A group of people wake up in a video game world and are forced to work together to survive and find out how to escape.
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Chapter 31 recap

“The nightmare…” I mutter under my breath, glancing at the others as we walk. “I need to tell them.”

“No,” Shade says firmly, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a blade.

“What?” I think back, startled. “Why not? You’re the one always telling me to be honest with them.”

“There’s no point worrying them,” he replies, his tone steady. “We won’t be going anywhere near that place—or it.”

I pause for a moment, considering his words. “I-guess that makes sense,” I admit reluctantly. “But…” I trail off, suspicion creeping in. “I can’t help but feel like you’re hiding something from me.”

“Trust me,” Shade says, his voice softening slightly. “I’m doing this to protect all of you.”

“Okay,” I think back. “I do. I will trust you.”

“Right,” I say, running a hand through my hair, trying to piece together a plan. “We’ve only got twelve gold between us, and that’s barely enough for one room.” I glance at the group, my stomach sinking at the thought of cramming five people into one tiny space.

“Besides,” Kaida chimes in, crossing her arms, “we need to earn some more money anyway.”

Lorien steps forward, his spear resting on his shoulder. “Maybe we can offer to work for someone. The NPCs—or whatever they really are—seem smart enough to notice we’re useful. If we split up and each find a quick task, it might be enough to scrape together another ten gold. That should cover a second room, at least.”

I sigh, glancing at the group. “Alright. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than sleeping outside. Let’s split up and see what we can find.”

Kaida taps her chin, looking around at the bustling city street. “You know, we could probably make some quick money waitressing at a pub or tavern. People drink, they tip, we walk away with full pockets.”

I wince at the suggestion. “I don’t know about that,” I say hesitantly, already imagining the scene.

The thought of stepping into a crowded pub, surrounded by drunk men in this body, makes my stomach churn. “Being around a bunch of drunk guys as a woman is definitely not my idea of a safe time,” I add, trying to keep my voice even. “Especially in… you know, fake medieval times.”

Kaida raises an eyebrow, smirking. “I think you’re overthinking it. I’d be fine.”

“Good for you,” I mutter, folding my arms.

Hrothgar chuckles, rolling his shoulders. “Don’t worry about me,” he says with a grin, gesturing to his broad chest and thick arms. “I think I’ll have no trouble finding some kind of work. Maybe heavy lifting or security. Folks always need muscle.”

“Lucky you,” Veyron quips. “I’m not exactly ‘muscle,’ so I’ll have to get creative.”

“More like sneaky,” Kaida retorts.

“Call it what you want,” Veyron replies, flashing a cocky grin.

I sigh, glancing between them as the conversation continues. “Alright, well, Hrothgar’s got his plan. The rest of us are still figuring it out, so let’s get moving before we waste any more time.”

-Later.-

I step onto a slightly busier street and hear the unmistakable din of a rowdy pub nearby. The sound of raucous laughter, clinking mugs, and muffled music spills out into the night air, drawing my attention to a building with a flickering sign swinging above its door.

“It’s like fate,” Shade says, his voice dripping with jest as the noise reaches my ears.

I roll my eyes, muttering under my breath, “Yeah, I’m not doing that.”

Still, I hesitate, glancing at the pub again. The idea of walking into a packed room full of drunk strangers makes my skin crawl, but there’s a chance Kaida’s already inside, following through on her brilliant plan to waitress for tips.

“Maybe I’ll just… check on Kaida,” I think aloud, my voice low as I step closer to the building. The breeze brushes against my arms, a not-so-gentle reminder that I’ve been without a cloak for a while now. The thought of standing out even more in a place like this doesn’t sit right, but I can’t shake the possibility that Kaida might actually be pulling this off somehow.

“Aw, you’re such a good friend,” Shade teases, his tone light but pointed. “Braving the big, scary pub just to check on her. How noble.”

Chapter 32 (finish)

No sign of Kaida yet. I hesitate, debating whether to push through the door or keep moving.

“You’ve never even been in a bar, have you?” Shade’s voice cuts through my thoughts, his tone bordering on incredulous.

I pause, glancing at the door, but say nothing.

“I mean,” he continues, clearly warming up to his own commentary, “I suppose you legally shouldn’t have been drinking, but still—never a drop? Not even once?”

