“What are you suggesting?” I asked, gently removing Raled’s hand from my shoulder, and straightening my clothes.

  He adopted a greedy smile as he replied, “Only that you think of humanity first. When this rodrant alchemist completes the cure—take it from him. Through any means necessary. Bring it to me, and I’ll make sure that we can recreate it and spread it throughout the various kingdoms. Others will flock to our cause, and humanity will finally be able to take its rightful place back at the top of this world.”

  “So,” I replied, agitation rife in my tone that I didn’t bother to hide, “you want to use the cure as a tool to recruit more to fight? You don’t see how your plan is eerily similar to what you said the rodrant’s would do? And I know what humanity being in charge looks like… it isn’t much different from this. Why do you think you would be different?”

  Raled crossed his arms, trying, and failing, to keep agitation from his face. “They offer chains while I offer freedom—we are nothing alike. Besides… I never said I would withhold the cure from those who don’t wish to fight. I don’t need to strong-arm anybody; they will come of their own accord. All I need is the cure.”

  Looking at the two kids near him, they both looked up at me pleadingly. I swallowed hard and said, “I’ll… think about it. But I won’t kill Vekrem—he doesn’t deserve that.”

  Raled scoffed. “Think about it…” he mused. “Whatever you think you know about your rodrant friend, it’s wrong; no matter how human he may appear. Their kind only look out for one another. Humans are only useful as servants and silver-diggers in their mines, and when the day comes, I only ask that you choose your own.” He turned towards his companions. “Come on, let’s go—he’s no threat. We’ll leave him, for now.”

  “Wait!” I called, and Raled turned back towards me. “Do you… uh… do you know the way out of here?”

  ***

  The streets were as busy as usual up above and, following my new friend’s directions, I quickly located the tavern where Vekrem and I’d been staying. When I entered, Bron shot me his usual distrusting stare. But this time, I deserved it.

  Footsteps pounded against wooden stairs, and I turned to find Vekrem dashing down them in a hurry, sweat beading on his forehead. When our eyes met, I knew:

  Something was wrong.

  Vekrem rushed to me, grabbing me by my collar. “Where have you been?” he seethed in a low voice. “Tell me you weren’t involved. Tell me!” He shook me, clattering my teeth together.

  I pushed him back, but judging from the various glances we were receiving from other patrons who pretended not to see, we were making it way too obvious. I lowered my head, acting like a good little servant.

  Leaning forward, I whispered, “Let’s talk in the back.”

  Vekrem nodded, and then gazed out at the other patrons, as if he meant to kill them all, before we moved on. Bron pushed the door open and used his key to open the door that went downstairs. When we reached Vhol’s little refuge, she was nowhere to be found. The hearth itself, usually roaring with flame, was empty, except for a pile of ash. The room felt much colder than the last time I was there, and I pulled my clothes tightly around me as I settled near a wall.

  “So,” Vekrem said, leaning on the edge of a wooden chair. “What happened?”

  Kicking off the wall, I ran my hand across the various assortment of bottles, all proper and fancy, with little cork stoppers.

  “I saw a human woman being attacked,” I said, “and I helped her. When did that become a fucking crime?”

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  Vekrem let out an exasperated sigh, narrowing his eyes towards me with my carefree demeanor. “Involving yourself in a fight against a lord’s servant has always been a crime.”

  I scoffed. “Lord’s… Rulers… it’s all so fucking stupid. Anyway, I saved this woman; we ran, hid, and I made my way here. No harm, no foul.”

  “And were you seen?”

  “Oh, I’m sure I was as I beat their asses.”

  Vekrem’s rat-ears twitched irritably. “Were you seen coming here? I’ve already heard guards asking about a human with blond hair—” He pointed to the top of my head. “Luckily, my people don’t really pay much attention to the appearance of humans. And other humans are reluctant to speak of ill-deeds done by one of their own.”

  “Good,” I replied, my mood turning sour towards the conversation. “They really shouldn’t. This place, this system of governance… it’s fucked up.”

