Chapter 6: The Beast’s Burden - 5
The common room of Trail’s End hummed with a rare morning quiet, the kind that settled like dust after a storm.
Sunlight streamed through open windows, bathing the scarred tables in warm gold and glinting off the polished bar.
The hearth crackled softly, its embers casting flickering shadows.
The air carried the lingering scent of fresh bread, cured meat, and the faint tang of spilled ale from last night’s revelry.
Rin sprawled across a bench near the bar, one leg slung over the armrest, a mug of honeyed tea steaming in her hand.
Her loose trousers and open vest barely clung to her frame, the fabric gaping to reveal the curve of her breasts, still marked by faint bruises from Kio’s teeth.
Her tail flicked lazily, each twitch radiating smug satisfaction, her golden eyes gleaming like a wolf sated but hungry for trouble.
Lira slipped through the door, her entrance as silent as a shadow’s glide.
The elf rogue moved with fluid grace, her silver hair braided tightly over one shoulder, emerald eyes cool and guarded.
Her leathers hugged her slender frame, worn but meticulously maintained, the kind of armor that whispered of narrow escapes and sharper blades.
Then her gaze met Rin’s.