Page 77 of Glass Hearts

“We saw what you did. You somehow controlled those creatures.” The tan blonde one surmises.

“Shit,” I say under my breath. They all laugh as the waitress brings over three beers and another wine for me.

“Men! You haven’t been around in ages. Another job around these parts?”

“For a while, Flow, we hit a bit of a snag. But I think we just caught a lucky goose for the next part of our mission.”

Flow just shakes her head, looking sympathetically at me as she walks away.

“I take it your missions involve nothing fluffy and fun like petting kittens?”

They all break out in laughter.

“Oh! I like her, she will be fun. No, little thief, our work calls for a little more blood than that.” My heart hurts at thelittle thiefnickname.

“It’s Ella, please don’t call me little thief.” The last time a group of men stole me and called me their little thief, it did not end well for my heart.

“Well, Ella. We are willing to make a deal with you. You can keep the money. But in exchange for us being absolutegentlemenabout everything, you will have to assist us in our next mission,” the black-haired man with dark skin says after taking a large sip of his beer.

“Which is?”

“We need to acquire King Cobra scales and venom. The last time we got close to one, we almost lost Jax here.” The black-haired man nods to the blonde man, Jax.

“It was a rough recovery.” Jax shakes. “So, since you can clearly order animals about, maybe you can order the snake to give us its goods.”

“Well, I don’torder them around, I can just communicate with them. It’s up to them whether or not they choose to listen.”

“Same difference. So you in? Or do we need to cut off your pretty little head? It would be a shame, and a bit of an inconvenience for us.”

I pale at the shitty choices I have.

“How did you even find me? I didn’t hear or see you all chasing me?”

“Smith here,” Jax points to the red-haired man, “is a shifter. He was able to catch your scent and follow you. He isexceptionalat tracking.” He laughs. “So if you are planning to run away from us, it’s not going to happen,Ella.” He snarls my name.

Well, fuck. I am definitely in a pickle.

“I just gained my damn freedom, and yet here I am back in the clutches of pushy and controlling men.” I sigh and take a large gulp of wine.

“I take that as a yes to helping us,” Smith grunts, smiling.

“Is it helping if it’s against my will?”

They all clink my half-empty wine glass and laugh. I am definitely not laughing.

“So what exactly are you guys? Mercenaries? You are Jax and Smith. What’s your name?”

“We are the best damned mercenaries in Velora! I am Elliah.” Elliah rests his hand on his heart, I notice all the scars and calluses.

“So what’s this about you just gaining your freedom? Is that why you are stealing from unsuspecting innocent men?”

“Would you really call yourselves innocent men?” I raise my eyebrow.

They again, all laugh. Jovial bunch, it seems.

“Touché, Ella.” They all downed the rest of their beers. Three attractive women advance to our table. Jax turns to me while putting his hands around the waist of the redhead. Smith is already kissing the brunette’s neck. Elliah nods to the other lady, but makes no forward advances as she sways next to him.

Apparently, my new ‘friends’ aren’t shy. If this is their type, I am at least definitely in the clear of them trying anything romantic.