The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (73 page)

The danger was real, which only added to the anxiety she felt, yet she refused to let herself back down. She trusted Callum could protect her. If only he would trust that she could also help to protect them both. “This is exactly why I continue to feel like a child, Callum,” she huffed. “No one will let me do anything. Everyone is so afraid of me getting hurt that they are willing to risk missing important opportunities simply for the sake of my safety. I’m not helpless. Show some faith that I am capable of handling myself. I feel as if you consider me a burden and think this is all upon your shoulders, but it’s not. I’m not a little girl anymore and you have no one else here. Please. Let me help.”

Callum grimaced. He knew he was defeated. She was too stubborn to let him talk her down. His only choice now was to work with her or risk her going off to do it on her own. “Fine,” he replied, begrudged at the thought, letting his head lower down onto his forearms, buried in the fabric of his shirt against the table. “I can’t believe I’m letting you do this.”

“Tell me what I need to know in order to play this properly,” Aiva continued, ignoring the misery so clear in Callum’s movements. They didn’t have time for him to wallow in self-pity. If they didn’t act fast, the man might leave, and they would be left empty-handed. “Do they like to recruit people into their ranks? Is there a specific type of person they seek? I need you to give me something to work with.”

He lifted his head from the table, propping it up with his hand. “They would be more interested in swaying members of a rival group into joining their ranks. It strengthens their numbers while depleting those of their enemy,” he sighed, shaking his head as if trying to convince himself to continue talking. “Here in Vailetta the known leader currently is a man named Nusih, a Namiren and human half-breed. I know he is a rival of Ireni’s boss because she was attempting to organize an attack against him while working in my unit. She claimed to have intelligence that Nusih was the one responsible for the current assaults and wanted us to start a war. Luckily, we uncovered her secret before those plans came to fruition.”

“Alright,” she nodded. “So I am a pirate working for Nusih and maybe am upset with him for some reason and looking for a way out. I will approach first and stand beside him at the bar to order a drink – ”

“No wine,” Callum shook his head. “He won’t believe you a pirate if you can’t handle your ale. Sadly, you will have to subject yourself to that disgusting drink.”

“Okay, so I will approach the bar and order a mug of ale to catch his attention.” Aiva wrinkled her nose at the thought of having to drink something so putrid. She’d never tried it before and had no desire to ever do so. It was a sacrifice she would have to make for her sister. “I’ll keep him distracted and facing toward me while you find a way closer, within range of what is said. If he gets out of line or if I start to lose control of the situation, you can find a way to divert his attention so I can slip away.

Callum let his eyes sweep across the room before giving a nod of approval. “I think I can manage that,” he replied quietly. “Are you sure you want to do this? If not, we could just leave…”

She was already on her feet. Hands smoothing the folds of her bodice, preparing herself for what she had to do. What was she getting herself into? An overwhelming urge to giggle washed over her, causing her to cough uncomfortably in attempts to hide it. This wasn’t a game like they played when they were children. This was real. And very dangerous. She couldn’t risk ruining it all because of some childish amusement.

Stepping up to the bar she leaned across the high surface, letting her chest press against it within view of the man she targeted. She didn’t have to look at him to know she had caught his attention. Loudly she called for the bartender to bring her a mug, pounding her fist on the bar. If she was going to convince him she was a pirate, she would have to let go of every lesson Faustine forced upon her. Now was not the time for manners.

“My my. What is a pretty little thing like you doin’ in a place like this?” the man asked with feigned curiosity. He twisted his body to face her, elbow rested casually atop the bar.

She glanced at him, seemingly disinterested. He couldn’t be allowed to know that she wanted to speak with him. It had to look natural. As if she came there all the time. “What does it look like I’m doing here?” she grumbled irritably, snatching the mug from the bartender’s hand before he could set it down. Bracing herself, she tipped her head back, guzzling the ale in hopes of somehow making it less revolting if she consumed it faster. Her stomach wrenched. It was the most foul tasting thing she’d ever put in her mouth.

Finishing the last few drops she slammed the empty mug down on the bar, shouting for another. The man laughed, cheering her on with a gap-toothed grin. She wrinkled her nose to feel his finger lightly brush along her bare shoulder, turning away to take the new mug of ale placed before her. “I love a woman who handles ‘er ale,” he smirked. “The name is Odell. I never seen ya ‘round ‘ere before.”