“Nope,” I reply curtly, trying to keep my focus on scanning the crowd through the window. My eyes dart from table to table, searching for any sign of Kaida amidst the chaos.

Shade hums thoughtfully, clearly enjoying himself. “I mean, I know all your memories—obviously—but it’s funny how the absence of a memory isn’t quite as noticeable until I think about it. You’ve really never had so much as a sip of beer? Or even one of those sugary cocktails?”

I sigh, more at him than the situation. “I’ve been a little busy with life, you know. And I’m pretty sure this isn’t the time for a lecture on my lack of a nightlife.”

“Fair enough,” Shade says, his voice tinged with amusement. “Just an observation.”

Suddenly, my eyes catch a familiar figure weaving between tables with a platter balanced in one hand and her other hand gesturing wildly as she speaks to a table of boisterous patrons. Kaida.

“There,” I think to myself, relief washing over me. She looks… surprisingly in her element, laughing easily as she places drinks down in front of the group.

“Looks like she’s having fun,” Shade remarks lightly. “Bet she’s making a killing in tips already.”

I sigh again, pushing the door open and stepping inside, the warm, loud air of the pub washing over me like a wave.

Kaida’s usual clothes are gone, replaced by a loose, slightly frayed skirt and a shirt that’s just a little too big on her. It’s obvious they just handed her whatever they had lying around. Despite her usual confidence, I can see it in her eyes—the quick glances at the rowdier tables, the way her smile falters for half a second before she recovers. She’s putting on a good show, but she’s a little overwhelmed.

I glance around, debating whether to wave her over, but the last thing I want is to get her in trouble. Instead, I slip into an empty seat at a small corner table, resting my bow across my lap. “Alright,” I think to myself. “I’ll just sit here, blend in, and wait for her to ‘take my order.’ No need to draw attention.”

“Very inconspicuous,” Shade quips lightly. “You’re practically invisible with that glowing aura of awkward tension.”

“Hmm, whatever,” I mutter under my breath, leaning back in my chair as I try to look casual.

The pub is as loud and chaotic as I imagined. The clatter of mugs, the off-key singing of someone in the back corner, and the constant shuffle of chairs against the floor all blend into a cacophony that makes it hard to think. I keep my eyes on Kaida, watching as she maneuvers through the crowd with surprising grace, dodging wandering hands and balancing drinks like she’s been doing it for years.

She’ll make her way over eventually. For now, I just have to play the part of another tired patron and wait for my chance to check in.

“Better hope one of the others doesn’t try to take your order,” Shade says, his tone dripping with mockery.

I freeze, the thought hitting me like a brick. “I hadn’t even thought about that,” I admit reluctantly, glancing at the other workers moving between tables.

“Great plan,” Shade says, the smugness practically radiating from his voice. “Very well thought out. Truly a masterclass in subtlety.”

I stifle a groan, shifting slightly in my seat as I try to blend further into the shadows of the corner. The last thing I need is someone else coming over and asking me what I want. That’d just make things more awkward, and Kaida might get flak for it.

“Okay,” I think to myself, straightening up just a little. “No sudden movements. No eye contact. Just a tired patron in the corner waiting for their drink.”

“That would work better if you had ordered a drink,” Shade points out helpfully.

“Not helping,” I mutter under my breath, my eyes tracking Kaida again as she weaves through the tables.

“Suit yourself,” Shade hums, amused. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you when some well-meaning server shows up with ale and a bill you can’t pay.”

Kaida glances my way for half a second, recognition flickering in her eyes before she quickly turns her attention back to the table she’s serving. It’s a subtle look, but it’s enough to let me know she’s noticed me.

“See?” I think, a small smirk tugging at my lips. “I’ve got it handled.”

“For now,” Shade murmurs, his tone almost fond as he fades back into silence.

“You know what’d be real entertaining?” Shade says, and I can almost feel the grin curling behind his words.

I sigh, already bracing myself. “What, Shade?”

“Oh, nothing much,” he says innocently. “Just… a little fun. I make a big shadow, snuff out a few lights—just enough to frighten a few of the drunks. Harmless, really.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound very funny,” I reply flatly, glancing around the room to make sure no one’s looking in my direction.

