Page 85 of The Demon's Fire
“We need a place to rest tonight. Food, too.”
“Who’s she?” A corner of the guard’s mouth twitched with a snarl as he nodded toward Skyler.
“My guest.” Kole growled, palming the hilt of his knife. “Tell Sparse I’m seeking sanctuary. Now!” He assumed a wide stance, his threat obvious.
The silent man pivoted around to enter the enclave. He returned with a male who resembled the two guards. Only his clothing distinguished him. He wore breeches of soft leather, fine boots, and a bright red shirt. His rigid posture along with the bitter line of his mouth showed hostility toward Kole. “You ask for sanctuary?”
“I do. Also, food and a few supplies.”
“I am required to give you one night and what you need to survive. Come.” Sparse extended his cold back, reentering the enclave, motioning for them to follow.
Kole grabbed Skyler’s hand, a possessive hold, protective. Inside, noise assaulted her ears. Merchants were hawking goods in front of tents which lined a maze of crowded paths. The traders bartered for woven rugs, jewelry, carved art, trinkets, strange fowl hanging by bound feet, large cuts of red meat, pottery, cloths. A merchant waved red silk fabric in her face, causing the commander to let out a feral snarl before he shoved the guy aside.
They journeyed through the market, the many turns playing with Skyler’s sense of direction. As the stalls fell behind them, the scenery changed. They were in a residential area with intricately tiled high walls, accented by brightly colored entry doors. Their guide, Sparse, led them to one such door painted cobalt blue. “In here. Food, drink, and supplies will be brought. Be out by first light.” Before he left, his eyes narrowed on Kole, a grumble burbling from his throat.
Kole swept Skyler behind him to meet Sparse’s challenge head on. “Do you violate sanctuary, Sparse?”
“No. I can wait until morning, Firebrand.” When the Spriggan closed the door, the tension evaporated.
Skyler had expected an exotic room. Instead of the beauty promised from the outside, the quarters were cold, empty. “This is lovely, and he’s certainly friendly. I don’t think he likes you. I’m surprised with you being so likable.”
“He hates me. I killed his brother, but a Spriggan cannot refuse a request for sanctuary.”
“You killed his brother, but you had the nerve to ask him for shelter?”
Kole snapped his head in Skyler’s direction. His eyes flared. “The asshole deserved to die.”
His spoken vehemence against Sparse’s brother made Skyler shudder. Perhaps Kole was closer to a barbarian, as she originally thought. “Can we trust the food he’ll send?”
“It’ll be safe, not particularly appetizing, but safe.”
The door opened a crack while hands thrust a tray filled with large steaming bowls of food and drink inside. Kole set it between them.
“What’s this?” Skyler lifted the lid off a bowl. She bent her head to sniff.Hmm. Not bad. Familiar.
“Think of it as brown rice.”
“This?” The bowl held lumps of yellow, grisly meat floating in a brown sauce.
“Think of it as chicken.”
“Not so easy. And the carafe?”
“That’s actually red wine.” Kole poured it into two goblets and lifted one to his lips, taking a long drink. “Good red wine.” He tipped the glass again. “Bottoms up.”
Skyler ate little, thinking the dishes in no way tasted like chicken or rice. After Kole gobbled his down, he lumbered over to the wall opposite the door. He removed the blankets from his knapsack, spreading one on the ground. He motioned for Skyler to take the other. He unbuckled his chest harness, putting his three daggers, long blade, and axe within reach.
Skyler marked his actions. “You said we were safe here.”
“We are, but we’re safer when I can snag my weapons.”
If Skyler expected Kole to lay out her blanket, she was disappointed. She shook hers before settling it on the hard floor far away from the commander.
“Take both of the jackets.”
Despite the blanket under her, Kole’s coat clutched to her chin, and hers over her legs, her teeth chattered from the cold.
“Warm body over here.”
