Chapter - 35
Seraphina finally saw Jacob after a two-week absence. During that time, she had been tormented by erotic dreams involving him, missing him dearly. Yet now that he was standing in front of her, her attention was not on him but on the blonde-haired woman beside him. The woman was a bit gaunt, her beautiful features marred by exhaustion, but it was the closeness between her and Jacob, the unspoken familiarity, that had Seraphina gnashing her teeth silently.
"Miss Seraphina, regarding this mission, can you help me with the details?" Jacob held a mission parchment, attempting to show it to Seraphina. The mission involved escorting a merchant across several cities, a task that would take at least a week. Jacob intended to ask Seraphina for her insights on the locations and the nuances of such escort missions. But Seraphina wasn't listening to him.
"Who's the woman beside you, Jacob? Aren't you going to introduce us?" Seraphina interrupted, her voice sharper than intended.
"Oh, sorry. Miss Seraphina, this is Elara. She's going to be my partner in monster hunting. Elara, meet Miss Seraphina. Other than Thorne, she's my only friend in the city and has been of great help to me ever since I became a monster hunter."
Jacob nodded toward Seraphina as he introduced her, flashing a rare smile that captivated both women. Seraphina felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, while Elara looked at Seraphina with a hint of competition... or jealousy in her eyes.
Seraphina forced a smile and extended her hand to Elara. "Nice to meet you, Elara. Any friend of Jacob's is a friend of mine."
Elara hesitated for a moment before shaking Seraphina's hand. "Thank you, Miss Seraphina. Jacob has spoken highly of you."
Seraphina's smile widened, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Has he now? Well, I'm sure we'll get along just fine."
Seraphina then turned to Jacob. "Jacob, if you have a moment, the guild leader would like to meet you. She returned a few days ago and was quite interested in meeting you after I told her about your accomplishments."
Jacob considered this for a second and then nodded. "Sure, I can spare a few minutes."
"Great. Her room is just up those stairs," Seraphina said, pointing to the right.
Jacob turned to Elara. "Wait for me down here. I won't be long."
As Jacob made his way toward the stairs, Seraphina turned to Elara, her smile fading. "So, you're his slave, aren't you?"
Elara met her gaze evenly. "Yes, I am. Jacob bought me a few weeks ago."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed slightly. "I advised him to consider buying a slave, though I didn't expect him to choose a frail-looking woman. He usually takes on tough, dangerous missions."
Elara's posture straightened, her meek demeanor replaced with a quiet strength. "Lucky for me, Jacob saw something in me. I couldn't ask for a better person to serve."
The two women locked eyes, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Meanwhile, Jacob, unaware of the silent battle taking place downstairs, climbed the steps, curious about what the guild leader wanted from him.
He reached the top of the stairs and found a large, ornately carved door. Jacob knocked and waited. After a moment, a voice called out, "Enter."
Jacob pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was spacious and well-lit, with shelves lined with books and various artifacts. Behind a large oak desk sat a woman with sharp eyes and an air of authority. Her jet-black hair was tied up in a bun, though a few strands artfully fell across her face, adding a touch of elegance to her demeanor. She had a supple, well-toned body with curves that were hard to miss, accentuated by the well-fitted shirt and trousers she wore.
Her eyes were a color Jacob had never seen before, a mesmerizing mix of gray and hazel, creating a kaleidoscope effect that would daze most men who gazed into them. For Jacob, though, he barely focused on her eyes, her striking features, or her supple body. He appreciated her beauty the way one might admire a rose—acknowledging its allure without feeling any deeper fascination.
"Miss Seraphina mentioned you wanted to speak with me?" Jacob said, breaking the silence.
"Jacob Turner, I presume?" The woman looked up from a stack of papers, her gaze sharp and assessing.
"Yes, that's me," Jacob replied evenly.
The guild leader gestured to a chair. "Please, have a seat. I'm Althea Ryndor, the leader of the Monster Hunter Guild's Ironhelm division. I've been eager to meet you. Seraphina speaks highly of you."
Jacob took a seat, removing his hat and placing it on the table. He felt slightly out of place. "I don't reckon I've done much to be talked about."
Althea leaned forward, her piercing gaze fixed on Jacob's face. "I've reviewed your faerium density reports and the summaries of your missions. Your abilities are impressive."
Jacob shrugged, disliking the praise. "I don't think I've done anything special. I'm still getting used to the city and the guild, but Seraphina's been very helpful."
Althea smiled, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Modesty. I like that. Tell me, Jacob, what drove you to become a monster hunter?" She asked, her voice softening slightly.
Jacob paused, considering his answer. "I guess... I don't have much else. Fighting monsters gives me a sense of purpose. And it pays well."
Althea placed her elbows on the table, leaning forward. Her eyes bore into Jacob's, as if trying to peer into his soul. "I wanted to discuss your future with the guild. We could use someone of your potential and talents for more specialized missions."
Jacob nodded, intrigued. "I'm open to more challenging assignments. I hope the monetary compensation is better."
Althea's smile widened. "Excellent. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Perform well, and more opportunities will come your way."
"Thank you for the opportunity. I'll do my best. If that's all, I'll take my leave," Jacob said, standing up and picking up his hat. He tipped it towards Althea before making his way out of the room.