Beads of sweat appeared on Alistair's forehead. “ a writer has no use for that” The voice spat with venom “ hand it over” she added, her voice tight Alistair awoke, his breath ragged as he struggled to catch his breath. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, his body stinging with unease.The dream again. The woman …the locket. He sighed loudly. He stood up and stumbled towards the balcony, the city was still bustling as torch lights flickered. The scent of rancid grease and soured pork filled the air making his stomach growl with displeasure. He reached out to his pocket slowly bringing out the gold cladded locket. A mix of Scotland's ancient treasure and England's finest metallic mastery. Sleep had abandoned him ever since he got his hands on this useless piece. Not entirely useless but enough to drag his lazy writing self out into the world he wished to hide from. He sighed, looking down at the city with cold disgust. Only a stupid man wouldn't notice the shady deals that ran t

“We need to leave through the back door, I can't have my house smeared crimson” Kieran pressed out and walked away. His frame slipping into a small pathway, just few steps away the sitting room. “ Coming?” He asked “ Right behind you” Allistair whispered, his breath hot and ragged. Kieran trembled, startled at how close he clung to him. He felt his hot breath graze his skin, his body reacting weirdly. He paused, flashed Allistair a quick glance and walked ahead. They arrived at a dark tunnel, it was a secret path beneath his mansion. It was like he knew one day, he would need to escape from God knows who. “ You left the ladies?” Allistair asked, worried that they might get hurt. “ Hm. Sluts? Replaceable. Wouldn't risk my life for any” he shrugged, brushing off the black web from his path. Little dirt clinging to his cloth. “ Aufrigad is not all about books. far more than what meets the eyes” Kieran breathed out, forcing his way out of the tunnel. The huge city welcoming his fil

“ Sleep with me” the words hung heavy in the air.Allistair's eyes widened, his hands clenching beside him. He swallowed, his eyes darting from Kieran to the eerily familiar man beside him.“ You….sleep with you?” He repeated, his voice a little hesitant. What was he playing at? He questioned internally. He had never expected such a preposition from someone, especially…a man.Kieran nodded with a predator grin. His hands cradled the glass of whiskey,downing the liquor in one gulp, his gaze fixed on Allistair.“ Why? I'm a man?” Allistair questioned, his hands folded into a neat blow. A strange feeling of foreboding enveloping him. Caedmon’s chair scraped as he stood up, tugging at his outfit with a dignified calm “ I will leave you to your choices” he dropped, a fake smile etched on his face. He nodded towards Kieran and turned around, his silhouette disappearing into one of the bar’s rooms. Allistair watched him, the silhouette too familiar to be ignored. It was for a fact that he

Kieran raised a brow in amusement. “ Ahh, you want to fight me?” He asked, his lips tugged up in utter disdain. Tyron's face hardened in anger, “ you might be a dark…” “ Shut up” Kieran cut off, his eyes holding a dark glint and ….fear. Allistair frowned, confusion settling in his expression. What were they hiding? He glanced at Tyron who returned the gaze to him. He smiled at him, his gaze flashing with something….it was ..pity. He was certain it was pity but–why pity him? “ I won't fight you old man” Kieran waved nonchalantly. He scraped a chair from a table and sat down cross legged. Tyrone clenched his hands and flung a punch his way. Kieran didn't dodge and the punch landed on his face kicking him off the chair. The wooden chair screeched loudly and tumbled down. Tyrone flicked his tongue, swinging his dark hair back in satisfaction. “ You might be a…a merchant, but you are no match for me in battle” he sneered. “ I can use my brains better. You know that better than anyo

Caedmon paused, his brows gathering as if in an attempt to recall. “ Hmm, the graffiti painter. Ah, she made most of the city's designs” “ And had been arrested multiple times as well” Kieran added and Caedmon bursted out in laughter. Allistair pressed a small smile as they all sat. He remembered Tyron's words. Kieran a death sentence and Caedmon a disaster. Right now, he was sitting with death and disaster but yet, he was yet to experience any. Kieran slipped out his phone, a large screen considered to be smarter than the recent telephones. He made the transaction with Caedmon since bitcoin was traded online. “ When do we go ?” Caedmon smiled, “ Next week” ..Kieran drank from his wine, flashing Allistair a glance. Allistair returned his gaze but he appeared withdrawn from the conversation.“ Why not today or ….” “ Caedmon, did Lila ever came to your doorsteps?” Caedmon's smile trailed for a bit but was immediately replaced by an even brighter one, “ Lila is the city's beauty