Exiting her comfortable diamond space, Elinor’s head tilted to the side while studying the corpses lined along the cleared, long room; most were covered, yet a few were open, likely not having enough sheets or tarps to hide their bodies.

  Carlos was breaking away from the men and women in the other room, excusing himself with a note that he needed to return to her. Eduardo and Mika were on their way back with the bodies they’d secured, providing her more unintelligent soldiers.

  Holding up her hand, palm upward, a spark grew into a flame, materializing her fourth butterfly, including Butter; it took to the air to hover around her with the other two, waiting for further orders. Her fatty, golden insect was resting on her left shoulder, just below the earring her twin currently occupied.

  Butter had launched into a conversation with Mika, gaining further intel on where the toads were stationed with what to expect from each, especially regarding the pure green ri’bot that the woman identified with a name: the Clavex Clan.

  Elinor passively listened to the conversation, having the privilege to eavesdrop on any discussion inside the Nexus while waiting for Carlos to point out her fourth and final intelligent slot to be filled. These ri’bot were the most crucial to understand since they had some form of magic that could harm her spirits.

  Her gaze drifted between the mangled corpses as Mika told what little she knew about the ‘Non-Valley’ Clan. There was no distinction between brutality when it came to age, gender, or appearance; the ri’bot that killed these people were clearly attempting to see how they functioned by experimentation.

  Cuts were methodical, and specific organs were punctured. Elinor assumed they were left to bleed out; likely a study exercise of the young bloods to see how long it would take for humans to die. It was a savage but effective first operation, and a lot of humans were killed before even knowing what was happening. If it wasn’t for the snow, Elinor doubted those taking shelter here would have made it.

  Thoughts spun in Elinor’s head as she rose to browse the deceased, taking in Mika’s advice and warnings. The alien was becoming more amenable to her position as time went on, convincing herself that this was due to some failing and wrong-doing her people had made against their gods: beings they called Supreme Chiefs that lived in the Sky Sea, beyond the Eternal River. It would be an effective tactic to draw in others, she figured.

  On the other hand, the Clavex did not believe in the Supreme Beings and instead drew power from a mysterious light spirit that lived in the Great Ruby Lakes, where they resided—nalvean territory—an empire south of the valley most ri’bot called their home.

  The Clavex had a chief, but almost all power was held in the hands of the Mother Superior, a priestess of this light spirit. Mika didn’t know much regarding the rites or practices of the southern clan, yet it did pique Elinor’s interest since it was clear they drew power from somewhere.

  However, the key was in the talismans they wore that channeled the spirit’s bond to them. In that case, the solution was simple, separate them from their charms, and they were powerless.

  With a path forward for that particular issue, she moved on to the other three clans; there were many within the valley Mika had grown up in, and their histories were spotted by betrayal, alliances, and a wealth of drama that could fill volumes. Once again, much she could use to her advantage if an event demanded.

  The Delthax led this conquest; specifically, Elder Chief Valdar, a Plant Caller, and the blue toad Raul had seen when first scouting the area. Mika believed the powerful sage could spot the spirit, and it was why he’d been followed, causing the chains binding him to this world to be destroyed by the Clavex once pointed out. On the bright side, he was the only Plant Caller in his company.

  Elinor’s gaze shifted to the boarded window, wondering if it was still snowing as Carlos managed to make it to her, escorted by Virgil and another few men that seemed interested in what might happen next.

  “She is here, Empress,” he said, moving to a place near the back right and uncovering the face of a woman. It was matted with blood, and her throat had been cut. “I carried her in myself after repelling their first attack with a few good boys… All of them are dead. Poor fellows.”

  Virgil cleared his throat while remaining close to them. “Can we… talk about a few things, Empress Elinor—that’s what Carlos told us to call you,” he added as her emerald eyes flicked his way. “Is that okay?”

  “It does feel right,” she whispered, focus returning to the dead woman as her butterflies hovered around her, causing the men—and now a few women in the doorway—to shift uncomfortably at the spectral insects. “I suspect there are many who now see that Carlos is precisely who he was before and wish their loved ones returned. Correct?”

  “Well, heh, there are some questions regarding… appearance, and how soon they’ll look like they did, among many other things, but yes. Honestly, any hope you could give them would be huge… Everyone’s just trying to process all of this, and Carlos told us that you can’t bring anyone back right now, but… maybe in the future?”

