Lucas knew that feeling. There was nothing worse than getting a new toy and not being able to use it—or a new axe and not being able to chop someone in half with it. “‘Cause we won’t be killing anyone,” he said, extending his hand even though he knew that she’d reject him. “But if you got a problem with it, I can always take back the cloak . . .”

“Fine. But you’re gonna have to pay me double,” she insisted.

Lucas kept his hand out. “Pay you? So, you want gold instead of the cloak?”

Bonnie glared at Lucas’s hand. “Fine, meanie. FINE! You get this one as a freebie, but don’t expect me to throw out another again any time soon.”

“Cold bed in the future there, buddy,” Nick snickered. “But if you need me to heal, that’s fine. Just make sure we get the quest turn-in first. I need my experience.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Bonnie asked.

Lucas grinned as he leaned forward and whispered to the two of them. He pointed to one of the fences as discreetly as possible and described his plan, which was simply to grab the princess and then try to make a run and a jump for it.

After he finished with his explanation, Bonnie rolled her eyes and said, “You’re insane. You know that, right? If you get me killed, I’m going to keep that cloak and still expect a little payment for my losses.”

“More importantly,” Nick started, “if I die, then I’m definitely going to—”

A loud voice called out from behind the trio, interrupting Nick before he could finish. “What are you doing here, brother? And with Negative of all people?”

Lucas recognized the voice, and he instantly stiffened.

“Oh my, Negative? Is that really you? You look different,” the next voice said.

Are they here for revenge? Will they be as bribable as Nick? Lucas looked up and locked his gaze on Valerie.

“It’s strange to actually see you with a spine for once,” Malik, the man next to Valerie, continued. “Saving the day and doing the right thing for the village? Where was that when we were facing Xun Guan?”

“Easy, nya! We can’t be faulting him for that. He just couldn’t stand killing his favorite little NPC girl,” Valerie said.

“Maybe. But it was still cold, brother,” Malik said flatly. “What you did. Do you know how long we had to farm to get the items back just to complete that quest? That wasn’t very nice of you.”

His words made it seem as if the two had forgiven Lucas for his betrayal, but his icy tone and the angry glances said the exact opposite. He might have been able to keep his voice dull and lifeless, but his eyes were red with rage and his smile was definitely forced and fake.