She paused and grinned. “Pharmaceuticals, naturally. Traded poison for poison in some ways. Which has created a demand for my second profession that I am training for.”
“What would that be?”
“An undertaker.”
The men had a round of laughter. I suppose she knew how to work a room. I cleared my throat, and they quieted.
Alina smiled sheepishly. “This is my... travel partner I was speaking of earlier.” She introduced me.
“Ah, this is the man we were waiting for,” one spoke from the chair next to her. “How kind of you to join us.”
The man next to her had the complexion of finished wood from a walnut tree and hair blacker than the coals that rested in the pit of the fire. His eyes were dark as well, reflecting the amber light. Most of the men around us shared a similar complexion, except for a few here and there. I was happy Alina showed up first, because I had a feeling my presence was not the most appreciated in a small town like this.
“Silas,” Alina started, looking at me before turning to the man, “this is Cormac McCallister. This is his town.”
I stepped forward and held my hand out to him. “Silas Forbes, pleasant to meet your acquaintance.”
He stood to grasp my hand, shaking it firmly. “It is always a pleasure having fresh meat in my town.” His hands were rough, calloused despite his young appearance. “As lovely as your missus is, I have to ask respectfully what your business is here,” he stated, giving a cautious survey of my appearance.
I sat down in one of the chairs, and he returned to his seat next to Alina. The air became a bit thicker, tense. Most of the men stayed put.
“Our visit is purely out of curiosity. We have had disturbances—” I began.
“So it must have come from a town of mangy, brutish, forest dwellers. Correct?”
“No, that’s not?—”
“What Silas meant to say,” Alina cut me off, “is that we come seeking advice.”
Cormac paused, and he turned his attention to Alina. “What kind?”
“We keep getting more and more feral corrupted showing up down in Buffalo—we can’t figure out where they are coming from. We thought it would be wise to ask an established Vipera colony.”
Cormac stared at her for a moment longer than I was comfortable with.
I was itching to move over to her, but I had to remind myself that she could hold her own. She was much better at diplomacy than I; the only one better than her would be Phoebe.
“How many?” Cormac leaned forward in his chair.
“In the past few months, possibly twenty—three of whom killed one of my girls.”
“My deepest condolences.” He frowned, bowing his headslightly out of respect. A couple removed their hats. “I take it you have a congregation.”
“A community of Hosts and Vipera. It is my job to keep them safe, and I’ve failed. Forgive us for coming on such short notice, there is nothing else we know to do.”
“Well, if you were wondering if they came from us, we haven’t had any new humans in some time. Most just pass straight through. We have our own community of Hosts, so we have no need to hunt passing travelers.” Cormac reclined in his chair and picked up his whiskey glass. “We actually had one instance of a corrupted, but it came from your direction.”
“From Buffalo? Do you think it’s possible it came from elsewhere?” She knit her brows together, chewing her lip anxiously.
“I am afraid so, or at least they aren’t coming from us.” He shrugged.
“I see.” An unmistakable weight of defeat hung in her words.
“I wish I had a better answer for you. I do wish you luck in finding the source of your disturbances.” He rose from his chair. “It is about time to return to my own home, though you two should stop by the bonfire later tonight. It is the perfect night for stargazing.” He turned to Alina and took her hand. “Goodnight, if I do not see you this evening.” He kissed her knuckle before turning to me, nodding. “And goodnight to you, as well. Thank you for letting your missus entertain us with her stories.”
I nodded in return, figuring it was more modest not to speak in this instance.
With that, he left, sliding his glass to the bartender before gathering his coat, leaving with most of the men who had surrounded us before.