“You just don’t get it,” he says, his voice dripping with mock exasperation. “Some of these people are so drunk, they might literally pass out from the slightest fright. Imagine it! Collapsing into their mugs, tipping over their tables—pure chaos.”

I rub my temples, letting out a long breath. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“I prefer entertaining,” Shade retorts, the grin still evident in his tone.

“Yeah, well, your idea of entertaining would end up causing me more problems,” I think back, keeping my voice low as Kaida catches my eye from across the room again. She’s making her way toward me, tray in hand, though I can tell she’s trying not to draw attention.

“See?” I say to Shade. “No need for your antics. Kaida’s coming over, and I’d rather not explain why half the pub suddenly descended into chaos because of you.”

“You’re no fun,” Shade grumbles, but I can tell he’s backing off—for now.

“Artemis? What are you doing here?” she asks, her voice a mix of surprise and relief as she stops in front of my table.

I glance up at her, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I haven’t been able to find work yet,” I admit. “So I just wanted to check on you when I saw you.”

Kaida’s smile falters, and she leans in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m horrible—please help me. There’s so many people, and I’m barely keeping it together.”

I sigh, already knowing where this is going. “Kaida, I told you—I don’t feel comfortable doing this.”

“I know, Artemis, but I—please?” she pleads, her wide eyes looking at me like some sort of helpless puppy. “You’re my bestest best friend,” she adds, drawing the words out dramatically.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes for a moment. “You suck,” I mutter, finally pushing myself to stand.

Kaida’s face lights up immediately, and she claps her hands together like a child who’s just been promised candy. “Yay! They needed more girls anyway. Come on, I’ll bring you to the owner so you can get hired and dressed!”

“Oh joy,” I deadpan, dragging my feet as she practically pulls me toward the back of the pub.

Shade, of course, can’t resist chiming in. “Now this,” he murmurs, his voice laced with amusement, “is going to be very entertaining.”

“Not. A. Word,” I think back as Kaida leads me deeper into the chaos, her chatter only partially cutting through my growing sense of dread.

Kaida practically drags me toward the bar, weaving through the crowded tables with an energy that feels wildly out of place considering how overwhelmed she just seemed. I glance around, taking in the chaos—men shouting orders, mugs slamming onto tables, and servers darting in every direction trying to keep up.

“Artemis, relax,” Kaida says, glancing back at me. Her voice is light, but there’s still that faint note of desperation under it. “It’s not that bad. Just… loud. And crowded. And full of drunk people.”

“Wow, you’re really selling it,” I mutter, dodging a swaying patron who almost spills ale all over me.

Kaida ignores my sarcasm, tugging me forward until we reach a stout, no-nonsense woman standing behind the bar. Her sleeves are rolled up, and she’s barking orders at a harried-looking worker trying to carry too many mugs at once.

“Excuse me, Gilda!” Kaida calls out, her voice cutting through the noise.

The woman—Gilda, apparently—turns, her sharp eyes narrowing on Kaida, then sliding to me. She sizes me up in a single glance, her expression skeptical.

“What now, Kaida?” Gilda asks, crossing her arms. “If you’re here to tell me another table’s unhappy, I don’t want to hear it. Handle it.”

“No, no!” Kaida says quickly, holding up her hands. “This is my friend, Artemis. She’s here to help. You said earlier you needed more girls, right?”

Gilda raises an eyebrow, looking me over again. “Your friend, huh?” She leans on the bar, her gaze sharp. “You ever worked in a tavern before?”

“Not exactly,” I say, shifting uncomfortably.

Gilda snorts. “Figures.”

“She’s a fast learner!” Kaida chimes in, her voice a little too eager. “And she’s great under pressure!”

Gilda studies me for another moment before sighing. “Fine. Change into something practical—none of that fancy adventurer nonsense.”

Kaida beams, grabbing my arm. “Thank you, Gilda! I promise you won’t regret it!”

As she pulls me toward the back, I shoot her a glare. “You owe me so much for this.”

“I know,” she chirps, not even bothering to hide her grin. “But you love me anyway.”

“Debatable,” I mutter, stepping into the dimly lit back room where a pile of aprons and plain skirts are stacked haphazardly on a shelf.

“Go on,” Kaida says, nudging me toward the stack. “Get dressed. You’ll fit right in!”

