Chapter 26 Finare
twenty-six
Finare
While Finare’s movements weren’t restricted in the lead up to Ivy’s Ascension, he still felt like he’d been dealt a fair share of the punishment.
Before Ivy came into his life, he was used to roving the bars and clubs on his own, but he’d become accustomed to having a companion for drinking and dancing with.
Those activities now felt lonely and desperate on his own.
Finare visited the clubs for the purpose of sating his hunger, rather than pleasure.
He invited Voresta to join him on a few occasions, but the most his older Broodmate would stick around for was one or two drinks before returning to Veldmoor.
It seemed that Voresta didn’t know how to be in a club without having Ivy to protect—although his motivations were different, he’d also become used to her presence.
Finare spent time with Ivy in Veldmoor, but on nights like tonight where her attention was absorbed by Leseldh, he was forced to seek his entertainment elsewhere.
He found himself seated at the bar in The Succ, working his way through a glass of amber-coloured alcohol.
The colourful cocktails had lost their allure without Ivy to pick them based on their ridiculous names.
When a large figure dropped into the seat beside him, he thought that Voresta had joined him. But when he turned to look at his Broodmate, he was surprised to see the figure was Killian Maurell.
“It sure isn’t any fun without the little firecracker around.” Killian folded his arms and rested them on the bar in front of him.
“I didn’t know the Maurells were mind readers,” Finare quipped.
“Funnily enough, some are. I wasn’t blessed with that Blood Gift, though.”
Killian signalled the bartender. The young male Warlock approached, and he ordered a round of drinks.
He pushed a pair of tall glasses towards them, containing more of Finare’s drink of choice.
He followed those with a pair of shot glasses.
A dark-coloured liquid was poured into the glasses, and the bartender set the liquid on fire.
Finare reared back, the flame taking him by surprise. Killian let out a rumbling laugh and lifted the glass, blowing the flame out before downing the shot in one mouthful.
“Drink up, kid.” He slammed the glass down on the bar before running his fingers through his dark hair.
Watching the flame with wary eyes, Finare leaned in and blew it out before tentatively picking up the glass.
Killian watched as he threw the shot back and returned the glass to the bar sharply.
The alcohol burned on the way down, and in a moment of panic he thought that flames were burning him from the inside out. Another laugh escaped Killian’s lips.
“What the fuck is that?” Finare coughed, taking a mouthful of his other drink to quell the burning sensation in his throat.
“It’s called Ninox. Made by the folk over in Valienne. The fire makes it stronger.”
“I’m not sure it needed the fire,” Finare chuckled, clearing his throat as the burn persisted.
“So, what’s your drink tally up to now?”
Finare quirked a brow. Although he was aware that Killian had been watching them, he found it unnerving to discuss the activities he’d observed.
“Fifteen. How many drinks can you manage before you barf?” Finare shifted in his seat to look at Killian, taking in the older Vampire’s features.
Killian was larger than Finare in every way.
He wore his usual attire of all black, the form-fitting t-shirt accentuating his muscular physique that even Finare could appreciate.
His dagger was strapped to his thigh and his hair was particularly messy, as though he’d spent more time mussing it than usual.
It was the first time he’d realised how ruggedly attractive the male was, and he started to see why Ivy might be so drawn to him.
“Most I ever had in one night was 43.” Killian shifted his eyes back to the bartender. A few moments later, another round of shots were pushed towards them.
Finare let out a low whistle. “Fuck, that’s impressive.”
“Spewed like a fountain for hours, and the headache was horrendous. Took four Rubicon feeds to dull it down, and even then, it lingered for about three nights,” Killian laughed before repeating the process with the second shot of Ninox.
Killian looked over at Finare and inclined his chin towards the shot.
“I think I’ll pass. I’m at a considerable disadvantage, it seems.”
“There’s only one way to build up your tolerance. This is far more effective than the weak shit you drink with Ivy.” Killian’s eyes were filled with challenge, but it was the mention of his Broodmate that piqued Finare’s interest.
“Hmm, that’s two mentions of her in less than ten minutes, Killian. Are you trying to get me drunk to get information?” Finare gave Killian a playful grin.
“Do you really think I need to get you drunk to get information from you?” Killian’s gaze flicked down to the dagger at his thigh. Finare’s eyes followed, and his grin faltered.
“Guess not.” Finare downed the dregs of his drink before moving on to the second that Killian had supplied. When the shot of Ninox went untouched, Killian snatched it up and drank it.
When he left Veldmoor tonight, the last thing he expected to find himself doing was throwing back drinks in The Succ with the Hunter.
It was strange for a multitude of reasons—the Idthraki and Maurell bloodlines were notorious adversaries, and all his previous engagements with the male were in conflict over Ivy.
They’d never exchanged so much as a pleasant word with each other, so a casual conversation was not a rarity—it was mythical.
The interaction told Finare he wasn’t dealing with the facet of Killian’s identity that was ‘the Hunter’.
He lacked the menacing demeanour he used when taunting the Idthrakis, and the alcohol indicated he wasn’t on the hunt tonight.
Finare imagined Killian was like Voresta in that he preferred to keep his senses sharp when working.
The subtle probing about Ivy made him wonder what Killian’s motives were—despite the jest, Finare knew Killian was here for information.
But what did he want to know? Was her Ending still on his to-do list, and did he think he could use Finare to get to her?
Surprisingly, he didn’t have to ponder it for long when Killian’s voice broke the silence.
“How is she?” Killian’s words were delivered casually, but he kept his eyes averted. Finare furtively sniffed the air. Something in the male’s scent informed him his intentions were less than deadly.
Finare was taken aback by Killian’s enquiry, but he tried not to let it show.
When he first started analysing Ivy’s fascination with Killian, he wondered if she was chasing her Ending as a means of escape.
Finare could relate to that—he’d danced with death when he offered his life to Leseldh after losing Eldwyn.
But Killian’s interest suggested something more reciprocal—more intimate.
Even Finare could see that the dynamic between Ivy and Killian had changed. Finare returned his thoughts to the night she disappeared from Lunarian. Her version of events didn’t match up to what he’d gleaned from his search of the club.
He knew they’d been together—he’d scented it. Finare didn’t believe Ivy could escape the Hunter’s clutches—unless that’s what they both wanted. Could the mention of Killian’s ‘sister’ have been a ruse crafted to help her evade Leseldh’s retribution?
Finare wasn’t sure of how much he should divulge. The male before him may not currently be the fearsome Hunter, but that didn’t mean he trusted him. “She’s… surviving.”
“Hmm. Well, I best be off. Rumour has it, Draven Idthraki has a new Fledgling I must see to.” Killian huffed a sigh before he rose from his seat.
“Duty calls,” Finare replied wryly, lifting his glass to Killian in a mock salute.
Finare watched as Killian lifted his glass and drained the dregs before setting it back down. All traces of the vulnerability Killian had just shown were buried somewhere deep once again.
“All the best with her Ascension. I hope Voresta’s ready… wouldn’t want it to be interrupted.” Killian’s words had a sinister edge, and he smirked at Finare.
Killian turned on his heel and swept out of the bar, and Finare tracked him until he was out of sight. Despite the veiled threat, Finare had a feeling that Killian wanted Ivy’s Ascension to succeed as much as the rest of them.