Wolf of the Blood Moon: A Blood Magic

Book 1: Chapter 24: Royal Fae

Book 1: Chapter 24: Royal Fae

Scarlet

We end up settling on a pretty decent pay at about eight credits an hour that Im not on the job, just to let them use my face in their little sponsorships and promotions, and a flat eleven credits per hour that I am on the job under their name. Not too much, but still a lot more than I wouldve ever dreamed of getting before becoming a Guardian.

Thats far above the average living person in a Tier 1 city. And leagues above a Tier 2 or 3 citys average wages.

Definitely goes to show why Guardians are always rich. Like, swimming in bathtubs of money rich.

Not that that would be comfortable, just considering all the paper cuts.

Allen suddenly bursts out into laughter from his spot next to me as we walk down the stairs of the building towards the entrance. And when I turn to look at what has him so amused, my eyes practically bulge out of their sockets at the sight of the video hes watching.

A video of some random guy commentating over a video of me fighting with a bunch of demons. One that consistently shifts from one scene of me fighting demons to another.

Theres no way there were that many people able to record me fighting, I whisper to him, punching his arm as I ask, you didnt do anything youre gonna regret later, did you?

He just continues watching the video while giving me a thumbs up, making my eyebrow twitch in my irritation.

He did. He totally sold the security camera footage of me fighting to people online.

Dont worry, youll get your cut, he says, brushing the issue aside.

Im gonna kill him.

That would be difficult, a certain tanukis voice echoes in my head out of nowhere, making me stiffen up for a second before my anger shifts from Allen to the tanuki.

Whats this about you being a member of the faes royal family?!

Tar doesnt say anything for a few seconds before his voice once again returns, albeit with a hint of embarrassment in it, Well, you never asked.

My mind blanks out at that answer.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Yes, Im sorry, he answers, and I almost snap back at him, only to pause as I realize what hed just done.

Did did Tar really just apologize? He can do that?

Yes, and theres no need to be rude about it, he says, making me blink in confusion.

How did this get turned around on me?

I havent been entirely truthful with you, Scarlet. And I would like to fix that, he says, making me suspicious. First off, yes. I am the eighteenth son of King Oberon, and am the second from last currently in line for the throne should he ever pass on.

Oh. Well, thats wait, eighteenth? Just how many siblings do you have?!

A lot, he says, not specifying an amount. And the way the king and our people decide on who is most fit to be the heir is by the contracted partner of the princes and princesses.

I blankly stare ahead for a few seconds, stopping in place and seemingly confusing Allen for the time before a look of understanding dawns on his face and he just stands in place to watch the stupid video.

And youre telling me

Yes. The reason I picked you was because you as a half blood lycan are the individual with the most possible potential out there, and I thought you might be able to win me the throne, he says, unabashed about doing it but seemingly a little embarrassed about hiding that he did it.

A few seconds pass in relative silence as I stand there, the only noise being that of the ridiculous video still playing from Allens terminal.

He used me, but wasnt I kind of using him as well? For his knowledge, and, well, the contract? For the System?

Even if I was upfront about it.

Actually, maybe thats why hes not ashamed about him using me in the first place?

Ya know what, Tarankar, I think this might actually work better than if you had no use for me at all. Because I hate not paying back my favors. And despite how much of a pain in the ass youve been sometimes, you are really the only reason Im alive right now. Considering that you offered me the contract and all. Even if you do kind of abandon me out of nowhere sometimes.

Please stop doing that, by the way.

The tanuki appears in the air in front of me, startling a lot of the people around us, and to be honest, me as well, since I wasnt expecting him to ever show his face in front of others. Even Allen looks rather startled.

You would accept our contract even after knowing? he asks, his voice still using telepathy despite being out in the open.

I nod my head.

Honestly, this contract feels easier to accept now that I know what Im getting into more clearly.

Although I would like to know how it is your king and people recognize which Guardian is doing the best.

The tanuki stares at me for a few seconds before answering in a single word, Power.

Power?

He nods his head. Power.

Oh. So do you mean pure levels? Or fighting ability including levels and skills?

Tar floats around me in a circle for a few seconds before answering, Level is what determines a princes place in the heritage, but the only real deciding factor is the contracted Guardians fighting power by the time the tournament comes around.

A tournament? To decide who will become the next king?

Isnt it odd to have it decided by a proxy?

Tar nods his head, But odd or not, its the kings decision. Therefore no one else has a say.

Interesting.

Anyways, glad we understand each other better now.

Although, is there any chance you can delete that video hes watching?

The tanuki glances at Allens arm, where Im pointing, only to turn back to me and shake his head.

A pity. But I guess its fine as long as I get a fair cut of the videos profits. Because embarrassing or not, credits are credits.

And I get the feeling that the only reason he did that was because he knew Id think this way, but only after the fact.

I glare at him for a second before continuing to walk down the stairs, with Allen following shortly after me a second later.