Book 3, Chapter 4 - The Reunion (2/2)

“Yes, yes!” A slender barmaid blurted out. “Her name is Luciasha, but she’s not like us. She’s the boss’ special girl, he takes care of her. She doesn’t run beer or take care of the guests, she just works as a bartender.

Cloudhawk pushed one of the gold coins toward her. “Does your boss treat her well?”

Another girl hurried to answer. “More than well. He treats her like a daughter. The boss keeps a low profile in the Sandbar, but everyone respects him. The Magistrate from the elysian lands – that fatty they call ‘Uncle Seacrest’ – even he doesn’t give any trouble.”

That was exactly what Cloudhawk wanted to hear. Adder had kept his word.

He was fully prepared to show Adder the error of his ways if he’d learned Asha wasn’t being treated well. He didn’t know a lot about the strange bar owner, but Cloudhawk was no pushover. At the very least the man would wake one day to find his secret treasure trove empty. But, since he did what he promised Cloudhawk wasn’t going to start trouble.

“Alright, y’all enjoy yourselves. I need to take a piss.” He was hardly refined with his declaration, and climbed to his feet bearing a dark grin. “Make sure you treat Gabby here really well. He’s a virgin, and whichever of you ladies manages to pop his cherry will earn ten gold.”

“You…”

Gabriel choked on his own fury and he cowed beneath the lusty fire in the girls’ eyes. He felt like a slab of juicy meat that caught the attention of hungry lionesses.

Cloudhawk laughed, well pleased with himself and his trouble-making. He cast his friend an encouraging look, then walked away with a self-satisfied hum in his throat. He wasn’t off to the bathroom, of course. He wanted to see the bartender. He spared a few inconspicuous glances toward the iron bar spanning one wall of the establishment. Three years ago he’d expect to see that large man in the black cloak tending bar. This time he was replaced with a slim girl with a pretty face.

She was wrapped in a white dress and a mass of naturally curly hair tumbled down to her shoulders. She wasn’t wearing any market or perfume, in stark contrast to the heavily painted barmaids who shuffled back and forth carrying drinks. She was very pretty, though not stunning. A lingering charm and a frail nature that made her seem like a precious, delicate flower. Everyone who looked at her had a natural urge to keep her safe.

A rare smile, warm instead of sardonic, turned his lips.

Ten years spent in the wasteland, and people had marched in and out of his life. The old man who taught him to read. Slyfox and Maddog. Artemis. Friends who were dead and gone. Then there was the mysterious Mantis and dignified Selene. Their complicated histories and strange futures were destined to leave Cloudhawk estranged from them. He had no idea where they’d gone, or what they were doing.

He turned his head and the wasteland took them, like dunes changing in the gusting winds. The only one left was this pretty girl.

At the moment Luciasha was deftly pouring beers, and set a pair on the bar counter. She was pulling back, when suddenly a rough hand held her fast. A group of rugged and unfamiliar men stood before her.

The men bore fierce and salacious grins as they tugged at her, loudly arguing. It was clear at a glance that these men were new here. They were used to more rugged fair and were eager to try a tastier fruit. Alcohol had made them bold and impaired their thinking, otherwise they would have noticed the telling stares from the other bar patrons.

Whatever, if they got a bite out of this juicy peach what could be the worst that happened?

Over the last three years, the bartendress had lost count of the number of idiot men who’d tried to take advantage of her. The end result was often a miserable end for the fools, and so people learned that she was off limits. Knowing what was to come, the other patrons eager awaited the show.

One of the men reached out to grab a handful of her breast.

Another hand shot out from one side and snapped the man’s wrist. The pop that rang out was audible from across the bar. To say the bones broke like rotten wood would be an understatement. While the owner was still staring wide-eyed at the unnatural angle his hand was making, the mysterious fist returned to shatter his cheekbone. The thug was unconscious before he could even register the pain.

His companions suddenly weren’t in such a bawdy mood.

They didn’t know where this guy had come from, but the way he clobbered their friend like he was a toy said enough. Whoever he was, he was out of their league. The men stumbled back to get away before they were next, but as they scrambled for the door the man flung out his hand. Both were brutally pinned to columns by something punching through their backs.

Throwing spikes!

Cloudhawk handled the thugs like swatting a group of irritating flies.

Bouncers suddenly came charging over. They saw the three men and assumed there’d been a fight. Brawls and murder were not allowed in this establishment. They surrounded Cloudhawk, ready to deal with the troublemaker.

Suddenly – “Stop!” Luciasha stared at Cloudhawk’s face in shock. Silence stretched for three or four seconds before she found her voice. “Cloud… Cloudhawk?”

A smile curled the edges of his mouth. “You still remember me?”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “You’ve changed a lot.”

Cloudhawk nodded. He stretched out a hand and gently patted her hair, like a brother. His face was full of warmth and affection, no hint of dark intent. The same tenderness entered his voice. “We all change. You have too. You’re more beautiful than ever. Life must be treating you well!”