Chapter 508: Two Shadows Enter
“Survive?” Maven snorted. He hadn’t reacted much, even after Vanessa filled the chamber with shadows and released her aura. “Against you?” he asked, but his question wasn’t directed at Vanessa. Instead, he was looking directly at Derek.
“Yup,” Derek said. “You beat her, and I’ll leave you alone. Of course, it comes with some contracts and oaths, but you won’t have to worry about me anymore, and you can go about your business as the Guild Leader.”
“And you?” Maven asked.
“I give you my word. I won’t interfere during the fight,” Derek said. “This is what Vanessa wants, so it’s what I’ll give her.” What he didn’t say was that if Maven somehow got the upper hand and was about to kill Vanessa, Derek would take that as the end of the fight, and he would step in to save the woman unless the man was able to instantly kill her—in that case, it was her bad luck and Derek wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. He would also honor his word and allow Maven to live… with the right oaths and contracts. However, he had faith in Vanessa and didn’t think it’d come to that.
“Can I trust you?” Maven asked.
“Nope,” Derek said. “Not at all. But the other option is death with no possibility of escape. I’d think the decision was easy.” He looked around the training chamber. “What do the three of you think?” None of the three assassins made to move, and none of them spoke. Derek looked back at Maven. “See, they’re so stunned that I would even give you this opportunity after you threatened my… family, that they’re speechless.”
“Fine!” Maven said. “It’s a deal.”
“Boss!” Lazrus said. The Vice Leader knew that Vanessa had no love for him, and if Maven died, he would probably be next.
“You can live, too,” Vanessa said. “If Maven survives.”