Written in The Stars

The Eleventh Scroll: Eugene

"You had no right to take us on the case without telling us that the estate belongs to the Black Baron!" Violet's voice almost broke on that sentence.

She was walking furiously from side to side in the secret hideout of the scarlet rose. All its members were extremely tense. For the first time, Eugene settled down against the wall, on the chests with Morti. He needed a little more information.

"The Black Baron, in a way, owns the neighboring city," skinny lyre explained to him in a whisper. His voice was trembling. "He's a very powerful lyre. And very violent."

"So Vi wasn't exaggerating when she said he could kill us?" the guy clarified.

"He can," Morti shook his head, not taking his eyes off the red-haired thief. "And he won't even have to do it himself. He will hire trained people for this. We're in trouble, Eugene. Big trouble."

The guy looked at Morti sympathetically, slapping him on the shoulder. Rising, he motioned for Gurar, so he could support his friend. The lizard understandingly headed towards the chests, humming something under his breath.

"Baby, you shouldn't make such a fuss about this," Bjorn was seated at the head of the table, leaning his elbow on the back of a chair. "It's done. We've made a profit. A good one."

"Vi's right," Rogot, who had been standing at the entrance with his arms crossed, walked deeper into the room. "Not all of the guys would agree to clean out this house if they knew who it belonged to."

"You too?" the head of the scarlet rose raised his eyebrows.

"I'd think twice," the orc said sternly, "and that's not what we're talking about right now, Bjorn. Show us some respect."

"Bjorn doesn't consider Gurar and the others to be his comrades," morph intervened, without removing his hand from the shoulder of Morti, who was fading in front of his eyes. "Apparently, for him it means that he can stick a knife in their backs."

"A knife in the back! How dramatic," the man's cheerful mood began to subside gradually when he saw that his companions – all, without exception – were looking at him with displeasure. "Oh, come on!"

Bjorn jumped to his feet, trying to find support from at least one of the guys.

"Oh, come on?" Violet was ready to lash out. "Do you even understand that this is not a joke? Do you like walking on a knife's edge? Then do it alone!"

"Baby, don't be impertinent," Bjorn approached the girl with an annoyed expression on his face. "Don't pretend that not everyone here likes to walk on a knife's edge. If that wasn't the case, you wouldn't be here."

In the next instant, Eugene was next to the couple and, grabbing the wrist of the red-haired thief, led her away, taking her place.

"We all need to cool down."

Bjorn was clearly even angrier after such an outburst. Gurar shook his head, closing his eyes wearily.

"There is a huge difference between getting caught in action or intentionally jumping into the jaws of wolves!" Rogot slammed his fist on the table.

The guys shuddered involuntarily.

"Okay, what do you want from me now?" Bjorn threw up his hands, looking around at his companions. "An apology? You won't get one."

"Who needs your paltry apology," the red-haired thief spat angrily.

Their eyes met – the head of the scarlet rose still could not come to terms with the fact that the girl was completely different from before. Eugene stroked her back reassuringly, and Bjorn gritted his teeth.