Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
JAX
Lynx’s Den is packed when I enter the building.
The air is hot and heavy, filled with chatter and laughter. I move between tables towards the bar at the very end of the room and look around, trying to find Kugi. We agreed to meet at four in the afternoon, sharp. But because of my slight detour, it’s half past four and I’m late.
Fae of Ekios don’t appreciate being kept waiting. Even filthy criminal rats like Kugi.
“A small bottle of sweet wine, Dae,” I say to the bartender once I reach the bar. “Dzenku.”
“You’re very popular today, Jax,” Dae says when he brings a small bottle with a tiny glass for me.
“Well, yes, I have this quality about me,” I say with a smile. “I can’t help but make people want me, you know.”
Dae laughs, pouring the thick red wine into a glass. He shakes his head. “I have a feeling today you’re going to wish you didn’t have this quality.”
Immediately, every muscle in my body tenses. But I don’t let the smile on my face waver even for a second. Gods damn it.
“And what exactly do you mean by that, my friend?”
Dae jerks his chin at something or someone behind my shoulder. “Kugi is here for you. Has been waiting for forty minutes. And there are three more guests waiting.”
I put a few coins on the bar for the wine and turn around. Kugi sits at one of the tables next to the only window in the whole place. I wave at him. When he notices me, he rises to his feet and makes his way to the bar.
Dae brings another glass for Kugi and swipes the coins from the bar into the pocket of his apron.
The first thing Kugi says to me is: “You’re late.”
I pour him a glass of wine and push it towards him.
“Yes, I know, Kugi, dear. But it’s not due to ill intentions, you must know. I just got tangled in some business with Vexx on my way here. I had to stop and help a friend out. I’m sure you can understand.”
Kugi grunts, looking at me with his good eye. The other one is covered with a leather patch. I’m not sure whether it’s because he truly doesn’t have one eye, or he’s only wearing a patch to look more intimidating. I don’t bother asking. It’s none of my business, after all.
“Did you get it?” Kugi asks once his glass is empty.
I smile and nod. From the inner pocket of my jacket, I fish out a small box made of solid gold and hand it to him. “Of course. It was as easy as slicing a pie.”
Kugi takes the box and opens it. For a long moment, he marvels at the huge solid gold coin inside. He is paying me a generous amount of frade to steal this little treasure from one of the local noble families.
“Did you touch it?” Kugi asks, finally peeling his gaze away from the box.
I shake my head while I refill our empty glasses.
“I followed your instructions. Take the box, don’t touch what’s inside, bring it to you as soon as possible.”
“Good.” Finally, Kugi smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “You wouldn’t want the curse transferring to your blood line.”
“A what now?”
Kugi barks a laugh.
I’m not laughing, though.
“I’m just messing with you, kid,” he says, brushing a tear from his eye.
“It’s an old trick to keep thieves from stealing from rich families.
They create a story about the curse for family heirlooms like this one.
It used to work in the old times, but what those lazy Dzuni don’t know is that street rats have gotten smarter and we don’t believe in curses anymore.
That’s why it was so easy to steal—they still think that century-old stories will protect their riches. ”
With a grunt, Kugi drains his glass and smacks his lips together.
“So why didn’t you take it yourself if it’s so easy?”
“Because I’m already walking a thin line,” he says, and pushes one of his sleeves up. Two thin black lines mark his bicep. “I get one more mark and my head is going to be off my shoulders. I would prefer it to stay on.”
“Fair enough.” I nod and then wave to Dae to bring us another bottle of sweet wine.
Sometimes, I still make the mistake of forgetting where I am.
Back in Emera, I never had to worry about getting caught.
Father has half the damn country in his pocket—all the right politicians, bankers, and soldiers.
But here, in Ekios, I have to be more careful. I don’t have anyone watching my back.
I’m on my own.
“Jax!”
Kugi chuckles, looking over my shoulder.
Slowly, I turn around.
A fae with the most gorgeous long black hair is making her way through the crowded room towards me. I remember how mesmerized I was the other night by her silky smooth hair between my fingers.
What I can’t remember unfortunately is her name. For the love of gods.
Another familiar voice comes from the other side of the bar. “Kregger!”
Somee. At least I remember her name. She is walking fast towards me as well. Her face doesn’t look pleased to see me at all. Shit.
The two young women approach me at the same time. I lean back against the bar and reward them with what I hope is my most dazzling smile. “Ladies, what a pleasant surprise to see you both here this evening.”
“Oh, is it now, Kregger?” Somee crosses her arms over her chest. “You disappeared. You promised to take me on a date and then disappeared. Did you think you could hide in Jaakii?”
I click my tongue.
“Oh, so you promised her that much, but told me that you couldn’t be seen with me in public because you had enemies who would want to kill me if they knew we were together?” the other girl asks.
“Ladies—” I start to explain myself, but don’t even get the chance to finish the sentence before a fist finds my jaw.
Sharp pain goes through my skull, sending my head to the side.
“This one is for lying, you asshole,” Somee says.
“I didn’t—” Once again, I don’t get to finish because the fae with silky smooth hair slaps me so hard my brain rattles inside my skull.
“And this one is for thinking we’re dumb enough,” she says.
Before I can gather myself, both fae whirl on their heels and march away. Kugi and Dae are dying out of laughter next to me.
“I told you you’ll wish you didn’t have that effect on people,” Dae teases.
“You could have warned me, my friend,” I say, rubbing my burning cheek. “But truth be told, I might have deserved this one.”
Kugi pats me on the back, still laughing. “You sure as a goat’s ass do, kid. Oh, to be as handsome as you and still be an idiot…”
I drain my glass. The sweet wine burns my throat and warms my empty stomach.
“Well, I think I’ve had enough adventures for today, gentlefolk,” I say, rising from my seat.
“Not so fast, handsome,” Dae says, leaning on his elbow against the bar. “There is one more guest waiting for you downstairs.”
I brush a hand through my hair. My stomach is in knots. “Who is it, Dae? Is it another lover from the past?”
The look Dae gives me makes it clear as day that it’s not another lover from the past. I wish it would be that simple. There is someone way worse waiting for me in the private downstairs club.
“He’s been waiting for you for a while. You better get your ass there right now,” Dae says and jerks his head towards the stairs.
“It’s been a pleasure, gentlefolk,” I say and bow my head lightly to Kugi and Dae before I make my feet move down the stairs, to my doom.