Page 23 of The Night Prince

He held the knife out in front of him, rising up onto the balls of his feet as if he had been knife-fighting since a child.He swore he heard it titter as it faced off against him, thinking such a puny, unremarkable blade could donothingagainst it.

It dove towards him, preparing to engulf him in its blackness, but he slashed it with that simple kitchen knife.The blade glowed white-hot and sliced through the Leviathan like butter.The tip had broken off, but it hadn’t mattered.

There was a scream.A roar of utter shock and agony.The blue-white light from the blade arced through the Leviathan, cutting it in two.He could see the far wall through the center of it.He leaped and slashed at it again.More arcs of electric blue-white light had streamed through the Leviathan’s darkness, destroying it, burning it away.

And then the curved fang fell at his feet.A dullclankas the air cleared of darkness.It was just him, his dead mother, and the fang.That was the first Leviathan he would kill that day.There would be many, many more.And the knife that he’d used–that completely unremarkable blade–had disappeared and became a tattoo on his forearm after he was done.

He pulled the sleeve of his black jacket down to cover the “tattoo”. If he didn’t stop imagining the real blade, it would appear in his hand and the Aravae who were gossiping would notice.Maybe others would too.

“Nonsense!Humans can’t wield magic or use magical weapons!”Seith repeated the common refrain, but his eyes were filled with alarm at the thought, and Declan gritted his teeth.

Would the Aravae act the same way when Finley applied to the Academy?Normally, they viewed humans as if they were children apt to do silly and dangerous things that they needed to be saved from.They’d likely raise their eyebrows when Finley turned up to take the entrance exam, give him a small smile, and wish him luck, because they would think he needed it.When he passed that test then things would become more difficult for them.But he hoped they wouldn’t treat Finley like some of them did him.

They won’t.Because I’ve never fit in.I’ve never belonged.Even kids at school knew I was not one of them.

“Exactly.So the bartender is notVulluin.”Leisha sat back in her seat and sipped her wine in triumph.

Seith frowned.“Sowhatis he?”

And Declan found himself listening with every fiber of his being as if these gossiping Aravae knew anything at all about him.They couldn’t, of course.He was just…him.Whatever that meant. Besides, he was certain he was human.

With a cat-like smile, Leisha shrugged.“That’s the question, now isn’t it?”

Declan’s shoulders slumped.She didn’t know.She had no idea.He should be relieved by this.After all, no matter what she suggested would be wrong.He was human.After all, what else could he be?

“Declan?You okay?”Finley’s question brought him back to the moment.

He blinked and turned back to his best friend.“Y-yeah, just been a long shift already and there's still a ton to do.”

“And you weresickbefore you came to work today.”Finley’s eyes flickered all over his face as if trying to read his thoughts.“That would take it out of anyone.”

“I’m fine now,” he quickly retorted.

Finley’s expression was full of concern.“Still–”

“Declan, please tell me that these blasted fairies didn’t curse the honey brew!” It was Lily Snellgarden’s voice that saved him from Finley’s questions.

He really couldn’t lie to his best friend.But he didn’t know what was a lie and what was the truth.

“Afraid so,” he said, turning to her with an abashed look.

Lily was a halfling with curly red hair and a face splashed with freckles. The top of her head only came up to Declan’s waist, but she hustled around the bar as if she was twice his height.Her thick legs were powerfully muscled and they moved with lightning speed as she hopped up onto the rolling stool behind the bar, which allowed her to whiz up and down the bar’s length to make drinks, take coins and mop up.She was right in front of the silver keg, sniffing it, and wrinkling her nose.

“Ach!It’s already starting to stink!”She waved a hand through the air.

“Yeah, I was going to take it in the back and dump it in the sink,” he told her as he handed the full pitcher and cup to Finley.“Better get that to Snaglak before he dies of thirst.I’ll check up on you guys in a little bit.”

Finley’s large blue eyes studied his face, clearly wanting to discuss that afternoon’s weakness of his, but, thankfully, his best friend smiled and nodded.“Sounds good.I want to run the final campaign by you.”

“For sure.”

Declan nodded and watched with affection as Finley carried the nearly overflowing pitcher and cup to the gaming table.He was pleased to note that Snaglak got up to intercept Finley before he’d gotten halfway back to take both from him.

He and Snaglak made eye contact.The big orc dipped his head in acknowledgement.Declan had no need for any followers–let alone an orc one–except for the fact that Snaglak could guard Finley when he couldn’t.

He needed to deal with that keg and fill Lily in on all the doings at the bar.Not to mention things were heating up again.He was certain tonight was going to be another full house and then some.So Snaglak needed to keep an eye on Finley.That head dip had told Declan he would.With a final wipe of his hands on a bar towel, he headed over to Lily and the keg. She was attempting to lift the keg up, but was not succeeding

“Lily, what are you doing?”Declan frowned.

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