"What is it?" I say, turning back with my arms crossed.

  Lucien waits as I step closer, looking me up and down, his gaze scrutinizing. "I must say, I’m impressed that you survived. There must be something more than a mere peasant in there after all..."

  I glare at him, my voice sharp. "Why me? Why send me to make the delivery? Was I food? What?"

  Lucien ignores the question, reaching beneath the counter and retrieving something. An iron chain, the same one I sold him a few days... or I guess I should say weeks ago, now polished and free of rust. He lifts it, the links jingling as they sway.

  "Do you know what this is?" he asks, his tone light, despite the glare I give him.

  I shake my head warily. "No."

  His fingers coil around the chain and he closes his eyes, as if to weigh the object, or to make a prayer. "A tool of the Black Iron Host."

  The name means nothing to me, and my blank expression must make that obvious, because Lucien sighs, shaking his head. "I had assumed one who could hold such an artifact for so long would be well-received by Vael. I expected something... more. But, alas, it seems Vael did not see things my way."

  Well-received? What the hell does that mean? What was he expecting?

  Then, a memory stirs, Vael’s voice, what he called me. "Kindred."

  Lucien stills, overhearing me "Kindred? Is that what you said?"

  His interest takes me off guard, along with his serious expression.

  "....Yeah. That's what I said."

  I'm not sure how much information I should share, but I have to know.

  His gaze sharpens, "Then you are suitable after all.” He looks away for a few moment, scratching his chin. “But that raises a question.... why then, would he attack you? Surely, you must have done something to provoke him."

  "I did nothing," I say firmly. "He told me I had offered something to him.... for sacrifice. But I made no such offer, especially not to that freak."

  Lucien’s eyes widen. "Tell me,” he says, his voice quieter now. "did you bleed on this chain?"

  He swings it in front of me, letting the sharp iron links sway back and forth. I have bled on it, I cut myself on the damnable thing multiple times.

  "Yes." I answer honestly, despite my reservations.

  Lucien clicks his tongue. "Ah. Well, that explains it. A regrettable oversight, but at least now, we understand the issue."

  I raise an eyebrow. "Oversight? Is that what you call it you slimy goat-fucker!?"

  Lucien shrugs, showing little remorse. "Come now, Seven. No need for such hostility between us. We are not enemies."

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  Calling me by my name... just like he did before offering me that job and after selling him that chain. Sounds like he wants something, a fact that on its own makes me a little nervous.

  I step forward, my voice tight with anger. "I almost got killed because of you."

  Lucien doesn't immediately respond, his finger tapping the counter in front of him. Then, after a few more moments of consideration, he tosses a coin in my direction. I catch it reflexively and then open my palm. A gold coin....

  "Since you were forced to spend the scroll I sold you on the job I assigned, I will refund you for it," he says smoothly. "A gesture of good will."

  Then, without missing a beat, he reaches for the rolled-up parchment he was writing on a few moments ago. He holds it out, offering it to me with a smile.

  I narrow my eyes, not lifting my gaze from the scroll. "What is this?"

  My scarred palms throb, aching with recognition. I know what it is. But did he really just scribble it out while we were talking? How is that possible?

  Lucien watches me, his expression unreadable. "A gift." he says, his arm still extended towards me "To mend the bridge between us."

  Despite myself.... I take it. Even more than before, I feel compelled by these scrolls, drawn to them. Or rather... to their contents, especially after using one myself. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the tightening in my chest as I hold it close.

  "What does it do?" I ask, forcing my voice to remain steady.

  Lucien's smirk deepens. "That is for you to discover. This time, I will trust in your ingenuity. Seven."

  I tuck it into my belt, before turning back to meet his gaze. "What is this about, Lucien? What do you want from me?"

  He sighs, crossing his arms. "The matter of Vael was... unfortunate. I will concede that much. I doubt I'll be able to dissuade him, things being as they are. So, it falls to me to properly determine your suitability."

  A chill creeps down my spine at his words. "Suitability... for what?"

  He smiles, leaning forward. "For my art. My craft."

  It takes me a moment to realize what he means and when I do, I'm not even sure how to react.

  "You mean... making those scrolls? Or do you mean...." I trail off, not sure if I want to finish the sentence.

  "Go on." Lucien urges me to continue, his smile deepening.

  "Magic?" The moment the word leaves my lips, I feel a pulse through my head and through my palms. Pain, I think... but it's not unpleasant...

  "Scrolls... Magic... Two related, yet fundamentally different arts. Fortunately, I am well-versed in both. But what I offer... is instruction in the latter."

  I gawk, struggling to process his words. This can't be real.

  "You're... a sorcerer?"

  Lucien laughs, the sound dry and irritating. "Of a sort."

  His words send a shiver down my spine. Magic, true magic. Could he really teach it to me? Do I even want to learn from him after what he did to me? Then there's the fact that I'm already apprenticed to Zaenith and I still have unfinished business with her.

  "Why me? You still haven't told me. Just because I found that chain? Is that really all there is to it? And what is this ‘Black Iron Host’?"

  Lucien watches me carefully before answering. "Knowledge is not freely given, peasant. It must be earned. If you prove yourself worthy, I will tell you all."

  I hesitate, apprenticing under him? Ren and Luna won’t like this. I'm not even sure I do, but....

  Lucien watches me closely, his smirk widening as he discerns my doubt with disturbing accuracy. "Tell me, how well do you really know your two companions? You've been in this town a month perhaps? Less? Yet already you’ve chosen to trust in them?"

  I clench my fists, my mind racing. I don’t necessarily trust Luna or Ren, but the two of them saved me. While this man on the other hand not only almost got me killed, but also consorts with demons.

  Is he even the real Lucien? I delivered his head to Vael. There's no way I can trust him, it’s impossible.

  I meet his gaze, my voice firm. "I can't trust you. Not without knowing more."

  Lucien’s smirk doesn't falter. If anything, it deepens. "Like I said, all will be revealed if you prove worthy. The choice is yours, Seven. If you wish to run back to your so-called allies, so be it. But if you are truly interested in these scrolls… in the old world… in magic… then you will accept my offer."

  I stand silent for a few moments more, then turn to leave. I need more time to think on this.

  "I expect I'll be seeing you soon, Seven."

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