Flynn jumped in front of me. “If anyone touches you without consent, let me know who the scamp is, and I’ll take care of it. It’s not just the leashed we protect. We have rules about staff, and anyone who disobeys those rules gets blacklisted. Got it?”
I folded my arms and tilted my tattooed arm toward him. “Including you?”
Flynn sighed and gave me a little eye roll. “That was different.”
“Grab me again and you’ll find one of my heels in your eye socket.”
“Duly noted.” He tipped his orange glasses down his nose while looking behind me. “We part from here.”
Flynn danced off toward a group of people in latex. They were lounging on large plush sofas, ignoring the panther that was knocking glasses off a low table.
Flynn literally had the worst job in this place from what I could tell.
When I reached the bar, I lifted the counter to make my way behind it. “Where do you want me?”
“Everywhere,” Simone said. “Beer coolers are down below, but ask if they want tap.”
I glanced down at the coolers. “Are you kidding me? There’s only one brand.”
“Of course there is. We only sell Breed beer from one distributor.”
“Is there any difference?”
Simone patted her hand on the bar. “The difference is the money doesn’t go to humans. It goes to a local brewery run by Shifters, and Shifters are the ones who order it most. Hard liquor is on the wall behind you.”
“Breed alcohol?”
She smiled and pinched my chin. “You’re catching on. We have red and white wine but no varieties. And we only accept cash,” she said, pointing to a sign. “If anyone wants to open a tab, use their alias ID to enter into the system. You won’t have to do that often since almost everyone pays in cash. People don’t come here to drink all night long, but they like a little to loosen up.”
Simone gave me a quick demonstration of how to use the computer, which looked cut and dry.
“Keep the bar clean. Spilled magic is messy, and it’ll hurt our reputation. If someone orders a Sensor special, fix the drink and hand it to me. If I’m not available, grab Rena on the other side.” Simone pointed to a row of sinks. “That’s your cleaning station. Make sure you rinse all the magic off the glasses and toss the dirty rags. We have an endless supply under that cabinet.”
“Got it.”
Simone took a clean rag and wiped a wet spot on the wood bar. “That’s what they all say.”
“Why do you think Sensors are better for a job like this?”
“The owner wants more like you, but I do just fine. Also, a Mage is pretty useless at spiking drinks.”
Simone cracked open a beer bottle and handed it to an older man in an expensive suit. “It’s always a pleasure seeing you, Mr. Crawford. Let me know if you need anything else.” The gentleman tipped his head and carried his beer across the room.
“He didn’t pay you,” I said. “Why didn’t you open a tab?”
“That’s Mr. Crawford. You don’teverask him to pay.” She pointed to a laminated menu on the bar. “Memorize the prices.”
A woman sidled up. “I’ll have the same.”
I popped off the lid and set her beer on a napkin. “Why doesn’t he pay?” I asked Simone, returning to our conversation.
“The owner has a short list of VIP customers. I’ll keep an eye out and show you who they are. Thewhyis none of our business. Good luck, and wear something cooler. It gets hot back here.”
Cooler? Was she kidding? I was practically naked in these nothing shorts and corset.
A burly man slid a few bills across the bar. “Vodka neat.”
After serving him, I put the money in the till and realized I had no pockets for tips. “Simone?” I waved a few bills.
