Page 88 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

“I had nowhere to go and no experience surviving on my own. I didn’t even know what town I was in when Fenric saved me from my awful fate. He took pity on me and brought me home with him. All the villains have taken excellent care of me and taught me such amazing things. Hapi and Malfas have helped me so much with my magic. Rain has been teaching me to swear like a pirate. Belstrom has kindly shared all of his books with me so we can enjoy stimulating late-night philosophical discussions. But most important, Fenric has been imparting his vast knowledge of the world and his experiences, giving me the skills I need to survive. They are all so brilliant and deadly, but also generous with their time and skills. If I work hard, I can one day be worthy of being a part of their group.”

Lirion shot Fenric another raised eyebrow.

“What? I’m a villain. Corrupting the innocent is part and parcel of the gig,” Fenric countered testily, even as his cheeks burned. Corrupting Maxie felt truly evil, though. Like smashing a priceless stained glass window or burning down an orphanage bad.

“It’s okay. I want to be corrupted!” Maxie said.

Fenric choked on the breath he sucked in and Lirion cackled. Gods save him. He was going to the deepest, darkest levels of hell for this.

“Besides!” Fenric came back sharply. “You’re offering to give him seduction lessons. Aren’t you trying to corrupt him too?”

Lirion adjusted his grip on the canvas bag of fruit he was carrying and shot Fenric a look before turning his attention back to Maxie. “Well, if you’re going to be out doing wicked things with this group of villains, it’s important you know how to protect yourself.”

“Oh, I’m pretty good with a sword because I had fencing lessons for years, but Hapi and Rain have been giving me more practical lessons. Also, Fenric has been teaching me how to use a dagger in a close-quarters fight,” Maxie reassured him.

Finally, Fenric had something he didn’t have to be embarrassed about. Teaching Maxie how to protect himself was important, whether he was out doing good or evil in the world.

“Yes, yes.” Lirion was instantly dismissive. “These are good, but I’m talking about more than fighting skills. You need to know ways to manipulate people with more than weapons. Get yourself out of a dangerous situation before you’re forced to use violence. I think it’s time to upgrade your seduction skills.”

“Yesss!” Maxie cheered.

“Nooooooo!” Fenric howled.

“Yes, he needs this,” Lirion argued with a wide grin.

Fenric continued to shake his head. “No. This is a terrible idea. You’ve seen how good he is with those eyes. The world can’t handle this.”

“True, but it’s a good way for him to protect himself.”

“Or get himself into more trouble.”

Maxie spun around so that he was walking backward. “Please, Fen!” Of course, he had to turn those enormous, helpless puppy eyes on Fen. Was he even doing it on purpose, or did they just pop out to torment him? “I promise not to get in more trouble with this new skill. Lirion only wants me to protect myself. Isn’t it better if I get out of trouble without a sword or knife?”

Fenric was going to strangle Lirion. The incubus was pure evil at his core. How had he not seen this sooner?

But the worst part was that he did see the logic. Maxie was more skilled with a sword than any of them had expected, but his skills were clean and clearly taught by an instructor who’d never expected him to get into an actual fight. Maxie had no idea how to improvise or fight dirty. He also never expected his opponent to fight dirty. That kind of slipup was going to get him killed.

Escaping because of those eyes of his was far safer.

“Okay, fine.” Fenric sighed. “Teach him.”

“Excellent!” Maxie spun around, swinging the bundle of rope in front of him. “Can we start right now?”

“Sure, let’s start now. I need a break. Between the kraken and trekking across this damn island, I’m done in. Fenric’s face is all red from carrying a whole lot of nothing. He can use a break, too.”

Fenric opened his mouth to argue, but Maxie and Lirion were already stepping off the road and into a shaded area to set their items down. It wasn’t his fault he’d been smart enough to toss the nails and other rope into the wagon before the porters could haul it off.

He wanted to point out that Rain and the skelebabies were waiting on these supplies to finish fixing the ship, but he wasn’t in a hurry to get back on the water. The fight with the kraken and choppy waters had left him longing for dry, solid ground. With a grumble, he followed Lirion and Maxie to set their supplies down.

Lirion stood in front of Maxie with his hands on his hips and a serious expression. A line of sweat traveled down the graceful curve of his neck while damp tendrils of pink hair clung to his cheek. Why was that sexy? Everything about the man was alluring, and Fenric didn’t think it was linked to him being an incubus. At least, not all of it. Lirion would have been gorgeous even as a mere human.

“Now, you’ve mastered Level One Puppy Eyes. We saw that with the vendor,” Lirion said. “You just gotta remember the little flutter of the eyelashes matched with the tiny jut of the lower lip. That combo makes Level One lethal.”

Maxie nodded, his expression serious and eyes locked on Lirion as he absorbed everything he said.

“Now, the goal of Level Two Puppy Eyes is to disarm, distract, and lower their defenses. Make them desperate to do whatever you wish. You engage Level Two when it is clear Level One won’t get the job done.” Lirion lifted a hand and tapped one long finger against his lips. “This is easier to learn if you’ve got a target. Let’s borrow Fen.”

“What? Hey now—” Fenric didn’t get the chance to argue any further. Lirion grabbed him by the wrist, swung him around, and shoved him up against the side of what appeared to be an abandoned shack. Fenric blinked, his vision filled with Lirion. The scent of sweat and Lirion’s natural sweetness combined to make Fenric’s mouth go dry.