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I am relieved once we finally arrive at the tavern. I needed something to focus on and to keep my mind and body from unraveling. I go inside, smiling to myself as Verrin has to dip his head not to bump the door frame, and I am greeted with the same old sight.
Orcs frequent the tavern along with humans, which gives the establishment a consistently tense aura. I pull my cape tighter to cover my face, my breasts, and anything that would garner extra attention. But then I see Verrin, long arms dangling next to him like an orangutan, and I realize I’m not the one being stared at.
There are a few orcs gathered in the back at their usual choice of tables, grunting like pigs at the trough. I ignored them and scanned the bar, seeking Malaki or at least someone who had any clue where he might be.
I make eye contact with Carmen, which allows a sense of comfort to wash over me. I smile at her, and we walk over to the serving area.
“And who might this tall bastard be?”
Fuck. I know that voice well. A snort and a grumble, surprisingly not an orc, but something just as stupid and vile.
“It’s none of your business, Tobias,” I snapped back.
Tobias stands there, drunkenly swaying a little from a full day of drinking cheap beer. He is thin and lanky, similar to Verrin, but with far less lean muscle and fortitude to keep him upright.
He holds a pint in his fist, his face red as a beet, and motions upward at Verrin like he is a pet donkey.
“You’re bringing this guy into town, and you won’t even give me one single chance, Jenna?” he booms, expressions animated and irritating. “You don’t like giving a nice guy like me a try?”
I scoff and take Verrin by the wrist. But Verrin remains still, gazing down at Tobias with an amused cock of the eyebrow.
“Shut the fuck up, Tobias, and leave us alone,” I said, trying to get Verrin to move with me again. “Let’s go.”
“What are you looking at, you long streak of piss?” Tobias sneered, a pathetic attempt at being intimidating.
I know the second I step a few feet from Verrin, his skin is literally going to start melting. But he is incredibly powerful, and his body feels as solid as a tree trunk.
“Verrin,” I hiss.
Tobias and Verrin have locked eyes, and I know, without a doubt, there is no going back. Tobias doesn’t scare me. I know for a fact that I could flick his throat, and he’d fall to pieces. But I don’t need any more trouble coming my direction.
Verrin sighs, keeping his dark, shark-like eyes on Tobias, then proceeds to lean over, pressing his hands against his thighs the way a parent stands to talk to their toddler. When he speaks, his voice is ominous and dark but enticing as a swirl of smoke.
“Tobias Stone, I believe, yes?” Verrin begins, staring softly. “The same Tobias Stone who spotted his mother with another man through a bedroom window at eight years old, then proceeded to shatter her most expensive possessions and blame it on the orcs?”
The smug look on Tobias’s face shrinks away, replaced by a terrified little boy.
“Also, the same Tobias Stone who stole from the market when he was fifteen to buy some underground ale, the same one who harasses and threatens women because deep down, he knows that it is the only way he'll ever get companionship?”
My mouth hangs open, and I watch as Tobias lets his hand slowly fall to his side, the one holding the pint. It spills all over his breeches and the floor, a wave of golden liquid pouring over the smooth surface.
Without a word, he scurries away, a rat returning to his infested nest.
Verrin rises slowly and then does a motion that wipes his hands clean of the situation. I am speechless when he looks at me, that thrilling, flirty smile making my knees weak.
“That’s how you get rid of the trash, darling,” he said.
Before I can say anything, Carmen is at my side, poking me in the hip.
“Are you looking for Malaki?”
NINE
VERRIN
Jenna’s helpful and cute friend informs us that the wizard has just left town and was headed in the direction of the dark elf encampment. I tell Jenna there is no time to waste, and she follows suit without question, but she has one condition.
“I have to get back to the farm and change, set things about so Carmen can do some work for me while I’m gone,” she asserts as we trail back to her dwelling. “That’s the deal, or we aren’t going.”
