Page 26

Chapter 25

Meera

“Hey, Meera,” he purred. “What are you doing here?”

“Me? What are you doing here?”

His back leg twitched, and he turned his head side to side, scratching his neck on the pillow. “They worship me here. As they should.”

I stared at him incredulously, crossing my arms and huffing. His golden eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, they glowed. In an instant, they were back to normal, and he was wiggling around for more belly rubs.

What that meant, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t speak fluent Corvo, but I had a feeling that it was my warning to be sparse on details about myself. No problem. I didn’t trust anything about this lady.

“You two know each other? How interesting.” She brought a cigarette to her lips, inhaling deeply before blowing out a ring of smoke.

I blinked. Her accent sounded nothing like Lou’s. Thank the gods. Fate was already taunting me by throwing another leprechaun in my face. I just hoped she was easier to deal with. Considering Galpin’s warning and glancing at my surroundings did little to encourage that thought. She just might be worse.

A group of fae at a large table were hitting their limit, sloshing ale over the sides of their mugs as they sang and clanked glasses, groping their paid partners. Women sat on their laps, rubbing their client’s chests, and laughing with fake enthusiasm.

I waved away the cloud of smoke as it neared my face, keeping my tone casual. “We’re acquainted. Didn’t expect to run into him here.”

Irene’s eyes sparkled, and she tapped the cigarette against the edge of an ash tray. “So, Meera, is it? Tell me. Why did Galpin show you in? Are you”—she waggled her brows—”looking for work?”

“What? N-no,” I spluttered, utterly shocked at the proposition.

“Oh, I see. It looks like we have a judgmental princess in our presence.” She turned to an associate that sat next to her, his face obscured by the incline of his brimmed hat, speaking to him in a low voice while looking at me.

I shook my head quickly, taking a seat at her table. “Not what I meant. I’m not judging anyone’s profession here. Honest work is honest work, as long as it’s what they want to do,” I said, pinning her with a look. “It’s just not for me.”

She chuckled, her cleavage jiggling as her chest moved. “Okay, princess. Enlighten me. What can a madam like me, do for a chaste girl like you?”

Chaste. Hmpf. I officially didn't like her. If she kept calling me princess, I was going to pick up that ashtray and throw it at her.

“Galpin said you might be able to help me find a way back to Brumlow.”

“Brumlow,” she cooed. “ So you are a princess.”

It was irritating simply because it was condescending, but now it felt uncomfortable, if only because Vareck was royalty, and we were . . . I don’t know. Together-ish? How would one label our relationship? The way that Corvo looked at me indicated I needed to move on.

“I don't know what you mean by that.” It was an odd assumption truthfully. I didn't look anything like a noble, and there were plenty of impoverished fae living in the main city.

“A lady from Brumlow with your beauty has money.”

I chuckled, adjusting my second-hand cardigan in an effort to draw her attention to it. “I can assure you I don't.”

She looked me up and down, assessing. “Well you're not dressed like you're from the King’s city; I'll give you that.” She waved at a waitress and pointed at the table holding up two fingers.

She had a mocking laugh when she’d said it, but it didn’t bother me. It was true enough; I just thought it was rude.

“I'm from the human realm, but I was on business in Brumlow. I need to get back.”

The server came back, setting down a tankard of ale, a small glass of brown liquor, and a small board with bread, dried meat, and cheese on it.

Corvo jumped up to the table immediately and began walking between the glasses wrapping his tail around the mug that sat in front of me, caressing it as he walked by. I could have sworn his eyes changed color again in a deep glow, but at this point, my mind could have been playing tricks on me. The smoke and haze that settled in the room was heavy. He pawed at the board, speaking in a pathetic voice. “No treats for me Irene?”

She reached beneath his chin and scratched, baby- talking to him when she said, “Haven't you had enough chicken treats?”

“I thought you wanted to spoil me,” he said, curling up on the table and nudging my hand. I petted him absentmindedly.

Irene sipped her liquor, gesturing for me to take a drink. “Business, huh? How did you end up all the way out here in Warwick?” Her tone was skeptical, like she was trying to catch me in a lie. I didn’t like it. Her questions felt like bait.

I considered my words carefully. I was capable of lying, but was she capable of sniffing that out? It wasn’t worth the risk. It’d be better to give a vague, but partial truth.

