Nicolas’s laughter echoes off the alley walls. “Oh, Bello, I like you.”
I wink. “There is a lot to like.” Marveling at my own recklessness, I pull up my hood and head down the alley, leading the way.
Chapter 6
Sanctuary
After a few minutes’ walk from the docks, we approach a nondescript inn. The sign hanging on the front has no name or other words to identify the establishment. There’s just an intricately braided circle on a plain background.
I drop my cloaking spell before we reach the door. We’re stopped by a guard as tall as Nicolas, with flaming red hair plaited into a single thick braid down her back, biceps the size of my thighs, and a jagged scar bisecting her right eyebrow. She carries herself as if she’s a weapon, which she is. Left-handed based on the way the very large sword is strapped to her back. Definitely dangerous. She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me. “Hood down.”
I lower my hood and flash my most charming smile. “Good evening.” She scowls in reply, disappointingly immune to my charm. She doesn’t move or say a word until I give the appropriate hand signal.
Once done, she grunts acknowledgement and grabs the door handle, then stops and glares at us. “You both know the rules?”
I’m quite familiar with this establishment and the code of conduct, but I have no idea if Nicolas is. I glance over my shoulder at him. “Have you been here before?”
At the shake of his head, she ticks off the rules on each of her callused fingers. “This is Sanctuary. It is neutral territory. You will not start any fights. If you cannot help yourself, you will take the fight outside. Breaking any of the rules will result in you being tossed out on your ass, and a permanent ban from Sanctuary for life. Or worse. Clear?”
Nicolas doesn’t seem at all put off by the formidable woman or her threats. “Clear.”
With a final glare, as if she thinks we’ll be trouble regardless of her warning, she yanks the door open and steps aside. I pull my hood up and we enter. There’s an array of people from all levels of Amal society in the tavern. More than might be expected for this late or, I suppose it’s more accurate to say, early hour. Most have their heads together, conducting one form of business or another. I catch the barkeep’s eye, share a few hand signals to order drinks, and motion to a free table in the corner. At his nod, I weave through the crowd, dropping into a seat with my back to the wall.
Nicolas’s keen eyes scan the surroundings, pausing to note the exits and possible vantage points, as well as the other clientele. My gut tightens even as my curiosity grows. His surveillance is quick, thorough, and obviously a habit. It only bolsters my assumption that he’s had an intense level of training. Possibly more than his earlier fighting style indicated.
Two cups, an unopened bottle of Barsum red, and a corkscrew thump onto the table. I manage a quick thank you before the server stomps back to the bar. Nicolas grins and reaches for the bottle and opener, uncorking the wine. “Friend of yours?”
“Not even slightly.” I don’t bother explaining that, with the typical clientele here, it’s usually safer for the servers to remain aloof.
Nicolas pours wine into both cups and picks up his, swirling it gently before sniffing the contents. “I have been assured that the wine is not poisoned.” He winks at me, calling back to my earlier comment.
I raise my cup, taking a large sip. “Most definitely not.” He inclines his head slightly, recognizing my gesture of goodwill, and takes a long drink. I don’t mention that I can ingest a certain amount of poison and experience no more than a mildly upset stomach. The Shabah forced us to build a resistance to many substances, the most common poisons among them. The fact that Nicolas takes me at my word is another indication that he isn’t officially Shade-trained.
