When she opened her eyes again, she looked at Alucard, who was still standing nearby with the patient expression of someone who had long ago accepted that his employer's moods shifted like the weather.
Kiara stood up, walked over to him, and placed ten gold coins into his hand.
"Here," she said with a bright smile. "A bonus."
Alucard blinked.
He looked at the coins, then at her.
His crimson eyes were full of confusion.
"For what?"
Kiara only waved her hand. "For existing in my life."
Though baffled, Alucard was not foolish enough to reject free money.
He bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lady Kiara."
After he returned to work, Kiara glanced toward the Statue of Velkazar.
Its cooldown timer still showed several days remaining before it could be used again.
She tapped her finger against the table.
"Should I absorb Alucard's luck one more time when it becomes available?"
The idea was tempting.
But for now, there was nothing more to do.
The next few hours passed quietly.
