There’s no way I can just lie here and sleep. “I’m getting something to drink.”
She shifts, turning onto her side and fixing me with a glare. “Don’t get into trouble.”
“I’m not a child.”
Even with that glamour covering her, the way she raises one eyebrow as if to say “Really?” is typical Prae.
Rolling my eyes, I unblock the door and let it slam behind me. I take the stairs two at a time, fuming as I go. The force of the patrons’ stares is like a prickling wave that washes over me the moment I descend the stairs. No doubt the gold coin is still fresh in their minds.
Jokes on them if they think I have all the money.
“Something strong,” I demand, as soon as I reach the bar. “And keep it coming.”
The tankard hits the dented and cracked wood of the bar quickly enough, and I glug it without stopping to breathe. There’s no hiding my grimace at the taste of the swill they serve, but the burn in my throat reassures me that the alcohol is strong, so I’ll take it.
“Another.”
The troll eyes me critically. “You got the coin for that?”
Grimacing, I reach into my pockets and withdraw what little spare change I’ve got left. Prae’s cleaned me out—typical—but there’s enough for the drink I just had.
A troll scoffing sounds a lot like a horse, and her stale breath washes over me.
“I’m not a charity.” She shuffles away, abandoning me in favour of scolding the drunken rabble at the other end of the bar.
The patrons, realising I’m not wealthy enough to be interesting, back off. All except one.
Stinking of desperation, the faun drags his stool closer to me. His balding brow is sweating, the fur on his legs shaking as he trembles.
“If it’s coin you’re in need of, I know where you can get some.”
Distrust settles across my shoulders and must show on my face because he backs away and hurries to cover his tracks.
“My mistake—”
We do need the money… Before I can think better of it, I grab his arm, stopping him.
“Speak.”
Watching the indecision play over his expression is comical, but in the end, whatever greed prodded him to approach me in the first place wins again.
“There’s a place where those muscles of yours could make you rich, if you’ve a mind to try.”
A fighting ring? I can getpaidto pummel fairies? This seems too good to be true.
My eyes narrow. “And this place is completely legal, right?”
“Is it illegal if there are no laws against brawling?”
Typical fae, avoiding a question by asking another question. Still, I’m interested. We need money, and there’s not much I do better than kicking fae ass, even without my powers.
This could fix a lot of problems for us. Grinning, I imagine Prae’s face when she realises that I’ve solved our money woes single-handedly.
Standing, I tower over the faun and grin. “Lead on.”
Fifteen
Rhoswyn
