At dusk, the sunset glow on the horizon has been dyed with a touch of attractive scarlet, like a cherry embellished on a cream cake.
Catalina looked at the inconspicuous hotel in front of her. I really didn't expect that this place would have some connection with the devil's cave where children were abducted and trafficked.
The eerie towers or caves, the herpes witch stirring the cauldron, the dark dungeon, none of the things she fantasized about appeared -
Although not decent, it was still tidy, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of camphor oil. In front of the moth-marked black walnut counter, a middle-aged employee wearing silver pince-nez is adjusting the cash register:
"How can I help you, Miss?" the clerk looked up and asked.
"Excuse me... uh -" Catalina became more and more hesitant as she spoke.
Are there any criminal gangs that abduct and traffic children here? That's too stupid to ask, no, no, no.
Even Katarina couldn't ask such an outrageous question. You must know that the other party is probably a member of a criminal gang, and asking blatantly will probably arouse the other party's vigilance.
Could it be that the guy in the dark green tie deceived me and that the so-called "club" is not here at all?
But looking at his frightened look, it shouldn't look like he was lying...
"I'm sorry, maybe I went to the wrong place."
She lowered her head and bowed slightly, and just as she was about to turn around and walk out, a dark figure penetrated the bloody setting sun and caught her sight——
The young lady in front of him was wearing a smart black and white men's clothing, her eyebrows were as sharp as razor blades, and her pupils were deep green. Catalina was amazed by this kind of dress. She had wanted to dress like this for a long time, but Lisa and Grandpa Lawn would not allow it at all.
The only thing that made her a little strange was that, even though it was almost summer, this young lady was still wearing a dark gray scarf.
Just as the two of them passed each other, the young lady wrapped in a scarf suddenly seemed to smell something, and made an almost undetectable sound of inhaling, then turned around:
"Who are you……"
"ah?!"
Katarina's expression changed, she stood still on the spot with a snap, and turned around slowly. Did someone see through my casual clothes? It shouldn't be...
Not many people in Silvermist City knew her. She has almost never appeared in public since she was a child. The only places where she showed her face were the fencing and equestrian clubs she went to after recovering, but those were just small circles.
"Are you... Ed's friend?" The other person didn't seem to care about his gaze at all, looking up and down at Catalina, which made Catalina feel quite nervous.
"Ah, yes, I do know Mr. Edgar Waikolo."
It turned out to be just Ed's friend. How on earth did she recognize me? But luckily she didn't say my name directly. Katarina breathed a sigh of relief and continued:
"May I ask you are--?"
"I'm...his colleague, probably. You can call me Quinn."
The young lady who called herself Quinn hesitated for a moment, touched the tip of her nose again, and then shrugged nonchalantly:
"Oh, by the way, for official business, can I ask how you met?"
It turns out that he is a detective just like Ed. Catalina nodded slightly. It was really difficult to explain what happened on that rainy night to outsiders, so she had to change her explanation:
"Excellent...Mr. Waikolo and I met at the swordsmanship club. Because of some accidents, I just helped Mr. Waikolo with a small favor. It was just a little effort."
"What, would he go to a place like that? Why don't I remember." Quinn narrowed her eyes and said suspiciously.
"Uh, that..."
Catalina was still thinking about trying to defend herself when a familiar voice suddenly came from the end of the guest room corridor:
"Aha, you two are finally here! Quinn...and Caitlin, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
I saw the black-haired boy wearing the familiar smoky gray peaked cap, holding the silver cane in his hand, and hurried out from the stairs of the guest room, opening his arms happily and saying.
Who is Caitlin? This was Catalina's first thought. Could it be that... Oh, I understand.
"Huh? You shouldn't be with her..."
Quinn glanced at Catalina and then at Ed, her eyes becoming weirder.
"Ed? Why are you here too..."
Catalina was still surprised when Ed quickly walked to the front desk, put a shilling note on the table and said:
"These two are my female companions. Don't knock on my room door tonight. Also, if someone comes up and asks about something, please keep it a secret for me, okay?"
The front desk clerk nodded, quietly put the banknotes into his pocket, and whispered something to Ed. Catalina didn't hear clearly, but she clearly saw that Ed's expression seemed to be a bit dumbfounded:
"Okay, I understand. I will come down to find you if necessary."
After saying that, he walked over in a swaggering manner, put his hands directly on their shoulders like a playboy and smiled mischievously:
"Let's go, my dears. If you have anything to say, let's go to the room and talk slowly. It's at the end of the corridor on the third floor. It's very quiet."
What's happening here? !
The moment an arm suddenly hugged her shoulders, Katarina was shocked as if she had been electrocuted. However, she immediately calmed down according to the knight's code. There must be some reason for Ed to do this. He should not be this kind of person.
It shouldn't be... right?
As she walked upstairs, Catalina cautiously glanced at Quinn on the other side. Although the expression on her face was still as cold as ice, the veins on the back of her hands seemed to have bulged...
If a fight breaks out later, should I help Ed, fight with her, or just stand aside and watch?
As expected, I'd better help Ed, after all, I swore to the Keeper of Secrets to ensure his safety...
No matter what, the knight's oath still comes first.
But that smile he just made really needs a smile...
