Page 44 of Shadow's Chosen

The drogin's yellow eyes shifted over and sized him up. "Who's the corpse?" he said, eyeing his face.

"This is one of them Red Blades, Mr. Krow," said the gateman.

"You let a Red Blade in here, Jona?" Krow's eyes narrowed at him.

Jona's upper lip twitched back as he bowed his head. "Not intentionally, sir. The Red Blade is looking to pass."

Krow's eyes regarded Nezka now with curiosity. "That so, Red Blade?"

Nezka stared him down. "Yes."

Krow tipped his head sideways. "Odd way to come for one such as you."

"I wish to pass in secret."

"Hm. Your boss put you on a special mission, huh?" Krow's gaze fell behind him to Elise, and his eyes widened. "Ah. So, it's you. The thornbacks told me about you and your little human. Their leader wants your head real bad. Was looking to pay a nice sum if you should come this way. I didn't think I'd actually see you. Thought you'd be smart enough to pass through a different gateway." He leaned forward, crossing his hands. "But it's because your mistress orders it, not because you’re stupid, I'll bet. Having trouble trusting her puppets, is she?" He grinned, showing off perfectly sharpened teeth. "I've seen a few trade in their guns for credits. They give away her secrets or turn to the other side then go running, scared of her wrath. Lady Moth is desperate to keep things under a tight hold, but even she can't control them all." He reclined back, regarding him sharply. "So, she sent you off to grab her lost human and bring them back without others knowing, am I right?"

"You're correct."

"And you think I will be willing to let you pass without issue?"

"No. I expect we will need to negotiate," Nezka said.

"Hm. Not like a Red Blade to do so. Usually it is all threats. But you are different, aren't you? Well, at least you respect my way of business, and for that, I'll do you the favor of not killing you and taking your human for the thornback's benefit. I hate that slobbering bastard anyway." He laughed. "But, yes, you will have to pay if you wish to pass."

Nezka waited as Krow waved one of the bar staff over and poured him a drink. Behind them, there was a sharp growl and a loud crack followed by a whimpering cry and the dull thud of a body dropping to the ground. Krow gave a short whoop and lifted his glass to the winner of the fight. "Good run, Ero," he said to the large, blood-covered fighter as he slunk out of the fighting ring. "That's one of my best there," Krow said to Nezka. "Trained to fight like the beasts they are." He chuckled.

Nezka said nothing. He felt Elise turn to look around, and he promptly tugged her sharply back. Krow's gaze fell on her again with curiosity.

"They are interesting, these humans. I've never seen one this close. Their faces are strange if not ugly, but she's not bad on the eyes. Bring her closer."

Nezka didn't hesitate, forcing Elise to the front. She stood tense as the drogin regarded her.

"You do that to her face?" Krow pointed to Elise's cut, still trickling fresh blood.

"Yes," Nezka said.

Krow nodded as if satisfied. "Keeping this one quiet, I imagine, put a toll on your patience." He smiled. "She's got a little fight in her still, though. I can tell by the brightness in her eyes." His hand lifted up and brushed at her cheek, and Elise flinched away. "There are those who'd pay a good chunk of change to have a go with one of these, you know. They get off to otherkin. Have you tried her yet?"

"No, I haven't," Nezka said, forcing himself to sound indifferent.

"Surely your mistress wouldn't care as long as she came back unharmed?" Krow tapped on his glass. "Let my men have a turn with her. Let us watch even, and I'll let you be on your way."

Elise whimpered, and Nezka tugged her back as if to silence her. "No."

Krow's eyes narrowed as he grinned. "Ah, so you prefer to have her for yourself?"

"She is not part of the negotiation."

Krow watched them both, his smile fading, then shrugged. "Your call. I was merely thinking of my boys, but in all honesty, it isn't the true entertainment I seek. It is you who I am more interested in, my wicked friend. I heard what you did to Roni's best fighters. I am impressed. And admittedly greatly intrigued. So, I tell you what." He drank down his glass and set it aside. "I'll make it easy for you—or at least what I assume should be quite easy. I want to see you fight my best just like you did those thornbacks. You give us a good show, and I'll let you pass. I want to see what you can do." Before Nezka could agree, Krow put up his hand. "But I warn you they are much more skilled than Roni's pathetic lot, so don't expect a clean sweep. You give me some good fights, and I'll give you my best accommodations. Honestly, you don't even have to win, though if you didn't, you'd probably not be in a state to continue on." He smiled, gesturing to the body still lying in the center of the ring. "Show me your savagery, and I'll show you the door to the other side."

Nezka paused only a moment, just to make Krow think he was considering it, then he bowed his head once. "Agreed."

Krow grinned and waved Jona back over. "Give them one of the good suites up top," he ordered. "We will settle on a match come evening."

Nezka turned and followed Jona back into the club and up a set of metal-grate stairs. They turned down a hallway and stopped at a thick steel door. The door slid open to reveal a bedroom and lounge area with another door leading to a second bedroom beyond.

"Make yourself at home," Jona said. "You get Krow's finest and I'll be your humble servant." He bowed low, grinning his crooked grin. "There is food and drink on the back bar and red haze for smoking—some call it bluym. I can bring up women or men if you're sick of the human's company, or perhaps—"

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