They stopped in the middle of the alley, the faint sound of distant sirens and muffled arguments their only soundtrack. Minutes ticked by, each one heavier than the last.

Then, like a shadow peeling itself from the darkness, a figure emerged. Tall, broad-shouldered, and covered in intricate tattoos that glowed faintly under the dim light. A silver lip ring gleamed as he stepped closer, his sharp features twisted into a lazy smirk.

"Rhino said you were looking for me," the man said, his voice low and smooth. His eyes, dark as obsidian, flicked to Anastasia. "Anastasia, isn't it? Rhino didn't say what you wanted, but he mentioned you'd have payment."

Anastasia didn't flinch. She held up the small bag of coins, her expression unreadable. "I'm looking for Zython."

At the mention of the name, Zander's smirk widened. "Straight to business. I like that."

Rose, ever on edge, took a step closer. "You know him? He's my brother so I need to find him."

Zander's gaze flicked to her, studying her with unnerving intensity. "You don't have a hint of demon on you. How exactly are you related?"

Rose's jaw tightened. "He posed as my human brother."

That earned a bark of laughter from Zander. "A cover? Oh, sweetheart, then he doesn't give a shit about you. So if you're hoping for some heartfelt reunion, let me save you the trouble—don't bother."

Anastasia's patience thinned. "Do you know where he is or not?"

Zander's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. That depends."

"On what?" Anastasia's voice was sharp as steel.

"On how polite you are when you hand over the coin," Zander quipped, leaning against the wall like they weren't a threat to him at all.

With a flick of her wrist, Anastasia tossed the bag of coins at him. Zander caught it midair, the faint jingle of the contents seeming to please him.

"You're lucky I need something from you," Anastasia said, her voice low but dangerous. "Otherwise, I'd turn you in for being a disgrace. Selling people out, letting innocents get killed for money?"

Zander snorted, opening the bag and inspecting the coins. "Innocents? That's adorable. Girly, no one's innocent. Not me, not you, not even your little friend over there." He nodded toward Rose, who glared back at him.

Anastasia took a step closer, her presence commanding. "You've got blood on your hands, Zander."

"And you don't?" he shot back, amused. "Come on, I can smell the blood on your blade. You're not exactly Little Miss Sunshine. But I'll admit, the fire suits you. Kinda hot, actually."

"Flirting with a daughter of a legendary demon hunter? Not your best move," she said flatly.

Zander's grin widened. "Hey, I've met a lot of women in my time, but none of them had your spark. Shame you're, uh... off the market."

Anastasia's brow furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Zander leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're glowing, girly. Not the 'I just had great sex' kinda glow. More like the 'I'm with child' kind."

For a split second, Anastasia's mask slipped, shock flashing in her eyes. "How do you know that?"

Zander laughed, a rich, mocking sound. "I'm Zander. I know things. It's kinda my thing."

Rose stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Stop stalling. Either tell us what we need to know, or—"

Zander laughed again, a deep, rumbling sound that made the hair on the back of Rose's neck stand up. "Feisty, too! Is it in the water with you two? Look, you're cute when you're mad, but I think you should both relax. Stress isn't good for the baby, y'know?"

Anastasia clenched her fists, stepping closer until she was mere inches from Zander. "I don't have time for your games," she hissed. "You're lucky I need information, or this coin would've come with a knife to your throat."

Zander's grin never faltered. "Oh, I like you. I really do. You've got the fire. But you might wanna save it for the bigger fish coming your way."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Anastasia demanded and her patience snapped. "Quit wasting our time. Where is Zython?"

Zander's smirk faltered for the first time, replaced by something darker, more calculating. He glanced past Anastasia, his demeanor shifting. "You're not gonna like the answer."

"Try me," Anastasia challenged.

Zander's lips curled into a wicked smile. "He's right behind you."

Anastasia's breath hitched. Slowly, she turned, Rose mirroring her movements. Standing there, cloaked in shadow but unmistakably him, was Dylan—no, Zython. The demon's smirk was a mirror image of Zander's, only more chilling.

"Well, hello, girls," he drawled, his voice smooth and mocking. "Miss me?"