Veylin's mind went blank for a moment.
Male...
This Kale was a man.
An absurd thought sprang up before he could stop it.
Those exquisite features, that cool, aloof air, and the past Barrett had described as "cleaning up trouble."
He almost instantly imagined why Kale had assassinated nobles...
Some vermin had probably made demands along the lines of "don't turn around."
Veylin immediately banished that dangerous question from his mind. He must never ask it aloud, either.
He cleared his throat, and the stagnant air in the office began to stir again.
Veylin turned to Barrett and said in a businesslike tone, "Barrett, your room is ready. Go get some rest. We'll discuss your situation tomorrow."
Barrett grinned. He understood that his lord wanted to speak with Kale alone and nodded readily.
"Yes, my lord."
He clapped Kale heavily on the shoulder, hard enough to shake a thick cloud of dust off him.
"Have a good chat with his lordship, Kale."
Barrett turned and left, his heavy footsteps fading beyond the door.
Only Veylin, the Ranger, and Xiao Lan, whose presence was barely noticeable in the corner, remained in the office.
Silence settled over them.
Without waiting for Veylin to speak, Kale broke the silence first.
"I smell blood. Not the rotting smell of the dead, but... fresh blood, brimming with life."
He stared at the plant in the jar, his brows drawing together slightly. "I hate that smell. It reminds me of things that grow stronger by draining the lives of others. Are you keeping a monster?"
Veylin found that interesting. The man was an assassin, so why did he seem so... devoted to peace?
But as a pragmatist, Veylin had no interest in debating "tools versus humanity."
Rather than answer directly, he asked, "A monster? What makes