CHAPTER 30: NEW INFORMATION

Edward stepped out of the townhouse and let the cool night air wash over him. The streets of the eastern quarter were quiet, only the distant shuffle of drunkards and the occasional bark of dogs breaking the silence. He tugged at the loose folds of his shirt, its front hanging open where Seraphine had torn through it. The fabric swayed in the wind, useless against the chill.

"Two days in this town," he muttered, patting it down with a grimace, "and both my shirts are ruined."

He shook his head and kept walking, boots scuffing against the uneven cobblestones.

Soon, the shuttered tavern came into view, its door nailed closed since the murder. Just in front of it stood Aeris, eagerly waiting. Even from a distance, he saw her arms crossed, her posture impatient.

He quickened his pace, and the moment she spotted him, she straightened. "What took so—" she began, but her eyes flicked lower. Her expression shifted instantly. "What happened to your shirt?"

Edward gave a sheepish half-smile. "Oh, well, it’s a long story which I intend to tell you."

Her brows furrowed, but she gestured for him to continue. He leaned closer, keeping his voice low as he recounted everything. The tavern, Seraphine, the Pact Mark, the Shadow Striker’s blade at her throat, he told her almost all. He skipped over unnecessary details, though Aeris seemed to piece together more than he offered.

"Wait," she said suddenly, stopping him mid-sentence. "I don’t get it. You went to her house, and then you confirmed she had a mark? How did you—" Her voice faltered as realisation struck.

Her eyes flicked to his ruined shirt again, and a flush rose to her cheeks. A storm of emotions played across her face before it settled on a hint of embarrassment. She turned her head sharply away.

"I saw it in the tavern," Edward started, then hesitated. "And you know I—"

She raised her hand, cutting him off. "Let’s focus on the important matters... for now."

Edward wisely said nothing more.

Aeris drew in a breath, steadying herself before speaking. "Ten or more members of the Church of the Crimson Oath," she repeated. "That’s very unusual. We need to tell the chief. Right now."

Edward nodded, then suddenly froze. "Oh."

She turned, brows knitting. "Oh?"

"I left my summons there with her," he said. "She’s still waiting for my return. She knows the location of the cave. I couldn’t let her go."

Aeris gave him a look—something between incredulity and accusation—before she exhaled through her nose and spoke flatly. "Fine. Let’s go fetch her first."

They set off together, their footsteps echoing faintly in the empty streets. The quarter had quieted further, most taverns closing their doors, leaving behind only stragglers too drunk to walk straight. The two avoided them, slipping through alleys and side roads. Neither spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken questions.

When they reached Seraphine’s building, Edward pushed open the door and led Aeris inside. The air smelled faintly of wine and perfume, a stark contrast to the grim streets outside.

They stepped into the room.

Seraphine sat on the edge of her bed, her posture tense but her expression oddly calm. Beside her, the Shadow Striker and Shadow Soldier stood sentinel, their forms unmoving, blades gleaming faintly in the lamplight.

But Aeris’s gaze didn’t linger on the summons. Nor did it rest on Seraphine’s nervous smile. No, her eyes locked immediately on the torn shirt still draped loosely over Seraphine’s shoulders, buttons snapped, and the collar wide open.

Her gaze flicked to Edward, her eyes narrowing.

He cleared his throat, ignoring the weight of her stare, and stepped forward.

"You’re back," Seraphine said quickly, rising to her feet.

"Yes," Edward replied curtly. "We’ll go to the chief..." He paused, his words trailing as he glanced down at her disheveled state. "But before that, you should fix your..." He gestured vaguely toward her chest.

Seraphine looked down, realisation dawning. Colour rushed to her cheeks as she wrapped her arms across herself. "Turn around," she snapped, mortified.

Edward gave a stiff nod and turned, ushering Aeris toward the hall with him. The summons remained inside, silent guards over their charge.

Behind them, fabric rustled hurriedly as Seraphine changed. The seconds dragged until the door creaked open again.

She stepped out wearing a long, pale dress—clean, but far too fine for the eastern quarter. It clung to her, its quality marking her as out of place in these streets. Aeris arched a brow but said nothing.

"Shall we?" Seraphine asked, attempting to mask her discomfort.

Edward nodded, and the three of them made their way back through the winding roads. The eastern quarter lay hushed, its dangers hidden in shadow. Here and there, lanterns flickered dimly, warding off the night. They kept to the main roads, skirts and boots brushing against the stone as silence stretched between them.

By the time they reached the chief’s residence, the air felt heavier. The house loomed in the darkness, its silhouette broad and stately compared to the cramped homes around it. A pair of lanterns flanked the doorway, their glow spilling across the front steps.

Edward knocked his knuckles against the wood.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The door creaked open, revealing a lone servant, hair disheveled, eyes heavy with sleep. He frowned, ready to turn them away until Aeris slipped the token from her pocket and held it up.

The servant blinked, then straightened abruptly. He gave a firm nod and hurried off into the shadows of the hall.

Minutes passed before the sound of soft footsteps returned, followed by a heavier tread.

The chief himself appeared, his robe hastily pulled over his shoulders, gray hair falling loose around his face. He squinted at the three of them with a perplexed expression, his hand tightening on the frame of the door.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, voice low but edged with authority. His gaze swept over Edward, lingered on Seraphine, then settled on Aeris.

Noticing the seriousness on their faces, he exhaled through his nose and stepped aside.

"Come in," he said at last.

They didn’t linger, and the moment they stepped inside, the doors shut behind them with a heavy thud.