“I don’t care. I have a family. I don’t need another one.” He snapped back.
Caelen just rolled his eyes. “Sorry I asked.”
“Where is the best place to get information?” I asked Phoenix.
“The Boarshead. Tavern near the city centre. Back entrance is better—less chance of being seen.”
“What I wouldn’t kill for a drink,” Caelen muttered.
“No drinking on the job, Caelen.” Lacey snapped. “So here’s the plan. We go to the tavern and get what info we can. I have a couple of contacts here too. Odds are they already know about Elira—and have something in motion. Even if not, they’ll be valuable assets.”
**
The Boarshead was a relic of history.
The wood was so old and worn, it felt like the booze had soaked into the very bones of the building.
We slipped in through the back, past clusters of off-duty soldiers playing cards and smoking. Laughter barked from a shadowed corner, too loud, too careless. One soldier in a red Sentinel uniform was hunched over the bushes, retching up his insides.
Typical.
Lacey led us inside without a word. She headed straight to the bar, where an older woman with long silver braids was wiping down the counter.
“How can I help ye, darlin’?” the woman asked.
“I’d like a Queen’s Mercy. Four glasses.”
The woman paused for a beat, then gave a slow nod.
“Be right out. Why don’t you take one of the corner tables at the back?”
“Much obliged, Misty.”
We headed to a small booth at the back, shielded by a half-wall that gave just enough cover to speak freely.
“Now what?” Caelen asked, voice low.
“Now we wait,” Lacey replied. “My contact knows the signal.”
Before anyone could answer, someone slid into the booth beside Caelen. A cloaked figure who moved like someone who’d spent his life hiding. A second later, Misty returned, dropping off four golden drinks without a word.
The figure pushed back his hood.
Phoenix stiffened.
“Didn’t expect to see you again, Lace,” the man said. His voice was quiet. Familiar.
Caelen frowned. “Friend of yours?”
Phoenix’s expression darkened. “What the hell is this?”
“This is Isaac,” Lacey said.
“Finn’s brother?” I guessed.
Isaac blinked at me, surprised. “You know him?”
Phoenix sat back, jaw tight. “He stabbed me in the back. So… yeah. We knew him.”