“Then you aren’t very observant, are you?” she scoffed. “Now, if you don’t mind. I’m trying to enjoy my drink.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want ta be in the way,” Odell chuckled. He waved toward the bartender, signaling him to come closer. “Another mug fer the lady,” he gave Aiva a sly wink. “This one’s on me.”

“How gallant,” she drawled. Her stomach screamed in protest before she even placed the mug to her lips, leaning back to down the grotesque drink, smacking her lips at the final drop. She didn’t know how much more of that stuff she could take. The desire to vomit was already too tempting.
Don’t let him see your discomfort
. She had to keep going. Her plan was working.

He stepped in closer, pushing the new mug into her hands. “So, what they call you ‘round ‘ere?”

A moment of panic struck her. She couldn’t tell him her real name. It was out of the question. If he knew anything about Ireni’s current job, he might become suspicious. Her thoughts were still skewed from the wine, making it harder to conjure anything from the depths of her hazy mind. A name. What was her name? She remembered something from the stories told about her mother. When she worked as a spy in her younger days she had gone by a different name to prevent their enemy from learning her true identity. “Eleni,” Aiva stated with surprising calm. She chuckled to herself at the similarity between her name and Ireni’s. A strange coincidence.
At least it sounds like a pirate…

From over Odell’s shoulder she could see their booth was empty. Straining her eyes, she peered into the crowd in search of Callum. He couldn’t be far. Given his concern for her safety, she doubted he would leave much distance between them for long.

“Well, Eleni. You seem a… fine woman,” Odell moved in until he brushed up against her. Unimpressed by the stench of sweat that wafted from him, Aiva looked him over in disdain, shifting to turn toward the bar in dismissal. Gruffly he grabbed her arm to keep her from moving away. “I ain’t done talkin’ to you.”

“I didn’t come here to entertain you. Unless you have something worthwhile to say, I suggest you back off.”

“Oh, I can make my company worthwhile,” he looked her up and down hungrily. “Let’s go some ‘ere to talk. I’d like ta… get to know ya better.”

“I’m not done drinking. You’re just going to have to wait. I have priorities.” She accepted the new mug from Odell’s hands with nothing more than a smug look. He wasted no time in ordering another. His fingers toyed with the laces of her bodice, twisting them around his index finger to give a playful tug, loosening the bow slightly. “When my friends get here, they won’t be pleased to see you touching me. I suggest you distance yourself if you want to keep your fingers attached.”

“What friends might these be?”

“I work for Nusih. That should tell you all you need to know about my friends. Now step away.”

Odell’s head tipped back, a curious glint in his eye. “Why would a gal like you waste yer time workin’ for a man like Nusih?” he asked shrewdly. “Yer skills would be put to better use elsewhere. I could ‘elp ya, if ya like.”

“Help me?” she laughed, the sound dripping with sarcasm. “How exactly do you expect to help me?”

“I can get ya out of Nusih’s control and into the employ of someone more pow’rful.”

“If you refer to you, don’t bother trying to flatter yourself. You’re in no way superior to Nusih.”

“Not me,” Odell shook his head with a devious smile. “I refer to the man I work for.”

Aiva let her brow raise, giving an indication of curiosity. Now was the time to let him see her take an interest. She’d played hard-to-get for long enough. “And who might that be?”

He smirked, tugging at her laces again, satisfied that he had lured her in. “A gal like yerself ‘as surely ‘eard the name Osahar. He’s the man everyone wants ta work for, but he’s very particular ‘bout who he employs. One word from me and I could guarantee you entrance ‘mong his ranks.”

It was all she could do to keep from smiling at the sound of the name. Osahar. That was easy enough. The challenge would be determining where Osahar was. Locations would be more difficult to bring up in conversation without seeming suspicious. Overly curious. “I have heard the name, yes. Are you trying to claim that you work for this man? If so, we may have business after all.”

