large bed and there were lots of paintings on the walls, some of which were of a risque nature. They'd certainly decorated for the clientele.
I walked over to the large steel tub in the corner of the room which was full of water. Rivets had been carved into the floor to allow any water to run out onto some guttering outside. The tub was certainly big enough for two, and steam lifted off the water's surface. I didn't bother resisting the temptation to place my hand inside to feel the heat.
I shook the water off my hand and grabbed two towels off a chest of drawers, placing them beside the bathtub. After another drink of the excellent scotch, I placed the bottle on the table next to me.
I removed my coat, laying it over a clothes-horse and unclipped the knife belt which I wore around my waist, placing it over the coat. The six, small silver throwing blades that it held were a last resort weapon. Something I only really kept wearing for the comfort of knowing that they were an option available to me.
When I'd finished removing my clothes, placing them on the bed, I lowered myself into the steaming hot water with an audible sigh. 'It's been far too long,' I said as the water ate at the knots on my shoulders.
I let the water go to work and revelled in the relaxation that washed over me, even if I knew it wouldn't last. I'd give it an hour from the second I stepped into the room. Maybe less, depending on how nervous they were at my unannounced appearance.
I reached into the nearest coat pocket, removed a small pocket watch and opened the front to check the time. I'd been in the bath for nearly twenty minutes. I had a little longer. I replaced the watch and orange glyphs lit up along my arms, my fire magic heating the water to near scolding temperature.
It was only a few minutes later when the door knocked. Apparently they were very nervous.
The girl on the other side didn't wait to be invited and just opened the door, stepping into the room with purpose. Long dark-red hair flowed freely over her bare, pale shoulders. She was petit, but curvy and she removed her purple corset, exposing large, firm breasts before allowing the clothing to fall to the floor with a flourish. 'Would you like some company?' Her voice was warm and inviting.
I smiled, mostly because it's always nice to have a stunning, and naked, woman asking if you want company, but also because she was almost my perfect woman. Red hair, short and curvy.
'Feel free,' I said with a wave of my hand.
She removed her tiny knickers and dropped them at her feet before stepping into the tub and making herself comfortable.
'So, can I ask for your name?' I requested.
'Stephanie,' she said and rubbed her foot up against my groin, which sprang to life in an instant.
I forced myself to move her foot. Shooting myself would have been easier. 'Do you mind if we just relax first?'
'Not at all,' she said with a smile. 'Turn around and I'll rub your shoulders.'
I did as I was told and moved until my back was facing her. She grabbed me and moved me until her breasts were pressed up against my back. The feeling of her erect nipples against my back stirred me back to action and I had to remind myself that fun probably wasn't going to be on the menu.
Stephanie began working the knots out of my shoulder as she spoke. 'I saw you talking to the sheriff.'
'He was just checking out the newcomer,' I said. 'Probably understandable.'
The movements stopped slightly. 'So you're staying?'
'Wasn't planning on it. I plan on having a sleep and then leaving in the morning.'
'It can be dangerous walking around these parts at night. I didn't even see you wearing a pistol.'
And it begins. 'Don't like pistols. They're inaccurate at any meaningful distance and up close, I can do just as much damage with a dagger.'
Stephanie pushed me forward. 'Let me get out of the bath so I can get your neck properly. I'll get back in after.'
I moved forward and, true to her word, Stephanie stepped out of the bath without bothering to dry herself with a towel. I had to force myself not to watch her dripping wet body as she walked behind me and started rubbing my neck. 'Are you enjoying the Scotch?'
'It's excellent.' The bottle was nearly half empty, and had absolutely no effect on me.
The neck rub lasted for a few seconds until I felt something cold and sharp against my neck.
'Well, this took longer than expected.'
'What?'
I looked up at her and smiled. She pressed the blade of the knife against my throat further. 'What are you so happy about?'
'You're naked, holding a knife against me. It's sort of silly. You could have just come in shooting, or, indeed, waited until I was asleep and then did it. I assume whoever sent you here is really fucking nervous.'
'You don't know anything. It's people like you who have to be removed to protect us all.'
I tried to nod, but the blade made it uncomfortable. 'The sheriff tell you that?'
'You will answer my question, and then you'll either go to the house outside of town, or die here.'
'The house… ah the one where the monster lives.'
'The what?' Stephanie appeared to be genuinely confused.
'No matter. How about this? You remove the blade and answer my questions, or… well, you won't like the alternative.'
'I'm in charge here,' she protested.
'That you are.' I moved faster than she could comprehend, pushing her arm away, grabbing hold of her and pulling her head first into the bath with enough force that a large portion of the bathtub's contents shot over the side, drenching the entire surrounding area.
As Stephanie thrashed around, I stepped out of the bath and used my fire magic to instantly dry myself. I watched with humour as Stephanie continued to make sitting up the most complicated action of her life, although it probably didn't help that each of her legs was draped over opposite sides of the tub. I pulled on my clothes and took a seat on the bed to wait for Stephanie to compose herself.
I'd removed the knife from her hand as I'd thrown her into the bath. It was a nice piece — ivory handle with a four inch steel blade. It was about as useful against a sorcerer as bad language, but if she had stabbed me, it would have hurt. And besides, then I would have killed her and wouldn't have been able to ask what I needed to.
Eventually, a seething Stephanie managed to right herself. 'If you're going to kill me, get on with it.'
I threw the knife behind me. 'I want answers.'
'Go to hell.'
'Now, I know you don't care if I kill you, but if I walk out the front door they're going to know you didn't complete your job. And then I'm guessing you'll end up talking to the sheriff and his friends. Do you really want that?'
Stephanie glared at me, but shook her head. 'No,' she almost whispered. 'What do you want?'
'What are you all doing here? I'm certain everyone is in on it. I just can't figure out what it is.'
'The hills have diamonds in them. We don't want anyone from outside to find them.'
'And that's why you're killing people? To get rich?'
'We're going to make our town separate from the rest of this godforsaken country. The sheriff told us that once we have the diamonds and our protector has his soldiers, we can start to take back what's ours.'
'Protector? It wants to take over America?'
She shook her head. 'Only Montana. To make sure it never becomes part of the Union. And anyone in our way dies.'
'The ranch-holder was in your way?'
'She found out what we were doing, what we'd planned. She had to die.'
A thought occurred to me and I took a hunch. 'You were there, weren't you?'
Stephanie glanced down briefly, but when she spoke she maintained eye contact. 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'
I knew a liar when I saw one. 'You watched her murdered. Did you stab her yourself? Did you enjoy it?'
'I only watched,' she snapped before she could stop herself. She immediately realised her mistake. 'The sheriff and his men got half a dozen of the town occupants to help kill her. They opened the barn doors so that everyone else could watch.'
