The lack of sound should’ve been my first clue. Nights were never silent affairs near the taverns, and even the ocean held its breath, as though waiting for disaster to strike from the shadows. The wind played with the locks of my hair sticking out from beneath the hood of my cloak. The only light was the full moon, but even this was muted by clouds gathering near the horizon. The reflection of it in the water teased me with the illusion of luck. I knew Varvana was not on my side tonight.
The tavern loomed before my eyes, tall against the star-studded sky. I was ten feet back when the sounds from there reached me. The door creaked as I opened it, but no one paid me any attention except the guard, Markus, standing just inside the doorway. His brown hair hung low over his glazed eyes. He gave me a customary glance, and as I was about to pass him, he grabbed my arm, shooting me a seedy smile, gaze lowering towards my chest. He pulled me aside roughly, pinning me between his figure and the wall. Markus’s fingers pinched the flesh at my waist and I gasped. The sound drew no attention to us.
“Whatcha looking for tonight, sweetheart?” His smile oozed attempted charm, but his mouth reeked of alcohol.
I shallowed my breathing to avoid the pungent odor, trying to stifle the rage stirring …show more content…
The smell of alcohol grew stronger. Intoxicated men and women populated the dining area, laughing too loudly and rowdily gambling on the outcomes of games. Other groups hunched in the back corner, whispering trades to one another. The bar stood on the left side of the large room, extending from the entrance to a rear exit. The wood was old and scratched from too many years of wear. I took a seat where Pike was cleaning the counter in a monotonous motion with an already brown rag. He perked up when he noticed my approach. The long hair he sported was pushed behind his ears, curling on the