“Do I really have to wear this?” I say, holding up one of the skimpy skirts with a look of utter disbelief.

Kaida shrugs, avoiding my gaze as she says, “It’s not that bad.” Her voice is quieter than usual, though, which doesn’t inspire much confidence.

I roll my eyes, tossing the skirt onto the table in front of me. “Don’t they have pants?”

“Nope,” she replies quickly, leaning against the wall. “Already asked.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “I thought you said it’s not that bad?”

She flashes me an impish grin. “It’s not anymore—because we’ll suffer together.”

I groan, running a hand through my hair. “Kaida, I don’t even know how to put on a skirt!”

Kaida laughs, the tension from earlier seeming to lift for a moment. “It’s not rocket science, Artemis. You just—” She steps forward, holding out her hands. “Here, I’ll help. We don’t have all night.”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mutter as she takes the fabric from me and starts showing me how to wrap and tie it properly.

“Hey, look on the bright side,” she says cheerfully.

“There’s a bright side?” I ask, glancing at her skeptically.

“Of course!” she chirps. “You’ll look adorable.”

I groan louder this time, earning another laugh from her.

“Adorable? Seriously?” I say, narrowing my eyes at her.

Kaida smirks, shrugging. “Is it better if I say hot?”

“No. Definitely not,” I reply, deadpan, though her smirk only grows wider.

Turning away, I glance at the pile of shirts, sifting through them to find one that might actually fit. They’re all tiny, cropped, or missing sleeves entirely. My frustration bubbles over as I hold one up and realize it looks more like a handkerchief than a shirt.

“Aren’t there any bigger ones?” I ask, glancing at Kaida.

She tugs on her own shirt, which is clearly too big for her small frame, and shakes her head. “Nope. All the same sizes. Guess you get what you get.”

“Great,” I mutter, already dreading how ridiculous I’m going to look in this. With a sigh, I toss the shirt on top of the skirt. “Fine. Give me a second to get dressed. Is there a changing room?”

Kaida blinks, then raises an eyebrow like I just asked the dumbest question in the world. “This is a bar, Artemis. No.”

“Of course not,” I mutter under my breath.

She waves a hand dismissively. “Just change here. We’re all girls.”

I hesitate, frowning. “Yeah, now we are, but some of us aren’t exactly comfortable with it…”

Kaida’s expression softens slightly, and she sighs. “Fine, fine. I get it. What do you want to do with your clothes, then?”

I glance around the cramped room, noticing a small shelf in the corner stacked with random supplies. “I’ll just stash them there for now. No one’s going to mess with them, right?”

“Not unless someone with sticky fingers wanders back here,” she says teasingly, grinning as I shoot her a look.

“Very funny,” I reply, starting to unbuckle my gear. “Just keep watch, alright? And don’t make this weird.”

Kaida snickers but nods, stepping toward the door. “Alright, alright. Your modesty is safe with me. For now.”

I sigh, shaking my head as I start pulling off my usual clothes, already feeling out of my element. “This better be worth it,” I mutter.

This is so embarrassing, I think, pulling the skirt on reluctantly, the fabric feeling alien against my legs.

“It’s quite entertaining, though,” Shade chimes in, his voice dripping with amusement. I can almost imagine him lounging smugly in the corner of my mind, grinning like a fool.

I grit my teeth and ignore him, focusing on finishing the ordeal as quickly as possible. Once the skirt is situated—barely—I reach for the shirt, dreading the moment I’d have to deal with it.

As annoyed as I am about the skirt, the shirt somehow manages to be worse. Unlike the snug, functional tunic I normally wear, this thing offers zero chest support and clings in all the wrong ways. It’s not just tight—it’s skimpy. Every time I move, it shifts awkwardly, making me feel even more exposed.

“How is this even practical for working in a bar?” I mutter under my breath, adjusting it for the third time, though nothing seems to help.

“Practical?” Shade repeats, his tone full of mockery. “Oh, Artemis, who said anything about practicality? This is about appearances. And if I may say so, you’re pulling it off spectacularly.”

“Shut up, Shade,” I snap, my face burning as I glance at Kaida, who’s doing her best not to laugh.

“You look fine,” she says, though her grin betrays her amusement.

