Jayne. I like the sound of that name.
He smiled and said, “It seems my time is yours.”
She took a sip. “For the moment. And please, don’t worry about your pet. It’s fine.”
“Its name is Quickster.”
“No matter, Melegal. You’ll be reunited soon enough, but first, I imagine you wonder why I have brought you into this tower?”
He nodded, being careful to guard his thoughts.
“The royals in this city are different. We live in towers instead of castles, and we refer to ourselves as wizards or magi, because that is what we are. Every tower is led by a grand wizard. Magic is our passion. Our namesake. And we like our privacy.” She took another sip and set the wine glass down on the table. “And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have an impact on the people that live below.”
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t agree.” He cleared his throat. “It’s certainly had an impact on me. So ….” He tapped his bony fingers on the wine glass. “What do you want with me?
Slowly sweeping her hair from one shoulder to the other, she crossed her legs in a very sensual manner and smiled.
Don’t think. Don’t think. Eyes on eyes, not on thighs.
Her lips were as pretty as the smile they made. Her eyes were watching his.
Melegal, still uncertain if she could read his mind or not, found it almost impossible to think of nothing. He was trying to be smart. Patient. To let her spill her thoughts, not him spill his.
“You are interesting,” she said. “And that’s why you’re here. We’ve been watching you for some time.”
“We?”
“We watch everything we can. This is the Tower of Watchers, as they say in the streets below. Have you not heard that?”
“I have. But they call them all that. That and by their royal names. In all truth, there is little talk about it. I believe the underlings receive more attention.”
“And what are your thoughts on the underlings?” she said. “Do you think they pose a dire threat?”
Only a fool wouldn’t think so. My, you are beautiful. Everything from your arse to your eyes. Will you remove your clothes so I may ravish you, one kiss at a time?
Jaen’s eyes engaged him, but her expression did not change.
Good. She can’t read my mind. I don’t think.
“Underlings have always been a threat. Certainly that doesn’t escape your eyes and ears in your lofty tower,” he said. He finished off his wine.
She poured him another.
I could talk and drink all day. “Why ask me?”
“Melegal,” she said, “why were you not overwhelmed when you were transported from the streets to this tower? I’m very curious about that.”
“Bish is full of many surprises. Many I’ve encountered before.”
She leaned forward.
“Really?”
He nodded.
“Really.”
“That’s powerful magic you’ve experienced. And you sit here unfazed by it.”
He took a long swallow of wine. His limbs and tongue loosened. He felt a little giddy. His eyes glanced up and down her body.
This wine is incredible. It goes well with your breasts. Lips. Hips. He blinked. Straighten up, Melegal. He set the glass down. Maybe too incredible. Get on track.
“You were about to tell me why I was here?”
“Was I?” she said, leaning back. “Well, I suppose I was. But not until I’m ready.”
Melegal lay back in the soft leather of the couch and said, “Very well.” He closed his eyes. He felt so comfortable. Loose.
“I should have warned you about the wine,” she said. “It’s very strong.”
“Delicious,” Melegal said, yawning. “Intoxicating.”
She put his wine goblet to his lips and said, “Go ahead. Finish it. Enjoy. Rest.”
Every syllable she said was persuasive. Convincing.
He took the goblet from her hand and spilled it down her chest.
She gasped and jumped up from the sofa.
He giggled.
“Why did you do that? You’re not some clumsy oaf,” she said, grabbing a cloth napkin and wiping herself off.
“You’re going to have to take that off now,” he said, “or it will stain.”
What is wrong with me? He blinked his eyes and shook his head. I’m not normally this ornery. Am I?
She stormed over to the cabinet and grabbed another carafe of wine, poured it into another goblet, and brought it to him. It was white. Shades lighter than apple juice.
“Drink this,” she said.
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea after that last glass I had.”
She stuck it in his face.
“Drink.”
He took it and drank. His mind sharpened, and he regained his focus. The intoxicating effects of the red wine were gone. He sat up straight and said, “What was that all about?”
