The noise and laughter in the tavern's private room on the second floor lasted well into the night.
By the time everyone returned to their inn beneath the hazy moonlight, slightly tipsy, the streets of Milishion had long since fallen quiet.
The only ones who had not been drinking were probably the two underage girls.
"All right, get some rest, everyone. Tomorrow, we'll discuss our route back to the Central Continent."
In the inn's hallway, Cui Ciyou gave those brief instructions as their leader.
Everyone nodded and returned to their own rooms.
Alice shot Elinalise another indignant glare before reluctantly letting Sylphy pull her back to the room they shared.
Elinalise merely answered with a languid, seductive smile. Leaning against her door, she watched Cui Ciyou.
Beneath the dim light, her emerald eyes shone with an alluring gleam, like the finest cat's-eye gemstones.
"Well then, good night, my dear Captain Ciyou. I hope... you have a lovely dream tonight."
She drew out her words, her voice laden with an unmistakable suggestion.
Cui Ciyou ignored her teasing, entered his room, and gently closed the door.
"How cold!"
Click.
The sound of the door locking rang especially clearly through the silent room.
Elinalise returned to her room, casually tossed her sexy leather armor onto a chair, and walked barefoot to the window.
She opened it, letting the damp night breeze brush against her dazzling golden hair and her cheeks, still slightly flushed with alcohol.
Cui Ciyou...? He'd make excellent prey.
The image of that black-haired young man rose unbidden in her mind.
His handsome face, always tinged with a certain coolness, and those fathomless black eyes that seemed able to see through everything.
And... that strange, contradictory aura of his, which instinctively put her on guard yet drew her in irresistibly.