“Fine isn’t the word I’d use,” I mutter, tugging at the shirt again. “This is ridiculous.”

Kaida shrugs, her grin turning sympathetic. “You’ll get used to it. Or not. Either way, we’ve got tables to cover, so let’s go before Gilda throws a fit.”

I sigh heavily, trying to push aside the growing sense of discomfort as I follow her back toward the chaos of the pub.

“Besides,” Kaida says, her grin widening as she steps back to take in the full view of my new, utterly humiliating outfit, “looking like that, we’ll have enough money for everything we need without even doing a mission.”

I glare at her, tugging the skirt down slightly in a futile attempt to make it feel less ridiculous. “Oh, great. Glad to know my dignity comes with a high return on investment,” I mutter dryly.

Kaida laughs, clearly enjoying this way too much. “Hey, I’m just saying—you might as well lean into it. You’d rake in tips and turn a few heads.”

“Yeah, no thanks,” I reply, rolling my eyes as I glance down at the too-tight shirt again, adjusting it for the hundredth time. “If this gets us enough money to avoid sleeping in the streets, fine. But I’m not about to start ‘leaning into’ anything.”

Kaida just smirks, clearly unconvinced. “Suit yourself. But if anyone offers to tip extra for a smile, you might want to consider it.”

“Kaida,” I warn, narrowing my eyes at her.

“Alright, alright!” she says, raising her hands in mock surrender. “No flirting, no smiles. You’re the serious one. Got it.”

I sigh, already regretting agreeing to this as we step out of the back room and into the bustling chaos of the pub. Kaida leans in close, her voice teasing but with a hint of encouragement. “Don’t worry, Artemis. You’ve got this.”

Yeah, I think to myself, glancing at the tables of loud, rowdy patrons. This is going to be the worst night ever.

Wait a minute.

As we step into the noisy pub, something clicks. Kaida is all smiles now, walking ahead like she owns the place, her earlier desperation completely gone.

She’s practically skipping. My mind replays her panicked plea from just minutes ago—“Please help me! There’s so many people!”—and the realization hits me like a brick.

She was guilt-tripping me.

"Kaida," I hiss, narrowing my eyes as the pieces fall into place.

She glances back at me, her innocent expression only fueling my irritation. "What?" she asks sweetly, blinking like she has no idea what’s wrong.

"You guilt-tripped me!" I snap, pointing an accusing finger at her. "You’re not overwhelmed at all, are you? You were just trying to sucker me into this!"

Her grin widens, confirming everything. "I mean… maybe a little overwhelmed," she says, holding up her thumb and forefinger to emphasize the "little."

"But you’re so much better at dealing with people than I am. And let’s be honest, Artemis, I needed you. Look at us! Dream team."

"I’m gonna kill you," I mutter, glaring at her as I struggle to keep up in this ridiculous outfit.

Kaida just laughs, completely unfazed by my threat. "Relax! You’ll thank me when we’re rolling in tips and out of here with enough money to buy everything we need."

Shade, of course, chooses now to chime in. "You have to admit, she played you beautifully. It’s almost admirable."

"Shut it, Shade," I think, focusing my anger back on Kaida as she glances over her shoulder, flashing me a grin.

"Come on," she says, gesturing toward a row of tables filled with loud, rowdy patrons. "Let’s get to work. You’ll be fine."

I grit my teeth, muttering under my breath as I follow her. "Dream team, my ass."

“Speaking of,” Shade says with a tone far too smug for my liking, “I’d recommend not bending over unless you want even more tips.”

“Shut. Up.”

“Oh, come on, Artemis. You have to admit it’s a little funny.”

“You are not funny,” I think sharply, my cheeks burning as I avoid eye contact with the tables of rowdy patrons Kaida’s leading me toward.

“Fine, fine,” Shade replies, his tone dripping with faux innocence. “I’ll behave. For now.”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on Kaida as she drops a tray off at the bar and turns back to me, still grinning like she hasn’t just committed the crime of the century by tricking me into this.

“You good?” she asks, her voice entirely too casual.

“Peachy,” I mutter, tugging the skirt down a bit and trying not to feel Shade’s lingering amusement in the back of my mind.

There will be payback, I think, my eyes narrowing as I watch Kaida breeze through the chaos of the pub like she hasn’t just conned me into this.