  “We will see,” Elinor said, kneeling down beside the woman. “What is this woman’s name, and does she have any family?”

  Carlos kept silent for a moment, knowing she was asking Virgil to further ease the tension in the room; he’d fill in the blanks when they finished.

  “Umm. Her name’s Audrey, E-Empress,” one of the women in the back hesitantly said, coughing a bit and hugging herself from the frigid atmosphere. “She does work at the banana factory up the road and mostly keeps to herself. I don’t think she was particularly close to anyone if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Good,” Elinor said, lowering a butterfly to analyze Audrey and determine what to expect from raising her as Carlos further expanded on the woman’s more secretive history.

  The banana plant is where most of the illegal arms trafficking takes place—primarily in the basement—I suspect it is where we’ll find most of the gear we’ll need to take the fight to these ri’bot. I expect there to be a bit of resistance, so we’ll need to storm the place; I’m thinking heavy and fast.

  “Oh, dear, you needn’t worry about that,” Butter snickered, floating up to join the butterflies circling the woman’s corpse. “We need more Death Orbs anyway… A silent operation with me strategically draining their bodies while they’re unaware of our presence will be optimal. I can have most of it set in place by the time you arrive, Priss.”

  “Are you sure, High Queen?” Carlos questioned.

  “It’s lovely that you would want me to sit on my throne and not dirty my perfect fingernails, but I do need to show Priss I am serious about being useful.”

  Elinor’s mouth curved upward. It’s more like the sooner our position stabilizes, the sooner you’ll gain a more consistent flow of Death Orbs to purify. A tub of butter, through and through, trying to devour everything to keep herself plump.

  “I don’t deny that fact! Hehe. Ahem, starving is not a fun experience… or having my Essence leak out of me like a beheaded beast strung up to dry. I choose not to feel that pain again, thank you.”

  Fair enough, Elinor chuckled, causing the others’ gazes to shift to each other uncomfortably, but she paid them no mind as she centered on her new bomber, yet her most optimal court station made Elinor frown. Audrey is best suited for the Serving Court… not the Military Court?

  “Oh?” Carlos rubbed his bony jaw. “Does that mean she won’t be a suitable candidate, Empress?”

  “She’s perfect!” Butter chimed. “It means she’ll be your first maid, Priss! Every empress needs a maid or serving staff, and she’ll still have a Class designation once at the proper Grade and Tier. Hmm… She is only Poor-B, though, so it will be some time before she gains a Class.”

  Finding her hands behind her back, Elinor sent the command, causing chains to dip into the abyss to return her spirit, binding it to her corpse as flames engulfed her frame, burning away the flesh to be remolded in her System’s image.

  Correct me if I am wrong in assuming this, Carlos, but just because she will not gain a Class, it does not mean her knowledge of explosives was removed. Right?

  “Yes, Empress! Hehe. Welcome back, Audrey. How does it feel to be young again—if a skeleton, for now?”

  “Carlos?” she asked, flaming, bony fingers rising to her polished skull as the fire fixed any damage to her bones, remaining active to cast a wicked glow against the walls with the undead beside her; her voice was soft and petite. “What happened… I’m a maid for Empress Elinor?” she questioned, eyeless sockets rising to look at her.

  “I’ll explain it all!” Carlos laughed, holding out a hand to help her up; she took it, beginning to study herself. “Yup, you’ll regain your flesh and look like the beauty I remember… Right now, though, we gotta prepare for war against these ugly toads.”

  Audrey Guerra: Serving Court - Poor B-Tier - N/A - N/A - Lv. 1

  Elinor could feel Mika’s slight indignation at the statement, but she didn’t voice her displeasure at being called ugly since Carlos was her superior.

  Moving away from the two to address Virgil and the murmurs that followed her action from those behind him, she looked up at the man as her butterflies moved to hover above her.

  “For those that may question why I chose Audrey, it is because she has experience handling explosives. Let me be blunt…” Elinor said, vision moving from him to the small group of shivering humans observing from the doorway. “We are fighting a losing war, and I need all the support I can get.”

  Virgil’s arms showed goosebumps as he nodded, seemingly making a conscious effort to look her in the eyes when she knew he must have wanted to look away. “What are you asking us?”

  Elinor frowned while turning back to Audrey and Carlos. A concern she had upon having the toad break into her room back at the hotel had stuck with her. “Unfortunately, those I bring back will be nothing but bones for a time, and without the weight of a human body…”

  Carlos seemed to catch on quickly, cursing through the Nexus at not realizing the error, and Butter was totally oblivious to what was on her mind.

