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Reed carried two metal mugs to a table in the far corner of the room. I sat across from him and drank half my homebrewed ale. Bitter, rich, and delicious.
“So what does Vanore look like?” I asked.
“Dreadlocks, dark skin, swirled tattoos across her cheeks, and golden canine teeth.”
I doubted I’d miss anyone with those features. Several men slouched at the bar chugging down drinks, a sword at the hip, and wearing baggy pants and shirts. One wore a cap, his skin tanned, and he bore scars on his flesh from many battles. Most who lived by the water in Tritonia were pirates, voodoo witches, and merpeople. All kinds were welcome, unlike in Terra. The bigoted priestess deemed only humans pure and prohibited other races from entering their territory or her people from leaving. Didn’t stop them, but they did so at the risk of life imprisonment.
“You think Elliana’ll be okay until we return?” I asked. “I know Kahlo’s there, but neither of them stand a chance against a witch.” I shifted in my seat as Reed swung back his drink and waved at the barman for another round.
“We’ll find a solution for Elliana and my pride if we have to visit every tavern in Tritonia.”
I prayed it wouldn’t come to that.
The barman arrived. He smiled with yellowed teeth and placed two drinks on the table. When he leaned over to collect the old mugs, his long beard brushed my arm. It was like barbed wire, and so bushy one could lose a bird in there. Behind him, a serving girl carried three plates piled high with fried shrimp, bread and butter, and a small roast. She set down the food and left us.
“A man of my taste.” I ate a salty shrimp, the oily coating melting on my tongue. Gods, I was in heaven and I went in for two more.
“Are you going to pay the nice man?” Reed eyed one of my buttons, and I gritted my teeth as the lion cut a large chunk of meat and placed it between two slices of bread.
I ripped off a button, but I might as well have worn nothing now, as the shirt lay half open. “Here you go. Should cover us for the food and many more drinks.”
The man studied it as the other food merchant had and left us with a huge smile.
“My gold isn’t a free-for-all.” I reached out for the bread and made a shrimp sandwich with a lathering of butter. Despite my earlier meal, I salivated for more. “This is damn good.”
Reed hummed as he took a big bite. The waitress returned with more plates, piled high with dumplings, stew, and a fragrant spicy rice dish scattered with diced sausages. Okay, I refused to say it out loud, but I couldn’t hold back. I paid for the food.
“You know, Kahlo once ate two whole leg roasts on his own. The man can put away food.” Reed ladled himself a bowl of stew and ripped the bread into chunks for dipping.
“That’s nothing,” I added. “I got invited to a bear wedding and those shifters scarf down everything in sight. Anyway, their banquet was exquisite, and let’s just say I went through twelve chickens marinated with a spicy coating. A guard checked on me as I sat there with a mountain of bones, curious who I’d butchered.”
Reed’s laughter came from deep inside his chest, his whole body shaking. “You’re actually a decent shifter. Sorry for giving you shit before about your dragon side. Just never know who you can trust these days.”
Filling my plate with rice and dumplings, I shrugged. “All water under the bridge. Plus, you’re helping Elliana and that means the world to me.” Something about bonding with Reed over a meal warmed me. “Count me in to help save your sister and pride members once we help Elliana.”
“Appreciate it.”
We finished every morsel of food, and I slouched in my seat, my belly exploding. I contemplated loosening my belt, but I worried Reed would pawn my flame-shaped buckle for more food. Voices hummed through the tavern as more people swarmed the place.
“Ey, Ariella girl, hope I didn’t miss your singing.” A woman’s voice reached me from two tables away, and I twisted my head to find the singer from the stage chatting with an older woman in a long dress leaning on a cane for balance. Dreadlocks hung down to her waist. When Ariella hugged the lady, they turned enough for me to see the tattoos on her cheek.
Fire hit my chest, and I waved at Reed, but he was already on his feet, heading their way. So I grabbed a nearby chair and piled the plates high on one end to make room to welcome her.
The middle-aged women eyed our plates. “How much in hell’s name have you two been gorging?” When she spoke, her golden canine teeth shone in the candlelight. Yep, we had the right person.
“Vanore.” I pulled out a seat for her to take.
“How do you know my name?”
I lifted my chin. “We’re friends of Elliana, who I believe you know?”
She stared at me long and hard as if any moment now she’d deny knowing Elliana. With a small nod, she balanced on her cane, her other hand gripping the table, and sat in slow motion. Guess for a voodoo witch, she had little to fear if with a few whispered words, she’d curse us, so no wonder she came over to talk to us with such ease. Plus, we were in a packed tavern with Ariella singing once again from the stage.
“Ariella is beautiful, ey?” Vanore stated, reaching over and cupping my hand on the table with hers. “That child comes with death and you have enough danger in your life, boy.”
I squinted, trying to decipher her words. Had she sensed my thoughts about Ariella from our touch? My skin crawled, and I slid my arm back while she grinned, the corners of her eyes crinkling. The depth in her gaze told me this wasn’t a woman to be swindled. She watched every minute detail and struck before you made a move.
“Told her why we’re here.”
