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Gasps rang through the room before two men abruptly stood and walked to the back, disappearing behind a curtain. I counted out thirty seconds before swiveling in my seat and hopping off.
“Let’s go,”I said, dropping a few coins on the counter and walking out the door.
Out front, I focused for a moment, listening through the walls, picking up muffled voices. I couldn’t make out the conversation, but I recognized one of them as Mylo. He sounded aggravated and annoyed. Perfect.
“Stay here,” I whispered to Nolan. “I’m going to circle around to the other side of the alley and block his escape.”
“Got it.” He nodded, positioning himself at the entrance.
I took off quickly around the building, leaping over a low wall and turning a corner to the back entrance to the tavern. I propped myself against the wall opposite, my nose crinkling at the overwhelming stench of rotting food and sewage. Only a few minutes passed before the door burst open.
“Hello, Mylo,” I smiled sweetly, although his unamused scowl made it clear he knew it was all fake.
“What would you like, Kasha?” He stalked forward a few steps, arms crossed tightly against his broad chest.
I tried not to be rattled by the beachy blond hair, bright, bottle-green eyes, and the dark olive skin tone I’d come to know well in another person. I shook it off, noticing the differences instead. The sharp, squared jaw and wide build; the jagged scar that ran along his forehead to his left eye. The menacing expression lingering on his features.
“I had a few questions for you.” I took a step forward. “About some wolfsbane.”
Without warning, yet no surprise, he took off down the alley, jumping over the wall with ease even though his black trousers and shiny, polished shoes looked difficult to maneuver in. I sighed loudly and took off after him, barely even breaking a sweat before I caught up. He skidded to a stop when he noticed Nolan blocking his way, turning around as if to dash back the way he’d come.
“No, no, no.” I blocked Mylo’s path. “I think you’ll stay right here.”
His eyes flashed golden, his teeth sharpening. “You have no reason to hold me.”
“That’s not true, I just can’t tie you to any of those reasons.” I leaned against the wall, the moist brick slick against my shoulder bracer.
“Then what do you want?” He widened his stance, arms crossed again. Mylo always tried to act tough around me, but we had crossed paths too many times for me to find him intimidating.
“I didn’t come here to try and arrest you,” I finally admitted. “We’re looking for answers from the streets, and in the past I’ve found you are a wealthy source of information on that subject.”
He smirked. “I suppose I am. I’m glad you’re finally recognizing me for my talents.”
Nolan snorted.“Seriously, who is this guy?”
“A complicated pain in my side,”I said, because it was the only way to explain Mylo.
“What happened to those annoying twins that usually follow you around?” Mylo stuck his thumb over his shoulder, nodding to Nolan.
“Lucas and Taylor were busy.” I laughed at Mylo’s disdain for them. “Besides, I assumed you would want to welcome the new Onyx Guard Alpha of Seathra.”
“Ah, I see.” Mylo turned to Nolan, only inches apart as they sized each other up. “Well, then, welcome to my city.”
“Yourcity?” Nolan snorted. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
“As I’ve mentioned to your Beta here many times,” Mylo flourished his palms, “my hands are very clean of the deplorable things she tries to pin on me. I am nothing more than a restaurateur, dealing with the day-to-day pleasures of running a little tavern.”
“And it will be my pleasure to prove what a lie every word you just spoke is.” Nolan leaned himself against the grimy wall of the alley, his posture relaxing. “However, that will have to happen another day. More important things have come to light.”
“What can I help my local Faction with?” Mylo took a step forward, turning so he could look at both of us. “I am your humble servant.”
“Alright, Mylo.” My insides ground at his cockiness. I wished he wasn’t the one I had to talk to, but he was the best person to tell us what was really changing on the streets. It was one of those moments where a necessary evil would help save the country from an even bigger threat. “Have you or your crew heard anything about a new wolfsbane distributor taking over the streets?”
Mylo stiffened, his eyes flashing panic for a moment before returning to their cool mask. “Why would you ask about that?”
“Confidential,” Nolan said. “Now just answer the question.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t know as I personally don’t deal with any of that deplorable substance.” He placed his hand over his heart, as if swearing an oath.
