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“It’s past one in the morning, aren’t pubs supposed to close at midnight?”
“Like I said, I know the owners, and I happen to know they’ve got a lock-in going on tonight.”
“Cool. I guess we get a drink then?”
We jump out of the car and head into a side entrance of the pub. Inside ofThe Noble Armsis just like the outside. Frankly, it could use a lick of paint and a thorough cleaning, but the half a dozen men who are still inside the pub don’t seem to mind as they sit at a round table playing a game of what looks like Blackjack.
“Beast, how are ye?” A heavily accented voice says from the table. The beautiful Irish accent belongs to a middle-aged man with thick black hair and deep blue eyes.
“Good. Are you doing well, Col?”
“As well as can be expected,” he replies, before returning to his game. None of the other men even bother to look up from their cards. I’m not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment. Around us the air hangs thick with cigarette smoke that only adds more of a yellow stain to the mustard-coloured walls. The stale smell of beer, with an undercurrent of dried blood, makes me want to choke. I cough into my hand and Beast looks down at me, pulling a face.
“We won’t be long, promise,” he says, guiding me over to the bar. Ever the gentleman, he pulls out a bar stool for me to sit on. Standing up from behind the bar an older man in his late forties, with salt and pepper hair and the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, surprises me.
“Shit!” I exclaim, almost having a heart attack as he gives me a quick once over before he flicks his gaze to Beast and clasps his outstretched hand, giving it a shake.
“Good to see you, Beast!” the man replies with a heavy Irish accent.
“And you, Tom. Is Arden here yet?”
“Downstairs. I’ll fetch him in a bit. What can I get you?”
“A drink for my friend. Whatever she wants,” Beast says.
“Coming right up. What would you like to drink,álainn?” Tom replies, giving me a once-over. I shift uncomfortably on my chair at his assessing gaze. “It means beautiful.”
Beast notices how uncomfortable I am and steps in. “This is Pen. She’s a friend of mineandGrim’s and she’s taken, so stop with the flattery.”
Tom grins. “You can’t help a man for trying.”
“Pen is working at Tales as our new dancer, you might’ve heard of her...?”
Tom turns his attention back to me, his assessing gaze turning into one of mirth. “Well, shit.You’rethe girl that’s got everyone in a tizzy, huh?”
“A tizzy?” I reply, holding in a nervous laugh.
“Believe me, Tom, this one getseveryman with half a cock in a tizzy. She’s like one of thoseAos Siyou fuckers are always going on about.”
“Aos Si?” I ask, bewildered.
“Fairies,” Tom explains, pointing to a brass fairy sitting above the row of bottles behind him. “They may be small, but they sure are mighty and not to be fucked with...”
“Exactly,” Beast replies, dropping his hand on my shoulder and squeezing. “Pen ain’t no wilting flower, that’s for sure. She’s gota lotof people looking out for her too. Catch my drift?
Tom nods, getting the message loud and clear. “So, what can I get you to drink, Pen?” he asks me.
“Just a lemonade, please.”
“And I’ll have a pint of Guinness,” Beast adds.
“Coming up. It’s good to see you, Beast. Connall’s missed you.”
“The fucker is back? He didn’t fucking mention that,” Beast says, a little prickly.
“Yep, yesterday. I reckon he’s balls deep in Siobhan right about now, so you can cut him some slack,” Tom replies with a chuckle.
Beast laughs. “Yeah, okay. Point taken.”
