Blood of Immortals | Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Robin lived in a grand mansion at the center of the village, a place that seemed to radiate wealth and power. Unlike the open and welcoming atmosphere of the rest of the village, the mansion was strictly off-limits. Even approaching its entrance meant encountering two stoic guards who seemed carved from stone, their expressions as unyielding as their stance.

To test the waters, I approached them with my usual charm. I tried everything—entertaining them with stories, cracking jokes, and even sharing exaggerated gossip I’d overheard in the village. Nothing worked. Their silence was impenetrable, their expressions as unchanging as the sky above. Frustrated, I backed off.

Gideon and I retreated to our room to strategize.

“They’re not just guards,” Gideon said thoughtfully, “They’re watchdogs. Elves are always subtle, but Robin’s paranoia speaks volumes. That mansion is hiding something.”

“You think he’s got the passes in there?” I asked.

“I’m certain of it. And if we want to get our hands on them, we need an inside player.” He glanced at me, his sharp gaze lingering. “Which is where you come in.”

“Why me? Why not you?” I protested.

Gideon smirked. “Because I’m a marked man. The elves have been watching me like hawks since we arrived. You, on the other hand, are a clean slate. Besides...” He leaned back, arms crossed. “I’ve always wondered what you really look like under that spell.”

Rolling my eyes, I muttered the incantation to remove the disguise. My red hair tumbled free, catching the dim light of the lantern. Gideon blinked in surprise.

“You didn’t tell me you had fire in your veins,” he said, referring to my red hair.

“Does it matter?” I replied, brushing off his reaction.

“No,” he said softly, “but it reminds me of someone.”

The moment passed quickly as Gideon launched into our plan. I would infiltrate the mansion as a maid. From there, my task was to map out the layout and identify where Robin might be hiding the passes.

---

The next morning, I joined a group of applicants outside the mansion. The head servant—a sharp-eyed elf with an air of authority—scrutinized each of us as we lined up.

“Name?” she asked when it was my turn.

“Aroa,” I replied, bowing my head respectfully.

She ran through the usual questions: cooking, cleaning, gardening. I answered “yes” to everything, keeping my tone humble. But when she asked about my previous employer, I gave her the story Gideon and I had rehearsed.

“I worked at a tavern in the land of fairies,” I said. “But it was attacked by trolls. They captured us, and I barely escaped. I was rescued by a passing ship and brought here.”

The head servant’s stern demeanor softened, her eyes flickering with sympathy. The elves harbored a deep hatred for trolls, and my fabricated tale played right into it.

“You’ll start tomorrow,” she said after a pause.

---

Life as a servant wasn’t new to me. My years in the Dark Blood Pack had prepared me well for the tasks. I quickly adapted, using my position to explore the mansion. My fellow maid, Celia, had a habit of passing her duties onto me—a habit I didn’t mind exploiting. She even handed me keys to restricted rooms, too lazy to do her job properly.

By the fifth day, I had memorized the mansion’s layout. I reported my findings to Gideon that evening.

“It’s either in his bedroom or his office,” I concluded. “But I couldn’t get into either.”

Gideon nodded. “The passes wouldn’t be in his bedroom. Too risky. They must be in his office.”

“But what about the chests of gold I saw being carried into his room?”

“That’s exactly why the passes aren’t there,” he explained. “The gold is his dirty secret—evidence of his embezzlement. He wouldn’t risk keeping the passes where thieves could stumble upon them. They’ll be in his office, where access is more restricted.”

We devised a plan. Gideon would pose as one of the men delivering gold, sneaking into the office while I created a diversion to distract the guards. It was risky, but it was the best shot we had.

---

The next day, everything was set. I orchestrated a fire in the kitchen, using a bit of gasoline to ensure it caught quickly. When the flames roared to life, I ran to the guards outside Robin’s room.

“Fire! The kitchen’s on fire!” I yelled, feigning panic.

The guards hesitated, clearly torn between their orders and the chaos unfolding behind me.

“Do something, or the entire mansion will burn down!” I shouted.

Reluctantly, they abandoned their post to help, and I joined the commotion to keep up appearances. The fire was contained after an hour, but the damage was done. I was promptly fired, blamed for the incident thanks to Celia’s accusations. I didn’t bother defending myself.

---

Back at the inn, I found Gideon sprawled on the floor, clutching a beer. The passes were on the table beside him, glinting in the lantern light.

“We did it,” I said, placing the passes in a drawer for safekeeping. “Why are you drinking now?”

“I... I was thinking about my sister,” he slurred. “It’s been two decades... I ruined her life.”

His voice cracked, and to my shock, tears rolled down his face. The rough, unshakable Gideon was crying like a child. I didn’t know what to say, so I let him sob, patting his shoulder awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, Selena,” he whispered before passing out. Did I hear him correctly?

I stayed with him until his breathing steadied. Whatever demons haunted him, they ran deep. But for now, we had what we came for.

Bonus Chapter 17.5 is now available. 

View Chapter 17.5 or skip to Chapter 18 by clicking 'Next' below.

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