“Oh, we could def’nitely ‘ave business.” Odell let his hand slide from her bodice, slipping around her slender waist to pull her closer. She turned her face away, shuddering at the feeling of his hot breath against the side of her neck. Horrified, she found herself looking into Callum’s eyes from over Odell’s shoulder, his hand on the hilt of his sword with barely contained rage. Her eyes opened wide in protest, pleading silently for him to wait. She needed more time. They couldn’t leave without knowing where they needed to go.

The drinks were starting to get to her. She felt groggy and uncoordinated in Odell’s arms. There was no doubt in her mind that he sensed it. His hands began to roam more freely over her body, planting sloppy kisses along the skin of her shoulder down to her collarbone. She needed him to stop. It was impossible to focus with him touching her like that. All she wanted to do was push him away, but she couldn’t. She needed to keep his interest in order to get the information they required. “If you work for Osahar, as you claim, then tell me – where can I find him? I’m not sure I believe you.”

He continued his wet kisses, forcing her head to one side. From her angle she could see out into the tavern, aware of the eyes watching them. They were making quite a scene. Odell nibbled her ear playfully. “If ya come upstairs with me, I tell you.”

“Well, that would be foolish of me, now wouldn’t it?” Aiva chuckled awkwardly. “How about you tell me before I go anywhere. Otherwise, I will assume you bluff and you will get nothing from me.”

“On the contrary, I can get whatever I want from ya,” he sneered. His hands tightened, pressing her hard against him. “It’s my gen’rosity which makes me let ya think ya ‘ave a choice.”

“If you tell me what I want to know, I can guarantee your experience with me will be far more enjoyable.”

Odell smirked. “Fine,” he whispered into her ear. “But I require more if that’s the game ya wants ta play.”

“Name your terms.” Her heart crashed against her chest. She wanted away from him. If he didn’t back down soon, she would have to give Callum the signal to create a distraction. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to maintain control of the situation. It was spiraling out of hand fast.

“Ya come upstairs with me and I take you with me ta North Pointe.” He paused, trailing another row of kisses along the side of her neck just below her ear. “Once Osahar ‘as accepted ya, I’ll lay claim to ya as my own. You do whatever I ask of ya. I’ll make sure it not so bad for ya either.”

With a grimace Aiva caught Callum’s eye, motioning desperately for him to get her away. Casually he stepped away from the bar, watching one of the waitresses coming by, drinks in hand. He looked in the opposite direction at her approach, his foot extended outward, causing the woman to trip, the drinks splashing onto Odell’s back. Odell straightened angrily, releasing his hold on Aiva to face the girl in his fury.

“I’m so sorry!” she gasped, embarrassed, the red hue of her cheeks increasing to a deep crimson. “I didn’t mean to. I… I tripped…”

“Are ya stupid, woman?” Odell bellowed. “Do ya ‘ave any idea ‘ow much this shirt cost?”

Aiva took a step backward, setting her mug on the bar, searching the area for Callum. She jumped to feel someone take her hand. Startled, she turned to find Callum behind her, index finger pressed against his lips, indicating her to be quiet. Another man stood not far from Odell. Callum turned his back toward him, moving in to cause the man to retreat closer to where Odell was standing. At that moment Odell brought his hand up as if to strike the waitress, catching the man with his elbow in the process. Infuriated by the blow the man spun around, winding his fist back to connect hard with Odell’s face.

As the men began to trade punches back and forth, several others around the bar joined in, shouting profanities. Callum pulled Aiva closer. Keeping her in his arms he guided her away from the commotion and deeper into the crowd of onlookers. “This is our cue to leave,” he whispered, ducking low to prevent anyone from seeing their faces. “We’ll have to look for a ride elsewhere tomorrow.”

She made no attempt to argue. Her stomach churned from the ale. All she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and wake in the morning when the alcohol had run its course. They had barely pushed through the door of the tavern into the street when she found herself unable to hold back the sickness any longer. Pitching forward, she began to heave. The only thing stopping her from falling to the ground was Callum’s hands on her shoulder, keeping her steady while her body expelled the disgusting liquor from her system.

“That is possibly the least attractive thing I have ever seen you do,” he chuckled, the sound forced. His gaze constantly returned to the tavern door, watching, waiting, alert for Odell’s approach. They weren’t safe yet. She needed to gather her composure enough for them to get back to the inn.