Tova shrugged as she leaned against the brick wall. ‘I’m partial to the finer establishments.’
‘Snob.’
Aya pushed through the door. The room was dark and damp, and her nose scrunched at the brine of the river mixing with the sour smell of ale.
Will was sitting at the bar. Aya swallowed a noise of frustration as she stepped around him and slid onto an empty stool while the keep reached for a bottle of liquor on the higher shelf.
‘You think we have time for a drink?’
Will kept his gaze forward, his eyes tracing the bottles behind the bar. ‘I thinkIhave time for a drink.’ The keep placed a glass of amber liquor in front of Will and raised a questioning brow at Aya. She shook her head.
‘We have work to do,’ she reminded him under her breath. Will took a sip from his glass, letting out a hiss as the liquor burned his throat.
‘What do you think I’m doing?’
‘Wasting time. We have at least three more stops to make, and Tova’s patience is wearing thin. As is mine.’
‘Tell her to go ahead to the next place. Between the two of us, we have this covered.’
‘Like hells I’m staying here with you,’ Aya muttered as she slid off the stool. Will stood, blocking her path toward the door. ‘What is it?’ she spat, her patience wearing thin. ‘You’re pissed because Cleo is leading the questioning? You miss out on one person to torture and it’s the end for you, is that it?’
He set his glass down with a thunk, the green flecks in his eyes flaring in the dim light of the bar as he glared down at her.
‘Stop talking and sit down,’ he growled. ‘Before I make you.’ He turned and walked away from her, ducking out of the bar, no doubt to send Tova off. Aya bit down on her simmering anger, falling back onto the stool and swiping his drink.
She was itching for a fight; for some sort of release from the tension inside of her that had been steadily building since she’d awoken after the wolves.
She downed his drink instead, signaling the keep for another.
When Will returned a few moments later, his face was lined with frustration.
‘I take it that went well,’ she said sweetly, sipping from his glass. He lifted a shoulder as he slid onto the stool.
‘She left, at least. About time she does something useful.’
‘She’s been guarding our backs all day.’
‘I don’t need help with that.’
Aya rolled her eyes, forcing the uneasiness in her to settle. Tova was more than capable of looking after herself as well, but …
‘You think it’s wise to send her out alone?’
‘I think it would be less wise to letyouout of my sight,’ Will muttered as he tracked the barkeep to a table in the back corner of the dive. ‘And I think that the quicker we can get this over with, the better.’
Aya gave a pointed look to the drink in her hand, a retort bubbling to her lips. But he spoke again before she could.
‘You should’ve killed them.’ The words were soft, but they cleaved through the air like a blade. He still wouldn’t look at her.
‘The Athatis are sacred,’ she replied lowly. ‘Tyr is my bonded.’
‘I don’t give two shits about your bonded,’ Will snapped, his eyes flashing to hers. He was in some sort of mood to let his temper show like this.
‘If it were Akeeta—’
‘I would’ve done my duty.’ Indeed, that was fury in his voice, which dropped another octave as he said, ‘I ordered you to clear the square. I ordered you to leave and yet you put yourself in danger on sentiment.’
‘Is that what this is about? You’re angry because Idisobeyedyou?’
