Taming the Beast World with a Frying Pan-Chapter 36: A sleazy con artist

"Touching," a smooth voice drawled from the entrance of the garden. "Truly touching. The Serpent has found a heart."

Ren stiffened in Syris’s arms. She knew that voice.

"Oh god," Ren groaned, her head thumping against Syris’ chest. "Not this asshole again."

Syris didn’t flinch. He didn’t release his possessive grip on her waist. He turned his head slowly, his expression shifting from amorous lover to bored monarch in a nanosecond.

"You are late, Fox," Syris stated, his voice dropping to a glacial chill.

Leaning against the woven gate, looking like he owned the deed to the property, was Vex.

The Red Fox Shaman was disgustingly pristine. His vibrant copper hair was tied back with a silk cord, revealing a face that was sharp, angular, and unfairly handsome. His orange eyes burned like embers, dancing with amusement. Behind him, three fluffy red tails swayed lazily, hypnotic in their rhythm, brushing against the doorframe.

"I am never late, Syris," Vex smiled, stepping into the garden. He looked around at the bioluminescent plants with mild interest before his gaze landed heavily on Ren. "I simply took the scenic route. The swamp is so... dreary. I needed to brighten my mood."

BAM!

"MY KING! INTRUDER!"

Viper, the snake guard, burst into the garden, panting heavily, his spear raised and shaking. He looked around wildly, eyes darting to every shadow, ready to stab.

"I saw him!" Viper wheezed, spit flying. "He was at the Gate! I turned to get the key... and he disappeared! He is a wizard! A red sorcerer!"

He finally spotted Vex standing comfortably next to a glow-shroom, examining a leaf. Viper’s jaw dropped.

"He... he is already inside?"

"He is a Fox, Viper," Syris sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to hold back his irritation. "They are annoying. They are cunning. Stand down."

Viper lowered his spear, looking utterly humiliated. "Yes, King."

Vex winked at the breathless guard. "Better luck next time, Scales."

He turned back to Syris, his smile sharpening into something predatory.

"I have come to collect, Syris. The board was set, and the pieces moved exactly as predicted."

Ren’s ears perked up. She narrowed her eyes at the Fox. He looked far too pleased with himself.

She turned away, pretending to be intensely fascinated by the cacao tree. She grabbed another pod, yanking it off the branch with a little more force than necessary. She wanted to wipe that smirk off his face with a cast-iron skillet. Preferably a hot one.

"The Tiger?" Syris asked, his voice low. "Is he... removed?"

"Removed is such a boring word," Vex hummed, inspecting his fingernails. "Let us say...devoured?"

Vex walked closer, his tails swishing behind him.

"Your striped friend walked a path of high ambitions," Vex spoke, his voice taking on a lyrical, riddling quality. "He sought a roaring shadow in the North, but found only the scent of deception. So he ran. He ran until the ground turned to water."

Ren froze, her hand gripping the rough bark of the cacao pod until her knuckles turned white. ’Water? The swamp?’

"Speak plainly, Fox," Syris hissed, impatient. "Where is he?"

"He entered a realm of the violet cloud," Vex smiled, his eyes glinting with malicious glee. "One wrong step, poof. A dream of purple dust. The dream puff mushrooms are particularly potent this time of year. And then... the snapping jaws of the swamp beasts came to greet him."

Syris frowned. "Swamp beasts? The crocodiles?"

"An unfortunate end," Vex sighed theatrically, placing a hand over his heart. "To sleep while the teeth close in. A tragedy, really."

Ren’s blood went cold. ’Dream puff mushrooms. Crocodiles.’ The image of Kael—her invincible, arrogant, loud tiger being dragged under while unconscious made her stomach lurch.

She spun around, forgetting her act. "You’re lying! Kael would eat crocodiles for breakfast! He wouldn’t—"

Vex’s gaze snapped to her. He smirked.

"Ah," Vex drawled. "The Little Rose is listening. I thought you were gardening?"

"It’s called multitasking!" Ren snapped, brandishing the cacao pod like a grenade. "What did you do to him, you oversized feather duster? If a single hair on his head is wet, I will turn you into a scarf!"

Vex looked at Syris, his expression shifting to pure business.

"King," Vex said coolly. "My price was for your ears. If the female listens, the price doubles. Information is expensive. Two sets of ears... that is a premium package. And she is asking follow-up questions. That’s an additional fee."

"I’m not listening!" Ren lied loudly, her face burning. "I’m... inspecting the beans! I don’t care about your stupid riddles!"

"Your pulse is racing," Vex pointed out, stepping closer. "And you are crushing that fruit. Curiosity is expensive, darling. Can you afford me?"

"I can afford to throw this at your head!"

Syris stepped between them. He didn’t like the way Vex was looking at Ren and he certainly didn’t want to pay double the crystals.

"Enough," Syris commanded. "Viper."

The guard straightened up. "King?"

"Escort the female back to the nest," Syris ordered. "Lock the door."

"Wait!" Ren protested, clutching the heavy cacao pod to her chest. "I’m not done! I need to harvest! And I know he’s lying about the crocodiles! Vex, you shady bastard, tell me the truth!"

"Go, Ren," Syris said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He nudged her toward Viper.

Ren gritted her teeth. She wanted to stay. She wanted to grab Vex by his silk lapels and shake the answers out of him until his teeth rattled. But she knew Syris. If she pushed now, he’d carry her out himself, and she’d lose any chance of somehow finding out the truth later.

"Fine," Ren muttered, hugging the cacao pod furiously. "Enjoy your shady drug deal. I hope you get ripped off."

She stomped past Vex.

As she passed him, the Fox leaned in.

He winked, a smug, victorious wink that said, ’I know something you don’t, and I’m going to enjoy making you pay for it.’

Ren scowled at him, resisted the urge to kick his shin, and marched out with Viper.