“Another business deal. That one fell through.” I took a gulp of ale and swallowed, remembering to take it slow. It wouldn’t be long before the effects hit. I’d already had one drink, and my stomach was still empty. I grabbed a hunk of bread that sat on a cutting board on the table, wrapping it around a piece of cheese and eating before I continued. “Galpin said a trade cart won’t be headed for Brumlow for another two weeks, and there are no portals around. So, I need your assistance.”

“I can’t make a portal, princess,” she said, tilting her head to the side. She picked up the coin again, rolling it over her knuckles.

I sighed. I don’t know why she thought she was crafty. She was just playing hardball. Irene had no idea I worked with a leprechaun more times than I could count. So, I played along. I placed my hands on the table, pretending to stand up. “Sorry to waste your time?—”

She held her hand out. “Sit down, princess. I didn’t say I couldn’t help you.”

Settling back in, Irene gestured for me to continue my meal. I grabbed more food, taking sips of the ale to help me swallow each mouthful. “So how can you help me?”

“I think the question is, how can you help me?”

“I don’t follow,” I said, glancing at Corvo. He narrowed his eyes, shifting his glance slightly. The bouncer sitting next to her chuckled, his body shaking. He snorted, leaning back as he tipped his hat forward.

She picked up her cigarette again, taking a drag. “I didn’t think you would. See, you don’t have any money.”

“How do you know that?”

“She wonders how I know that,” Irene said to her bodyguard while tapping ash into a tray. Pointing at me with her cigarette in hand, she gestured to my body. “Look at you. You’re not dressed for winter, princess. Almost like you fell off the back of a wagon,” she said with a smirk.

My heart stuttered, but it appeared to be an off-hand remark. She had no idea how spot on she was. “I don’t have money, but I can?—”

“Then what you’re asking for is a favor. You and everyone else in this realm. You know what I want, princess?”

I ground my teeth at the nickname. “Do tell.”

“I’m a businesswoman, Meera. I only want one thing. Money.”

“If you'd had let me speak I was going to tell you that I can get you money. However much you want.” I didn't know how much a transaction like this would cost, but I did know that Vareck would pay it, and if worse came to worse, I'd give her my money. Technically, I was a hundred thousand dollars richer the moment I handed Damon over, even if I hadn't seen the money yet, it was magically transferred as a part of the contract.

“That just means you're desperate. We haven't started negotiations, and you've already told me that you're willing to pay me whatever I want.” She tutted in disappointment.

Shit.

“Desperate only to a point, Irene. I said I'd pay you whatever you want because I want to cut through the bullshit. I figured as a businesswoman you would appreciate that I wouldn't be wasting your time.”

“I don't know that you can afford my services.”

“Try me.”

“I'll get you to Brumlow.” I breathed in, my heart starting to race with excitement. “In one week,” she finished.

“One week?” I asked. “Why not now?”

“Because you don't have payment now.” She wrapped her painted lips around the cigarette, narrowing her eyes at me while she inhaled, tendrils of smoke coiling around her face.

My stomach twisted. The sounds of the brothel roared in my ears. Corvo was facing me, his backside turned to Irene and her bodyguard that sat on the other side of the table. I looked down at him, hoping the fear that was coursing through me didn't show on my face. His eyes glowed briefly, and then I heard his voice in my head, and I damn near jumped out of my seat, my hands gripping the edge of the chair.

“Vareck is on his way.”

“How did you do that?”

“Keep them talking. Don’t persuade her.”

“Why—”

Irene laughed. “You okay there, princess? You seem a little jumpy.”

“Cold chill. I have those a lot here.” I swallowed thickly, trying to stall for time. Frustration filled me, but I tried to tamp it down. My powers were finally accessible, and I’m told not to use them. “I'm a pretty decent bartender. I think a week's wages would be enough for a portal? I’m assuming you were going to connect me with someone who can make a portal, yes?”

“Bartenders are a dime a dozen. You have two options, princess.”

“Really? It seemed like you were only going to give me one,” I muttered.

“You’re pretty, but those curves are something else. Voluptuous is a hard quality to find in Faerie. Makes you exotic .” Her voice dropped in a sultry tenor, accentuating the last word for effect, though I wasn’t sure why. I wasn’t flattered. She smacked her lips, eliciting a little pop. “All the clients would want a taste. You’d make me a pretty coin here, Meera. Keep quite a bit for yourself too.”

