Lewd Paladin_Dread of Night Read online

  Lewd Paladin

  Dread of Night

  A Lewd Saga Adventure

  Eden Redd

  Lewd Paladin: Dread of Night: A Lewd Saga Adventure © copyright 2017 Eden Redd

  All Rights Reserved

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  “Remember, Arthas, we are paladins. Vengeance cannot be a part of what we must do.” -Uther the Lightbringer (World of Warcraft)

  Follow the links below to the Lewd Saga Series.

  Lewd Saga Adventures

  Lewd Knights

  Lewd Knight 2.0: Middle Kingdoms

  Lewd Paladin: Shadow of Fate

  Lewd Necromancer: Raiding Hearts

  Lewd Rogue: Golden Desires

  Lewd Dragon: Bright Storm

  Lewd Knight 3.0: Serpent Horizon

  Or buy the entire collection in one omnibus

  Lewd Saga Omnibus: 7 Book Collection

  One

  Music played on as the background chatter rose and fell to the rhythm. The front doors to the bar were wide open and people floated in with smiles and searching eyes. When friends would make eye contact, hands went up and cheers bloomed, shortly followed by hugs and wide eyes. The chatter grew into a comfortable storm as relief washed over every college student in the bar. The school year was over and the summer of fun was about to begin. What a time to be alive.

  Luis stood to the back with a beer in his hand and a blank expression painting his face, his mind lost to faraway thoughts.

  Tiny strings of bubbles lined the inside of the clear glass bottle as the young man stood like statue. Mentally he flipped back and forth between his thoughts and reality, unsure which he preferred. Eyes looking up, he took in his surroundings, trying to engage reality and push away nagging thoughts. The crowd was blissfully in full swing as thoughts of college slipped away. Luis noticed a number of faces he knew but held himself back. It wasn’t out of fear or shyness. He simply wasn’t sure what to talk about at the moment. Instead of forcing a conversation, he kept his stance by the back wall and people watched.

  Retreating back to his thoughts, his mind swirled on as he tried to figure out what he was going to do for the summer. Thinking of home, it would be nice to go back and eat mom’s delicious meals. Even thinking of her cooking caused his mouth to water. Taking a swig of his beer, he brought his hand down and held the bottle to his stomach. As tantalizing as it was to go home and eat real food, the dread of being there with his mom and sisters quickly soured those blissful dreams. The meals were great but the company was often crazy.

  Luis leaned his head against the wall and let out a silent sigh. He had a week long grace period in his dorm before he had to find a place to live for the summer. The student spun his mental wheels, trying to think of any other place he could crash for a few months until college started again and came up empty. He had his own room at home, but the family had a tendency to barge in, or worst yet, go through his things. They were nosey and he didn’t want to even think about his sisters or mother raiding his personal stuff. Normally, Luis kept things simple so he didn’t have to try too hard to hide anything, but the last year had grown complicated. Ever since Vanessa bought him Lewd Saga as a gift, the student valued his alone time. The game was meant to be a playful distraction, a virtual place he could explore when he was feeling a little lonely. Now it had turned into something bigger and Luis was having a hard time coming to terms with it.

  Luis thought back, images filling up his mind’s eye. He remembered fighting on the western tip of Lukken against trolls and undead. He let the soft images of a certain necromancer float over his heart. The player felt a surge of conviction as he thought back to when he yelled at a Dread Lord, telling it he was going to hunt every single one of them down. Luis wanted to feel silly when he took off the helmet, after he was disconnected from the game. Instead he felt a fire burn in his heart and his belly. It was then when he realized it had gone from being just a game to something grander. It had consumed his thoughts in reality. When he wasn’t in class, he was in Lewd Saga, grinding up his skills and completing quests. He spent much of his free time looking for anything in game to help kill monsters that were already dead. Picturing the dread lords only fueled his purpose to protect others against the undead threat.

  Images of dread lords drained away and new images sprouted. Luis looked to those that were always in the game, NPC’s who were not only friends and lovers but AI’s beginning to awaken in the virtual world. Luis at first didn’t want to believe it but the longer he stayed in the game, the more he witnessed it. Non Player Characters began to question the fantasy world and their place in it. When he watched the look of knowing fear in Emma’s eyes, he knew he had to do something to help protect her, to protect all of them.

  Luis’s heart thumped in his chest as he thought of the green dragon. He hadn’t seen her since their one meeting after the battle on the Cursed Coast. She remained stoic despite learning that all her fellow Sun Drinkers perished at the City of Nekross. She shed a tear when she found out Lady Slytha was slain in battle. Luis remembered the way Emma’s face showed subtle signs of grief. Her eyes held a gloom and the corner of her mouth twitched just slightly, but enough to show she was full of raw emotion. He wanted nothing more than to hold and comfort her. The dragon gave him a faraway look and a sad smile before turning and walking away. Luis recalled how he didn’t follow her, feeling she needed time to process her pain.

  It didn’t make anything any easier. Delving deep into the game, Luis wanted nothing more than to help those who couldn’t help themselves. Staying to the Eastern kingdoms, the player searched north and south of Journey Road, looking for anything that could help him in his quest to slay the dread lords. As the student brooded over plans and memories, a vibration in his pocket brought him back to reality.

