Page 142 of Liar Witch

“Cirio likes to use long words,” Val rolls his eyes even as the door slides open. “Makes him feel like he’s breaking the ‘dumb shifter’ stereotype. Plus, it makes sure that everyone who gets in is sober enough to know the risks. Most of his favourite haunts have ridiculous passwords—some are even worse.”

His hand, which had been in a death grip on my wrist until now, shifts to rest at the small of my back as he guides me into the room beyond.

It’s a gambling den.

The air is thick with smoke. The crystal lamps are set to a dim setting that makes it difficult to make out the features of anyone farther than three feet in front of me.

“If you’ve never set foot off theDeadwood,” I mutter. “How in Goddess’s name do you know where you are?”

Val hesitates, the motion slight, but definitely there. “I helped Cirio design the Cove. Evidently, he stuck to the plans for the layout, even if other parts didn’t work out so well.”

Valorean

My first thought, as I watch Nilsa take in the room, is that she looks far too comfortable facing down thieves and murderers. My second is that I shouldn’t have brought her here alone.

The door slams shut behind us, entombing us with some of the most dangerous cutthroats alive. But she takes it all in stride, heading straight for the bar. I trail behind her, my eyes gravitating to the sway of her ass in those tiny shorts she’s wearing. Then I frown as I realise what I’m doing. That frown turns into a full-blown scowl as I notice every other man in here is staring at the exact same thing.

Do not react. Do not react.

For fuck’s sake, she’s notmineto get possessive over.

Only… she is. The very fact that I can stand on solid ground when I’m with her is the final nail in the coffin of my denial.

Nilsa is mine. My mate. The one person on this earth with a stronger bond to me than my ship. I actually have a mate.

Fuck. I’m not even sure how to process that. I’m still trying to get used to the way the ground feels like it’s moving and being so disconnected from theDeadwood.Anythingcould be happening to my ship right now, and I wouldn’t even know. Having all these other men—and most of the handful of women in here—staring at her isn’t making our mission any easier.

I need answers. I need to find Cirio. I need to find the fae dust that should have been waiting for us in Meliad and get back to my fucking ship. Someone in this place has to know something.

I just have to play their games until someone lets something slip.

I let Nilsa take a spot at the bar, but don’t join her. Instead, I stand to one side, scoping out the people in here. Someone from Cirio’s inner circle must remain in this town. A pirate lord doesn’t just up and disappear. This bar is one of Cirio’s favourites, and only accessible to those who proved their worth to him.

“Valorean Deadwood, as I live and breathe.” The deep rumble calls my attention to the table in the corner, and I grin.

Jackpot.

“Tobias.” My feet carry me closer until I find him sitting at a table with three others, cards in one hand, drink in the other.

He stands as I get closer, and we clasp forearms in greeting. Tobias is a half-breed, part vampire-part mage, but his father’s vampire heritage won with him. His fangs peek over his bottom lip as he waves me into the seat beside him. He’s dressed casually, his blond hair clipped short except for the tiny braid behind his ear. Everything about him is designed to scream non-threatening. That doesn’t mean his easy smile is any less cutthroat than any other in this place.

“Join us, old friend. It’s strange to see you on dry land for once. Found your mate in a witch, did you?”

I shrug, trying to play it off. There’s no way I’m admitting to Tobias who Nilsa is to me or how important she is. Not with so many ears around.

“Not my mate. But she is powerful enough to mute my bond to the ship, and it comes in handy.”

He barks out a laugh. “Deal him in,” he orders, and the shifter to my left obeys, handing me my cards. “Come, tell us how exactly you met such a gorgeous witch in the first place, and what on earth possessed you to bring herhere.”

It takes a lot of work to keep from stiffening in my seat. He seems a little too interested in her for my liking, his eyes flicking over my shoulder to where she still sits at the bar.

Shaking off my stupid, newfound jealousy for the second time, I turn the conversation back to the most important thing.

“She made a bargain for passage.” I pause. “Besides, we all know why I’m really here. What the fuck happened with Cirio? Where’s the cargo he was supposed to have delivered to Meliad?”

Tobias sips at his blood and looks down at his hand before tossing a gold coin into the pile at the middle of the table. “Haven’t you heard? Cirio’s dead.”

“Like fuck he is.”