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“We were told you could help us with information we’re looking for,” I explained.
“Then accept my drink. I only help those who share a drink with me.” She handed us the small cups, and Daxon sniffed it, his nostrils flaring, then he gagged.
“What’s in it? It smells like death,” he muttered, giving me a quick side glance, all wide eyes and shaking his head slightly.
“It’s tradition in Romania to enjoy ?uica. A plumb drink. Noroc,” she said, lifting her drink and then draining it in one gulp. Her eyes lit up and she gave a slight shake. “That warms the soul. Now you drink, quickly now, I have a busy night. Otherwise, you can leave.”
Glancing behind me, I saw someone making their way to her table.
Daxon was huffing. “Fine, but if you’ve poisoned us or some other shit, I’m coming for you. Even if I’m dead.”
She laughed. “Angry man. I know what you’re after, I saw it in the cards, and yes, I know where the vampire’s lair is.”
I tensed at her words, but I also figured that after a month of finding nothing on Rune, I’d try anything. So I said, “Noroc,” and pressed the cup to my mouth. I made the mistake of inhaling the spirit before I drank it, and I was coughing as I tipped it all into my mouth.
Fire.
That was the only way to describe how my mouth felt, the flames rushing down my throat as I swallowed it.
I coughed, smacking my chest with a fist because it felt like I’d just drank pure 100% alcohol.
“Fuck!” Daxon was choking next to me.
“What the hell was that?” I quipped.
“Shit, I think I can breathe fire after that,” Daxon whined, slapping his chest for breath.
“Wasn’t so bad,” she murmured, grinning. “It’ll warm you up in the cold and perhaps aid your friend with his dog-like cough.”
Daxon heaved for breath.
“You alright?” I asked.
“Why does it feel like a fucking dragon is trying to climb out of my chest?”
The woman laughed at us. “Good, it’s doing its job to heal the ache in your heart, boy.”
That time, I stared at the woman, her words surprising me. The hairs on my arms rose.
“Now. You seek entrance to the hidden world of Galeru, which is located right here near our city. That is where your vampire lives.” She tapped her crystal ball.
My mouth dropped open and I had to close it back up. Who was this woman and how in the world could she possibly know our purpose when we’d told nobody?
“Where is it?” I asked instantly, leaning forward, my hands on her table. “How do we get there?”
“I’ll tell you, but first you must do something for me.”
“Here it comes,” Daxon croaked, an angry expression flaring over his face. “There’s always a catch, isn’t there?”
“Well, of course. I must make a living.”
“Then name your price,” I said warily. But we’d come this far, and I was thinking she had what I needed. I’d give her everything I had to find Rune.
“I'm in short supply of eyes. And you’d be amazed how many spells require human eyes.” She spoke casually, while Daxon nodded his head alongside me. I should have been more disturbed by her request, but since I’d just killed three guys, it didn’t sound so crazy.
“We can help,” Daxon stated. “How does three pairs sound?” he added, sounding rather excited.
She eyed us, then nodded. “Bring them back to me tonight, and you’ll have your instructions and crystal to enter. Don’t turn up and forget coming back to see me ever again.”
