Page 143 of Liar Witch
I toss another coin into the ring and take another card from the pile in the centre of the table, but I’m barely paying attention to the game.
“Cirio’s gone, and taken all of his most trusted crews and his mate with him,” I continue. “That’s not the actions of a man off to get himself killed. If anything, it says he’s planning something.”
The gleam in Tobias’s eye makes me more certain than ever that I’m right. “If he was, what makes you think I’d know anything?”
“Because you were in his inner circle. If he was going to leave someone behind to make sure the place didn’t go to shit in his absence, it would be you. Someone who can make troublemakers and upstarts disappear before they try to fill his spot.”
His smile is all fangs. “You’re flattering me, mage, but you’re losing the round.” He glances over my shoulder at the bar. “And it seems your witch is getting bored of waiting for you.”
A stone settles in my stomach, but I don’t react. Don’t turn to stare at her. Nilsa won’t go far, and she can take care of herself. I have to trust that much.
I glance down at my cards instead. It’s not a bad hand. I can win with this. Tobias is just trying to undermine my confidence.
“Let’s pretend your little theory is correct,” Tobias continues, taking another card from the pile with a small frown. “Perhaps he took a certain shipment of fae dust with him.”
My hands shake. “Why would he do that?”
The vampire takes a long sip of his blood and places his cards face up on the table. “Maybe he just needed to get your attention.”
If it wouldn’t cause damage to the sails of theDeadwood,I’d give in to the temptation to rip my hair out. “Most people send a note.”
“Most people aren’t under the command of the Eagle of Galmere.”
“Where’s Cirio and the dust?”
“Shouldn’t you be asking where your woman is?”
This time I can’t help it. My head turns, scanning the bar behind me. She can’t be far; I’m not feeling any ill effects, but that doesn’t stop my gut from twisting at her absence. Tobias has always been a pain in the ass, but now his games are driving me insane.
Fuck it. “Where is she?”
“Which do you want more: Cirio or the witch?”
That twist in my gut turns nauseous as my paranoia rears its head with a vengeance, but I fight it. “What game are you playing?”
“Pick. Cirio, or the witch… or your crew.”
The friendly glint in Tobias’s eyes is gone, replaced with something deadly. Something calculating.
“What the fuck is this, Tobias?” I demand, flipping my cards onto the table and shoving out of my seat.
“There’s a bounty on the girl. More gold than any of us ever saw working under Cirio.”
No fucking way.
Betrayal leaves a foul taste in my mouth, as familiar as it is cutting. I should have known not to trust anyone. I was a fool to think that just because Cirio had kept this place to only his favourites that they were loyal. How many of them are in on this?
Everyone in the room has gone quiet. All of them focused on us. No. All of them focused onme. The subtle snick of weapons leaving their holsters is almost deafening.
From beyond the door I hear a very familiar roar, followed by cannon-fire.
Cas.
“I’m truly sorry that taking the witch to the Eagle will cause your untimely end.” Tobias shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Who knows? On our way past Mirna, maybe we’ll sink Cirio’s flagship and take her majesty her fae dust as well. I’m sure she’d pay her new suppliers handsomely.”
I choke out a laugh. “You’re stupid if you think Catherine will pay you anything. At most, you’ll get the same shit—” The bargain cuts off my words. Sealing off my throat until I have to fight to keep breathing.
At the same time, Tobias raises a pistol to my face. “Goodbye, Valorean Deadwood.”
