Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
TYNAN
Much later that night, Erin returned, unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol.
“Ty, my man. Why aren’t you sleeping?” He stumbled through the door.
I shook my head and returned to my book. I was reclined on my bed, still unable to sleep.
“Why are you constantly reading?” Erin continued, walking to the side table and pouring himself a glass of water.
“Does it bother you?” I asked, turning the page.
“You need to get out more,” the drunk man commented. I ignored him. “You can’t still be in love with Gabrielle.” Erin sighed, stretching out on top of the covers, fully dressed.
“Why are you so concerned with my love life?” I asked.
“You need to live a little. We walk on the edge between life and death every day. Doing something . . . I don’t know, man . . . unthinkable. We’re heroes.” He hiccuped.
“Sure.”
“There are plenty of girls that find men like us irresistible.” He snorted. I could not help the thin smile stretching my lips. “And Gabrielle, she doesn’t know what she’s missing,” he continued.
I sighed, returning to my book.
“Hey, can you wake me up before dawn? I have a long flight ahead of me.” Erin mumbled as his head hit the pillow, then he passed out.
I got up and walked to the window. Everything was quiet outside. Too quiet.
The next morning I touched Erin’s shoulder but he did not wake up.
“Erin!” I shook his arm with no effect.
I moved to the side table and grabbed the pitcher. Then I poured the cold water right over his face.
“What? What the hell?” the muffled voice struggled to come up with words.
“Rise and shine.”
He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Why did you do that?” he asked.
“You need to report to the capital.”
Shortly after Erin was finally gone, I strolled down to the first floor to get some breakfast. The tavern was half empty, people were still sleeping after staying late last night.
I enjoyed the early morning hours when there was no one around me.
The blond girl behind the counter looked disheveled and could not seem to stop yawning.
I ordered coffee and steak and eggs before Sol appeared next to the table.
“Did Erin leave?” he asked, not wasting any time on greetings.
“Yeah.” I took a sip of my steaming hot coffee.
“We’ll have two more days of rest before the order comes.” Solomon sat opposite of me.
“At least,” I added.
My companion nodded and looked out the window. I enjoyed his company, he was not a man of many words. I followed his gaze, watching the rising sun revealing the outlines of buildings in bright, vivid colors.
“Is he gone?” Victor’s voice sounded painfully energetic.
I turned and nodded.
“Good. I can’t stand that guy. But I’m sure he’ll be back in no time.” Victor dropped on the bench beside Solomon, “Do you think it’s true, what the girl said?” he continued.
“About?” I turned my head, watching him.
“About her hometown. No crawlers and all.” Victor shifted his gaze from me to Solomon.
“That’s impossible,” I responded.
“I know. Right? How can it be? But, you know . . . That would be nice. Wouldn’t it?” Victor sighed.
All of us were silent for a moment, watching the sleepy girl behind the counter serve coffee to the other early risers.
“Why are you up so early?” Sol asked Victor.
“I never went to bed.” Victor smirked.
Sol nodded and shifted his gaze to me.
“Don’t you want to know what I did all night?” Victor asked.
“Not really.”
“No,” I said.
“The two of you are the saddest bunch.” Victor sighed.
The blond girl just served us some breakfast when Frid and Alina appeared.
The prisoner was striking in the light of the morning sun.
Her bright red hair gleamed with all shades of ruby and copper.
Her porcelain skin contrasted with her dark eyes and the thick, dark material of her shirt.
She was tall and lean. I noticed her small hands with thin, long fingers, the turn of her neck.
She reminded me of a delicate rose that was growing through the cracks in the cobblestone with her graceful movements and straight back.
She did not look like she belonged in this world.
She looked like something from a dream, a fairy or a goddess of The Fall.
“Good morning!” Frid greeted us, taking a seat beside Solomon.
Alina stood for a moment, as if unsure where to go, before choosing the spot beside Victor.
“I hope your night was as uneventful as ours.” Frid checked my plate and signaled the girl who was now running between the tables with numerous coffee cups.
“Not a chance!” Victor smirked.
“Oh, please. Spare me all the disgusting details.” Frid frowned.
“Disgusting details?” Victor leaned forward.
“Here we go again.” Sol rubbed his eyebrow.
“You could just say that you had a good night. That’s all. I don’t want to hear about your pathetic adventures.” Frid placed her elbows on the table.
I closed my eyes, regretting that I had not come down earlier.
“For your information, I met up with two very pleasant girls,” Victor continued.
“I’m sure. It’s good that they’re kind and compassionate.” Frid gave him a thin smile.
“Compassionate?” Victor raised his eyebrows.
“They chose to spend their time with you. They must be kind-hearted.” Frid chuckled.
A new sound reached my ears and I turned, watching the new girl. Her hand covered her mouth, she was trying not to laugh. The sight of her with her head lowered and her eyes glowing with warmth was so unexpected that, for a couple of moments, I could not look away.
“What are you planning to do today?” Sol tried to change the subject, as he usually did when Frid and Victor started arguing.
“We have an appointment with a tailor at twelve,” Frid said, her eyes darted up as she flagged the blond girl over to our table.
“Tailor? Why?” Sol asked.
“I'm buying Alina her first flying suit.” Frid looked straight at me. I did not miss the expression of defiance written all over her face.
“Not a chance!”
“She needs a suit!” Frid raised her chin.
“She’s a prisoner.” I met her gaze.
“I know.” Frid scowled.
“Do you?” I asked.
My gaze shifted to the girl; her lips were pressed together and then she raised her eyes to me. There was so much hatred in those eyes. The fire, the fury. She was not afraid of me, that was for damn sure. It only lasted for a moment, then she lowered her gaze, trying to conceal her expression.