  “I can get all the guns and ammunition I want, but the recoil will topple them over like sticks in the wind until they ground and brace themselves, which opens them up to attack. I can mitigate this by tying sandbags or potato sacks, if there’s nothing else, to them, but it won’t be the same as flesh and muscle; how many people can fight if I get you the arms to join me?”

  Virgil’s mouth lifted into a smile as he turned to stare at the men and women. “Most of us have handled a gun at some point… Colombia has compulsory military service, so it’s hard not to while living in these jungles, and most of us are taught basic instructions on their use from a young age out here.” He paused for a second and forced out a laugh.

  “Let me say this, I guess… I can’t speak to everyone, but if you give me the means to fight back against these aliens that took some of my friends and family, I’ll follow you, Empress. If Gloria makes it back with the supplies to hold over those stuck here, I’m sure you’ll get a lot more people volunteering, as well.”

  Elinor was about to respond when another chain link snapped within her, making her focus shift to the floor.

  [Level Up - Level 6]

  [1 Stat Points Added: 1 Available]

  [1 Feat Extension Added: 1 Available]

  “Congratulations!” Butter chimed. “It looks like experience comes in building your following, as well, Priss. Does this shake things up? Hehe.”

  Recovering quickly, Elinor nodded, gaze lifting to Virgil again. “Let those that choose to acknowledge me as their commander in this war know that they will have priority when chosen to be raised again or for one of their loved ones if they so choose to postpone their resurrection. Have them write their desire on paper before I return with weapons.”

  “I’ll spread the news,” Virgil promised, giving her a true salute. “I understand you’re mainly doing this for your parents, Empress, but you’ve given me hope that we’ll make it through this attack… Thank you.”

  A few women and men nodded their agreement and stepped up to do the same, offering to join her in the raid if it meant there was no fear of death. After all, she could return them to life, even if it meant they wouldn’t have the same life they had before, it was better than dying helplessly, and maybe they’d survive.

  Accepting their support, Elinor left with Carlos and Audrey flanking her as she took them to the door. Mika was waiting behind a fence that enclosed the facility with the bodies she’d collected—she’d gain more along the way.

  She halted at the door when the leery-eyed dark-skinned man glared at her and the skeleton escort that tailed her; Elinor’s focus was on the boy with the drone, though.

  Elinor pointed at the device, making the boy tense up. “That will be quite important to deal with the ri’bot. Make sure to take good care of it.”

  Carlos chuckled from behind her. “He’ll love it if you tell him he’ll be the hero to shut down one of the alien gateways.”

  Smiling at the prospect, Elinor repeated it, making the boy’s eyes light up.

  “You mean it? I’ll stop them from coming through?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “How?” the man beside the door growled. “Are you going to sacrifice him to some dark god or something?”

  “Ah, hehe, wouldn’t that be scary?” Elinor gave him a secretive smirk while proceeding to the exit. “No, he will very much live to tell the tale of how he closed one of the gateways. But how? That is yet to be revealed.”

  Entering the blizzard, the soft crunch of her boots became the only thing she could hear with the pattering of bones behind her. Elinor met with Mika, raising a few of the ri’bot she brought in a cart she’d found, strapping it to her pet.

  Butter flew ahead with a butterfly to soak up the life essence of the criminals taking shelter in the banana factory; Elinor kept one with her to use as the medium to draw the Death Orbs they collected from a distance to raise the corpses Mika discovered on her way back.

  The ri’bot seemed to have gotten the precise amount needed to max out her current limit—by her own efforts, as well—showing she was trying to work into her favor. She obviously did not like Eduardo and his complaining, but still listened to gain a better understanding of Elinor’s culture.

  Eduardo tried his best to stay away from Carlos and Audrey, finding the silently listening toad woman better company in the Nexus’ private channels; of course, Carlos could listen in on his thoughts since he was under his command, much like Elinor could do to everyone, excluding Butter.

  The more Carlos studied their current dynamic, the more he was unsatisfied with Eduardo’s performance and attitude; any unit was only good as its weakest link, and he certainly was that, as he made a note of it to her.