  “It’s just how it is—”

  “Then I plan to change it!”

  My outburst gave Vekrem a start, and he went tight-lipped.

  “I’m going to fucking change it,” I repeated. “Because that’s what a hero would do. Wait and see.”

  Vekrem coughed into his hands, clearly caught off-guard by my new determination. “Well, that aside, remember… we are going to find a cure that helps all—especially humans. I know you mean well—”

  “Why do you say ‘my people’ when speaking of the rodrants?” I interrupted. Turning back, I eyed Vekrem consideringly, causing him to remain silent. “You are half-human… or even more human, considering the rodrants are just human-hybrids themselves.”

  “It’s just…” Vekrem’s eyes were suddenly filled with shame.

  I gripped the handle of my new dagger hard. “You’re ashamed—ashamed of your human side.”

  Vekrem looked away from me.

  I spoke in anger as I said, “How would your mother feel?”

  “Fuck! You!” Vekrem screamed, going low as he lunged towards me.

  Surprised, I tried to dodge, but he was fast—

  Very fast.

  His fist knocked me upside my jaw, and I saw stars swimming at the edge of my vision. Why had my spidey-sense not worked? Vekrem didn’t let up as he rained blow after blow onto me. Eventually, I hit a wall, and I managed to kick him away. He stumbled, tripping over a chair and landing against the opposite wall, breaking some of the glass bottles. As he went to stand, one full bottle rolled from its nest, falling, and breaking over his head, coating him in red liquor.

  Despite my small injuries, and my aching jaw, seeing him that way… I couldn’t help but laugh. Vekrem scowled, but then, his rage fleeting, cocked a smile, joining me. We laughed together for a good while as I made my way over to him. Wordlessly, I reached out with a hand; he took it, and I pulled him up.

  “Thank you,” he said, wiping red liquor from his face. “Shit… that’s going to cost us.”

  “Language,” I replied, cocking a shit-eating grin. “And what do you mean by ‘us’?”

  There was a soft pattern of footsteps descending the stairs, and I turned to see Vhol; her ears twitched upon seeing us, and her scowl deepened as she looked at the wreckage of her room.

  Staring at us as if she would slit our throats, she said, “Oh, don’t let me interrupt your little romance. You both need a good flogging for what you have done.”

  “What did I do?” Vekrem replied, but then he looked around, bowing his head. “I mean… apologies.”

  “Not that,” Vhol replied, narrowing her eyes, and pointing towards me. “You brought him here. A troublemaker… and soon to be a dead one at that.”

  Leaning back against the wall, I asked, “What do you mean?”

  Vhol glided over towards the mess of broken bottles, shaking her head. She moved gingerly, avoiding the puddles of alcohol on the ground as she reached up and pulled down a still-intact bottle. Pressing her long fingernail into the cork, she popped it out, taking a nice, long swig.

  “You have really made an impact in such a short time, human.” Vhol gulped more liquor, letting out a small sigh. “But now it’s time to leave—both of you. I’ve had to call in far more favors than I would like, but I have everything you asked for. It’s all in a few travelers’ sacks upstairs. Now, I suggest you change your clothing, hide your faces, and stick to the shadows on your way out.”

  Vekrem crossed his arms. “Vhol, I—”

  “This is not a discussion,” she replied with a tartness. “You are leaving, and I suggest you don’t come back without a cure for the rot; if such a thing is even possible. Some of us nobles can be petty, but if you have something of use, we can be persuaded. You disrespected Krirdis’s favorite son Kvamoc by attacking his servants—he won’t be easy to convince forgiveness, but proper leverage is the best bargaining chip in matters of this nature. Bring the cure, and perhaps, you can have a life here. Both of you.”

  I opened my mouth to decline, but Vekrem spoke first. “Thank you, Vhol. I won’t forget this.”

  Taking another sip of wine, she replied, “No… you won’t. I’ll make damn well sure of that.”