“A test.”
“Really?” he said, rubbing his finger over his chin. “Did I pass?”
She shrugged and said, “You did well enough.”
He eyed her and said, “You magi are truly an odd lot. I suppose you’re just going to leave this encounter at that?”
“No, you’ve earned a few answers.” She resumed her seat beside him. “Wine makes one susceptible to suggestion. That plum stuff makes you very susceptible. Most start to guzzle it down. Even when I urged you, you didn’t. Instead, you defended yourself. Set it down. Poured it on me.” She dabbed her chest. The stains faded away. “Impressive.”
“I feel I owe you an apology.” He started to set the white wine down on the table.
“Finish it,” she said. “It’s truly good for your health.”
He hesitated.
“I promise,” she reassured him.
Wine and women. Can’t trust one or the other, but you can have a good time with both.
He took another sip. It was more than pleasant.
“Seems I need to spend more time at the wineries.” He took another swallow. “I could do this all day, but I’ve a feeling you don’t want me hanging around here forever.” He leaned back into his sofa. “But I could get used to it.”
“I’m looking for a go-between,” she said, placing the napkin down on the table. “A runner of sorts.”
“An errand boy?”
“You might call it that. A glorified one, of course. Many benefits come with the job.”
It was an interesting proposition, but it was still employment with royals, and he’d been through more than enough of that already. Unfortunately, he was curious.
“Why me?”
“As I say, we keep watch on things, and many things have been happening at the Magi Roost. We’re glad things have calmed down. But the fact that you outlasted the threat is intriguing. You’re a survivor. Not many could survive a threat like that.”
Well, I’m not so sure I’ve survived anything. It’s only a matter of time before he comes back.
Scorch was part of the reason Melegal avoided the Magi Roost. The all-powerful being had left the impression that he’d be back, and that when he did return, things would be ugly. Billip, Brak, Georgio and Nikkel’s story of roasting like logs in mid-air still haunted him. The vision was still ingrained in his mind, just as his memory of snatching the eyes of the underling Sidebor from a fire like pieces of toast was still clear. And even the memory of Scorch’s voice held a power that shook Melegal to his core.
“Sounds like a dangerous occupation,” he said. “Perhaps you need someone more formidable.”
“No, it’s you I need,” she said, touching his knee. “Subtle. Private. Cunning. Being an outsider is helpful. You see things others have forgotten about seeing.”
“I thought you saw everything. And that your eyes were everywhere.”
“We let the people believe what they want to believe.” Her voice was soft. Persuasive. “And I believe in you.”
He finished his wine and got back on his feet
.
“Not interested.” He set the wine glass down. “Now, can you show me out of here?”
“What? I haven’t even told you what the job is. Or how much it pays.”
“I’ve worked with royals before. You’re all the same. I’d just as soon keep my distance from you.” He offered a thin smile. “But I appreciate getting a look inside this tower. And at you as well. I’ll not forget it.”
Jaen produced a small silk purse and poured it out on the table. Its contents glittered and sparkled. Gold, silver, and gems. Melegal’s mouth watered.
That’s a lot of money. At least to me it is. But to her it’s probably nothing. I’m not nothing. I’m The Rat.
“This is payment, not to you, but to one of our associates. He has a package for us. All you have to do is drop off the payment, pick up the package, and bring it back to us.” She toyed with the treasure. “And when you get back, you’ll receive a treasure such as this for yourself.”
Who is us? He eyed the treasure on the table. It was a small fortune.
“When do you need this delivered?” he asked.
“Now,” Jaen said.
“I’m not one to rush into things, so I’ll have to pass.” He looked around. The room seemed to be closing in. “Can you lead me out of here now?”
Jaen sighed, shook her head, rose to her feet, sauntered over and wrapped her arm around his. Her soft skin and pleasant curves loosened his rigid resolve. Her lips brushed against his ear.
“Do this for me, Melegal, please? I know your services are worth more than gold. But I need a man of your talents whom I can trust. An outsider with know-how.”