  I understand he is resistant, Elinor said, riding inside the ribcage of the toad on a makeshift seat that Audrey made when passing by a supply store. It had taken her less than a few minutes to set it up, and it certainly made it easier on her artificial body since the snow was getting deeper. His chill curse will be useful, despite his attitude, and he must follow orders.

  “Is there no way to get the same curse from another person?” Carlos pressed, horns sending flakes swirling around as he tilted his neck to stare back at the ghost.

  “He’s useful against a single opponent, but he can’t hold a gun, and, as The High Queen told me, his curse can be resisted. On the other hand, Audrey is perfectly willing to accept your rule and is happy to serve in a maid capacity. She knows how to use a gun—build and operate explosives, meaning an understanding of chemistry—and she only hopes that one of her friends can be raised to serve with her.”

  In short, she can function in a wealth of roles, Elinor whispered, seeing his point. It is nice having those that will work to build with me rather than grumble and drag their feet. Hmm. Once we’re finished with this operation, I’ll make my decision.

  “As you command, Empress,” he said, lowering his horned head.

  Elinor was surprised at how different the reaction was between them; it may have been due to her raising them at a higher level, but Carlos and Audrey saw purpose in what they were doing—what she was building—whereas Eduardo only saw what he’d lost.

  Does it have to do with him being a spirit and them skeletons? she internally pondered, not receiving an answer. Probably not… Mika is compliant, but she wasn’t before spending time under my rule.

  Speaking privately to Carlos, she asked her question, vision scanning the colorful winter wonderland that had embraced the still, silent jungle; the dome overhead caused fragmented light to dazzle any onlooker. Nothing moved in the flurry of falling snow, but the occasional trail could be seen from the imprints in the powder; already, the tracks were being covered with a soft layer.

  Why do you follow me so readily, Carlos? And what did you say to Audrey to convince her to be so willing and meek?

  “Hehe. Empress, it is… hard to explain,” he muttered, head tilting to stare at the heavens. “I guess I started to see a lot of things clearer after gaining these horns… Heh, my tail used to be a lot longer than this stubby thing, and these horns were a shock to me, for sure…”

  He ran his fingers across the smooth, curved protrusions on his far thicker skull than the woman walking beside him. “A lot of anxieties left me, and the moment you called me back from… wherever I came from. Hmm… I knew you were destined to be great—are someone great—I knew my life would mean something if I followed you…

  “Sure, I could reject those instinctive feelings, but what would I be returning to? I knew I’d died after only a few seconds. I remembered how it happened. Naturally, heh, I wanted to get my revenge. Haaa. I don’t know what I’m saying anymore… It was a lot of reasons, but I’m sure Eduardo had those same sensations. He just doesn’t want to be a part of it, which is why I guess I’m agitated by him.”

  I see… That does put things into perspective.

  Elinor had more or less made her decision before even asking her new Staff Sargent; she just needed to find a good replacement for the ghost that could outweigh his loss. The man seemed to sense her focus on him because a shiver ran through the ghost, which made Elinor chuckle to herself at the ridiculous nature of her powers.

  He doesn’t want to be with me but doesn’t want to die again… In resisting his position, he’s already made his decision.

  [Life Tap - Advanced to D-tier]

  [Life Tap - Advanced to C-tier]

  Casting her eyes about as they came to the plantation of banana trees, Elinor’s mouth tightened upon coming to a new realization in the snowy, rainbow-cast winter-scape: the ri’bot didn’t retreat only for fear of the cold, but the living would have a terrible time spotting anything in the reflected light permeating the area, so they retreated to the overcast jungle.

  Gloria and her small expedition force were likely covering their eyes and traveling at a snail’s pace to reach their destination. Her enhanced vision, and that of her undead, seemed unaffected by the glare; she knew it was there, just like the arctic environment, yet it didn’t hit her in the same way as in life.

  “Took your time, Priss,” Butter communicated to her when they came near the plantation processing plant. “I’ve already handled the men outside; they’re practically blind due to the light, so a tiny butterfly is practically non-existent! I’m traveling through these airways now to reach the place with the magical mirrors.”

  Magical mirrors? Elinor scoffed with a short chuckle. Is that what you call monitors in a security room?

  She could feel the butterfly’s wings flutter with slight embarrassment. “Yes, well, I am not accustomed to this world’s technology, Priss! Perhaps if someone explained things better, I wouldn’t have to make such crude comparisons. Honestly, I can’t with you.”

  In any case, good work, Butter; you have proven to be rather invaluable.

