Identities were never revealed, which made The Rosewood the perfect place for high-powered Representatives to conduct unsavory business away from prying eyes. It fronted as a high-end dining establishment, but its true purpose was an open secret.
Brynleigh pulled out the phone Jelisette had given her and navigated to the second file. She tapped on it, and a black card with golden filigree borders filled the phone screen.
On the right side was an unfurling rose, and on the left was the phrase,When the night blooming roses wilt, the moon will never rise again.
A bit morose if you asked Brynleigh, but she wasn’t the one who had come up with the phrase.
She handed the phone to the werewolf. He studied the card carefully before flicking his eyes over to Ryker. “He’s with you?”
“He is,” she said.
Another minute passed before the guard returned the phone.
“Have a good evening, miss. The Rosewood welcomes you.”
Stepping back, he opened the door.
Tucking the phone into her pocket, Brynleigh strode forward.
Warmth at her back told her Ryker was following. Together, they entered the darkened establishment.
It was time to do what she did best.
The main floorof The Rosewood was everything one would expect from a fine-dining restaurant.
A beautiful Light Elf with raven hair and a lyrical voice sang onstage. Servers dressed in black delivered food and drinks. Fae, werewolves, elves, witches, shifters, and humans sat clustered around dimly lit tables and booths, speaking in hushed tones.
Brynleigh ignored them all. Navigating around tables, she headed straight for the thick black curtain at the other end of the room.
Tathdel’s file had noted the man’s penchant for flogging, and there was only one room in The Rosewood that catered to that specific kink.
No one so much as glanced their way.
If Ryker thought The Rosewood was strange, he didn’t comment on it.
Brynleigh pushed back the velvet curtain, revealing a dark, spiral stone staircase.
If the main floor was a fine restaurant, this was more akin to the entrance of a dungeon from the Four Kingdoms. A cold breeze blew past, and she shivered as she descended the steps.
An unmarked door waited at the bottom.
An aura of danger surrounded this place, and her skin prickled. Her shadows writhed, warning her to be careful. She released a few of them, allowing them to wind protectively around her arms and legs.
Though they hadn’t spoken to anyone, others were here.
Someone was always watching in The Rosewood. The guards wouldn’t bat an eye or interfere with anything unless the right people called them at the right time.
The Rosewood valued secrets more than lives.
“Are you sure about this, Brynleigh?” Ryker’s voice was gruff as he broke his silence. “There might be another way.”
Of course, now his conscience decided to make an appearance.
Brynleigh should have known this would happen. The captain was too good for this kind of thing. There was a difference between killing in war and…this.
Still, his judgment rankled her.
Brynleigh’s hand rested on the knob. “This is the only way. It’s my life or his.” When Ryker didn’t reply, she added, “I have to do this. Remember the deal? It’s not my fault that you decided to come with me.”