The receptionist was about to speak when the Guild master appeared at the top of the stairs, emerging from his room.“Who is she?” he asked the receptionist.

  “I don’t know, but she’s looking for Joe. She doesn’t look familiar,” the receptionist replied.

  “You’re looking for Joe? Please, come up then,” the Guild master said.

  “Do you know where he is?” Sky asked just as the Guild master turned back toward his room.

  “His home—but I can call him. Everyone answers to me,” he said with a smirk.

  “You must be the Guild master then. I’ll follow, but I don’t have time to lose,” Sky replied, stepping toward him immediately.

  The Guild master waited until they were both inside before sitting down. “So, what’s your name?” he asked.

  “I’d prefer not to answer,” Sky said, taking a seat opposite him. “Would you mind that?”

  “Just for a while. I’ll get it from Joe anyway,” he replied, leaning back. “He should’ve received the call by now—his home isn’t far.”

  He folded his arms. “Please, feel free to ask anything while we wait.”

  “Am I being treated with too much hospitality?” Sky asked.

  “No, nothing like that. I treat all guests this way,” the Guild master replied. Then, after a pause, he added, “What if I stood up and started fighting you?”

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  “I’d fight back,” Sky said calmly. “Not to kill—but maybe break a hand or two.” She shifted her stance slightly.

  “That so?” The Guild master stood, rolling up his sleeves.

  Noticing his movement, Sky rose and stepped back, her eyes fixed on him as he approached. The room wasn’t large enough for wide maneuvers, but that didn’t slow the Guild master. He advanced straight toward her and stopped right in front.

  The Guild master threw the first punch. Sky slipped aside fluidly and countered with a kick toward his stomach. He blocked it with his other hand—quick, clean. A smile crossed his face. He settled into a stance: right leg forward, left leg back, his right arm extended while the left guarded his jaw.

  Sky hesitated just long enough for him to close the distance again. A heavy right punch connected , her hair whipping through the air . But just as the body started following the motion towards the wall , the Guild master grabbed her shirt with the same hand, dragging her back into a brutal left forearm strike that slammed across the side of her head.

  For a minute , the world dissolved . Sky got lost , the ringing in her ears threatening to pull her mind apart but Ben's face was the right stimulant to help her remember where she was .

  It was quick and she wasn't out of the woods yet but she saw the left leg heading towards her stomach, a glimpse of it was what she saw but it was enough as she used the momentum to counter with a leg kick towards the guild masters balancing knee.

  It worked , his stance buckled and she now had an upper hand which she used to draw his attention to his face with a right hook before going for the torso with a rapid fire of punches, each precise with the previous one.

  The Guild master gritted his teeth, absorbing the blows. His abdomen hardened instinctively as he shielded his jaw and face.

  “That’s enough,” the Guild master finally declared, stepping back.

  “Joe, you can come in,” he said, moving toward a chair in the corner.

  “I brought a healer,” Joe said, entering.

  The Guild master nodded to the healer, who stepped forward, whispering an incantation as faint light filled the room.

  “Sky, I’ve got a deal for you,” the Guild master said. “I can help you with what you want—for the girl.”

  “That won’t do,” Sky replied firmly. “I can’t give her to you.”

  “Alright then,” he said, leaning forward. “How about this—I’ll assign you to the guild. You’ll take jobs related to Veilwood Forest. You’ll be paid fairly.”

  “Yes, that can be done,” Sky agreed. “But if anyone comes after us with the intent to kill, we’ll reciprocate. Is that fine?”

  “Perfectly fine,” the Guild master replied, standing. “Sorry for the fight—it was just a precaution.” He gestured for the healer to tend to Sky. “Let me get the paperwork.”He said leaving the room.

  “Making me wait here for two weeks isn’t something I like,” Toney grumbled as a man and woman entered.

  “Mmmm, look at him, Azeya—he thinks he’s the boss,” Leon said, a clean smile on his face.

  Azeya smiled as well. “You’re lucky; he actually thought of making you wait a month.”

  “Minimum,” she added.

  Toney tried not to smile, but it didn’t last. “Look at you two,” he said, shaking his head. “Once the youngest of the group—and still looking young. I guess it worked.”

  “What’s so unlucky to be on your to-do list this time?” Toney asked.

  “Not mine—ours,” Leon replied.

  “Her name is Sky,” Azeya continued. “We don’t know much about her,except that she stayed with Jack.”