  “As I told you I would be,” she huffed in return. “Oh! They’re working in shifts. Efficient. I’ll just sap a little life from the one sleeping in the corner… Heh. Clueless idiots,”

  Elinor followed Carlos around to the back, where the noisy generator was burning oil. Through her High Monarch’s silent raid on the outer defenses of the gang-controlled facility, she’d increased her unintelligent undead count from seven to sixteen, raising all the toads Mika collected. She was building up her own little army.

  I’d give them some slack, Elinor said as Butter informed her that her job was done, and the lookouts had been dealt with. Carlos turned off the device, causing silence to overtake the facility as the lights inside went out. Who would suspect butterflies that could drain the life out of you?

  “To be fair, if they did spot me, I’m as weak as a leaf; one swat, and I’m done for.”

  Yes, you’re a ninja, Elinor mused, getting out of her skeletal ride and moving to a side door that Carlos forced open; Audrey stayed beside her, holding an umbrella that kept the flakes away, but her hair was stiff with her garments—she had no body heat to melt the flakes.

  She had their transport vehicle and tank wait outside; they’d need the cart to carry back all the goods.

  “How many below, High Queen?” Carlos asked, sending a few unintelligent soldiers ahead to scout the way as three brought up their rear, Audrey remaining silent by her side; she really was taking the role of maid seriously, which Elinor could respect.

  “The mirrors, eh… monitors,” she corrected herself, “showed five more in the basement. Two appeared to be making deals with sheets of paper and writing on them, trading pieces of metal to one another.”

  Poker… Well, aren’t they relaxed? Elinor muttered, keeping a casual pace as Carlos moved ahead. Tell me when the area is secure.

  “Yes, Empress! Eduardo, head below and do something useful.”

  “Right, whatever…” he grumbled, floating through the floor to spook or chill the men.

  “Mika, with me, and Audrey, protect The Empress; I’m giving you the rank of leader to control three undead to act as an escort—let’s move!”

  Elinor changed directions as Carlos used some kind of charge ability he retained from obtaining power from the seed she’d eaten, acting as a battering ram to break open the door. Shouts were heard, but the commotion and gunfire soon died down as she walked around the machines that processed bananas.

  “Clear!” Carlos said, already moving to check what supplies they’d been able to score.

  She took her time to reach the area, spotting the leftover clothes from the lookouts on the second floor of the facility that had part of their life force drained by Butter; it was interesting that when they died, be it while in her service or when consumed, they still fell into a bottomless abyss within her. There was so much mystery involving her change that needed to be uncovered.

  The golden butterfly hovered down to rest on her shoulder after a few minutes of exploring the large plant; blood and signs of a struggle were seen in places with a few ri’bot corpses she could raise after gaining a few more Death Orbs.

  Eduardo and Mika were sent to keep watch outside, much to the ghost’s grumbles at being worked worse than a dog, and, to her mild surprise, Audrey began scanning the building for further covering to add to their crocodile-toad ride; the woman was rather diligent, and Carlos was right when he said she was a perfectionist.

  Making it to the stairs that lead to the hidden stairs that Carlos had opened up, she descended to the basement level, noticing the steel door was dented in and one of its hinges was broken off.

  How was the pay-off?

  “Excellent, Empress,” Carlos said, going over some paperwork that was in a nearby cabinet. Blood was plastered across his horns, still dripping to the floor, and the bodies of the gang members were laid by the corner.

  “A little less firepower than I was expecting, but we’re between major shipments. We do have two small charges of C4… A few rockets, but no launcher, and a decent amount of grenades. What can you see, Audrey?”

  Elinor’s gaze went to the maid; she was now browsing a fridge in the back that housed ingredients before moving to study the stacked shelves by the wall.

  “We are missing some components that should be here… I suspect someone took them during the panic. It seems to be mostly drugs that were stolen, though. I was addicted to morphine, but… I don’t have that urge anymore. Thank you, Empress.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Carlos muttered, watching her gather specific items to carefully pack them in coolers. “When did that happen?”

  “It was a way to keep me on a leash, I suppose,” she passionlessly said, studying the clarity of some vials. “I couldn’t work without having a little… and the withdrawals were quite unpleasant. In any case, I should be able to craft a few dirty bombs, and the fertilizer outside could be used, if I have more time to prepare it.”

  Butter hummed. “Destroying the big crystal? Isn’t it ethereal?”

