Chapter 6: Deals in the Dark

The air inside The Hollow Fang was thick with the scent of stale ale and burning wood. Dim candlelight flickered against the rough stone walls, casting long shadows that twisted with the movement of the tavern's patrons. Conversations were hushed, voices low and wary, as if every word spoken carried the risk of betrayal.

Raine shifted uneasily, his gaze darting around the room. If danger had a smell, this place reeked of it.

The man across from them leaned forward, resting his elbows on the splintered wooden table. His green eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was something calculating behind them—like a predator sizing up its prey.

"So," he said, his smirk widening, "you want information."

Sylara didn't flinch under his gaze. "We need to know who's hunting us and why."

The man tapped his fingers against the table, considering her words. "That's quite the request. Information isn't cheap, Sylara. And considering the trouble you've dragged yourself into, I'd say this particular piece of knowledge is going to cost you more than a handful of silver."

Sylara tensed. "What do you want?"

He grinned. "A favor."

Raine groaned. "Oh, great. Because vague, ominous favors always turn out well."

The man chuckled. "Smart one, isn't he?"

Sylara sighed. "What kind of favor, Cas?"

Cas leaned back, crossing his arms. "There's a man in Blackmere who's been… problematic for certain people. A crime lord by the name of Varian Locke. He runs most of the smuggling operations through the eastern ports. Nasty business. Normally, I'd stay out of it, but recently, he's been making moves that are bad for business."

Sylara narrowed her eyes. "And you want us to deal with him?"

Cas held up a hand. "Not kill him, if that's what you're thinking. Just… make it known that he's not untouchable. Send a message."

Sylara considered this. "And in return, you'll tell us who's after us?"

Cas nodded. "That, and I'll throw in a little bonus—word is, Locke has some high-ranking connections in Elyndra's royal court. If anyone knows why a random human has magic, it might be him."

Raine blinked. "Wait. What?"

Cas grinned. "You think I wouldn't notice, kid? Magic leaves traces. And yours… it's different."

Sylara shot Raine a sharp glance. "You let it slip?"

"It wasn't on purpose!" Raine protested. "It just happened."

Cas chuckled. "Relax, I'm not about to sell you out. If anything, I'm intrigued. A human with magic? That's unheard of. Which means someone, somewhere, knows something about it. And Locke might be the key to figuring it out."

Sylara exhaled, rubbing her temple. "This is getting worse by the second."

Cas shrugged. "That's Blackmere for you."

Raine frowned. "So what exactly do you want us to do to this guy?"

Cas smirked. "Crash his little gathering tonight. Make it messy. Make it loud. Make him feel vulnerable."

Sylara sighed. "Fine. We'll do it."

Raine stared at her. "We will?"

"We need answers," she said. "And this is the only lead we have."

Cas grinned, standing up. "That's the spirit. I'd hurry, though—Locke's gathering starts soon. You'll find him in the Crimson Hall, near the docks. Good luck."

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Raine and Sylara alone with their new mission.

Raine exhaled. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Welcome to my world," Sylara muttered.

The Crimson Hall

The Crimson Hall stood at the edge of the docks, its dark stone walls illuminated by flickering lanterns. It wasn't grand or imposing, but it carried an air of authority—the kind that came from fear rather than respect.

Two guards stood by the entrance, clad in leather armor, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons. They eyed the streets carefully, scanning for trouble.

Sylara and Raine crouched in the shadows of a nearby alley, watching.

"How do we get in?" Raine whispered.

Sylara studied the building, then nodded toward the side. "There's a storage entrance in the back. Less security. We slip in, cause chaos, and get out."

Raine grimaced. "Define 'cause chaos.'"

Sylara smirked. "You'll know when it happens."

That didn't make him feel better.

Carefully, they moved through the narrow streets, sticking to the shadows. When they reached the back entrance, Sylara tested the door. Locked.

She pulled a small dagger from her belt and worked the lock with practiced ease. Within seconds, there was a soft click, and the door creaked open.

They slipped inside.

The storage room was dark, filled with crates stacked against the walls. The scent of old wood and damp stone filled the air.

Footsteps echoed from the hallway beyond.

Sylara held up a hand, signaling Raine to stay silent.

The footsteps passed.

They moved forward, slipping through the halls until they reached the main chamber.

The Crimson Hall's gathering was in full swing.

Dozens of people filled the room—mercenaries, merchants, and figures cloaked in shadows. At the center, seated on a raised platform, was a man with sharp features and dark eyes. Varian Locke.

He exuded confidence, sipping from a goblet as he listened to a report from one of his men. His guards flanked him, their hands resting on their weapons.

Sylara leaned in. "We need to get his attention. Loudly."

Raine sighed. "Of course we do."

Then Sylara did something reckless.

She picked up a metal goblet from a nearby table and hurled it across the room.

It struck one of Locke's men square in the head.

The room went silent.

Locke slowly looked up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until it landed on them.

Sylara smirked. "You've been making some powerful enemies, Locke."

The crime lord leaned back in his chair. "And who might you be?"

"Someone delivering a message."

Locke chuckled. "A bold move, storming into my hall and making threats."

The guards moved.

Sylara reacted first, drawing her sword.

The fight erupted in an instant.

Raine barely had time to react before a thug lunged at him. He ducked, rolling out of the way as the man swung a dagger where his head had just been.

Sylara moved like a shadow, her blade flashing as she parried and countered with deadly precision.

Raine scrambled, trying to remember anything about how to fight. He grabbed a chair and swung it wildly, knocking one of the attackers back.

Then, something clicked inside him.

That strange pressure.

The same energy he had felt at the river.

It surged through him, raw and wild.

His hand sparked.

A bolt of energy crackled through the air, striking one of the guards square in the chest.

The man collapsed.

Silence fell over the room.

Everyone stared at him.

Raine's heart pounded. He had done it again.

Locke's eyes narrowed.

"A human with magic," he murmured.

Sylara grabbed Raine's arm. "Time to go."

They bolted for the exit.

The room erupted into chaos behind them, but they didn't stop running.

Out into the streets.

Through the alleys.

They didn't stop until they were sure no one was following them.

Raine was breathless. "What the hell was that?"

Sylara didn't answer. Her expression was grim.

Because now, more people knew his secret.

And that meant more danger was coming.