Page 6 of Secrets Among the Tides
Josiah floated behind the counter, took one look at me and whistled. “You alright, Mais? You look like you’ve been chased by a wild pack of piranhas.”
I forced my heart to calm it’s thundering and turned my gaze to my boss. Though his words had been light, his face was etched in worried lines. I knew that if I told him the truth, soldier or no, he’d feel obligated to defend my honor.
I plastered a smile on my face. “All’s good, Jo.” I moved away from the door and went to join him behind the counter. “The square is packed today,” I commented as I took my apron from a fisherman's hook on the wall and put it on. Pulling the hat from my head, I observed it closely. A hole had been torn through it from the trampling it had received. Well, it was ruined, I decided and tossed it into a disposal bin.
“Crawlin’ with soldiers,” he spat.
Since I could see his temper start to rise, I pierced him with a hard look. “Now, Jo, don’t go startin’ stuff with them. Especially not today.”
Jo snorted and continued to wipe down the already clean counter. I knew he was just keeping his hands busy because of the stress of the day. I wanted to remind him that he had nothing to fear, as business owners were exempt, more often than naught, from Selection. Their workers, however, were not. And under the circumstances, I felt more calm than what he was displaying.
Reaching into the pocket of my apron, I pulled out a spare strip of kelp I tended to carry around with me and began tying my hair back, away from my face. When I finished, I looked to the front door of the tavern as it opened and a gaggle of soldiers poured in. They stopped at the entryway, looked around with scrutinizing gazes, their eyes roaming to the muddy floors, to the furry green walls and to us behind the counter.
I felt Jo stiffen beside me, knew what he was probably thinking. His anger was practically a palpable thing, and I knew it would take very little for him to erupt.
“Great morning, ‘gents.” I swam around the counter and gifted them with my widest—and fakest—smile. “A table for three?” I held my hands behind my back so they wouldn’t see them tightening into fists with the desire to punch them.
Their eyes roamed over me, gazing a bit too long at my hair for my liking. I cursed the soldier who had knocked me over, ruining my hat in the process. My face heated with self consciousness and I cleared my throat before saying, “Our specials today are river snakes stuffed with leeches served over salad.”
They all blinked, absorbing the words. “Leeches?” one of them asked.
I nodded, smiling. “We also have fish eye stew if you prefer.”
“I’ll take a snake,” another said. The two guards turned to stare incredulously at their companion. He shrugged. “What? I like trying new things!”
“If you’ll follow me to a table?” I turned and led them to the table furthest away from the counter. After they were seated and I’d taken the rest of their orders, I went back over to Jo.
He was scowling. “You’re too kind, Maisie.”
Shrugging, I began pulling out bowls and cups. “They’re paying customers.”
“They’re royal scum,” he hissed quietly.
“Yes, I know. But they’re scum with pockets full of coins, and it’s just your luck that I convinced them to order a whole jar of moonshine.”
Josiah’s eyes widened. “That’s our strongest and most expensive drink.”
“I know.”
~~~
THE DRINK HAD THEM DIZZY WITHIN MOMENTS.And after half an hour, they were a mess. We had more customers arrive, all seated as far away from the soldiers as they could get. The soldiers had gotten loud and obnoxious and it made everyone cautious. All I could focus on was the money that would soon fill the tavern.
When they’d drank the last of the moonshine, I swam over to them, my smile already in place. “Anything else y’all require?” I asked sweetly, though inside I was seething at the sight of them.
“Ay! She’s back!”
“And as pretty as a pearl.” Their words slurred together, making my skin crawl.
Ignoring them now, I leaned over to clear the dishes when a strong arm went around my waist. I let out a yelp as I was hauled into the soldier's lap.
“You don’t look like most mer out here.” His breath fanned against my cheek, warm and overpowering. I struggled in his lap, only to be pulled tighter against his body.
“Let go of me!” I demanded, using my elbow as a weapon against him. It did little but ruffle his uniform, and the more I struggled against him, the tighter he held me. And it seemed that no amount of fighting would get him to ease his grip.
Panic clawed at my chest, the desperation to get away lost behind the blind haze of that sensation. Soon, all I could hear was the thunderous beating of my own heart. All I could feel was the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck, the pain as his arm dug into my stomach.
And then I heard Josiah’s voice, loud enough to break through the panic and bring me back. “Release her or I’ll have your brains blown all over this table.”
