Rodrick had a foot on the stairwell when he heard someone grab the inn’s doorhandle. It wasn’t Arwin. The large smith had a specific way of walking that was impossible to mistake. Olive and Reya were outside and meant to be stopping anyone from heading inside while Ridley was working on upgrading the Devil’s Den. Lillia was still in her kitchen and neither Madiv nor Esmerelda moved like the visitor. Rodrick glanced over his shoulder, a small frown crossing over his features. His hand shifted down to the sword at his side as the door creaked open and a man clad in black clothes stepped into the common room. His face was concealed by a metal mask and gray hair hung around his face. A guild badge sat on his chest — a single silver line. The man’s eyes flicked to Rodrick instantly. He wasn’t so much as bothered by the darkness of the Devil’s Den. Rodrick’s eyes narrowed even further. “Can I help you?” Rodrick asked, stepping off the stairs and getting to flat ground. “Yes, I believe you can.” The man’s voice was like the whispering wind. Rodrick’s hair stood on end. There was something off about him. He couldn’t place what it was, but his instincts had yet to lead him wrong. “I’m afraid it might have to wait,” Rodrick said with an easygoing laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “The inn is closed. We’re undergoing some construction right now. Maybe you’d like to come back in a few days?” “My business is not with the inn,” the man replied. “I am looking for someone. Perhaps you can help me.” “And who would that be?” Rodrick asked. He stepped around a table and approached the intruder, coming to a stop several feet away. There weren’t any visible weapons on the man’s body, but that didn’t mean he was armed. If anything, it only made Rodrick’s suspicion grow. “I am,” Rodrick confirmed. “What of it?” “I make it a point to keep myself familiar with any new guilds that make it onto the Secret Eye’s ranking list.” The skin around the man’s eyes creased with what could have either been a smile or a sneer. “And yours is quite small. Stealing a first clear right out from under their noses is… impressive for a group your size.” “I’ll pass your kind words along to our guild leader,” Rodrick said smoothly. The assassin was poking to see if his network and the Menagerie were one and the same, but he had no plans of revealing that information. “Are you here to hire the Menagerie or the network that runs from the inn? All we do is manage the space. We don’t care about what business is done here. We don’t mix the two up.” “I see. Then I will cut to the point once more. You — the network for which you claim to pass information on to — I do not care which. I seek an item. If you can retrieve it for me, I will reward you greatly for it.” “Well, I’m still not giving any promises, but what’s the item?” Rodrick asked. “It is called a Dungeon Heart. An object with an immense magical signature that resembles its namesake. It would be entirely useless to anyone within this city, but I have a desire to have it returned to me. I gave it as a gift some time ago, and now I would like it back.” Dungeon Heart? He can’t — no, he definitely does. The big creepy thing Arwin brought back and fused into his smithy. If it’s a gift, then this bastard was related to Jessen. Friends or allies with him at the minimum. Rodrick’s spine prickled, but he didn’t let his posture or expression shift in the slightest. There was no doubt in his mind that the nameless assassin was watching his every move in search for recognition. “What sort of reward would you be offering for something ?” Rodrick asked. “I will destroy the Ardent Guild and hand you the deed to the ruins of their guildhouse,” the assassin replied. “I trust that should be sufficient motivation for the Menagerie.” “And for the information network?” A flicker of displeasure passed through the assassin’s features. He’d been hoping Rodrick would slip up and reveal that their desires were one and the same — or perhaps he just wanted Rodrick to think that. Damn. Can’t tell what this guy is thinking. “They may name their price. I suspect I will be able to meet it, so long as it is reasonable. If it is not, I will be displeased.” “I see,” Rodrick said. “Well, I’ll pass your offer along. What name do you go by and how can I find you?” “You may call me Twelve. I will return in four days. Locate the heart by then if you wish any sort of reward — and I suggest you work quickly. You are not the only one to whom I have reached out.” Yeah, but I bet we’re the only ones that actually have the thing you’re looking for. Not that I’m giving this guy shit. Anyone that was friends with Jessen can kick sand. “Good to know,” Rodrick said. “If I’ve got any information for you, I can pass it along when you return.” “Very good.” Twelve rose from his seat. His hands dropped to his sides and he inclined his head. “Watch over yourself.” Twelve’s body twisted into streamers of black smoke and flooded out the door. It was a threat, and not even a thinly veiled one. Rodrick waited silently for several moments, then carefully rose from his spot at the table and headed over to the door, closing it. Well, now I know what the Ardent Guild has been searching for. This guy is trouble. I’m going to have to figure out what guild he’s from if I want to level the playing field a little more — and I need to warn Arwin to make sure nobody finds out about that damn heart. Lillia stepped out of the kitchen, holding a large black pan in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other. “What was that about?” she asked. “How much did you overhear?” “All of it but the start,” Lillia replied. “Is he—” Rodrick nodded. “Yeah. We might be running out of time to relax. I trust you can tell he’s gone?”