CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO #3
“That’s all I can offer.” Vesper skimmed his fingers down the dewy glass before he picked up the shot and swallowed it down.
The alcohol provided unearned confidence, and he summoned it as he raised his eyes back to Thorrin and sat back in his chair.
“I can take my offer and leave if that’s what you prefer.
You have a pretty nice setup here. I’m sure you want to live down here for the rest of your days, right?
You don’t miss the wind on your maskless face.
The sun. Looking into a clear sky and lush green land. Not this barren red shit.”
Thorrin set his glass on the table and spun it between his fingers. “Don’t play with me. What exactly are you offering? Because there’s only one thing we need. And, if you don’t have it, you’re wasting my time.”
“You claim the bloodlace has two weaknesses,” Vesper drawled slowly.
He wished he’d paced himself with the drinks he’d guzzled to impress them.
His head swam from the clouded alcohol induced fog.
“Kyrith said the first is fire. And the second is sunlight dependence. And I happen to have the perfect solution at my fingertips.”
Thorrin sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his broad chest. Vesper studied his truly spectacular physique, like a soldier fresh off the battlefield.
Between his muscular arms and honed core, he couldn’t help but stare.
Maybe the drink had taken hold, but he got the feeling Thorrin would make a spectacular lay.
Not that Thorrin seemed interested, or that Vesper wanted that.
He needed to get his shit together. What had Emmery said to him those months ago in Malheim?
Try to keep your cock in your pants. Yeah, he certainly had done a shit job of that.
Vesper tore his eyes away and scrubbed a hand down his face.
“And your solution?” Thorrin prodded after a long, tense silence.
Vesper’s shaky fingers worked the top buttons on his tunic, not sure why he trembled nervously, as he flashed his scars, and his Shadowheart squirming beneath his skin. Kaida seemed especially active today, ready to burst free.
Thorrin stared, his mouth agape and fingers stilled on his glass. “Deimos hold me,” he breathed. “That’s a … and you have—”
“I know. I get that reaction a lot. My sister had one, too. Both scars, as well. Thus why I need her for the prophecy.” He refastened the buttons as he shot him a smug, slightly drunk grin. “But back to the point. That mark happens to bring you inordinately good luck. Do you know why that is?”
Thorrin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
“Because, inside that mark lives a creature you’d probably be fucking ecstatic to meet. A creature you know well. One that happens to contain—” He glanced behind him like he was about to share a dire secret. “Shadow fire.”
He thought Thorrin might topple out of his seat. “Shadowhearts are—”
“Yeah, yeah, extinct. I know.” Vesper waved him off. “But I happen to be sitting here, living and breathing and willing to offer my services. That is if you’re willing to match my offer with your own. Because in my opinion, it’s pretty bloody rare to find someone with an ability like mine.”
Thorrin didn’t sip this time. Instead he tossed back the shot like his life depended on it. When he winced and shut his eyes, Vesper could practically see the thoughts churning in his head. And as he sat there, Vesper’s hands grew sweaty around his mug of ale.
Because what if he said no? What if he sent him away?
What if he called him a liar or a blasphemer and staked him to the table right here?
What if Vesper didn’t come through for Emmery?
What if Izzy was permanently trapped in that place to wither away?
What if Ellynne was taken away forever? Where would he go? Briar, Cal, and Marlys too.
And what about Nef?
I’ll always look after you.
He would keep his word. He wouldn’t fail her now. Not after all this.
When Thorrin finally flicked his gaze to Vesper, he set the empty shot glass face down with an exasperated sigh.
“Tell you what, if you help us find the source of the bloodlace, and you burn away all that’s encroached on Morana, you have a deal.
But you’d better work fast since you only have a month.
” Thorrin tapped his finger against the glass, as if each tap instilled clarity.
“In regards to your sister, we have people who can seek the information. We’ll do everything in our power to search for answers and leads, but bringing someone back from the dead—it’s not something I know to be possible. ”
Vesper’s heart constricted and he fought the urge to run home with his tail between his legs.
This wouldn’t be easy. But he promised he’d bring Izzy home, and fuck it, he would.
He would do it for Emmery, Nef, Briar, Cal, Marlys, all the citizens of Ellynne, and he’d do anything to make this right.
“As long as you guarantee you’ll do everything in your power that’s all I can ask,” he replied.
“We may have a bargain,” Thorrin said. “But we need a demonstration first.”