“Oh, I like the sound of that,” Shade chimes in, his voice low and teasing. “Tell me, Artemis—what kind of revenge are we talking? Big? Dramatic? Humiliating?”

“You’ll find out when i do,” I snap back, tugging at the too-tight shirt again as I follow Kaida through the crowded room.

“Ah, the suspense,” he replies, chuckling softly. “Can’t wait.”

Kaida glances back at me, still grinning as she grabs a tray off the counter and balances it effortlessly. “Come on, Artemis,” she calls, practically singing. “We’ve got tables to serve! You’re going to love this.”

“Hey, new girl! Get a move on!” the owner, Gilda, shouts from across the pub, her voice cutting through the noise.

I flinch slightly, glancing toward the bar where she’s standing, hands on her hips and eyes practically daring me to test her patience. Great—exactly the kind of pressure I needed right now.

Kaida stifles a laugh, leaning toward me as she whispers, “You better hurry before she tosses you out.”

I glare at her but grab the nearest tray from the counter, balancing it carefully despite my less-than-stellar grip on this whole situation. “I hate you for this,” I mutter, but she just beams at me like she’s proud of herself.

“You’ll be fine,” she says, giving me a playful nudge toward a table of rowdy patrons. “Fake it till you make it, Artemis.”

“Great advice,” I reply dryly, straightening up as I head toward the table, the patrons already waving me over impatiently.

I hear Shade chuckle softly. “Oh, this is going to be so entertaining.”

I get to work quickly, weaving through the tables and doing what’s needed—delivering drinks, wiping down surfaces, and trying to dodge the occasional overly enthusiastic patron. It’s exhausting, but the gold coins piling up in my hand keep me motivated.

As I pocket another tip, it strikes me how much these coins are actually worth. Based on what we’ve bought so far, it seems like ten coins would be roughly $100 or more in the real world. Then again, the pricing here is completely inconsistent. A loaf of bread can cost half a coin, but a sword would run you twenty or more.

Maybe it’s the time period, I think, sidestepping a drunk who nearly topples into me, or just the game’s strange prioritization of certain things. Essential survival items like food seem cheap, but luxuries like high-quality armor or potions are absurdly expensive.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” Shade muses, his voice cutting through my thoughts. “The economy here makes no sense. Then again, neither does anything else about this world.”

I hum in agreement, glancing at the coins in my pouch. “At least the tips are decent,” I think back.

Shade chuckles. “That’s one way to look at it. Though I’m sure your current outfit is doing some of the heavy lifting.”

I ignore him, focusing on clearing a table as quickly as possible. Whatever the reasoning, one thing is clear: if we keep this up for the night, we’ll have enough gold to get us everything we need—and maybe even a little extra.

Maybe I should just keep going until I pass out from exhaustion, I think, glancing at the growing pouch of gold at my hip. Somehow I’m making more in tips tonight than we’ve gotten from any mission—except for that one I did alone.

Shade hums softly, the sound carrying a suspicious rhythm. “Working nine to five, what a—” he drones on, “—dun dun dun dun dun dun.”

I stop mid-step, blinking. “Are you seriously humming that song right now?”

“It’s fitting,” he replies smoothly, the grin clear in his tone. “Though I admit, this isn’t quite her levels of workplace empowerment. Still, the sentiment stands.”

I groan internally, delivering another tray of drinks as I mutter in my thoughts, “I’m literally working in a medieval pub, Shade. The last thing I need is commentary from my sarcastic shadow roommate.”

“Roommate?” Shade laughs. “Oh, Artemis, we’re far closer than that.”

“Whatever,” I snap back, feeling my cheeks burn as one of the patrons gives me an overly friendly smile.

Shade’s laughter lingers, but his tone softens just a touch. “You’re doing well, though. I hate to admit it, but maybe this exhausting little venture of yours isn’t a complete waste of time.”

“Gee, thanks,” I think sarcastically, grabbing another tray as I prepare to dive back into the chaos. At this rate, exhaustion might just catch up with me before the night’s over—but at least the gold will be worth it. Probably.

“Though,” Shade starts, his voice slick with amusement, “if you listened to me and just took some gold, you wouldn’t be wearing this ridiculous little outfit.”

