But I had at least three patrons slowly following me now. And more hoods tracked me as I turned back, looping to avoid bumping into my tails.
“No way those guys would have gone far,” I breathed.
“It be a good theory, but only a theory,” Sebastian stated. “Get out of there.”
I bit my lip. We could walk for hours looking for drinking establishments. “I’ll be right out.”
“Now, recruit.”
“Just give me a minute.”
I sensed the smoke through the comm as I bellied up to the bar between two bodies that smelled less than stellar, and beckoned to the barkeeper.
He looked human, if you didn’t notice the pointed ears and slightly longer-than-normal canines. I cleared my throat and deepened my voice. He leaned on the scratched countertop, and I saw his nostrils flare. His eyes gleamed a rather beautiful green.
I cleared my throat. “I’m looking for a friend,” I said, “And I think I have the wrong establishment. Is there another nearby?”
I had no idea if he’d understand me, but so far, everyone I’d met at the academy spoke Formal. To me, it was a derivative of English. Or rather, I suspected English was a derivative of it. The inflections were a little different, but the language was more or less the same.
The barkeeper’s brows rose, but he answered. “Could try the Claw and Talon, two streets west of here. The Basilisk is four streets east.”
“My thanks,” I said.
“Would you like a drink for the road?” he asked. “My treat.”
As I stared at him, a hand the size of my ogress friend’s emerged from the large figure to my left and wrapped around my arm. “You looking for a fun time, lady?”
The barkeeper glared. “Leave her alone.”
“You good, Angel?” Matt hissed through the comm.
“We’re coming in,” Sebastian informed.
“Hold, damn it,” I muttered. Seems everywhere I went, I ended up in a male pissing contest. To settle the issue, I grabbed the groper’s smallest finger and bent it backward.
He gasped and released me.
“Hands off,” I advised.
“Hey, just askin’.”
“And I’m telling.” I backed away. “I’m good,” I whispered to the comm. To the barkeeper, I added, “Thanks for the offer, but I’d better get moving.”
“Anytime, beautiful,” he said.
“I’m coming out,” I told my two eavesdroppers. Buoyed by my efficient three-way conversation, I ducked between five patrons in a heated discussion and then into the thick crowd along the back wall before darting back through the entrance.
It effectively shed my followers.
Just outside, I almost collided with Matt and Sebastian, who, of course, had not believed anything I’d said.
“I told you I was fine,” I snapped at them both.
Matt had the decency to appear guilty, but Sebastian just glowered. “I ordered you to depart.”
“And I did. But I got us another lead before I did so.” I glared back at him.
Matt looked from me to him before clearing his throat and offering, “Do we check the other places?”