  Luis fished into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. A small knowing smile crept into his cheek and he looked down at the glowing screen, the bar filling with bodies, drinks and music.

  “We still meeting up at Faradal?” The text glowed on screen.

  “Yea, my paladin is already there. I have to enchant an item or two so I’ll be there for awhile. We can talk when you get there,” Luis typed back.

  “Okay. It will be nice to see you. I miss you,” a text appeared.

  “Miss you too,” Luis smiled as he wrote back.

  The glow of the cell phone screen dimmed after a long moment. The student was about to put his phone back in his pocket when the screened glowed brightly from a new text. Luis lifted it back up, his eyes widening a little.

  “I think I’m going to come back to NYC soon,” the text read.

  Luis hesitated for a moment. Vanessa left New York about seven months ago. He thought back to the circumstances and an uncertain vibration licked at his spine. A student had committed suicide and Vanessa was the one who supplied the pills. Thoughts whirled on as he remembered the cops coming to him and asking where his sister was. How he denied seeing her and after they left, she showed up just to tell him she was moving to Florida to stay with their Abuela. Luis tried to get her to turn herself in for questioning but Vanessa was not having any of it and moved, running away. As she explained it, it was an accident and she had no idea the student she was selling to was going to use the pills to take her own life. Luis believed her but knew she had to confront it sooner or later. Now, many months later, his criminal sister was coming back.

  “Do you think that’s safe?” Luis typed and sent.

  “I have a friend in the department and he said the case has been pulled. They have other crim
es to investigate. I can tell you more when I see you.”

  Warmth crawled up Luis’s neck. Part of him was nervous to see her come back but a bigger part glowed with excitement. He and Vanessa always had a close relationship despite her criminal activities. While he was going to college to better himself, she followed a darker path. As much as he wanted her to go to the police, he knew deep down she wouldn’t and he wouldn’t turn her in. Family came first and they all knew it deep down to their cores. Since Vanessa was stuck in Florida, she had spent most of her time in Lewd Saga. It was the only way they could spend time together and Luis enjoyed those moments. They would sit and talk over virtual wine. She was all ears as he gave her news about the family and what was happening in the city. He could tell she missed home but despite that, she seemed to have calmed down a little. Luis thought that maybe because she had to stay out of sight, she had time to reflect on her life. Luis really hoped the last thought was true.

  “Mom, Lisa and Sarah will be very happy,” Luis texted back.

  “I know, so will I. Don’t tell anyone I’m coming back, I want it to be a surprise. When are you logging in next?”

  “Maybe tonight for a little bit but I will definitely be on tomorrow. Meeting with a friend before seeing you,” Luis smiled as he typed and sent.

  Seconds passed before a text came back, “I’m seeing Renner tonight so we will meet up at Faradal late tomorrow. Sleep well little brother.”

  Luis’s smile faded slightly. Vanessa had been seeing the rogue for a while now. He seemed like a nice guy but tended to joke a little too much. He was good at what he did but Luis could feel his protective side kick in. Even in the game, he could see she was falling for him. Luis knew the affliction that curled around the hearts of the women in his family. They liked men with bigger than life attitudes and confidence. Renner was just that, a rogue with a grandiose flare. Luis wasn’t sure how serious they were until Vanessa told him about how the rogue threw her off a cliff to the sea below so she wouldn’t be killed by a horde of trolls. She survived and swam to shore, unable to join back in the fight.

  Luis felt a mixture of joy and sickness when he remembered how Renner sacrificed himself to help distract Mad Morgan so Luis could deal a final blow. He recalled how the rogue smiled and said they were family right before he shattered into light. That was the moment Luis felt a begrudging respect for the rogue, and what he reminded himself often, to stop from killing him whenever he saw his sister making out with him.

  “Okay. Sleep well Sis,” Luis typed and then put the cell phone in his pocket.

  The student looked up at the crowded bar and the sting of reality settled in. He knew some of the people here but they all felt like acquaintances. He questioned why he was here in the first place. Part of him wanted to be out in the real world but a deeper part of him wanted to be in the game. He had so much to do with the long summer ahead of him, it felt odd standing here with a beer when a purpose pushed at his sensibilities. Standing there in the bar felt empty and thoughts floated back to the world of Lukken and the people who dwell there.

  Luis chugged the last of his beer, his mind made up. Stepping to the bar, he was going to deposit the empty beer and make a beeline for the door, thoughts of his dorm room filling his head. As soon as he placed the empty bottle on the bar, a woman on a nearby stool turned her head and looked to him with wide eyes.

  “Luis?” the woman asked as she smiled.

  Luis looked to the woman, brow rising upwards. The woman kept her smile as golden blonde locks framed her face. High cheekbones gave her a delicate appearance but her smile and almond shaped eyes shined with a welcoming glow. The woman turned her body to face the stunned student. Luis drank in her exposed cleavage and tight body in a black dress before looking away. Embarrassment shaded his expression as he tried to not be rude.

  “It’s Jessica, from History,” the woman beamed.