I grit my teeth, adjusting the shirt for what feels like the hundredth time as it refuses to stay in place. “You’re really bringing this up again?”

“Of course,” he replies smoothly. “I mean, look at you. You’ve got patrons ogling you left and right, you’re sweating, exhausted, and still trying to play by the rules. Meanwhile, there are coin purses dangling off half these drunkards’ belts, just begging to be relieved of their burdens. One flick of shadow, and you’d be out of this mess in seconds.”

“I’m not going to steal from anyone,” I snap in thought, forcing myself to smile at a patron as I set down another mug of ale.

Shade chuckles, low and rich. “Suit yourself. But don’t say I didn’t offer an easier solution.”

“Yeah, well, easy isn’t always better,” I think, dropping off an empty tray and grabbing another.

“Spoken like someone who’s never tried the alternative.”

After what feels like an eternity of weaving through the crowded pub, dodging drunken patrons, and balancing tray after tray, exhaustion finally starts to set in. My legs ache, my arms feel like lead, and the sticky heat of the room clings to me like a second skin. I don’t even know how long I’ve been at this anymore.

Just as I’m contemplating whether collapsing on the floor is a viable escape plan, I glance toward the entrance—and spot them.

The guys.

Lorien walks in first, his confident stride making him stick out in the chaotic room. Hrothgar follows, his imposing frame drawing immediate attention from a few nearby patrons. And, of course, Veyron saunters in last, his usual smug grin plastered on his face as he scans the pub.

Oh great, I think, groaning internally. This is exactly what I needed.

Shade hums in amusement. “This is going to be fun. What’s the over-under on Veyron making some sort of comment about your outfit within the first ten seconds?”

“I don’t want to hear it, Shade”, I think, trying to turn away before they notice me. Unfortunately, Kaida, who has apparently been thriving in her element, spots them immediately and waves them over with an excited grin.

“Of course she does,” I mutter under my breath, grabbing a tray and pretending to be busy as they start making their way through the crowd. My face is already burning just thinking about what’s coming next.

I catch sight of Veyron’s hand, and sure enough, he’s carrying a rather large bag of gold—bigger than the one I’ve managed to scrape together after hours of exhausting work. The clink of coins is audible even from where I’m standing, and the smug grin on his face as he swings the pouch back and forth like it’s nothing makes my blood boil just a little.

“Crime pays,” Shade says, his voice practically purring with amusement.

I roll my eyes, clutching my tray tighter as I shift to the side, trying to move out of their line of sight. The last thing I need is Veyron spotting me like this.

“You could’ve had a bag like that,” Shade adds, his tone almost sing-song. “No sore feet, no skimpy outfit, no grumpy patrons snapping their fingers at you for another ale. Just saying.”

“Shut up,” I think sharply, ducking behind a cluster of rowdy patrons as I make my way toward the bar. My plan is simple: avoid their notice until I can slip into the back room, maybe even call it a night.

Unfortunately, Kaida has other ideas. She’s already motioning for the guys to join one of the tables, and as luck would have it, it’s one of mine.

“Looks like they’re settling in,” Shade muses, far too entertained. “This is going to be fun.”

“Not for me,” I think grimly, trying to figure out if there’s still a way to make my escape before they inevitably notices me.

“At least Lorien will enjoy it,” Shade says, his voice dripping with mischief.

My face burns immediately, the heat rushing up my neck like a wildfire. Ugh.

“Shut up, Shade,” I mutter furiously, trying to ignore the way my heart skips at the thought. “This is bad enough without your commentary.”

He chuckles softly, entirely too pleased with himself. “Just saying. I mean, look at him—he’s already scanning the room. What do you think he’ll say when he spots you?”

Another reason to get revenge on Kaida, I think bitterly, my gaze flicking toward her as she chats animatedly with the guys, clearly unbothered by the chaos she’s unleashed on my life tonight.

Kaida’s always been a little schemer, but this? This is a whole new level of betrayal. There will be payback, I think firmly, gripping the tray in my hands.

Shade hums in amusement. “Oh, I can’t wait to see how you plan to handle this.”

Neither can I, honestly. But first, I have to survive this night. Preferably without Lorien—or anyone else—making this more embarrassing than it already is.

End of chapter 32