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“Wait!” you call after them. “We haven’t killed you yet!”
Somewhere over your shoulder, you can hear Tarquin snickering. You’re starting to think that you and he will get along well.
With the bear defeated and the cultists on the run, you have a moment’s peace to make sure Neve is actually all right—not just pretending—and that no one else is the worse for wear, either. The only real casualty is Tarquin, who’s got a nosebleed, but who is nonetheless flashing you two thumbs up to signal that he’s fine.
“Looks like there’s no one left to fight,” says Ashur, rejoining the group after leaving to check the covered exits, private boxes, and anywhere else dark and protected a blood mage might conceal themselves to surprise you at the wrong moment.
“Let’s get back to the shop,” says Mae. You can’t help but agree; you’ve done what you came here to do and you’re not eager to spend any more time than you have to in this creepy blood mage hangout.
You know it won’t be the last you see of these Venatori—but now, you’ll have warning. For now, it will have to be enough that you’re all safe.