I let my gaze wander over the room’s occupants. People of all genders in expensive clothing, fingers and earlobes dripping with gemstones that sparkle with magic, conduct low-voiced conversations with Ruby Guild merchants, House-affiliated mercenaries, and common thieves. There’s a small group of Amethyst Guild members talking at a table. Three healers in light green tunics chat amiably with a serious looking woman wearing a deep purple kaftan, indicating she’s one of the Guild’s lawyers.Based on her age, the almost black purple of her robe, and the number of gems she’s wearing, I’d guess she’s a High Counselor. In the far corner, four guild ministers wearing the silver overcoats of the Diamond Guild huddle close with a black-clad Protector of the Onyx Guild, sending a shiver down my spine. When members of the Onyx Guild have dealings with the politicians of the Diamond Guild, it’s almost never good for the general population. Our laws are supposedly hammered out in the halls of the capital, but the reality is that most are negotiated away from the public, in impartial establishments like this one, where a person’s safety is assured. This inn is neutral ground, so rival factions can meet to talk or drink in peace. Everyone who walks through the door knows the consequences of violating the rules of the place. My gaze sweeps over the Onyx Guild member. I don’t know them, so it’s not likely they’d recognize me. Still, I keep my hood pulled low over my face. There might be Shabah in here whowouldrecognize me, and unless I want to announce to the Guild that I’m still breathing, I need to keep my face hidden.
With a final sweep of the room, I settle in my chair, as confident as I can be that I’m safe. Nicolas lifts his cup and takes another sip of his wine. “It is actually not bad.” He grins. “Donottell my father I said that.”
My lips twitch. “And you would know?”
“Yes. I would.”
His deliciously full lips press against the rim of the cup, and I’m mesmerized by the seductively slow bob of his throat as he swallows. “So where were you going before those thugs cornered you?”
He snorts. “They were not thugs, and they did not corner me.”
So he’s aware his attackers weren’t dockside thieves. Interesting. “So you cornered them?” He laughs but doesn’t confirm or deny it. I lean in, letting him have his delusion of control, and smile seductively. “Were you meeting your lady love, far away from her disapproving family?” I openly admire how well his plain tunic molds to his muscular shoulders and chest, blatantly undressing him with my eyes. Founder, I’ll bet he’s as gorgeous out of his clothes as he is in them. “Or maybe you were looking for a handsome stranger for a quickie in a dark alley.” I waggle my eyebrows at him and ogle the hint of dark chest hair peeking out of his slightly open collar.
Nicolas cocks an eyebrow at me, toying with the rim of his glass. His gray eyes are full of mischief, as if he’s read my mind. “A—quickie?” Damn! I need to be careful of my word choices. My time on Earth is showing. He interrupts my minor panic. “No. I had no plans for romantic assignations. And definitely no ladies.” He gives me his own appraising look and licks his lips before meeting my eyes again. “My tastes run to male company.” That’s not unexpected, given how he’s been staring at me since we sent the Wraiths packing. And his openness is refreshing after years of living with the repressed norms of Earth. “What about you, Bello? Am I keeping you from a prior appointment? A clandestine rendezvous? A lover’s tryst?”
I take a deep sip of wine and hum appreciatively. If he’s willing to take things in this direction, I have no problem following. Pillow talk is frequently more revealing than afriendly chat over wine. “My plan was to come here, have a glass of wine or two.” I drop my gaze to Nicolas’s beautiful mouth before slowly meeting his eyes again. “And if the opportunity presented itself, I was hoping for sometrysting.” I cock my head to the side. “Perhaps you’d care to join me?”
His eyes turn from silver to almost black as his pupils expand. That’s a very clear yes, and my body responds eagerly. “With the way you have been undressing me with your eyes, I suppose that is the next logical step.”
My heart rate picks up as the ache of desire settles low in my belly. This is purely business, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy myself. Nicolas is handsome and obviously intelligent. Why wouldn’t I be attracted to him? Even if nothing about him or tonight’s events makes sense. Which is why it’s all the more imperative that I find out more about him and what was going on in that alley. He’s somehow connected to the Onyx Guild, which could directly impact my plans. “So, is that a yes?”
Nicolas runs a finger along the rim of his cup, dipping it into the wine before sucking it clean. “I could be persuaded.”
I snort and wave him away. “Please. Don’t do me any favors.” I’m fairly certain he’s teasing, but I can’t say for sure, and that’s annoying. “I’m not lacking for partners.”
