Ginger’s Pub was packed tonight. It was as if the entire town of Moonvale decided to come enjoy some ale and stew.
At a glance, I could see fae, elves, shifters, humans, and even a few of the more reclusive minotaurs tucked in the corner.
Luckily, we caught a couple as they were leaving and were able to snag their table.
“Gods! This is unreal, word must have finally gotten out about how good Ginger’s stew is.” Fiella shouted over the noise.
I snorted. “Fi, everyone is well aware of just how much of a delicacy Ginny’s stews are. That can’t be it.”
“You’re right. What in the realms is bringing everyone out then?”
I shrugged. “Beats me. Maybe it’s the weather.”
“As long as they have some blood in stock, I’ll be happy. And a cider, of course. I really hope it’s lavender blueberry today.”
“Girl, I know you do.” I looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ginger’s auburn hair or Tandor’s hulking form. I could see the top of Tandor’s head behind the bar, his dark black hair gleaming in the light from the wall sconces. “I’ll head to the bar and grab us some drinks—if you see any bowls of stew floating around you better snatch them.”
Fiella saluted me sarcastically. “Yes ma’am.”
I rolled my eyes as I shouldered my way to the bar, careful not to push anyone too hard and knock them over but forcefully enough to let them know to get out of my way. Everyone was so gods damnedtall. I utilized my elbows when I needed to, subtly jamming them into the guts of the stubborn drunks who wouldn’t budge.
I didn’t do any real damage—I was simply a woman on a mission. If I sent a flicker of magic zapping here and there, that was nobody’s business but my own.
After the grueling journey, I popped up beside the bar, leaning my elbows onto the sticky surface.
Tandor’s eyes zeroed in on me immediately. He drifted in my direction. I pretended not to notice the annoyed grumbles of the other folk in line that I had so smoothly stepped in front of.
“Kizzi!” He slung a wet towel over his shoulder, splattering the fae man behind him in mystery liquid. “Twice in one day! You couldn’t get enough of me, could you?”
I snorted out a laugh. “That’s it, exactly. It has nothing to do with the fact that you’re the one serving alcohol here. I’ve been counting down the seconds until I could see you again, actually,” I joked.
Tandor grasped two goblets, knocking an empty bowl onto the floor which he promptly kicked aside. “I would hope for nothing less. The usual?” He stretched his neck, searching for Fiella’s bright blue mane of hair in the crowd. “Two or three today? Redd here?”
“Just two, Redd was held up with one of his projects. You know how he gets when he’s got a saw and a chunk of wood.”
A woman cleared her throat pointedly somewhere behind me. My ears twitched in irritation.
“Two it is.” He slid the goblets toward me with impressive smoothness—not a single drop slopped over the side.
“Thanks! Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, do you have any blood left today?” I glanced down at the cups, noticing the red hue in one of them. “Never mind! You’re a genius. Thanks again! And good luck with… all this!”
“You act like I’m new at this, I wouldn’t dare deprive Fiella of her bloody ciders. I like my throat intact.”
I snorted. “Smart man. Thanks!”
“You said that already.”
The sass. Throwing my own words back at me. I couldn’t help but smile.
I shouldered my way back to the table, throwing my sharpest death glares at everyone in my way. By the smell wafting up from goblets, today’s cider was strawberry basil flavored, which was one of the best. I would curse a bitch if they made me spill any onto the nasty, mud-covered floor.
Luckily for everyone else in the room, I made it back to the table without incident.
Fiella stared pointedly over my shoulder with her eyebrow lifted. I glanced behind me, but nothing stood out, except for a pretty human woman ordering an ale. “What?”
Fiella shook her head, the corner of her mouth curling upward. “Nothing, Kiz. I just… saw something interesting.”
I shrugged. Weird. I must’ve missed it.
