Reena leaned forward, nostrils flaring as she sniffed at Cassandra’s scent. “But haven’t taken full advantage of that fact yet. What are you waiting for?”
Cassandra sent a panicked glance towards Borea, who chuckled. “You really think I didn’t know what was going on between you and Officer Saros? I’m nearly seven centuries old, my dear. Do give me alittlecredit. And honestly, I don’t blame you. A handsome, smitten, exiled Fae Prince? One could do worse.”
Cassandra cheeks heated and a shudder ran through her at Tristan’s title.
Hella yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “Too much chit-chat. Long day. What is point of this?”
Cassandra addressed Reena. “We want to use the Fang and Claw as a secret meeting place for me to un-obliviate Temple supplicants.”
Reena chewed on her bottom lip. “Straight to the point. Why the Fang and Claw? Can’t you do it at the Temple?”
“It’s crawling with Empire soldiers throughout the day and night now,” Borea answered, smoothing her platinum bob. “The only places they don’t visit are the extraction rooms downstairs. Our plan is to hide any obliviated supplicants down there, then sneak them away for Cassandra to treat.”
“Empire soldiers have been making random stops here too,” Reena said, irritation twisting her features. “Harassing my customers, barking nonsense aboutmaintaining the separation of the species. I’m lucky they haven’t shut me down yet. Though they’re probably too terrified to try. I usually chase ‘em outta here with my tiger.” She purred the last word, her substantial fangs lengthening and digging into her lower lip. “But so far, they haven’t shown up after closing time. How would you get the obliviates here? You can’t just parade them through the streets of Thalenn.”
“Through the sewers,” Cassandra answered. She and Borea had already discussed this part of the plan earlier. “There’s an entrance beneath the Temple. I assume there’s a grate here in the basement as well?”
“There is,” Reena nodded. “And we should use the basement for this work anyway. Just in case we do get any after-hours visitors.” She massaged her jaw, her tongue poking out to lick at a fang. “I like it,” she declared with a nod. “I’m in.”
Cassandra breathed a relieved laugh. “I thought you’d take more convincing.”
“Fuck the Emperor,” Reena shrugged. “And fuck his soldiers. What’s the point of living for centuries if you can’t indulge in a little criminal activity once in a while.” Reena’s eyes softened. “Does Tristan know about this? I can’t imagine he’d be okay with you taking such a risk.”
“I…I haven’t told him yet,” Cassandra confessed.
“He not be happy,” Hella chimed in. “He want come and help. Protect you.”
“His brother seems to be keeping him plenty busy,” Cassandra said, an irrational flare of annoyance sparking through her at his absence.
You asked him for space, you dolt.
Borea leaned over the small table and placed a gentle hand on Cassandra’s knee. “You’re likely going to need him.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was the infusion of his blood that allowed you this power in the first place. It’s not like the magic you received when you were born—the effects won’t be permanent. You’ll need replenishments. Often. On our worst days, up to twenty human supplicants are obliviated. You won’t be able to cure them all without him.”
Cassandra dipped her head into her hands, expelling a long sigh.
“Whywouldn’tyou want him to help?” Reena asked. “Something happen between you two?”
“It’s complicated,” Cassandra grumbled. “Why does it have to be his blood? Couldn’t one of you give it to me?”
Borea offered a sympathetic frown. “Tristan is descended from the oldest Fae bloodline in Ethyrios. His magic is some of the most powerful on the planet. How do you think his family ended up ruling the Empire? I don’t think just any Fae blood will do.”
“JustanyFae blood?” Reena cocked a groomed eyebrow. “Speak for your self.”
Borea raised her chin. “No offense intended. But you suspect the same, do you not?”
“No, I agree with you,” Reena said, her crimson lips pinched. “Just feel like you could have delivered that line differently.”
“We settled?” Hella rose from the couch, pulling Cassandra up with her. “We have early start tomorrow. Tiny human need sleep.”
Reena stood as well, stretching her long, golden-brown arms above her head before grabbing both Hella’s mug and Borea’s drained pint glass from the low table. “See you all tomorrow night,” she called as she sashayed back to the bar to clean the glasses.
Cassandra stifled a yawn as Hella pressed a hand against her back, guiding her towards the tavern’s faded red door. The black iron scrollwork was barely visible against the pitch-black night.
“Wait!” Cassandra yelped, running back to Reena at the bar. “I forgot that I wanted to talk to you about…something else.” Cassandra wasn’t sure if she should bring up Reena’s history as a priestess of the Fallen Goddess in front of Hella and Borea. “Can I come back before the tavern closes tomorrow night?”
