Clever Fox Tavern Key Novels & Stories

"Dana. Would you like to go?" I look at him for a moment, wondering why he asks me. "Okay," I say. Alex looks back at Hester. "We'd love to come." He shakes Alex's hand again and gives him a card with his hotel details. The Oxford Arms, the card says, before Alex pockets it. Alex looks at me. "This means we're checking in somewhere too." "Okay," I say again.

“Room 14. Quiet side.” “Perfect.” Alex took the key and left without a backward glance. --- Hours Later – South Phoenix The dive bar had no name, only a flickering neon beer sign and the cloying scent of old cigarettes clinging to the drywall. Inside, the only sound was the low clink of ice in a tumbler and the grumble of a ceiling fan trying its best. Alex found him at the far end of the bar, hunched over a double bourbon, sweat blooming beneath the armpits of a faded sheriff’s department tee.

It needed safety. The tavern was small, and full. It sat on lage timber beams, nestled under a withered Elder tree. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and beside the tavern, swinging from rusty old chains, there was a green sign that read—The Tipsy Troll. The scent of spiced meat and stale ale hit my senses as soon as I stepped inside. It was a dimly lit space, with a fire in the hearth that kept the place warm, while murmurs of conversation floated about the room.

Derek asked. Being bored out of my mind with my pathetic sisters. “I’m looking around my closet trying to figure out what to where tonight. My girlfriends and I are going to go out tonight.” Chastity and Caitlin looked at Chelsea like the liar she was. “How about you ditch them to go to The Fox Hole with your husband?” he said in a deep sexy tone. “What’s The Fox Hole?” “It’s a club between New York and Jersey. Very exclusive. You’ll love it.” “Sounds good. What’s the dress code?”

There were just so many things happening all at once. After a brief stroll, Bryan and Aiden spotted a cozy tavern with a wooden sign that read The Hidden. Quite an unusual name for a tavern, but they went in anyway. The place was illuminated with torchlight at the entrance, and they were welcomed with its warm interior. "This is a perfect place to settle for the night," Aiden said to Bryan as he took in the place and approached the stout barkeeper. He then placed a handful of shimmering coins on the counter. "Two rooms for the night, if you please," he said, his voice confident and steady.

"Hmmm... I bet the owner of the store put more effort into writing it rather than thinking the title itself." The tavern was like an 'eat-all-you-can' place. They have to pay 100 gold coins per head if they would like to eat. An additional 50 gold coins if they would like to stay for the night. Audrey pays a total of 250 gold coins. Just enough for food for two and one room in one night. All expenses paid, thanks to Nero and Lee clan's treasury. ~~~ [Well it was such a pity to just let you guys piling up there useless. Come with me and I will put you to good use.]

The place was dimly lit and filled with smoke, the scent of alcohol lingering in the air. Gasher, Zen, and Furo made their way into a tavern, it was filled with people from all over the town. The air was thick with the scent of ale, smoke and roasting meat. Gasher and Zen found a table in the corner, where they could observe the rest of the room without drawing too much attention to themselves, while Furo went to the bar to order a drink. The tavern was filled with locals, all of them talking and laughing as they enjoyed their drinks. The three men found a table in the corner and sat down, trying to blend in with the locals.

“Mason and Laina are over there if you want to join up with them, Charlie. I’ll meet you guys over there.” “Okay,” she said. Then she walked off, pausing once to look back at me. I gave her a reassuring smile before she continued on her way, and then Rick and I went to meet up with Kevin, who scampered over and pushed the red key into my hand the moment he saw me. I turned it over in my palm. “Hello seven hundred and seven horses.” Kevin grinned. He was so full of nervous excitement he was practically vibrating. “I can’t believe tonight is finally here. In just another hour we’re both going to be so much richer.”

"Ruthless. I knew you had it in you." He beckons me closer. "The old meatpacking district," he whispers. "The slaughterhouse on 9th. There's a sub-basement under the cooling floor. That's where Kyros keeps his... toys." "The slaughterhouse," I repeat. "Access code is 7-7-3-4," he adds. "It spells 'HELL' upside down. Kyros thinks he's funny." "Thank you," I whisper. I stand up. I brush the dust off my robe.

Fair, too fair. The shutter is halfway up now. Low enough to crawl. High enough to lose time if we argue. We drop to the ground and slide under one by one. Me first. Aurora after. Sebastian last. He pulls the shutter down behind him just as one of the men reaches it from the inside and slams into the metal. We’re out. For maybe twenty seconds. Then Aurora looks down at the keys in my hand and goes still. “What?” I ask. She points. The silver key has a tag on it, stamped in tiny letters. Vale Street, Box 7. Not the bank, not the river.