Page 16

Rottwood was a bustling community, even at night. Though primitive, cobblestones paved the roads. Instead of flames, torches with glowing crystals cast amber light onto the buildings and roads. Beings from all different races strolled along the walkways. Some had massive horns curling over their heads, and others leathery wings hanging down their backs.

“Shit. Look over there,” Drazen muttered.

Kronk swiveled to pin an eyeball on the trio of men who ambled down the street. “The false king’s guards.”

Their eyes had an odd, milky quality. Purple capes hung over their shoulders. Feathers fluttered atop their helmets.

“Don’t be so obvious,” Runa hissed.

“Friends of yours?” I taunted. Now, this was an interesting development. It came as no surprise that my bandits were wanted criminals. Perhaps I could use this to my advantage.

“Trust me. They’re no friends of yours either,” Runa answered, digging the tip of her blade into my side.

I heaved a heated sigh. She really needed to stop with the seduction, for both our sakes. “Have I mentioned how much I love a bit of knife play in the bedroom?”

“You’re disgusting,” she spat, easing up on her dagger. Pity.

While I sat, portraying that of a weakened lump, Runa and her team dismounted, tying their beasts to a post outside the tavern.

That done, Kronk heaved me out of the saddle before dropping me to the ground like yesterday’s trash. I staggered as though my legs wobbled, swallowing a harsh reprimand. They’d soon learn how badly they’d underestimated me.

Bawdy music trickled from the open door along with the low rumbling of voices. Inside, the smell of greasy mutton, unwashed bodies, and sour ale burned my nostrils. Dim lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting the room into shadows. Not since I was an aspiring squire to a drunken knight had I set foot in such a place.

Kronk kept one granite hand clamped around my biceps while Runa remained close to my back, the small knife she held hidden by the folds of my hooded cloak.

The sorceress gestured to an empty table. “The leech and I will sit there while the two of you speak with Vex. First sign of trouble, I’ll bail and take the idiot with me. If this deal falls through, I’m sure we can find another buyer to recover our losses.”

Drazen scanned the patrons seated closest to us, his expression wary. “If this fails to make Vex happy, it will take more than another buyer and a chest of coins to save our asses.”

The two men stalked across the crowded room, heading for a darkened table in the corner. Runa and I sat with our backs angled toward the wall, the room visible before us. The sorceress remained close, her infernal dagger ever at the ready. The idea she believed it a threat was somewhat endearing.

I rested my manacled hands on my lap. The buzz of their enchanted metal prickled my skin. “You sent the hot-head and Kronk to negotiate with the mob boss?”

“Vex is a sexist pig, kind of like you. It’s best I sit this one out. Drazen isn’t the only one with a temper.”

“No kidding.”

She clenched her free hand on the table. “The offer of a gag still stands.”

“Bondage and knife play. Kinky girl.”

“You wish,” she said with an eyeroll.

Did I? Perhaps if our roles were reversed…

A vision of Runa tied beneath me, my dagger at her throat, held a certain appeal.

“Waitress,” I said to the buxom female who’d stopped near us. “Bring us two tankards of your best ale.”

“What are you doing?” Runa clamped her hand down on my thigh and squeezed.

To my frustration, my manhood took notice of her intimate grip. Probably due to the image she’d provoked.

“Blending in,” I answered. “You did order me not to draw attention. Sitting in a bar without a drink in hand will look odd.”

“I cannot wait to be free of you.” She released me with an exasperated snarl. “One more stunt like that, and I’ll deliver you to Vex in pieces.”

I glanced at the male who had my bandits tied up in knots. He was a large bastard with a barrel chest, deep jowls, and athick neck. “Vex isn’t unfamiliar.” I racked my memory. “Ah, yes. I remember now. Back in the mortal world, my men arrested him for slaughtering a pack of shifters and selling their body parts on the black market. I seem to recall that he didn’t discriminate, murdering adults and children equally.” I’d been all too happy to send such a despicable character back to the land of my birth, unleashing him on those who’d scorned and abused both me and my mother. Let the filthy inhabitants of Carcerem deal with him.