Val stumbled forward, catching herself right at the edge of the pool. She did her best to cover herself with her hands, but the thin fabric was not much to work with. Barclay and Brant eyed her appreciatively. “Well, if she is pure, that white hair is certainly unique. Thank you, Weylan. Remind me later to leave you a bonus for this one,” Brant called, dismissing Weylan. Val wasn’t sure if she was lucky or cursed to have the Razor’s Edge’s leadership right here. She barely registered Barclay moving towards her until his powerful frame raised out of the water as he reached for her. She averted her gaze but it put her off balance as he pulled her into the pool. The water was only a few feet deep but she tripped on the stair and landed against his damp chest. As she tried to regain her balance she tried to push off his rock hard form, and realized her face was way too close to his manhood. “Eager, eh? Well, I do like a woman who initiates.” His thick arms wrapped around her and pulled

Val stared at the wall for a long moment, the reality of the past few hours not yet registering. She just felt numb. “I had to do something. I had to find Emma.” “If you had waited, or come to us, we could have gotten her out,” Cade said. “You told me we couldn’t do anything!” Val fumed. “The whole reason I went off to find her on my own is because you said no!” “Val, if you had been listening to our plan, we already had a way to get all the girls out that would have wrecked the gang and left the Song family alone. It was all worked out. It still is, except you are now wanted by every member of the Razor’s edges. We cannot get you close to the auction because they will have eyes everywhere.” “You had a plan?” “Yes, Val. We had a plan, and it included you and your friend,” Cade said. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Rest for now. Tomorrow is the auction and we have a lot to do. Alexa and I will go on a Scath hunt tonight. Whi

Baltazar turned Valkyrie's gaze back to Farson. “I know the hierarchy has been disrupted. I trust you to sort it out.”“I admit, miss, I only have a basic understanding of what all goes on.”Valkyrie silently wondered what she must look like to Farson, with Baltazar still controlling her body.“Fine. After I am gone, call back all the members who will answer. Get acquainted with what each is doing and begin to restructure. Tomorrow, make me a list of anything you cannot handle and we can address it then. Any who dissent are to be killed. Gather these bodies and line them along the river.”“Yes, Miss Reaper. Umm, you said we are no longer the razor’s edges. Is there a new crest?”Baltazar frowned. Valkyrie’s resources were dangerously low. She barely had enough for a follower's sigil.“For now, you as the new leader will receive a mark. Others may duplicate it but in time, I will bless those who have proven themselves with a custom version.” Baltazar took Farson’s wrist and after a few

Val awoke as Alexa violently shook her. “Get up and get dressed. Be sure to put on your extra armor.” “What?” Val asked groggily. “What’s going on?” “Gang war. Some time in the night someone killed a whole slew of Razor’s Edge guild members. Their bodies line the banks. We need to find out if the auction is canceled. This city is not safe for us right now so as soon as we locate the statuette, we are out of here.” “What do dead guild members have to do with the auction?” “Do you really think a bunch of rich people are going to hang around a city and have a good time while twenty bodies line the banks? I think not. Many will leave town as soon as they hear the news.” “Its just a bunch of criminals. Think someone is trying to limit the attendance to the auction?” Val offered. Alexa was hastily packing up her belongings but paused and looked at Val, considering. “If I had not personally seen you in bed last night, I would suspect you had something to do with all of this. Come on,

Moments later, Liam skidded up to her.“You summoned, Miss Reaper?”Val sighed, these gang members were going to be interesting to deal with. She was about to describe the people she needed tailed when she saw Liam staring at her awkwardly.“What?”“You’re pretty.”“Where did that come from?” She looked at his wide-eyed stare that was clearly not locked on her face. “Hello!” she snapped her fingers in his face. When hes eyes didn’t meet hers she grabbed his chin firmly, pulling his face up to hers, “Eyes up here. Pay attention.”He was paying attention, just not to what I was saying. Val thought darkly.“Ouch. Sorry, miss Reaper.”“It’s not like you have never seen a woman before.” Val said, annoyed at his lack of focus.“Yea but none of them talk to me. I normally only see them for a minute wh