Chapter 107: [107] You Feel Like Home
Xavier and Rachel descended the curved staircase, leaving Lukas’s office behind. The main room of The Golden Fox had grown more crowded since their arrival, with well-dressed merchants and nobles gathering for midday drinks.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Xavier deliberately loosened the drawstring on his coin pouch. He let it slip from his belt as they crossed the main floor, the small leather bag landing silently on the polished wooden steps.
Outside, the cold air bit at Xavier’s face. The sky had darkened, heavy with the promise of snow. Rachel pulled her fur-lined hood up, her breath forming clouds in the frigid air.
"We should return to the inn," she said, already moving in that direction. "There’s much to discuss about what Lukas told us."
Xavier patted his pockets and belt, feigning surprise. "My coin pouch. I think I dropped it inside."
Rachel’s pale eyes narrowed. "How convenient."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"The purple-haired hostess. You recognized her."
Xavier didn’t bother denying it. "She might be one of the people I’m looking for."
"And you need privacy to confirm this." Rachel sighed, adjusting her gloves. "Fine. Meet me back at The Frozen Hind. Don’t take too long—the streets aren’t safe after dark."
"I won’t."