Publicly, Kaiden was still just a rising combatant attached to a dangerous, eccentric squad. Privately, he was already seated at the table where real power moved.

Talia didn't like how that had happened.

But she respected results. And secretly, behind her grumpy look, she felt that it might even be a boon in the long term. Having a stake that big meant Kaiden was incentivized to stick with them.

At least, so she hoped.

It was hard to tell what drove this man, aside from his love for his girls.

For all Talia knew, he valued his stake in her guild less than she would've liked.

But such thoughts were unnecessary, the woman reasoned.

With a small huff, she stepped aside and motioned them in. "Get some rest. I personally oversaw the construction and artifact placement, and am willing to put my name on the line when I say no spying will occur."

Kaiden nodded, feeling his worries about a potentially malicious guild member placing a spying artifact lessen.

As the group filed into their private wing, the door slid shut behind them, sealing the space off from the rest of the guild.

A brief lull followed once the door sealed shut behind them.

Armor came off first, piece by battered piece, set aside in neat piles or unceremoniously dropped wherever exhaustion won out.

The private wing might not have been luxury, but it was clean, solid, and well-insulated from outside noise. Warm water was quickly claimed, the small bathing chambers filling with steam as grime, blood, and dirt were finally washed away from their bodies.

For a little while, the battlefield felt far away.

Aria hummed softly as she rinsed her hair, energy somehow still bubbling in her steps even after everything they'd been through. Bastet took her time, methodical and unbothered, letting the heat soak into sore muscles like a queen indulging in a hard-earned reprieve. Luna groaned dramatically the moment hot water hit her shoulders, declaring loudly that she might simply dissolve on the spot, while Nyx stood in the shower next to hers with eyes half-lidded in relief.

Kaiden cleaned up quickly, efficiently, already feeling the weight of responsibility creeping back in the moment the adrenaline faded. Calypso, on the other hand, had zero interest in efficiency.

She hovered near him afterward, freshly washed, hair damp, horns polished, tail swaying lazily with every step. She purred almost nonstop as she clung to his arm, pressing herself close at every opportunity, clearly interpreting "private wing" as "permission to fuck like rabbits whenever they so pleased."

Kaiden endured it for a few minutes.

Then he sighed and gently but firmly rested a hand on her head instead. "Later, Cali. We got some guild business first."

Calypso whimpered.

Her ears drooped. Her tail stilled. Her entire body slumped like a tragic heroine struck down in the prime of passion.

"…Cruel," she muttered, though she still leaned into his touch, purring anyway. "You'll regret this. Maybe I will defeat you tonight…"

Kaiden only smirked in response.

They'd only just settled into something resembling comfort when a soft knock echoed through the private wing.

Kaiden turned toward the door.

A moment passed, then a timid female voice filtered through the thick stone. "E-excuse me…? Um… Guild Leader Talia is asking for your presence, Valhalla's… Um… Sinners."

The knock was gentle and rehearsed.

From across the room, Luna and Nyx exchanged a glance.

Then they grinned.

Nyx covered her mouth with one hand, eyes sparkling. "Wow," she murmured. "Talia's really working overtime to stay on his good side."

Luna snorted quietly. "Yeah. No way that's an accident."

They both knew Kaiden well enough by now. He didn't like men anywhere near his girls, especially not when they were relaxed, half-undressed, or, Nyx flicked a glance at Calypso, actively purring and licking at his neck earlier. Talia knew that too. She was sharp like that.

So instead of sending some burly guard or stern officer, she'd sent a girl. Someone non-threatening. Someone, Kaiden wouldn't feel even a flicker of anger should she hear moaning from his lovers or the like.

Careful. Considerate. Political.

Kaiden exhaled slowly and rolled his shoulders. "I like that woman. Tessa, too. They are pleasant to work with."

Calypso huffed, clearly displeased, but loosened her grip at last. "Let's get this over with, then. But don't forget that your husbandly duties are not done for the night, Darling…"

Kaiden's grin lingered as Calypso's warning hung in the air, half threat and half promise, before he finally reached for the folded clothes he'd set aside earlier.

He dressed with practiced ease, pulling on light but well-fitted attire meant for discussion rather than display.

Around him, the girls followed suit, each in her own way.

Luna didn't even pretend to care. She tugged on a loose hoodie and a pair of comfortable pants, stretching her arms overhead with a groan before declaring herself ready for "suffering." Nyx shot her a look but didn't comment, adjusting her own outfit into something similarly practical, her usual confidence radiating even without armor or ornamentation.

Aria emerged last, tugging at the hem of her fitted trainer clothes with a small, satisfied smile. She caught Kaiden glancing her way and straightened just a little, clearly pleased with the look she was getting.

Dresses were nice. Heels were pretty. But she knew exactly what he liked, and if her snug training gear made his eyes linger longer than any gown ever could, then she saw no reason to complicate things.

With that, Kaiden opened the door and stepped out into the corridor, followed by his girls. The member Talia sent awaited outside and blushed, flustered, when he emerged.

They were then taken to the meeting room.

And instantly, the air around them changed.

The good vibes Kaiden had been getting ever since he returned from tonight's hunt were threatened to be shattered. Inside the meeting room, the mood was anything but jovial.

Seated slightly apart from the others, one leg crossed over the other, the A-tier Arcane Puppeteer watched Kaiden like a predator spotting prey that had wandered too close to her territory. Vaelira's gaze locked onto him the instant he stepped inside, sharp and unblinking, carrying no small amount of hostility.

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