She really fucking went for it, didn’t she? Yup, it was confirmed. The potion was most definitely eating away at her too. So much so, she was resorting to violence now. Specifically, low blows.
Pogue folded over, praying to the floor gods.
Breena unleashed a hysterical, ear-piercing cheer. “Whooo! That’s my girl!”
“By Scurboga’s Gates, perfect form!” Lochlainn snorted, praising.
Keeffe wavered slightly as he watched from the sidelines. He looked utterly stupefied taking in Aine—staring like she was the moon, luring out the Ossory wolf in him with her gravitational pull.
“Souls take me . . .” He clutched his chest. “I think I’m in fucking love!”
Breena completely lost it, choking on laughter.
“How can one woman be such a goddamnlegend?” I chuckled, momentarily forgetting the surveying eyes still stalking me from afar.
“Technically, it was supposed to be a punch—” The bartender halted when Aine’s glare all but flashed fangs at him. “But you know what, I’ll accept it.” He shook his head, bemused.
Aine stormed past Keeffe, ignoring his existence entirely.
She was a hurricane unleashed, smacking a hand down on the bar and grabbing the die. After mumbling a string of swears, she launched it upwards.
Red detonated above. I fanned the air in front of my face, attempting to clear the powdery cloud blurring my sight.
“Commander’s Mark!” the bartender announced with a fiery grin. “M’lady, you may choose any one victim to do as youcommand.”
The room hushed.
I turned to Finley. “So she can make them do anything she wants? And they have to do it?”
He cringed.
Oh, this can’t be good. I sent a silent prayer to whatever gods existed that she didn’t drunkenly murder someone tonight. Not that she’d actually regret it in the morning. But you never know . . .
Finley opened his mouth to answer, but Pogue came into view nearby. There was a strained look on his face, as if fighting back a pained groan with each step.
“They’ll be magically bound to do her bidding,” Pogue grumbled.
Finley side-eyed him.
“Well then. This should be interesting,” I sarcastically replied to hide my nervousness.
Aine’s eyes stalked the crowd like a predator.
There was a brainless, hopeful smile attached to Keeffe’s face.Poor fool.
“Lochlainn!” As if hexing him, she pointed a finger in his face. “Yawillenter Breena and myself into the Eostre Trials!”
“Hah! Yesssss!” Breena jumped up and down, then threw her hands around Aine. “You, my friend, are agenius!” A wet kiss smacked Aine’s cheek, but she swatted Breena away.
Lochlainn cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t have to waste a good Commander’s Mark on me.” He jerked his head toward Pogue. “That presentation alone was practically your initiation. Consider yourselves nominated.” His face sparkled fiendishly.
Aine swiped up the red shot on the bar and downed it. The glass slapped the stone, near breaking as she slammed it back down.
“No such thing as a waste,” she stated, completely unfazed. “Excuse me, I have to take a piss.”
“Charming.” Lochlainn scrunched his face, trailing her with his gaze.
The crowd parted, clearing a path for Aine. Some onlookers attempted to pat her on the back, passing her compliments, but it was like watching an attempt to bathe a stray cat. Hissing and claws.
