Chapter 101: Mercer Marquez the Human Trafficker
Meanwhile, back at 'The Nightingale's Embrace,' Aldwyn's interrogation grew more intense. "Tell me where is Randall Teague?" he demanded.
The receptionist's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape that wasn't there. "I don't know," she stammered, her voice trembling. "He was here, but he left. They all leave eventually."
Aldwyn's silver eyes boring into her soul. "Why the ambush?" he asked again, his voice low and menacing. "Why send these thugs after me?"
The receptionist swallowed hard, her eyes flickering to the unconscious forms of the men scattered around the room. "I was ordered to... You have to know that I have no choice!" she whispered.
Aldwyn leaned closer, his voice cold as steel. "Ordered by whom?"
The receptionist's eyes grew wide with fear. "Mercer Marquez," she murmured.
"Why would he want me dead?" he asked, his voice a cold whisper.
"It's not just you," she replied, her eyes flicking to the shadows. "Anyone who questions his operations or gets too close to... certain things, must be dealt with."
Aldwyn's gaze grew colder. "Such as the kidnappings, for example?"
The receptionist nodded, her voice barely audible. "They say he kidnaps them in order to sell them afterwards. But that's all I know, I swear!"
„So trafficking of human being... That explains the kidnappings I've heard about. Hmm, that definitely makes things more complicated." Aldwyn thought to himself.
Aldwyn looked at her with his cold silver eyes and demanded, "Where can I find him?"
Her voice trembling, the receptionist replied, "Mercer operates out of a warehouse in the industrial district. But it's heavily guarded. If he finds out I've talked, I'm as good as dead."
He turned to leave the room, the sound of his boots echoing through the corridor. The receptionist visibly relaxed, thinking she had seen the last of him. But before the door had a chance to close, he spun back around, the shadows seeming to cling to his form.
"One last thing," Aldwyn said, his voice sharp as a blade. "Give me my money back!"
The receptionist's eyes widened even more and she nodded frantically. "Of course! I will... Give you everything back." She placed the four fifty-lexus banknotes on the counter with her trembling hand.
Aldwyn's hand shot out and snatched them up, his eyes never leaving hers. "You'd better hope I don't see you again," he warned, the shadows around him seeming to pulse with menace. The receptionist nodded vigorously, her fear palpable in the air.
He let the Lexus absorb by his bag, the currency disappearing into the black void. The shadows grew thicker around him, almost a physical manifestation of his anger and resolve. With the grace of a predator, he slipped out of the brothel and into the cold embrace of Eastwind Alley.
„This is much more complicated than I thought... I don't want to get involved in such a matter... I should return the contract and report about the changes. Two thousand five hundred Lexus is too risky for me. This Mercer Marquez seems very dangerous to me...." He thought as he made his way to the carriage stop.
....
The night was cold and the wind cut through his coat like a knife. The cobblestone streets were slick with the evening's frost, and the gas lamps cast a sickly yellow light that did little to chase away the shadows.
Aldwyn arrived in the heart of the intercultural district. Compared to the day, the streets were frighteningly empty and quiet. Aldwyn still had a little over three hours before the curfew, more than enough time.
The building was instantly recognizable, a towering structure that stood out amidst the empty streets. It was a monolith of gray stone, five Floors high, with arched windows and a heavy wooden door that looked like it could withstand a siege.
When he entered, he quickly noticed that there was far less chaos in the evening. There were only a few people at the counters and it was very quiet and more organized.
He approached the counter with the sign 'Common Contracts'. The same bored-looking clerk as the day before looked up at him and scrutinized him briefly. "What can I do for you?" he asked in a nasal and uninterested voice.
After Aldwyn had explained the situation in detail, the clerk took the contract back with him. After an annoying procedure consisting of signing documents and verbal agreements, Aldwyn was finally able to leave.
He took the tram back to 'The Rusty Nail' Inn, which he had arranged to meet Lila at. The tram rattled along the tracks, casting eerie shadows on the streets. The passengers were few and far between, mostly locals who knew better than to be out after dark unless absolutely necessary. The occasional murmur of conversation filled the otherwise silent carriage, the words indistinct and lost in the rhythmic clatter of the tram's wheels.
As Aldwyn stepped off the tram and into the biting cold, he felt the weight of the night pressing down on him. His breath fogged in the air as he made his way through the dimly lit streets of Choucsea. The buildings here were closer together, their facades a mix of ancient stone and more modern brick, a testament to the city's storied past and its ever-evolving present.
The Rusty Nail Inn was a welcome sight, a beacon of warm light in the chilly night. He pushed open the heavy door and the smell of roasting meat and spilled ale hit him like a warm embrace. The chatter of the patrons grew louder for a moment before subsiding back into a comfortable murmur. Lila wasn't in the common room, so he took the stairs to their shared room.
As Aldwyn approached, he heard the rustle of fabric from within. He didn't bother to knock, pushing the door open without a second thought. His eyes fell upon Lila, standing by the bed, half-dressed in nothing but her chemise. She had been in the middle of changing from her sweaty dress into something more suitable for the evening. Her face flushed a deep crimson at the sight of him, and she hastily grabbed for a nearby blanket to cover herself.
"What the hell are you doing?" she grumbled, her eyes flashing with irritation.
Aldwyn raised his hands in a placating gesture, his eyes taking in the scene before him. "I apologize for the intrusion," he said smoothly, his voice as calm as a still lake. "How was I supposed to know you were changing?"
Lila's cheeks grew even redder, and she glared at him, holding the blanket tightly around her. "You could have knocked," she replied through gritted teeth. "What is so urgent that you couldn't wait?"
Aldwyn's expression remained unreadable. Without a word, he turned and stepped back out of the room, his boots thudding softly on the wooden floorboards. He pulled the door closed behind him with a gentle click, leaving Lila to continue her preparations in privacy. He leaned against the wall outside, listening to the sound of fabric rustling and the occasional clank of something metallic.
„Another reason why I prefer to be alone..." Aldwyn thought as he waited for lila.
After what felt like an eternity, the door finally opened and Lila came out, her auburn hair tied back in a tight bun and her green eyes shining with determination. "I'm done dressing." She said with slight embarrassment in her voice.
Her outfit was casual, consisting of a simple, yet elegant, set of black silk pajamas. The top had a loose neckline that allowed a hint of her skin to show, while the bottoms were tailored to fit her curves without being too revealing.
"I hope you didn't find anything too disappointing," she quipped, her tone laden with sarcasm.
Aldwyn walked into the room without a word and flopped down on his bed, his charcoal-gray hooded coat billowing around him like a dark cloud. The mattress groaned under his weight, and he let out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world. The room was simple, with two beds pushed against opposite walls, a small table between them, and a single candle flickering in the corner.
Lila eyed him warily as she sat down on her own bed, crossing her legs beneath her. "You look... troubled," she said, her voice tentative.
Aldwyn's gaze remained fixed on the ceiling. "Let's discuss it tomorrow, I'm exhausted."
"Fine," Lila replied, the sarcasm replaced with genuine concern.
....
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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