I chuckled at her assessment.It’d been years since I’d tastedrealexcitement—bar brawls notwithstanding.The last time was when I’d stolen two of my father’s hellwyrms and taken them out for a little joyride.That adventure had led to a full-on scuffle between me and a horde of hellspawn that had wanted so desperately to kill me.
Ah, good times.
But I held back, weighing my options.I’d spent a decade flying under the radar for a reason.If my identity got out, I’d have every riffraff within a hundred kilometers trying to make a name for themselves by challenging me.I loved a good fight or three, but not when it risked revealing my secret.
Still, her offer was tempting.So tempting.
Maybe I could take her up on it just this once?Helping her out didn’t mean I had to reveal who I was.I just needed to be careful, keep my powers to myself, and stick to using my blades.I could handle that.I’d been doing it my whole life.
I gathered up the rest of the broken furniture and set it aside before returning behind the bar, where a few customers sat, waiting for refills.Eliza followed.
“Alright,” I said, pouring some drinks.“You’ve piqued my interest.What’s the deal with this vampire?”
“The usual,” Eliza said as she hopped up onto the closest barstool.“She’s been feeding in the open and risking discovery.”
“Feeding in the open?Rookie mistake,” I said, shaking my head.“Does she have a death wish?”
Eliza snickered.“Apparently, she’s not the sharpest fang in the mouth.But her stupidity is our gain.”
I studied her and considered the offer.“And you’re sure you want to share the reward?”
“The bounty on her head is rather substantial.More than enough for us to split two ways and still live very comfortably.There’s this little black Versace dress I’ve had my eye on…” Eliza’s gaze went dreamy, and her lips turned up into a soft smile that had the customer next to her choking on his spit.
The extra money definitely appealed to me, considering my upcoming shopping trip and date.“Well, I do need a new dress.And some excitement wouldn’t hurt.But do you actually think I’ll be of use to you?”
“Oh yeah,” she said.“Just bring that right hook with you.One solid hit and that vampire won’t know what day it is.”
I burst out laughing.Eliza joined me, the melodious sound drawing more attention from the patrons still lingering in the bar.
I considered the money.It definitely interested me.A part of me, the part that loved shopping, pictured me striding into the restaurant on Friday night, wearing a ridiculously expensive dress, one that drew all eyes to me.But the realistic side of me was already thinking about savings and investment funds.This job could provide me the financial boost needed for some real freedom.I loved the idea of not having to worry about rent or bills, and still having money left over to indulge in a few luxuries.Maybe I could even cut back on my hours at the coffee shop.A little extra cash would go a long way in turning my current survival mode into something that resembled living.
An exiled celestial could dream, right?
Caving to the offer, I nodded and reached for two clean glasses.I poured whiskey into both, then handed her one.“Alright, you have a deal.”
Eliza grinned at me.“To new partnerships,” she said, raising her drink.
I clinked my glass against hers, and together we downed the liquid.I wiped my mouth and set the glass down on the counter with a satisfying clink.“So, what’s the plan?”
Eliza did the same, then tapped the rim.I poured her another, careful not to spill any.
“I know her location,” she said.“Tomorrow, we’ll go in, take her by surprise, and collect the bounty.Thankfully, her contract is dead or alive, so it really doesn’t matter how this job gets done.”
Oh, goody.It’d been a long time since I’d killed anything, and a familiar sense of adventure warmed my blood.
“I have some spare weapons I can loan you.”
I shook my head and poured myself another shot.Last one for the night.“I have my own, don’t worry about that.”
Eliza’s perfectly shaped eyebrows climbed her forehead.“You do?”
I snickered.“I’m a bit of a collector,” was all I offered.
“Well, alright then.”Eliza slid off the barstool, then drained her shot and lowered the glass.“See you tomorrow night.I’ll pick you up at closing time.With luck, by next sunrise, our bank accounts will be flush with cash.”
Yup, I definitely got a thrill imagining that.“Sounds good.”
As Eliza walked away, I smiled.This was exactly the kind of thing I’d thrived on back in Hell, the kind of chaos I craved.I’d missed it dearly since my exile.Sure, there was a risk involved, but as long as I played it smart and kept my identity under wraps, I could handle it.Besides, a little danger never hurt anyone.