  Luis was mute for a long second. The classrooms were enormous with fifty to a hundred people in each class. He needed notes if he wanted to keep track of everyone he had class with. Luis spent most of his time lost in his studies and didn’t socialize much but with the stunning beauty right next to him, he cursed himself for not noticing her before.

  Jessica saw the question marks in his eyes and continued with a flirty smile, “You probably never saw me because I often sit in the back.”

  Luis turned to her with concern wrinkling his brow, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

  Jessica let out a giggle, “I know. We haven’t formally met but I’ve seen you in class.”

  The blonde beauty held out a hand. Luis looked down and took it. The student kept his smile as Jessica gave his hand a strong squeeze and then let go.

  “Good to formally meet you,” Luis smiled.

  Jessica eyed him up and down before returning his gaze, “Good to meet you too. Were you going to get another drink?”

  Luis’s gut reaction was to be honest but the way Jessica looked at him, he thought better of it. Instead he relaxed as he leaned against the bar and gave Jessica a small smile. It was the end of classes after all and there was nothing wrong with spending a little time in reality.

  “I was thinking of having another one. Are you here with friends?” Luis asked as he looked to her and signaled the bartender with his hand.

  “They’re mingling about. I saw an open seat at the bar and took it. What about you?” Jessica asked and took a sip of her drink.

  “I know a few people but they’re mingling too. I came out because I needed some air,” Luis said, keeping his tone relaxed.

  The bartender appeared and Luis ordered another beer. Jessica was having a Kamikaze and ordered another one. Time swirled on as the two students fell into talking about classes and possible plans for the summer. Luis kept it simple, talking about seeing family and maybe taking a trip. Luis noticed he had Jessica’s full attention and couldn’t help himself after a while. He was talking on and on as the blonde beauty seemed hooked on his every word. In turn, Luis couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She was dressed up but he could see her natural beauty shine through the makeup. When she spoke, warmth spread out and Luis had a difficult time looking away, not that he wanted too. Her laugh was infectious and for the first time in a long time, he wanted to just stay out all night, talking to a beautiful woman.

  An hour turned into two and soon three. Luis was finding it hard to think straight. Glancing at his beer, he knew he only had four all night, but for some reason it felt like he had more. Jessica seemed fine as she looked to him even though she was drinking hard liquor. Luis chalked it up to him not eating dinner and the beer going straight to his head. Reality began to shift and straight lines grew wavy. It was then that the student knew he had too much.

  “I think I need to go,” Luis said with a slight slur.

  Jessica kept her smile, “We can walk for a bit and get some air.”

  Luis nodded with a wavy smile. Moments later, the two students were out in the night air. Streetlights cast their light as people walked the city sidewalks. Luis looked up as night blanketed the city and several stars struggled to glow against the black sky. Head turning, he looked around as the world teetered with each step he took. With a misstep, the young man stumbled forward. Delicate hands reached out and took hold of Luis, helping him regain his balance.

  Luis took hold of Jessica’s arm and turned to her. He wasn’t very tall and only had an inch on her. Gazing into her blue eyes, the young man was lost to her deep pools of radiance before shadows coiled under his eyes.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t really….drink much,” Luis said with a melancholy tone.

  Jessica stepped closer, watching him and holding him so he didn’t tip over, “It’s okay. I’m having a wonderful time.”

  Luis eyed her but didn’t say anything.

  Jessica continued, “I must confess, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. I sort of gave up when…you didn’t notice me.”

  The young man
’s face blanked as he summoned his inner strength to stand up straighter, “I’m sorry we didn’t meet sooner.”

  “We still have this perfect night. I’m not in a hurry for it to end,” Jessica smiled as she stepped in closer, her breasts touching his chest.

  Luis was silent as she gave him seductive eyes. Blood pumped under his skin and he fought against the drunken haze for some sense of control. They just met and Luis felt things were moving a bit too fast. He never held anything against anyone else if they loved to act on their impulses but the young man knew deep down, it wasn’t his way. Trying to stand straight, he let her touch caress his hazy mind. He couldn’t deny how good it felt to have an actual person touch him. It spoke on levels he’d like to explore but it wasn’t his M.O. and he felt he could fall over any second, it was better to end the night on a high note.

  “It was great to meet you formally, Jessica, but I should head back and sleep it off,” Luis swayed.

  Jessica held him at the waist, trying to keep him steady, “I should walk with you to your room.”

  “I’m okay. I can make it….” Luis said and took a shaky step back.

  Jessica’s eyes went wide as Luis stumbled back a few more steps. The young man didn’t know what was happening as gravity and balance clashed. Arms out, Luis managed to grab the pole to a streetlight and clutch to it for dear life. Jessica was to his side, hands on him and helping him stand.

  “I think it will be better if I see you to your room,” Jessica smiled.

  “I think it will be better if you see me to my room,” Luis repeated with an embarrassed grin.

  ***

  The walk back to campus was a lot of swaying and weaving. Luis spent the time quiet and silently cursing at himself. Jessica was under his arm, one hand around his waist another on his chest. Luis couldn’t help but notice how strong she was to help keep him upright. The haze seemed to worsen the longer they walked and Luis fought to keep his balance.