Chapter 6

I am a rogue, and rogues aren't welcomed in this world as they consider them to be other than peaceful beasts, a threat to humans, and an inconvenience to the Lycan packs. The rogues, whom they also call "the savages,"

I am starting to wish that I should not have been bitten by one.

"How many are left?"

"Three and eighty pounds of gold for three." He smirked.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

This crooked, sly man. What does he take me for? I could snap his neck right now.

"I could just take them all and kill you," I warned, but he didn't back down. If only people weren't swarming in this area.

"How about seventy pounds?"

He shook his head.

"Eighty pounds. Take it or leave it. A more wealthy buyer might give me a bigger offer than you," he snickered.

He doesn't seem to believe I could kill him. Surely, he is confident because many eyes are around us.

"What about this?" I showed him a big ruby under my coat. The glee in his eyes widens. For sure, he was stunned to see one.

I am certain that a gem like this is priceless; it is worth more than five lives, or maybe more. And I am confident that it would not take long to have his life flash before his eyes if he continues to be greedy.

His dirty, tentative hands tried to reach for it, but I slapped them before he could touch it. He hissed.

"The formulas-do you have them?"

"No, they burned it to ashes before one could hold it, they say. Now, hand it to me!" He tried to reach it again.

"The moons first!" I growled, pulling it away.

He didn't think long and took out a small, wet wooden box under his stall with haste. I took it from him and tossed the ruby in his direction.

He caught it after stumbling back and laughing in excitement. I saw him biting it between his yellow teeth. Then I quickly disappeared out of sight when the people started to stare at his direction.

I went past the crowds and crossed paths with the marching royal warriors. The bustling crowd gasped and muttered incoherent words as they passed. They separated from them.

I tipped my head low and cast my eyes downward. I cannot give them suspicion about my glowing eyes. They might change their mission and have me as their target. And I don't like the attention.

They seem to be multiplying in numbers around this market, and it would be best to keep myself out of their sight for a while.

But before that, I wanted to exchange my gems for money, and the best place was that famous jewelry store called "AnaStone," which was a few more stalls from that crooked merchant.

The bell dings as I enter the place. I was in awe as my eyes roamed around.

It has been renovated to a fancier interior, "luxurious," as rich people described it.

"Welcome to the-"

"Ana," I said.

"Ah, my wonderful guest... It has been so long. Welcome back."

I cautiously walked to her shiny counter, and her smile did not falter upon greeting me.

"What strengths (gems) can you offer this time?" She gestured me to another room, one that is secluded from prying eyes and sensitive hearing.

The door closed and clicked.

"How much can you give?" I said this as I sat across from her after she had seated herself.

"Ah, ha, ha, ha. You have gotten wiser since the last time I saw you."

"The last time was a year ago."

She innocently smiled at my reply.

"Your words have shortened; time has made your brain age. But of course..." Her smirk left me for a while after she called one of her human men in to closely whisper and said, "Dig them out."

Ana is a Lycan, and I wondered how she would rather work with humans than her own kind.

'Dig," I figured out that code. She meant to bring the gold. People these days don't trust that easily.

Not long after, a bulky man came in from the back door with a brown sack and dropped it beside me with a huff.

I took out my dagger and cut a small hole to peek. I smirked, satisfied.

My eyes fell on her, and she said, "Your satisfaction brings pleasure to my eyes. I offer you what I can provide," she said, mirroring my reaction.

Now it is my turn. I reached for my satchel that was tied to my belt and dropped it on the table. She took it and quickly unraveled the threads.

Her eyes gleamed like jewels. I smirked at the familiar expression she was showing.

"Are we in accord?" I broke her out of her daze.

"Yes, of course we are," she chirped. "But before you go, I would like to negotiate further with you in exchange for information. I will promise you endless gold coins and an extended helping hand from me in the future."

I already guessed where this was heading. I did not like it one bit.

My eyes narrowed at her, an act of challenge. But she didn't back down, even in her tense state.

"Your greed will be your fall one day."

"Or this greedy woman will be your savior someday. Think about it, and I will wait for your response." She stood up, fixed her yellow dress, and showed me graceful courtesy. "It is a pleasure doing business with you, wonderful guest."

Savior? What does she mean? Savior, my ass! I would rather die than trust another person.

I nodded to her statement, carried my sack of gold coins over my shoulder, and walked out without another glance.

Before my foot could reach the forest, I heard a man's scream that I was quite familiar with, and the crowd quickly surrounded the area. I didn't look back again.

The trek back home was peaceful; that's how I like it.