“Well, yes. I think it would be prudent,” I respond.
“Alright, well then, we’re having a drink.” Silas pulls me toward the door. “Or three.”
“How do you know he’s here?” I question, planting my feet, and not letting him pull me any closer to the bar.
“Because he asked me to meet him here two days ago.”
Chapter 41
Inside, the light is dim, casting shadows in every corner, and the air smells of stale ale and something far more unpleasant—like a mix of sweat, mold, and musty wood paneling. The floorboards creak with every step beneath our weight, and Silas keeps a firm grip on my hand. The person behind the bar raises a drink at Silas’s entrance, and he returns the smile, signaling to bring over two drinks once we are seated. The bartender is aged, with deep lines etched into his forehead and gray hair shining against the darkness of the bar. A few scattered tables line the front of the space, but we continue deeper through the bar toward the back. Various maps and photos line the walls in no organized fashion.
The place is empty except for a few men who sit alone in the shadows. Their comfort tells me that they are here often, and I can’t help but think of the few bars in Daramveer. When the ports were thriving, I could hear shouts and laughter from the drunks leaving the bar at all hours of the night during the summer months. Even though this place makes me feel sorry for those who are here constantly, an unexpected thrill runs through me.
As we walk deeper into the space, the light becomes even more scarce, providing a level of concealment that I assume Cyrus prefers. The hushed chatter fades, and a door appears before us that I didn’t notice when we entered the bar. Silas turns his head toward me and flashes a bright smile in the darkness.
“Come here often?” I ask.
“Larkin and I used to close this place down,” he says, as he chuckles. “I met him here for the first time. I punched him in the face, then tried to kill him.”
“I heard,” I respond and chuckle.
“I knew we would be friends as soon as my knuckles touched his cheek,” Silas says.
“You did?”
“Fuck no,” Silas laughs. “I hated him.”
Silas pushes open the heavy door, and whatever lies inside is completely covered by darkness. Nerves twist in my gut, but I follow Silas inside, closing the door behind me.
As we move further into the room, my eyes quickly adjust, and I see a single cigar burning in the darkness. The smell causes my nose to tingle, and behind the glow, I see the face of a white-haired man—Cyrus Pierce.
His deep, raspy voice speaks into the darkness. “I didn’t think you would show.”
Silas pulls out a chair for me, and I sit down as he joins me. I remove my axes and place them within reach on the floor next to me.
“Things have changed,” Silas replies.
Cyrus chuckles darkly. “I’m aware.”
“Are you?” Silas bites back.
“And you brought Briar Blackbyrne, the Queen of Daramveer,” Cyrus hums. “This must be my lucky day.”
“Where she goes, I go,” Silas says, with a shrug. “She thought it was in our best interest to speak.”
“She’s smart.”
“Indeed.”
“Is she trustworthy?” Cyrus continues.
Silas leans forward, and I shift in my chair, clearing my throat.
“Hello, Cyrus,” I say. “I won’t say it’s nice to see you. The darkness conceals too much of your face for that.”
“I prefer it that way,” he says, his deep voice turning in my direction.
“Yeah,” I say, leaning closer to get a better look. “I heard you are a fan of the shadows. Are you shy or just embarrassed by your looks?”
