Page 80 of Witch Untold
The figure who was still on its feet turned to face the crowd, arms up in triumph.
“It’s a chick…” Bramble said.
The woman’s hair was buzz cut, her body ripped to fuck in a vest and cargo pants. It was easy to mistake her for a guy from the back, but face on, the tits gave her away. She pumped her fists, riling up the crowd.
The hulk she’d felled stirred behind her.
“Oh, shit.” Bramble took a step forward as the monolith who looked like he was made of stone pulled himself off the ground. “Look out!”
The woman’s gaze zeroed in on Bramble, her lips tipped up slightly in half a smile, and then she spun-kicked the monolith in the head.
He staggered, eyes rolling back in his head, and went down. Again.
A roar of approval battered the air as the woman strode toward the bars, heavy boots stirring up the sawdust under her feet, attention on us as the bars swung open to let her out.
Lauris stepped forward to meet her. “Ida. Looking good.”
Thiswas the blood witch?
Ida ran her tongue across her teeth. “You don’t look too bad yourself. Here to blow off some steam?” She arched a brow.
Lauris chuckled. “Not tonight. Tonight, I’m here to ask you for some help.”
Her gaze finally flicked to me and Bramble. “Help for you or for your friends?”
“You help them, then you help me.”
She poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue. “Fine, you can ask, but I’m not promising to give it.” She ran a hand over her head. “Come on, we can talk at Blaine’s Bar.”
* * *
Blaine’s Bar was a dark,dingy building on the edge of the courtyard filled with hulking forms similar to the ones in the courtyard. Dingy decor aside, the place smelled sweet and fresh, like a fucking meadow. The contradiction was disconcerting.
Ida led us to a table by the grimy windows.
The chairs were sturdy affairs, no surprise considering the clientele.
“They’re all fae,” Bramble said softly.
“Yeah,” Lauris said. “So what?”
Ida sat back as a jug of what looked like beer was slapped on the table. The server, a bearded fae with angry eyes and a scowl, dropped four tankards beside the jug.
“You want anything else, Ida?” His words came out as a snarl.
Ida smiled up at him, almost coquettish. “Only a smile, Gustov.”
The bearded fae frowned harder. “I don’t smile.”
“You will one day,” Ida sing-songed as he stomped off, harumphing all the way.
Lauris shook his head. “He likes you.”
“I know.” She poured herself a drink and took a gulp. “Fuck, that hit the spot.”
“Ale?” Bramble leaned over to sniff the contents of the tankard.
“The best.” Ida smacked her lips.