The grip I had on the edge of the chair increased, and I shook my head. “Hard pass. What's option two?”

“I give you back to the brownies you escaped from. Either way, I get paid.” A cruel smile formed as she dropped all sincerities.

My lips parted, my mouth feeling intensely dry. Bile rose to my throat, and I glanced around the room, quickly assessing the patrons to see if I spotted Gin and Gertrude.

She waved me off. “Relax. They’re not here, but they’re certainly waiting for you on the road out of town. The one that leads to Brumlow, as a matter of fact, as if they knew which way you’d be headed. In the meantime, they’ve put a reward out for you. Not the smartest pair.”

“Yeah?” I propped my elbows on the table rubbed at my temple, trying to keep her talking while I waited for Vareck to find me. “How so?”

“What could a couple of brownies want with the likes of you? Someone paid them for you, that’s what. Which means you’re worth much more than they’re offering.”

I had no idea how much money was being thrown around on my behalf, and at this point, I didn’t want to know. I figured it would just give me anxiety. “Is there an option number three?”

“Afraid not, dearie.”

“And if I refuse your offer?”

She pointed at my tankard. “That ale you've been drinking? It's going to make you lose consciousness soon, and then I get to make the decision for you. Guess which one I’ll pick?”

I glanced down at the mug, not feeling at all woozy or like I'd been poisoned or drugged. Since I’d recently been knocked out that way, I was accustomed to the feeling. On the contrary, I felt better with hearty food and a thick ale in my stomach.All I could do was stare at her. Was she bluffing? Was I moments away from falling over?

Corvo’s voice entered my mind again, startling me. “You’re fine. Keep talking.”

“But—”

His eyes flashed quickly, glowing as he wrapped his tail around the tankard again, and that’s when I understood. I was stupid enough to drink without considering the woman in front of me, but he knew who I was dealing with. Desperation had made me careless, and I was grateful he was around. Perhaps I had more luck on my side than I’d realized.

I sniffed, rubbing at my nose before crossing my arms and leaning back. “Something tells me you're going to go for option number one, but something also tells me it's going to take longer than a week.”

Irene winked at me. “Smart girl. ”

Shaking my head, I leaned back in my chair a little more, almost tilting it on two legs. “I'm more of a behind-the-scenes kind of girl. You know, like mopping floors and doing laundry.” Which was not a fun thought, but it beat the alternative. I angled my head toward a table to see a woman tracing her finger down a client’s jaw before she planted a lingering kiss on his lips. “The ladies here look like they're really into their job. Which is great for them, but I don't want to.”

“Oh, they're into their work, but you know, sometimes it just feels like work. Not every day can be your best day. That can be said for any job.” She reached into her dress and pulled out a small pear-shaped glass bottle topped off with a small cork. The contents looked like silver glitter. “That's where the pixie dust comes in. They put a little bit of this on their bodies and it makes them feel good . It’s one hell of an aphrodisiac.”

I felt disgusted by the way she so nonchalantly spoke of sexually enslaving me. “So you give them the choice, yet you want to take away mine? That’s kind of backwards.”

She shrugged. “Money talks, princess. You're a wanted lady and you do have a nice price on your head. But you also have a rather lovely look to you, and I play the long game.”

“I don’t like games, Irene, and I don’t think I’ll agree to the arrangement.”

She glanced at my empty mug with a curl of frustration at the corner of her mouth. With a single angry snap, her bodyguard got up and took a step toward me.

“I wouldn’t do that,” I said, and she held a hand up for him to stop.

“You change your mind and want to do this the easy way? ”

“No, I just don’t want your man here to lose a hand.”

He cracked his knuckles and sniggered. “You gonna cut me, girlie?”

“No, but my boyfriend will.”

“Who’s your boyfriend?” Corvo asked, his eyes filled with mischief. I had a feeling he was starting to enjoy this.

The volume of chatter in the room softened, and heads turned to look at the entrance of the brothel. I kept my focus on the leprechaun. A few wolfish whistles pierced the air, women catcalling the newest patron. Turning to glance over my shoulder, I saw a familiar figure walking toward us, lowering his hood.

With a wide grin, I nodded my head toward the king and stared straight into the madam’s eyes.

“He is.”