An unexpected knock on the door interrupted Xander's routine. He hurriedly put on his buttoned black trench coat and strapped an old silver watch to his wrist. It had been a gift from his sister, and he valued it more than his life.
"Coming. Just a sec," Xander answered, expecting his landlord on the other side.
Grabbing ten crisp white notes from his wallet he hastened to answer the door.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gorez, I was gonna pay you yes—"
Blurting out an apology, Xander opened the door, ready to catch an earful from Mr. Gorez for the delayed payment, but the person waiting on the other side wasn't the grumpy old landlord. It was Leena.
"The Red Jackets showed up at the Guild House. They took Master Arwin with them for interrogation," Leena burst out in one long breath.
Xander clenched his fist, and a scowl appeared on his face. "Those bastards always have to poke their nose in our affairs. They are a disgrace to the city."
