The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 21

Rain hammered the cobblestones in a frenzied rhythm, mixing with hail that stung like gravel. Two cloaked figures pressed into a narrow alley, soaked to the bone. The taller man shoved the shorter, hesitant one forward into an alleyway. After a few more uncomfortable shoves, the short man spun around, ripping off his hood and growling at the taller one.

"Shove me one more time, Harold, and so help me, I will rip into you." Thedis seethed.

The taller man sneered. "Then stop hesitating," he said with a cold tone. He stepped around Thedis to continue down the alley towards their destination. "Come on," he said, gesturing to Thedis, who followed reluctantly with a scowl.

Harold stopped at a dark, derelict door and rapped on it. The door opened after a moment, and the two men entered quickly, eager to get out of the rain.

Thedis peered around the place. It was dimly lit, unkempt, and smelled of mould. The room was nearly bare of furniture except for an old tattered sofa, an old wooden table, and the necessities of a kitchen.

Thedis remained by the door, the witch's aura grating against his skin. Every part of this plan, from the forced bond to the hired witch, went against what he truly wanted. But disobeying his father wasn't an option.

The door shut behind him abruptly, adding to his unease. Harold did not react and swiftly moved over to the table littered with glassware and scrolls, and sat on one of the stools.

"Isadora," Harold greeted the figure seated opposite him in the dimly lit room. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Thedis decided to stay near the door. The feel of the wench in front of him was making his skin crawl. "I can't say I feel the same," she answered, crossing her arms.

"Well, perhaps a fat purse will change your mind," Harold said, smirking.

Isadora turned her nose up at the beta. "What do you want?"

Harold eyed her hungrily for a few moments. "We're looking for someone important. His betrothed," he glanced over to Thedis, but Thedis refused to show how that statement made him feel. It's not that he didn't like the girl. She seemed smart, capable and compassionate. Everything you would want in an Alpha female. If the situation were different, he would court her in a heartbeat. But the way he had to force things on her was what irked him.

He wanted what his grandparents had. A loving bond is forged between chosen souls.

Forcing things would not create that pureness. Alex would never feel comfortable around him, let alone love him.

And then, there was the fact that she was not truly a compatible velari and deep down, he craved the connection and emotional bond that someone compatible with his soul could bring him. But he was afraid of a bond like that and how vulnerable it would make him, especially with his father's ways.

Harold continued when Thedis kept his mask, satisfied that the young man had seemingly accepted his fate and was no longer arguing against it. " She was kidnapped over two months ago. Our efforts to find her have failed, and the witch we have is drained from upholding the enchantments."

"And you want me to locate her?" Isadora asked, leaning her elbows on the table.

"Yes. We don't even know if she's still alive, and if she is, we don't know for how much longer. The creature that took her is dangerous."

"How much are you paying?" she asked, and in answer, Harold tossed a satchel of coins and gems that he had stolen from the Boronduin mines towards her, spilling the contents before the witch. Isadora looked satisfied as she reached out one outstretched palm towards Harold.