“You can’t trust me,” he said. He tried to pull away, but his boots were frozen to the floor. He tried more honesty, saying, “And I’m sure I can’t trust you. I’ve been told many times since I’ve arrived, ‘Never make a deal with a mage. They’ll skewer you.’”
She released his arm, stepped away, scooped the treasure back into the bag, and dangled it in front of him.
“Then we won’t make a deal.” Her painted eyes narrowed. “We’ll just call it blackmail.”
“Blackmail? Why blackmail?”
“You adore your pony, ah, Quickster, is it? You are so fond of it. Well, make our delivery, pick up our package, and you can have your pony back.”
“What? And what about that gold?”
“The gold is off the table,” she said, putting the silk bag in his hand. She patted his cheek. “Now all you’ll get is another ride on your donkey. You should have taken the deal I offered you to begin with.” She scowled. “It was far better than you deserved.”
Melegal squeezed the silk purse in his fist. His eyes narrowed. Dozens of profanities raced through his mind. So did another word: IDIOT! He stuffed the purse inside his jerkin.
“Tell me what I must do.”
CHAPTER 10
Kam stood at the bottom of the stairs in the Magi Roost, watching Erin crawl up. Her heart pumped. She clutched her hand over her breast. Erin slipped down a step, and Kam lunged forward.
“Give her a chance,” Joline ordered from the top of the steps. She shook a shiny rattle in her hand. “She’ll make it.”
Kam pulled her outstretched arm back, dug her nails into her palm, and bit her lip.
Erin pulled herself up one stair, then another, eyes fixed on the rattle.
Joline kneeled down and said, “Come on, Pretty Girl. You’ve almost made it.”
Kam’s temples pulsated. After all she’d been through, watching her daughter grow day by day was almost a horrific thing. Any time you took your eye off the little girl, she would move. She climbed out of her crib. Through doors. Tumbled down the steps and fell asleep hidden behind the bar. Kam had almost killed everyone the day that happened. Even Joline.
Erin made it to the last step at the top and stretched her tiny hand up toward the rattle. A little bracelet was on her wrist, trimmed in tiny gemstones. Kam, with some help, had made it for her. It couldn’t be removed, and it made finding her easy. The little girl pushed her belly onto the last step, and Joline handed her the rattle. Erin stuck it straight in her mouth.
“See?” the salt and peppered woman said, placing her hands on her hips, “I told you she would do just fine.”
Kam marched up the stairs and picked up her baby. She kissed her on the forehead and smiled.
“Of course she did. But don’t you ever let her take the stairs without me being here.”
“Kam, she’s already been up and down these stairs several times. She crawls like a little spider.”
“Don’t say that!”
Joline blanched.
“Sorry, poor choice of words. I meant more like a squirrel.”
“My child is not a rodent! Nor an arachnid!”
“Bish!” Joline said, storming down the stairs. “When did you get so sensitive?”
“How dare y—”
Joline shoved her way through the kitchen doors and disappeared. Seconds later, Jubilee came out, wiping her hands on her apron. The young royal girl had lost her boyish demeanor and begun to blossom into an attractive young woman. She was tall, her tawny hair longer and well-groomed.
“What did you say to her now?” Jubilee said, removing her apron. “Let me guess. She tried to say something nice, and you took it the wrong way and lashed out at her.”
“Uh,” Kam huffed, “I did no such thing. She called Erin a spider and said she’s like a rodent.”
Jubilee crossed her arms over her chest and said, “And I guess it was in a mean way. Because we all know how terrible and ruthless Joline is. So you snapped at her.”
Kam raised a brow and said, “You had better watch yourself, little woman—”
“Oh stop it. You just need Venir’s loins thrust between your legs.”
“Jubilee!”
The girl laughed and walked away. A few of the nearby patrons were laughing too, but avoiding Kam’s angry gaze. She huffed through her teeth. “Little witch.” Her eyes watered and became puffy. She sat down on the steps, rocking her toddler, who was still chewing on the rattle.
