Chapter 11 Roman dragged Lorrayne to a beat - up old shack , swearing on his life that Troy was inside . Lorrayne didn't just waltz in . She stopped short , eyeing Roman . " Alright , kid , hit the road . I'll find you in three days . " Roman crossed his arms , stubborn as a mule . " I'm seven , you know . " Seven ? ' Lorrayne gave his scrawny self a once - over . She'd have bet money he was barely five . " Got it , big shot . Now scram , " she said . Roman tilted his head back , his huge eyes dead serious . " I'm seven . That's man enough to have your back . " Lorrayne couldn't hold back a laugh , giving his forehead a playful flick . " Man enough ? You're still a kiddo at seven . " " I'm a man ! " Roman's cheeks puffed out like a ticked - off pufferfish . " Beat it , " Lorrayne said , faking a stern glare . " Or I'll think you're flunking my little test . " e 5 vouchers That lit a fire under him . Roman's eyes went wide , he shot her a quick glance , clamped his mouth shut , and bolted down the path . Lorrayne watched his tiny figure disappear around the bend before stepping up to the shack's door . She knocked out the code Roman had taught her : three long , three short . After the sixth knock , the door groaned open . " Who's this ? " A hunched old guy with wild white hair and only one ear squinted at her . " Here for Troy , " Lorrayne said , flashing a friendly grin . The old man's face twisted like he'd bitten a lemon . " Who ? " Troy , " she repeated , cool as a breeze . His cloudy eyes flicked over her fancy clothes before he pushed the door wider . " Get inside ." Beyond the door , a ratty sheepskin curtain hung over another entrance . The old man yanked it back , his murky stare fixed on her . " Troy's in there . " " Thanks . " Lorrayne stepped through , and a wave of hot , sour air smacked her in the face . The place reeked of cheap liquor and sweaty guys . D It was a madhouse - rowdy shouts , clinking mugs , and the rattle of dice . Rough - looking folks crowded around low wooden tables , some arm - wrestling , others yelling bets loud enough to bring the roof down . Jugs of booze lined a counter by the door . This wasn't a shack - it was a full - on dive bar . Lorrayne stood in the doorway , feeling like a deer stumbling into a wolf pack . " Well , look at this ! " A guy's laugh boomed out . " What's a fancy little princess doing here ? Shouldn't you be picking out wedding dresses ? " " Maybe she's chasing her boyfriend ! " another voice cackled . " Who's the lucky guy , huh ? " ' Pick a fella , sweetheart ! We're happy to share ! " The tavern exploded with laughter , crude jokes flying as their eyes raked over her like they could strip her bare with a look . If Lorrayne were some wide - eyed fifteen - year - old , she might've panicked . But she wasn't And despite all their tough talk , not one of them dared get close They probably pegged her as bighbor - 100 rid or too connected to mess with . All bark , no bite . P Chapter 11 Ignoring the rowdy crowd , Lorrayne strolled up to the counter . D 5 vouchers " Hey , " she said to the burly guy behind it , whose red nose and barrel gut screamed " tavern lifer . " " I'm looking for Troy . Where's he at ? " The bearded man stood , looming over her like a grizzly . " You want Troy ? " His eyes glinted with something sketchy . " You got any clue who he is ? " " A Swordbearer , " Lorrayne said , shooting him a confident smile . " I'm here to hire him ." The tavern went quiet as a grave . The drunks stared , jaws practically on the floor , at the girl who didn't flinch under their glares . She stood tall , proud as a queen , saying she wanted Troy - the Troy . The barkeep sized her up for a second , then smirked like he was waiting for the punchline . " He's over there , " he said , jerking a thumb toward a corner . " The guy with the mask ." Lorrayne nodded her thanks and headed for the shadowy figure . He sat alone , a half - iron mask covering his face , leaving only his sharp jaw and stubbled chin visible . A bulky black cloak draped over him , hood pulled low over his forehead . When he tilted his head to drink , fiery red curls flashed under the brim . A memory hit Lorrayne like a lightning bolt : a dark , windy night , a man in a black cloak standing under the city walls . He'd whispered to her broken , dying self that if she wanted to change her fate , she'd have to offer her soul to the Dread God . The memory vanished . Lorrayne shook it off and stepped up to the mysterious Swordbearer's table . " Hey . Lord Swordbearer , " she said , all business . " How much gold to get you on my team ? " Troy set his mug down . " I don't take gigs from little girls . " He grabbed his sword and started for the counter . Lorrayne snagged his cloak , locking eyes with his sharp green gaze as she leaned in and whispered , " I offer my soul to the darkness- " " Stop ! " Troy's eyes turned cold as steel , his voice a low growl . " You got any idea what you're playing with ? " Lorrayne grinned , not fazed . " So , you taking the job or what ? " Troy just stared , silent as h stone . " One gold coin a day , " Larrayne said , waggling a finger . " Nothing crazy - just keep me safe . " Troy's look screamed " you're nuts " , but Lorrayne didn't care . " I'm Lorrayne , by the way . Novice Magic Apprentice at Syrria Academy of Arcana . " Some creeps are trying to kill me , so I need a bodyguard ." The tavern was too packed for a real talk . Troy paid his tab and led Lorrayne out the back door to a quiet grove . " What's this about ? Lorrayne asked , glancing around the shadowy trees . The tall Swordbearer turned , yanking off his hood to reveal a mane of blazing red hair . " You're pretty ballsy , huh ? " His green eyes flashed as he gripped his sword tighter . " Who sent you to find me ? " " Nobody , Lorrayne said , shrugging . " Theard Syria's got a badass Swordbearer named Troy . I need some muscle , so I tracked you down . " She wandered over to a tree , plucking a few red , star - shaped maple leaves to press in her books later , acting like his drawn sword was no big deal Troy watched her fiddle with the leaves , clearly annoyed she wasn't sweating his presence . You're not scared of me ? " he asked , voice gritty Larayne flicked him a quick dance before going back to her leaves " Why would I be ? " 12/3 P Chapter 11 " My hair's red as blood , " he said , low and dark . " I'm a Hellspawn's spawn , cursed with more sins than you can count . " Everyone who gets near me ends up cursed - tainted by my soul . " B5 vouchers Lorrayne tucked the leaves away and turned to face him . " Are you , though ? " " I've killed a lot of people ." " That doesn't make you a Hellspawn . " She stepped closer , eyeing his vibrant hair . " Your hair's awesome - like autumn leaves or a winter fire . It's warm , not cursed . " To Lorrayne , hair color was just a trick of nature - pigments , genes , environment . If red hair meant Hellspawn , every kid with a dye job would be a demon . But Lorrayne couldn't exactly give a biology lesson in a fantasy world . So she leaned on history instead . " I've read about your people . Folks call redheads savage or evil because you're the true natives of this land . The old blood . That's all there is to it ." AD Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. 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