Jenilah led Avryn to a grand, circular structure. It was spinning slowly. The gondolas were alight ahead of the evening time. Avryn stared at it in awe. Fortunately for them, the line was short and they got to their turn in short amount of time.

  He and Jenilah got inside of their gondola. It was a comfy space and had a window to have a better look from above. Jenilah leaned against Avryn. This caught him by surprise. Her warmth caused his heart to beat even faster than whenever he was in battle.

  “Thank you for today, Avryn. It means a lot to me,” she said.

  “Yeah. Uh, no problem,” he was stammering over his words.

  They remained in that position until their gondola reached its peak. The sun rays peeked through the glass and shone upon them. Avryn was sitting back and basking in this moment. The ferris wheel started to move again. Their time was up.

  They took a cab back to Jenilah’s home. The moment they entered through the mansion’s entrance, they were greeted with a shower of confetti and to a chorus of birthday greetings. Jenilah smiled all throughout. Now she knew why Avryn invited her. She took a glance at her older brother as he was the main culprit after all.

  “Thanks, you guys,” she told them all.

  The birthday cake was brought out to her. She made a wish and blew out the candles. Everyone around clapped. Auskar made his entrance.

  “Am I late?” he asked.

  “No, father, you’re just on time,” Jenilah went to hug him.

  “Now that everyone’s here, let the festivities commence,” Leifren announced.

  It was a good ending to the day. Jenilah was surrounded by friends and family as she enjoyed her birthday feast. Avryn was happy for her. It was a nice day off from the usual missions in the Lost Lands.

  “So, Jen, what did you wish for?” Kiria asked.

  “It’s a simple wish. For our friendship to be eternal,” she replied.

  “That’s so you,” Harver pat her on the back.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Avryn excused himself for a bit. His social battery was feeling low. He made his way just outside of the estate, checking on his Scribe. He felt a pair of eyes staring at him and turned to look. Perhaps it was paranoia, but he swore he saw someone. It was an eerie feeling but he shaked it off. He went back inside to continue celebrating Jenilah’s birthday.

  The squads spent the next couple days for some much needed rest and relaxation. Avryn was shaken awake by Leifren, who was panicking in a sweat.

  “Avryn, Avryn!” he said.

  Avryn struggled to get up. His legs still longed for rest. He checked the time. It was night. He turned to look at the distraught Leifren.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “It’s Jenilah, and Rinna. They’ve been gone for twenty hours,” worry was in his voice.

  Avryn could not believe it. He was finally awake from that bombshell of a news.

  “Where have they gone?” Avryn asked.

  Leifren told him they went to shop but hadn’t returned since. They also weren’t answering calls from their Scribes. Avryn and Leifren went to the dining room, where the rest of the squads were waiting.

  “Looking for them all around the city would take too long. The first twenty four hours matter when finding someone and we got four hours left,” Kiria was answering Harver.

  “Looks like someone finally woke up. Good evening, leader,” Tvira greeted.

  “Got any ideas, Avryn?” Harver asked him.

  Avryn crossed his arms. An unorthodox answer came to him. He did not want to believe it, but he knew he saw Oliviere during Jenilah’s birthday. What he didn’t know was why he wanted to do such a thing to Rinna and her.

  “I’ll take care of this,” Avryn answered.

  He took off Lerosa and gave it to Tvira.

  “Give this to Rinna when she comes back. Tell her to take care of it,”

  “You know something?” Leifren asked him.

  “I want to be wrong but I think I know where they are. Hopefully I’ll see you all again real soon.”

  He gave his goodbyes and took a cab to Vistella Corporation. The building loomed over him like a monster in the shadow of the night. He went inside.

  “Hello, do you have an appointment?” a receptionist asked.

  “Name’s Avryn Starbright, I need to meet--”

  “Oh yes, Mr. Oliviere has been expecting you. Just head to the top floor,” she answered.

  Avryn sighed and did as he was told. He arrived at the top floor and stopped before the door.

  “Come in,” Oliviere’s voice was loud and clear.

  Avryn entered and saw Jenilah and Rinna tied up together and gagged. He made eye contact with them. His fears were confirmed. Oliviere stood opposite of them.

  “I swear to the maker if they’re hurt--”

  “Don’t worry. I’m a businessman first and foremost. I don’t damage assets,” Oliviere brushed him off.

  “Then what the hell do you want?” Avryn scowled.

  It was simple for Oliviere. He wanted him. He explained the deal: their freedom for his. Avryn demanded nothing would happen to them and they must return safely. Oliviere accepted. He held his hand out. Avryn reluctantly shook it.

  “But first,” Oliviere muttered.

  A rapid punch to the gut floored Avryn. He fell to one knee as he held onto Oliviere.

  “As payment for previous insults,” Oliviere towered over him.

  A knee to the face soon followed, sending Avryn to the floor. He grabbed his face in reaction. His nose was partially broken as blood stained his hands. Oliviere grabbed him up and gave him another punch to the gut. Avryn gasped for air.

  “Cody. Cory,” Oliviere snapped his fingers.

  The two brothers arrived and flanked him on both sides.

  “Yes, master Oliviere?” they both said.

  “Remove their ropes and gag and escort these ladies back to the Rosenfaust household,” he ordered. “And they will go without a fuss,” he stared at them.

  Rinna stared daggers at Oliviere while Jenilah was concerned for Avryn. Cody and Cory undid their binds and removed their gags.

  “You’ll pay for this,” Rinna threatened.

  “The roar of a mere pup means nothing to me,” Oliviere replied.

  “Hehe, right this way, ladies,” Cody and Cory shooed them off the room.

  Avryn was still clutching at his gut but he made one more quick glance with Rinna and Jenilah before they left. The door was shut.

  “We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other, Starbright,” Oliviere sat on his couch. He served himself a glass of wine and enjoyed his handiwork.

  “Plenty of time, indeed.”