Chapter Twenty-Two
“Put the knife away, asshole, and walk away,” I said.
The ruffian shoved Cranton back into his chair and spun around to face me, his scarred face twisted in rage.
“Who the fuck are you?” he spat.
I considered telling the brute that I was a master assassin, as well as a newly transcended Death God, but I figured I’d lay it on lightly. This was still a night for celebrations, after all, and I didn’t want to ruin the mood.
“Cranton’s friend,” I said. “If you threaten him, you threaten me. Tell me how much gold he owes you, and I’ll pay it. As long as you promise to fuck right off and never look at him again.”
“You’ve got some nerve, pretty boy, thinking you can stick your nose where it don’t belong. I think maybe one of your eyeballs needs to be—”
I didn’t give the thug the chance to finish. I grabbed his wrist with one hand and his neck with the other and slammed him face-first into the table, jerking his arm up behind his back and twisting it hard, causing him to scream out and drop his knife.
“And you’ve got some nerve threatening me.” I gave his arm another twist, so that the bone was on the point of snapping. “Let me repeat my offer to you, with an additional condition: I’ll pay you whatever gold my friend owes you as long as you promise never to even look his way again, or I break both of your arms and maybe your jaw, too. Your choice.”
“Three gold pieces,” the man gasped, his jaw clenched with pain as I applied more pressure to his arm. “He owes me… three gold pieces.”
“Elyse, take my purse and count out three gold pieces for this shitbag.” I tightened my hold even more, and he whimpered and squirmed.
Elyse removed the gold pieces and placed them on the table in front of his face. “You do know I’m now the—”
“Elyse, you beautiful thing. Now’s not the time for introductions.” I turned to the asshole. “There’s your money, hag flaps. Take it and fuck off. And don’t bother my friend again—ever. I won’t be as kind to you next time, I guarantee you that.”
I released the thug from my hold, and he staggered to his feet, snatched the gold off the table, and hurried away.
“Thank you,” Cranton murmured, looking embarrassed. “You barely know me, but you stood up for me. You’re an honorable man, Vance.”
“I just don’t like assholes and bullies. And that jerk was both. Tell me though, what debt did I just pay off for you?”
“Oh, uh… well, I’m a bit of a fan of, uh, greenfoil—”
“Greenfoil!” Elyse shook her head disapprovingly. “Cranton, I thought you were just on the black spice. This is something else entirely. No wonder you’re making foolish decisions like threading your fate with brigands like him.”
“Hey, greenfoil is the Nature Goddess’ ultimate medicine, man,” Cranton protested. “A little green takes you to the realm of the divine. Despite what the Lord of Light says in his scriptures, it’s really harmless. Besides, there’s an old verse somewhere that talks about how his rays shine on all the plants of the field. That’s gotta include greenfoil, don’t it?”
Elyse face-palmed and shook her head.
“I’m going to wet my lips,” Isu said as she went to the bar.
I shot a look at Rami. She was still standing by the entrance, nose turned up and hands never far from her sais.
“Hey!” Cranton said, “I’ve got some in my purse! Saving it for the long walk home. Greenfoil always makes the journey so much more interesting. I even have a pipe I can loan you. It’ll make the music dance in your ears, I guarantee it.”
Elyse looked as if she’d just seen him summon a demon. “Put it away, Cranton.”
“What about you, brother?” he asked me. “A little puff of greenfoil to liven up the evening?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I need my wits about me for the next couple of hours, so I’m going to have to pass.”
Cranton sighed and stashed the greenfoil back into his purse.
The band of southerners launched into a well-known dancing tune, and Elyse sprang to her feet, her fury at Cranton already forgotten.
“This is one of my favorite songs!” she said. “Vance, shall we?”
I happened to like it too, and in any case, I didn’t need to be asked twice to dance with Elyse. I jumped up and flashed her a grin, then took her hand and led her through the crowd to where barmaids, drunks, and other locals were dancing.
The rhythm was slow and steady, and Elyse didn’t take very long to get into it. Soon, she was twisting her hips seductively, her arms raised above her head, writhing her body in a sensual, serpentine motion. I started to wonder how much I knew of Elyse. With friends like Cranton and moves like this, she couldn’t have always been the pious cleric she appeared to be.
I moved in close to her, my hips subtly gyrating in time to the rhythm, and matching Elyse’s motions perfectly. Our eyes locked as we danced, and we moved like two moths circling an invisible flame between us, drawn in closer and closer as the song went on.
I slid my hands onto her hips when I got close enough. In response, she flashed me an unmistakably flirtatious smile. Her lips parted ever so slightly, and the sight of her full breasts shifting beneath her figure-hugging white dress as she danced was very pleasing indeed.
As we moved together, Elyse asked me how I’d become a Death God, and I explained what had happened with Isu. Elyse didn’t laugh, and it actually seemed like she’d believed me.
I noticed Rami and Isu watching us dance. Rami, strangely enough, stared with desire in her dark eyes, as if she wanted to place herself between us and press her body against both of ours. It was