  “Is it?” Audrey asked with a tired sigh. “That’s unfortunate.”

  Elinor moved to watch her maid work, sensing her displeasure at the news as Carlos explained the true purpose behind their objective in securing the facility.

  “That’s what we know at this time. Our current objective is still the Hub-Crystals; Mika thinks that destroying one has also limited the number of forces they’re able to send into our world. Their current number won’t vanish, but they can’t send any more in, and there are four, so each one grants them fifty soldiers, which means, by destroying the one we cut their strength down by a quarter, and The Empress already did that.”

  She could almost see the man puffing on a cigar and tipping a hat in her direction by his tone and drawl, showing his utmost respect at the accomplishment.

  “So, you require three charges… and you already have the rockets, grenades, and two C4 charges,” Audrey whispered, fingers hovering over a few bags on the shelf. “I’m afraid I may be useless, then…”

  “What nonsense!” Butter chided, flying over to land on her head. “You are an expert in their use, as well; are you not, dear?”

  “Not for some years, High Queen. I’ve only mixed the compounds and advised.”

  “More than enough,” her celestial twin huffed. “Have more confidence in yourself; in addition, you are making a fantastic effort at serving your empress.”

  I am satisfied with what you’re offering to me, Audrey, and you have shown me nothing but respect, which means I will offer you respect in return. Hold your head high; we do what we can, and you have done it without one complaint… Carlos, get everything packed up so we can move out.

  “Right away, Empress.”

  He got the undead workhorses into action, carefully moving the crates up to be placed in the wagon. Elinor’s focus was still on her maid, though, wanting to learn more about her as she motioned for the woman to take one of the seats that didn’t have gore plastered across it.

  Tell me a little about this person you want me to raise. Ah, and were any of these men anything to you? she asked, gesturing at the corpses near the wall.

  Audrey took a deep breath and released it within the Nexus, showing a bit of anxiety as she sat at the table. Elinor watched with interest as she tried to resist but couldn’t stop her fingers from gathering the papers to organize them, showing her compulsive OCD in orderly things.

  “No, Empress… I was more of a slave than a colleague at this point. A lot changed in the last few years, which is probably why Carlos is confused about the morphine… He used to run a lot of things here before retiring to his ranch.

  “How terrible,” Butter whispered, landing on the edge of a cup to listen. “It is a sad thing when one’s loyalty is betrayed, and after all the work you put in throughout your life.”

  The woman’s bony shoulders shrugged. “It’s just how the industry is… I should have seen it coming, to be honest, but I let myself be blinded by my work until it was too late and new management took over. There was a young girl that was always nice to me… worked hard, and I feared for her.”

  Audrey rubbed her bony arm, glancing to a hallway with open doors; undead were coming in and out on Carlos’ orders, hauling equipment to be shipped.

  “She had a younger brother she always protected and rather neglectful parents… Carlos showed me her corpse in the other room. Umm, it appears the gang likely killed her when she tried to leave or resisted… whatever might have happened. She had a fiery temper, and a mouth, so… she may have gotten heated, causing them to shoot her. I figured it would be the case when I learned she was transporting local money to Armando.”

  Elinor’s ears pricked at the name. Armando was here?

  “Maybe… there’s a lot of bodies, and he may have been killed in an internal dispute. Do you want me to find him?”

  Yes, Elinor stated, rising to her feet and throat going dry with the thought of answers as to why they’d been manipulated to come on this trip. Also, find the woman you told me about If she does have the spunk you mentioned, I’m sure she will be useful.

  She could feel the skeleton woman’s thankful smile as she promptly rose to follow her order. “I won’t rest until I find Armando. He should be here or in a nearby safe house, but I would put, heh, my life on this being his chosen location to bunker down.”

  “A corpse hunt it is!” Butter cheered, joining the woman as more emotional support than an extra pair of eyes.

  Elinor watched them go, fingers wanting to curl into fists, so she clasped them behind her back, focus shifting to the gored and broken bodies by the wall. She still had a level to explore—a minor one; but a level, nonetheless—yet this took center stage.

  Carlos did say he enjoyed more of a physical approach, and the Colombian gangsters had most certainly received that treatment with the damage they’d sustained; she was beginning to wonder if he had a grudge against the current upper echelon of the crew he used to operate.

  Everyone has a story, I suppose… What will Armando’s be in bringing me to Colombia?