Burning Key

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

For the first time as Adeena walked into the Guild of Starlight's home, she was met with almost complete silence. All four assassins were there, though, and she didn't have to strain her ears too much to hear. Dante's soft snores sounded from upstairs, likely from his night of finding willing females and males to share a bed with. Taeva was organizing her closet, talking to herself about how she wanted to have it organized. Warek was sharpening one of his many blades, the zing from the sharpener echoing from the back patio. Of course, he wasn't by himself, though, as the smell of freshly turned earth met Adeena as soon as she stepped outside. Selise was just about finished planting a beautiful pink rosebush.

"Looks like you all have been settling in well, huh?" Adeena said as she sat down on the top step next to Warek.

The orc grinned, his focus still on the blade of his ax. "You could say that."

Selise huffed out a sigh as she swiped the back of her hand across her forehead, streaking it with dirt. Her eyes were bright as she smiled up at Adeena, brushing herself off as she stood. "Pretty sure Taeva bought out one shop in the main square. She's been up there for hours reorganizing her closet before the boxes come in."

Adeena let out a snort of laughter. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Because it's Taeva," Warek answered. He finished with his ax, leaning it against the step beside him. "What are you doing here? We would have thought you'd still be with the queen?"

He and Selise caught her grimace before she could stop it.

"Oh, no," the nymph murmured. "What's happened?"

"Nothing," she said, shrugging one shoulder. "It's just...these last few weeks haven't been exactly what I was hoping for. I thought it'd be easier to be around her."

"You two don't know each other," Selise told her. "That takes time."

"So I've been told by my grandparents."

"Then why are you still questioning it?"

"Because I question everything," Adeena smiled grimly. She slapped her hands on her legs before pushing up to stand. "There was a reason I came here, you know. Come inside so we can talk."

She didn't wait for them to answer, but rather walked back across the patio to the doorway inside. Selise and Warek followed her in, trailing a few feet behind her in silence. Even though they might not have been speaking and she wasn't looking at them, she still knew they were having a silent conversation, undoubtedly wondering what she had to tell them. Soon, all three of them were sitting in the office that was meant to be for Adeena and Guild business, the silence continuing as Selise and Warek looked at her expectantly.

Adeena breathed in slowly, her gaze landing on Selise. "I've decided to temporarily hand over the Guild's leadership responsibilities to you, Selise."

The nymph's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "What? Why? For how long?"

She wasn't going to answer her questions just yet. "You will be the main point of contact for all assignments. I trust your judgement in the ones the Guild decides to take. Of course, you'll also have to keep in touch with Zakari with his business in Krahzara. I've already sent word to him as well just before I came here to talk to you two."

"You still haven't answered her questions, Addie," Warek said, fangs digging into his lips as he clenched his teeth. "Why are you handing over leadership, even if it's just temporary?"

Adeena sighed and leaned back in the leather armchair. "I'm doing it because...because I'm not sure what's going to happen over these next few months, but all I know is that I won't be around to handle it."