Dimri snorted.“Please.Most people already knew about you before, but since your friend has started dating Lucifer, it’s become worse.People know who both you and Yakim are, so you can’t just go in there and ask questions.”
That wasn’t something Roque had thought of.He hadn’t expected people to know who he was.He was just a bodyguard.Yes, he was important in his own way, but that was only because he protected Berith.That didn’t mean he was interesting or that people would recognize him.
“Fine,” he bit out.“I won’t go there to talk to the owner.I also don’t want to waste too much time planning this, though.I’m sure that if it was up to you, we’d still be here in a week, trying to come up with plans B and C.”
“Being prepared is always a good thing.”
Dimri sounded offended.Roque didn’t care.They couldn’t afford for Dimri to waste time.“Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect.We can improvise.”
“Improvising causes death.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“Is it?”
They stared at each other for a moment.Roque wanted to scream as much as he wanted to grab Dimri and drag him into his arms.He was pretty sure that Dimri would punch him if he tried, but he still seriously thought about it for a minute.
“Fine,” Dimri said.“What did you have in mind?”
“I want to see this place.”Roque got to his feet.“Are you coming?”
Dimri looked confused, but Roque didn’t linger.He strode to the door, hoping the spymaster would follow him.If he didn’t, well, he hoped he wouldn’t have to explain that to Berith.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”Dimri asked after following Roque out the door.
“I just want to see what we’re talking about.We can’t plan for anything if we don’t know the layout of the place.”
“We don’t need to go there to know the layout of the place.We have maps and blueprints.”
“Not good enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Seeing the place with our own two eyes will help us plan better.I can guarantee you that.”
“It’s like you have no idea what you’re doing.”
“Maybe I don’t, maybe I do.The only thing I know for sure is that I’m a good bodyguard, so maybe you should give me a chance.”Roque wasn’t sure that Dimri was willing to do that, but the spymaster didn’t argue when they left the palace.
Seeing the city with burned buildings and closed shops was painful.People were cleaning up, but there hadn’t been any time to rebuild yet.Everyone hoped there would be, but that would depend on how the fight with Ramiel went.Keeping Berith safe meant keeping his territory safe, and that was what Roque was planning on doing.
“The tavern is owned by Medea,” Dimri said as he kept up with Roque.“She’s always been vocal that she doesn’t like Berith.”
“What’s there not to like?He keeps his people safe and ensures that everyone has food and a roof over their head.”
“She believes it’s overreach.People should take care of themselves and their family, not the prince.”
“Why does she care?It’s not like he’s asking her to pay for this stuff.”
“I’m just telling you what I know.I never said I agree with her stance or that I understand it.”
Roque was annoyed.He didn’t care if people didn’t like Berith, but it didn’t make sense.
Maybe it wasn’t supposed to.Some people had a way to twist their thoughts until they could justify the worst things, and demons could be especially cruel.Whatever Medea had against Berith, Roque didn’t care.He needed answers, and he’d get them, one way or another.
They found the tavern easily since Dimri knew where they were going.He didn’t say anything else, but his judgmental silence made what he thought of this plan clear.Roque didn’t care.
He pushed open the tavern door and winced.The place reeked of unwashed bodies and spilled alcohol.The air was slightly cloudy from the demons smoking pipes and cigarettes.Imported from the human realm.
