“Oh yes.” The man leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the counter. “I do remember you. Thaddeus’ boy.”
The innkeeper’s eyes narrowed, scouring Evren’s face. Evren hid the flinch at being called his uncle’s. Instead, he focused on his task.
First the inn, then the tavern, then Tallulah.
“How long will you be here this time, hunter?”
“I’m not staying.” Evren leaned closer so he could lower his voice. “I’ve been told you can acquire…” he glanced around the foyer. Still empty. “You can help me acquire a few things for travel. A horse, a weapon, some supplies. Discretion about me being here.”
Evren tapped his fingers restlessly against the oak countertop. The innkeeper said nothing as he pulled a pipe from the breast pocket of his gray wool sweater and stuck it between his teeth.
“Am I in the right place?” Evren’s annoyance showed in his voice now and finally, the man before him smiled around the pipe.
“Sure, hunter,” he said. “I’ll have your things ready by tomorrow?—”
“I need it by dawn,” Evren said in a forced whisper. “Time is…of the essence.”
“It will cost you.” The man’s smile widened as if he took immense joy in the proposition.
“It’s no matter, I have the coin. I’ll fetch it for you as soon as you can promise arrangements will be made by sunrise.”
The man watched Evren again before pulling his pipe from his teeth.
“You have my word.” He dipped his chin.
Evren nodded, taking a step backward.
“Thank you,” Evren whispered before finally turning away. All he needed was the coin to pay the innkeeper, and then he’d be ready to meet Tallulah. His shoulders relaxed, knowing he was one step closer to getting her to safety. One step closer to his life?—
“Evren?” He froze in place at the voice. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was, and his heart dropped dramatically as the man spoke again. “Evren?”
Turning, he couldn’t hide the shake of his hands as the man stepped closer.
“Hello, Markus.”
Nineteen
“Where have you been?”Markus closed the gap between them and encased Evren in a tight hug.
Evren grimaced. Markus smelled of ale and sweat. No surprise given how late it was, or rather how early, but it made Evren’s face pucker. As Markus pulled away, Evren took a step back.
“You know how chatty my uncle gets. Conversation didn’t go as planned, however,” Evren said, the lie thick in his throat. “Figured I’d come back here and start fresh on a hunt before meeting you in Copenspire.”
He smiled, running a hand nervously through his hair. He hated lying to Markus. Hated the look on his face, which told him heknewhe lied. But he didn’t have a choice. He trusted Markus with most things. But this…this was different. Tallulah’s life was on the line and he couldn’t gamble whether Markus would help the situation or hurt it.
“Your uncle, you say?” Markus swayed lightly on his feet. “Interesting.”
He laughed, stumbling forward to grasp Evren on the shoulder. The stench of ale was potent as he leaned in toward Evren’s ear. Evren’s stomach lurched at the scent. The need twitching and whispering throughout his body.
“Rumor around here is you stole yourself a little lass.” Markus pulled back, removing his hand from Evren’s shoulder. Evren stood, unmoving, as Markus searched his face for the truth.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Evren said with a smile. “Now come on, let's get a drink.”
It’s the last thing he wanted to do, but he was desperate to get away from Markus’ questions and knowing eyes. He turned to head out the door, but before he could make it more than a few steps, Markus’ hand landed on his shoulder again and pulled him around.
“What are you hiding, Evren.” Markus glanced toward the front desk.
Evren followed his eyes to find the counter empty, the innkeeper gone to fulfill the task Evren had assigned him. He met Markus’ eyes again and guilt lined his insides.