“I swear I don’t know what is wrong with me,” she said to Erin. “I used to be such a strong woman. At least I think I was. I swear all these ignorant men have made me weak.”
Everything had been upside down since Venir came back into her life. Along with all his friends, trouble seemed to follow him from one extreme to the other. Gillem Longfingers and Palos the Prince of thieves, not to mention Thorn and Diller. All of whom had plotted to kidnap Erin. Then came Scorch, Darleen, and Sidebor. They’d taken over the Magi Roost, only to see it almost destroyed. But Kam had survived. So had Erin. All Kam had lost was her hand.
I’d like to cut off all their hands.
She brushed her red locks from her eyes and surveyed the tavern. All the candles in the chandeliers were lit. Stony fireplaces blazed throughout the room. Voices chatted openly with one another, and her serving girls smiled once more. Best of all, the mages had returned in their gaudy hats, strangely styled beards, and decorative robes. Pipe smoke drifted through the air like fine mist, and the smell of many tobaccos was almost pleasant. It all left a cozy feeling in the room. It gave her a glad feeling inside.
Perhaps I am too sensitive. I swear I didn’t use to be.
The dwarves were back. Gruff and hard drinking. Halflings drifted between the tables. Women squealed and giggled. Men laughed and guffawed. She used to adore all these things, but it all seemed so temporary now. Scorch would be back; she could feel it. Could feel him and Sidebor all the way to her bones.
“Are you getting sleepy, Little One?” she said to Erin, who yawned and stretched out her little arms. “I think it’s nap time.” She started to call for Joline. Her best friend often put Erin down for her naps while Kam worked the tavern. “Oops, forgot she’s mad at me. I guess I get the pleasure of putting you to sleep, but don’t be difficult and take an hour to start dreaming.”
She started toward
her room just as the front tavern door opened and some glum-faced figures entered. Hard men whose faces and cloaks were covered with dirt and dust. Metal rattled from their hips. Her eyes found theirs. She stopped. It was Billip and Nikkel and no one else. Nikkel’s broad smile was gone. Oh my! Jubilee ran up to greet them. They spoke words Kam could not hear except one.
“No!” Jubilee said, dashing out the door.
Kam rushed down the stairs and greeted them face to face.
“What’s happened?” she said, heart pumping behind her breast. “Is everyone alright?”
Neither spoke right away.
She grabbed Billip by the collar of his cloak.
“Is everyone still alive? Where’s Georgio? Where’s Venir? Brak?”
Billip’s head was down when he said, “They live, but you had better come with me.”
She choked a gasp.
Joline came out of the kitchen tying an apron around her waist, and her eyes met Billip’s. He met her halfway and hugged her. She sobbed, hugging him back.
“Where are they?” Kam said to Nikkel. “Where did Jubilee go?”
“Come with me,” Nikkel said sheepishly. “They’re in the stables.”
Kam turned to Joline and started to hand Erin to her.
“Will you?”
“Certainly,” Joline said, taking the little girl in her arms. “Do what you must do.”
Kam followed Nikkel to the barn. Inside one of the stalls, all the others were gathered. Venir and Georgio were kneeled down on the straw-covered floor. Their faces were caked with dried blood and grit. Jubilee was on both knees, sobbing over Brak. The tall man lay flat on his back on a bed of straw, still as a corpse. Tears had washed away some of the grit on his big face. His eyes started to water again.
Jubilee rubbed his head and whispered in his ear.
Kam came closer and asked, “What happened to him?”
Venir—still holding one of Brak’s hands in his—said, “His back is broken.”
How? That was the first question that came to Kam’s mind. But did it matter? No good news came from the Outlands. But at least Brak was still alive.
“Can’t the people here heal it?” Georgio asked her. “I remember when Lefty had the desert flu. They made him better.”
The Darkslayer: Bish and Bone Series Collector's Edition (Books 1-10): Sword and Sorcery Masterpieces Page 20
