Author's note: this is from Aldus's point of view

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Marius went to the dungeon to settle kobolds, and Calista wanted to take Zeiroi to the villa, but I told her to wait for me at the dungeon.

We don't know anything about this new character, and I had no intention to allow him into my home before checking what he is and what his intentions are.

Serina obviously trusts everyone easily, but I know better.

Calista showed me which one is Zeiroi. She didn't want to enter the dungeon, saying that it smells bad. Well, I agree about the smell, but my delicate sister will need to learn to suck it up because not all things in life are pleasant.

I checked on my prisoners first while Zeiroi followed after me, and Calista went behind him grumpily.

She kept her distance and held her nose with her index finger and thumb demonstratively, but I didn't care about her silent tantrum.

Do women really think that the silent-treatment is a punishment for men?

Seven kobolds, one human, and one goblin. A good harvest. Even if they don't have any useful information related to kidnapping, they will be good research specimens.

Next, I visually inspected the guy Serina calls Zeiroi. A skinny one. If not for his pointy ears, I would mistake him for a human.

He was looking at the cells apprehensively, obviously fearing that he will end in one.

"I am Seraphina's father." I introduced myself because until now I spoke only to Calista and Marius. "You can call me Mr. Mezzanotte."

Zeiroi's eyes lit up. "Is she here?"

"She will be. In a day or two. Until then, I want to know more about you.", I said and Zeiroi nodded. "What are you?"

"A fae.", he responded.

I scrutinized him. "You are too tall. And where are your wings?"

He looked at me helplessly. "I grew up with faes and they told me that I'm different. That's as much as I know."

I was confident that the guy was lying. I should torture him a bit. But Serina told me to treat him well, so I should not hurt him without reason. "You are at least twenty years old. You never wondered what you are?"

"I was in Frac's cell for the last ten years."

Well, I believed that he was stuck in a confined space for a long time. The stench coming from him was suffocating.

"Who is Frac?", I asked and Zeiroi pointed at the bulkiest kobold in the cell.

I turned to the dog. "You, Frac! What he said, is it true?"

He growled at me. "Why would I tell you anything?"

I rolled my eyes. Why can't they answer when I ask nicely?

I extended my hand toward Frac and used my ability on him. The hand-thing is not necessary, but it proves the point I'm behind whatever pain they are going through.

I stopped when his eyes started rolling at the back of his head.

"OK. Let's try this again.", I said. "Can you confirm what he said?"

The kobold was sprawled on the floor and gasping for air, and I gave him a minute before extending my hand toward him again.

"No! Wait!", he exclaimed breathily. "It's true! I bought him from slave merchants eleven years ago."

"What is he?", I asked.

"I don't know.", the kobold said fearfully.

"Eleven years…", I pondered at loud. "He was just a kid."

Frac shrugged like it's not a big deal. "He has an awesome ability. You can have him and my men, but let me go."

The other kobolds, a human, and a goblin stood up and started shouting profanities at Frac.

Ah, this is what I get when I deal with dogs. They quickly forget who is in charge.

In the next second, all of them were on the ground.

"Let's not do this again. If I didn't ask you a question, I don't want you to talk. Do you understand?"

They all nodded fervently.

"You…", I pointed at the kobold named Frac. "Tell me everything you know about this boy."

Frac was quick to say that he got Zeiroi before he reached the slave market eleven years ago. The guy who found Zeiroi in the forest was Frac's friend who knew about Zeiroi's power to manipulate existing magic, so Frac got Zeiroi for a good price with a deal that Frac's friend will also get benefits. Unfortunately, that's as much as the useful information goes. Frac's friend died three years ago, and Frac didn't know to tell me where they found Zeiroi.

I was not interested in boy's history. I wanted to confirm if he is working for Frac, or for real kidnappers, and also to find out how he found himself in Frac's den so that I can send him back from wherever he came from.

How on earth am I going to send him home if I don't know where that is?

He was skinny and pitiful, and I was confident that when Serina comes, she will definitely want to keep him. If he is a werewolf, I could send him to Fynn. Unfortunately, that was not an option.

Maybe I can make him disappear and say it was an accident. Or that kobolds got him. Or he left. Ah, the possibilities.

Zeiroi says that he doesn't know what he is, but if I open him up, I might find some clues.

One thing stuck from Frac's story and I glanced at the boy.

"You can manipulate existing magic?"

Zeiroi nodded reluctantly.

I raised my eyebrows questionably and he explained, "Frac gives me a container with magic, and I transfer it into an object."

Frac jumped to grab the bars that separated us, and spoke frantically, "He is useful. Keep him and let me go. He can make a knife with heat or electricity. It lasts at least three years, sometimes more."

I rolled my eyes at the moron. "If magic is imbued into an object, it comes with a certain capacity. Assuming that it's done properly without leaks, it will last depending on how much it's used, not on an expiration date."

I sneered at Frac. "You want to make a deal with me to keep him and let you go? Did someone hit you in the head too hard and you don't see the current situation? I already have him and you. You have nothing to make a deal with me, dog."

I knew that Frac was desperately looking for a way to save himself, but Marius already looted Frac's den while Krob inspected every nook and cranny of that place. We didn't miss anything.

"The girl.", I said and Frac froze. "I need to know how she ended up in your place."

"A guy with a mask came and said that we are to keep her for one day."

I agreed with Serina's previous deduction that these were just scapegoats. If the kidnappers are associated with the Council and other creatures that are after me for the last century or so, they will not be reckless and leave clues behind. However, I still asked.

"What kind of a mask? Who was the guy?"

Frac looked at me like I asked something silly. "Plain black mask. In my line of business, we don't ask for names. We work with cash and merchandise only. Customers and suppliers prefer to be anonymous."

"So… you don't know.", I summarized. "How much did he pay you?"

"Nothing."

I heard that kobolds are greedy, but I didn't know they are stupid. "What happened with, cash only? You accepted to hide a girl for a day without any payment?"

Frac confirmed like it's a totally normal thing. "If the guy came to pick her up the next day, I would ask for payment to let him take her. And if he doesn't come, I can earn pretty money for her on the market."

I could feel rage bubbling inside me. "What market?"

I guess my eyes turned red because Frac gaped at me while stuttering, "Pu-pu-pureblood…"

"You offended someone you shouldn't.", I said through my teeth. "That girl you wanted to sell on the market is my daughter."

"I didn't know!", he shouted.

I can tell. Dumbass.

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