Yes, why not face down armed humans, possibly hunters, while standing on a spell that literally could explode in our faces the moment we drew blood? That didn’t sound insane at all.
Liam’s grin was brief. “Stop worrying so much.”
“How can I not when you come up with plans like this?”
“Just stay behind me, would you?”
I flapped a hand in surrender. “Of course, my liege. Go play alpha male while the helpless damsel awaits your protection.”
“You’re insufferable.”
I hid my grin. He’d get no argument from me about that.
As much shit as I gave him, I wasn’t really upset that he was taking the lead. Being older by centuries he could take a lot more damage than I could. If he wanted to let them use him for target practice, go for it.
By now the group had gotten close enough for me to examine. They were a strange trio. The one in the middle was an older man with graying hair and a pockmarked face. His companion on the left looked mid-twenties and had a military style haircut. The last man wasn’t a man at all, but rather a teen with braces still on his teeth.
Gray Hair held up a hand. “What are you doing here? Bars close in half an hour.”
Liam gestured at me with a self-deprecating smile. “The girlfriend is feeling a little unwell. Sensitive stomach and all that.”
I did my best to look nauseous as Gray Hair scrutinized me.
“You shouldn’t drink so much,” he said with fake concern.
I rolled my eyes at the ground. Thanks for your unwelcome opinion, Grandpa. I’ll be sure to crap all over it later.
While he was speaking, his companions spread out, flanking us.
Seeing it, Liam held up his hands in supplication. “Hey—we don’t want any trouble.”
Liam was a better actor than I’d given him credit for, riding the line between cajoling and the fear a human would feel in the face of a mugging perfectly.
“Enough talking,” Buzzcut snapped. “Let’s get this done.”
Braces was less confident than the other two. “Are we sure this is them?”
Buzzcut withdrew his gun, pointing it at me. “Doesn’t matter. If they’re not, they can consider it their bad luck.”
Big mistake, Buzzcut. He really should have treated Liam as the greater threat.
Liam’s fearful facade faded, leaving behind a deep calm that really should have warned them. “I’m giving you one last chance to walk away. Believe me, you don’t want to continue down this road.”
“Oh, but we do, Liam Quinn.” Gray Hair’s smile was nasty as the corner of Liam’s eyes tightened. “Born in the year 901 and turned in 936. Servant to your council for the last two hundred years.”
My eyebrows lifted into my hairline as I let out a silent whistle. Talk about an age gap. I’d known Liam was older but never had I imagined our ages were separated by a full thousand years.
Liam proved he knew me well when he sent me a repressive glare before focusing on the hunters. “If you know who I am, then you’d be wise to walk away. I was killing hunters before your grandfather’s grandfather ever walked this earth. Whatever Dominick has promised you, I guarantee it’s not worth it.”
Gray Hair gestured at his companions. “You’re both coming with us. We’ve got plans for you two.”
“You saw it, Aileen. I tried to solve this in a civilized manner.” There was a cruelty in Liam’s smirk as he eyed the hunters like they were lunch.
“Liam, wait,” I started.
“Just know you brought this on yourself,” Liam warned them.
I cursed as he darted forward, a blur of motion as he grabbed Gray Hair. He flung him at Buzzcut.
