“Kai.”
He disappeared inside for a moment, the sound of low voices echoing within.
He returned a moment later, nodding his head in permission for us to enter.
The room reeked of opulent wealth. It had low seating all around various corners, silken pillows piled high around people in the throes of flirtation and heady whisperings.
A man sat upon a raised dias, dressed only in a silken black robe that was splayed open. Three women kneeled around him, their delicate hands playing through his hair, massaging his muscles, and feeding him sweet berries. His face was unconventionally attractive, a harsh ruggedness to him. He had to have been in his late forties, perhaps early fifties, but his dark hair was untouched by the greying of age, his eyes sharp and narrowed as he assessed our group.
They stilled when they met me, his body stiffening, smoke trailing from his lips as he studied my face. As if he saw something in it that wasfamiliar.He was standing then, a sway to his steps as he climbed down from the dais, his voice low and authoritative. “Out,my pets.”
Even in the haze of drugs and liquor and sex, he held command, the tangled bodies strewn across the cushioned seating untangling and scrambling out the singular door. Only two men remained, their eyes clear of any substance, their postures lazy as they watched our group through hooded gazes.
Kairen stepped forth then. “Wraith—”
But he was ignored, a hand raising to silence him as his steps continued towards me until he towered in front of me. His gaze trailed over my lips, the planes of my cheeks, searching the grey of my eyes before his hand was reaching for my dark hair.
It froze centimeters from the locks, going utterly rigid, the veins constricting and expanding all at once, as if he werefightingto move his hand closer. His head snapped, his gaze murderous as it swept over my companions.
Roan stepped to my side with a smoothness that could only be described as predatory, his voice wicked. “Touch her and I’ll break every bone in your fucking hand.”
My focus moved back to the hand still outstretched to me, confusion slithering through my mind.
A deep laugh came from Wraith, throaty and dangerous. “You can control blood, Luanthian?”
“It’s amusing how often people forget how muchwaterwe’re truly composed of.”
I balked, eyeing the man’s hand with a new fascination. Roan could control thebloodwithin a person's body? It should have scared me, the sheer power he possessed. Yet it only stoked the flame deep in my belly.
“Impressive. Now release me before I have my men gut you and your friends and throw you out to the streets.” There was a moment of silence before he spoke again. “I will keep my hands to myself.”
The tension broke and he moved back to his dais, leaning against the edge as he regarded our group. His ringed fingers splayed open as he asked, “What brings a Solerian Prince and his companions to my fine establishment?”
“How did you—”
Kairen was cut off once more. “My business is inknowing,do not insult me with ignorant questions.”
“We seek information—”
“And what payment do you offer for that you seek?”
Kairen pulled the satchel from his body, weighing heavily where it hung from his grip. “We bring coin.”
Wraith laughed again, body languid as he lit a pipe and pulled a long drag of what smoked within. He released it with a sigh, gesturing to the room around. “Does it look as if I need your coin, Prince?”
“Then what would you like in trade?” Roan’s patience was wearing thin, fragile and frayed, on the edge of a dangerous precipice. I could feel the palpable tension, my nails digging deeper into my palms.
The man’s head tilted back as smoke billowed from his lips, body loose as a lazy smile spread over his face. His eyes drifted back to me. “If information is what you seek, information is what I require in return,” he bargained, a heavy finger pointed towards me. “And I want it fromher.”
“No—”
“Roan.”
The first word spoken between the two men in days, a command. Roan went taut, like a bowstring pulled too far, his head slowly turning. Kairen met his stare, will against will. Moon against sun, gold warring with silver.
“Do they always speak for you?”
The question was directed to me, pulling my attention from the men who appeared as if they were seconds from coming to blows once more. I took a step forward.
