Chapter 214
"A secret."
"What secret?"
"Answer a few questions for me. If you respond well, I''ll ask my mentor to intervene, at least giving
you a three-month reprieve."
vin met Mari''s gaze, understanding her intent. "Do you want to know about the Chained
Spirit?"
"You answer, and I help. You refuse to answer, and I refuse to help."
The matter of the Chained Spirit had dragged on too long, and Mari had to ount for it to her
mentor. It concerned not only Botanic Haven but also Cobalt Strike. She was willing to help vin,
but she had her own responsibilities.
vin hesitated for a moment, pondering, "What does the Chained Spirit mean to you? If it''s a
threat, why not eradicate it? If it''s not a threat, why seal it within Botanic Haven?"
"That is a secret of Botanic Haven. I can only tell you it was a matter of necessity."
vin considered for another moment, then nodded, "Ask."
"Is the Chained Spirit inside you?" Mari inquired seriously.
"Yes!" vin formally admitted.
"Have you made a deal with it?"
"Not yet."
"What has it told you?"
"It is from the Warrior Tribe of the East and wishes to return there as soon as possible."
"Have you agreed to help?"
"I haven''t decided."
"Is it weak?"
"Presumably."
"Why did it choose you?"
"I''m not sure."
Mari felt she had a grasp on the situation. "Onest question."
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"Go ahead."
"If my mentor doesn''t help you restrain the Grand Elder, how confident are you in protecting
Stormcast?"
"Not very."
"Is it not very, or not at all?" Mari needed to remind vin that if they helped him, it would be akin
to saving Stormcast. He had to remember this favor when making deals with the Chained Spirit in
the future.
vin shook his head. "Nothing is certain, if no one in Cobalt Strike aids me, I may have no choice
but to pledge my service to The Covert Bloodlore Society."
"Do you truly believe that''s your only option?"
"What other choice might I have?"
Mari suddenly scoffed, "Are you still fixated on that girl? Did she bewitch your soul with but a
single perch upon your bedchamber?"
vin stared at Mari and suddenlyughed, "Why… your tone... it''s rather peculiar..."
Mari responded coldly, "Don''t tter yourself. I''m simplymenting on Celesse''s behalf."
"I am offering myself to the Bloodlore, not to E." vin eyed Mari, then pointed at his own
face and then at hers. "Your cheeks are flushed."
Mari, acting on impulse, touched her cheeks but noticed vin''s sly grin. Her expression was
dark, and she pped vin across the face. "You bastard!"
A knock suddenly echoed from the door.
"Who goes there?" vinposed himself, while Mari stepped back five paces.
"It''s me," Oda peeked in yfully, her big, round eyes scanning them. "Helna sent me to deliver
some things to you."
"What things?"
"Let''s be clear, this wasn''t my doing. Helna arranged it." Oda stuck out her tongue yfully and
pushed the door open.
"My lord, mydy," several maids entered, one carrying bedding, another holding a washbasin, and
another with sweetmeats, all of which they ced upon the bed. They bid them good evening with
suppressed giggles and retreated.
vin''s face was streaked with disbelief, and his eyes twitched. What was the meaning of this?
Mari truly lost herposure this time, standing still, unsure whether to stay or to go.
In the courtyard, Balder was utterly baffled. "Did I misspeak? No, I clearly stated there was nothing
between them!"
He hade to find vin, but Helna had inquired about the situation. He spoke the truth, but in
the blink of an eye, Helna had arranged for the delivery of bedding.
"I do fancy thatss," Helna gazed at the stone cottage.
"But this..."
"I’m creating a bit of intimacy, fostering their affection, who knows? It might just blossom into
something real."
Balder looked at Helna deeply, giving a thumbs-up.