Page 105 of As Above, So Below

Her eyes shoot wide. “Not sure what you need, but Eve doesn’t run anymore, friend.” She shakes her head slowly.

Run? My brows furrow. Then I realize she means run withthieves.

Taking a deep breath, I purse my lips. “No, Camille, I need Eve to come here and bring me my robes.”

Her eyes narrow to slits as she breathes deep. After a moment, her eyes widen.

“Ves?” she asks, her tone weary. “I’m not going to ask why you’re donning a glamour, but your scent gives you away.”

“You’re better off not asking,” I laugh bitterly. “I need Eve to bring me my temple robes.”

Giving me a look that edges on incredulous, she nods.

“Hey, Nicholas!” she calls out over her shoulder.

Nicholas peers from behind a swinging door at the other end of the bar. A door leading to the kitchens, I assume.

“What is it, buttercup?” his deep voice bellows in return.

Camille flashes him a flirty smile and he grins.

She places a hand on her hip. “Send Jackson to the Moon Temple,” she says. “Tell him to find Eve Willowgrace and have her come here with Ves’ robes.”

“On it.” Nicholas gives a firm nod before vanishing behind the door.

Camille turns back to me.

“Who has you running?” she asks as she leans against the bar, a brow lifting.

Whoinstead ofwhat, she’s asked. Camille is either too keen for her own good or lucky in her guessing.

I laugh, a sound mixed with a scoff. “Would you believe me if I said life has me running?”

“Girl, whose life doesn’t?” She bursts into laughter as she leans back, reaching under the bar.

Camille slams down two small glasses onto the bar with one hand as she pours a transparent brown liquid into them. The smell of the substance strikes my nose, and I grimace.

“What is this?” I lean back, seeking escape from the pungent smell.

“Liquid courage, my friend,” she chimes, setting the bottle aside and lifting one of the glasses to her lips.

“I don’t want—”

She silences me, making a clicking sound with her tongue as she guides the other glass into my hand. Reluctantly, I take it. Reaching out, she taps her glass against mine and swallows the drink in one go. The grimace on her face tells me everything I need to know about what she’s given me.

With a sigh, I do the same.

My regret is instant.

Forcing myself to swallow, my throat sets on fire. I place the glass on the counter, and Camille fills another glass with water. Sheslides it to me, laughing. I drink without restraint. A much needed respite from the heat and exertion of the day.

Setting the glass down, she refills it.

“I’m going to ask you another question,” Camille laughs, shifting to pouring herself a glass of water. “You can answer it, or you can enjoy another shot.”

“I don’t need—”

Again, she silences me, this time with a raised hand.