Something Immortal

14: Complicit

It never occurred to Som that the idiot author would be transported into this world as well. Needless to say, if there was anyone that could give him all the answers he needed and looking for, that would be Darren Pike. And he was willing to wager that, like him, the author was also playing his role as one of the characters in the story. Som suspected that his character wasn't a main, but who could that be?

"You got everything that you need, right?" Mica asked curiously since Som still refused to leave, picking a random teahouse at this time of the night and picking a table on the second floor to patrol the brothel across the street.

"Be quiet," Som hissed at the two brothers, who did nothing but pester him.

Marko scratches his head. "As much as he wanted to indulge your curiosity about the Scarlet Lady, we should be back at the academy. In fact, we should be at the Commemorative Ball tonight. Not lurking in this part of town in the middle of the night."

Som was also getting impatient. "You should've thought of that before you and your brother followed me here!"

"If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be able to get near the Dragon Prince. Enlighten us, then. How do you propose getting near him without our aid?"

Som thought about it and felt guilty because Marko was right. If it weren't for the skills of the Strigoi, he would've been caught by Kali on the first try. Even now, he wasn't completely confident that he had done a successful mission. Most importantly, he couldn't help but worry about how easy everything had been.

Before he could apologize for the bad behavior, an attendant arrived to take their orders. In spite of Marko's grievance, he still managed to order a full meal, and both Mica and Som could only watch him in disbelief. Som didn't have that much appetite, which surprised both brothers. It must've something to do with the anxiety and his desire to pursue the author.

"So, who's the lass?"

Three pair of eyes looked at a tall, young gentleman who happened to be Cyclops. Unlike many stories, this race wasn't gigantic or even that frightening to behold. The only fearsome thing about them was their savageness and their one-eye. Apart from that, they shared the same height as most of the races in Asturia, and some of them might appear handsome or pretty too, depending on anyone's taste.

This young male Cyclops who approached their table has flowing blonde locks and a chiseled face. If he has both sets of eyes, Som thinks he could be likened to an idol back in their world. The way he dressed and carried himself made him stand above his group.

"May I have your name, miss?"

And that's when they realized that Som was still dressed as a female succubus and still wearing their outfit and a wig that was the same color as his hair. Mica almost choked on his wine when he heard the Cyclops ask for Som's name, and the Druid didn't appreciate this attention at all.

To be fair, Som's pretty face was second to none. And because the dress had hidden his obvious masculinity, it was easy to see his almond-shaped brown peepers, proportional nose, perky cheeks, and well-defined jawline. Not to mention that his full lips, the color of cherry, usually grab people's attention. Both Marko and Mica could attest that they caught Kali staring at those lips for more than two seconds!

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't come here to play," Som tried to be polite as he didn't want to start any trouble or expose their cover.

But the Cyclops seemed to have misconstrued his act as a sign of flirtation. "I can pay."

"I don't need money."

The quick response was laughed at by the man's companions. However, this laugh wasn't to belittle the Druid disguised as a succubus but to make fun of the supposed "most handsome" one in their group.