Ezra kept watch as Tanya opened a teleportation portal and escorted the princess back to the safety of her royal chamber. Once the portal closed, Ezra quickly barred the front door with a wooden table and set to work, searching the hideout.The shabby walls of the dilapidated building seemed to reflect the dire poverty of those unfortunate few who had been destined to live inconsequential lives amidst the squalor of the largest slum in Valaria.Judging by the creaking floorboards and the cracked ceiling, Ezra could tell that this place was used as a temporary hideout since it looked completely inconspicuous and barely attracted any attention. However, since this place was frequented by so many members of the Bleeding Roses, he was confident of finding clues if he looked around.“You can try interrogating these women when they return to their senses,” Marlin advised while Ezra gathered the unconscious assailants and tied their hands and feet together, securing them to a wooden table in

Once the sounds in the hallway had ceased and the place had slumbered back into silence, Ezra quietly slid the door open and slipped outside. The cloaking spell kept him safe from watchful eyes as he walked down the narrow corridor flanked by rooms on each side.Ezra could hear muffled moans and peals of ecstatic laughter coming from the adjoining rooms. They were occasionally interspersed with heavy groans and excited shouts. He could tell the pleasure house had plenty of other customers tonight.As Ezra continued walking down the corridor, one thing puzzled him. He could not understand why Madam Moonfrey would allow a young vice lieutenant to have fun with her girls. His thoughts went back to that day when she had caught a guard collecting bribes from the poor folk of Ashton Alley and given him a sound thrashing.Ezra wondered if Holmes was the only city guard who had been invited to the pleasure house or if there were others like him. To confirm his doubts, he peeped through one of

Duke Carrington was playing a dangerous game, but he knew the king was weak, leaving the throne vulnerable. Valaria lacked a strong leader, and the commoners knew this as well. This created the perfect chance for the duke to dethrone the weak king and wear the royal crown.The only thing the duke wasn’t expecting was outside interference, and Ezra wanted to strike from the shadows and foil his plans before he could vie for the throne.As the discussion drew to a close, Ezra excused himself and ventured into the gloomy night, his destination known only to Marlin.“Care to explain what’s going on in your head?” the old Gunsmith asked, his voice rife with concern.“I need allies. This isn’t a fight I can win alone. Politics is beyond me,” Ezra replied as he flew across the city and landed right in front of the Tower of Justice. “Duke Carrington has the Bleeding Roses in his pockets, and the only ones who can foil their plans are the Black Nightshades.”“You do realize they have no allegi

Esmeralda’s sudden arrival caused quite a bit of commotion since she brought news of Duke Carrington’s upcoming visit. Servius immediately instructed the Royal Guards to prepare a formal escort and ordered the attendants to prepare the banquet table.Though Esmeralda had been sent here with the express purpose of announcing the duke’s visit, her thoughts wandered off at the sight of the two hooded guests.“It’s Lord Nazarus and Lady Nixia, is it?” she asked in a tone feigning innocence, but Ezra knew she had already discovered who they were and was merely toying with them.Before Ezra could get ahead of himself and stir trouble, Tanya clasped his hand and shook her head, motioning him to stay calm. Instead of letting him engage the enchantress, she took it upon herself.“I believe we’ve met before, Esmeralda, wasn’t it?” she asked, turning around. Esmeralda smiled gleefully, her face with a peculiar excitement, and bowed. “I am honored by your remembrance. So, are you here to meet Hi

Aleena’s eyes widened with horror as she felt the overbearing weight of Tanya’s words on her drooping shoulders. Her heartbeat quickened, and a cold shiver ran down her spine, making her fingers tremble. “What’s a blood curse? And who would curse my mother?” she asked in a quivering voice, her lips pale and dry.Tanya pointed her open right palm at the wailing queen and whispered in a mellow voice, “Let your troubled mind find peace in Ishani’s care as the stars find shelter in the lap of the darkling sky. Let your worries be eased by the grace of the comforting maiden.”As soon as she uttered those words the queen’s voice became muffled and her threats turned to mumbling noises. Her eyes became heavy with sleep and she slowly eased into her bed, her head laid onto the downy pillow.“What did you do to her?” Aleena asked in an anxious tone.Tanya looked away from the sleeping queen and replied, “I gave her the rest she needs. But don’t worry, she will wake up in a few hours.”Althoug