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Really, I was on edge, knowing now our time was short. For all I knew, the deserters could be gathering allies to attack me or my maiden. It was no secret I'd earned enemies on the Isle along with my many admirers.
“What brings you here?” He eyed Dawn, who lowered her head until her chin touched her chest.
“Don't tell me you're shy all of a sudden.” I hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted it.
She shuddered at the sight of the creature behind the bar looking her up and down. He was not handsome by any means, and I imagined a weak, little thing like her would be intimidated by his seven-foot stature and eyes that glowed like burning coals embedded in his head.
“You wouldn’t want to sell this pretty thing, I imagine.”
“I wouldn't need to come here to do that. Besides, I enjoy her too much myself.”
Dawn shuddered again, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her obvious discomfort. She was the one who had insisted on coming with me, and she was helping, whether she knew it or not. Her presence was a sort of camouflage, drawing attention from those we passed on the streets. If they were busy staring at her, they wouldn't notice me—and considering that I was uncertain who was friend and who was foe, that was an invaluable advantage.
Time was running short. I perched on a stool and leaned in, Dawn standing a few steps behind me. “I'm here to buy an army.”
His eyes burned brighter. “To what end? Aiding your brother?”
“Word travels fast.”
“We tend to hear what happens out there, especially something like this.” A chuckle rumbled in his throat. “I mean no offense, but those of your kind tend to loosen their tongues when they're excited about something, and they are excited about the prospect of an invasion.”
“Yes, I imagine they would be.”
“Don't you have enough soldiers now? I imagined the new king would rouse enough devotion to gather an army on his own. He's quite powerful, that one.” Another chuckle, this one tinged with bitterness. “The weak willed tend to follow those with flashy power.”
Yes, word did travel. “And would you be willing to assist me in gathering forces here?”
“What, to assist a half-Fae king in claiming even more power, while the rest of us rot here?”
“I was more of a mind to use my army for my own devices rather than my brother’s.” I offered a smile at his obvious interest. “Theon will only believe I've gathered them to assist him. They will be my forces. Used for my ends only.”
Dawn gasped softly behind me, earning a sharp tug on her chain.
I turned to find her wide-eyed, open-mouthed. “Do I need to tell you, Dawn, that I expect you to keep this a secret? Trust me when I say you will be well rewarded for your silence.”
Her lips moved, but no sound came forth.
Meanwhile, our host had made his decision. “Follow me.”
This was what I’d been waiting for: a chance to see the true brains behind the operation.
Dawn tugged at my sleeve as we traveled a long, narrow passage. “Is this true? You're going to turn against Theon?”
“Turning against him implies I was ever with him in the first place. Don't make me remind you to hold your tongue,” I said.
Her mouth snapped shut a moment before we were ushered into a large, well-appointed room. Vibrantly colored tapestries hung on the walls, while lamps with colored glass shades cast prisms of light in all shades of red, blue, and gold.
And seated on a nest of cushions was the woman I'd come to see.
I inclined my head, and she did the same.
“What brings you back to our shores, King Aldric?” she murmured, her words accentuated by a slight hiss. When she moved, her green and gold scales shimmered in the light. Even in her human form, the siren was unmistakably reptilian.
“I'm in search of an army,” I answered.
“And what do you plan to do with this army? Drag us into another war in which more of our kind will be slain?” Her long, sharp teeth flashed as she gave me a nasty smile. She tapped her long nails against her leg, as she lifted an eyebrow.
“No. Indeed, my goal is to avenge your kind. All of you who were beaten down by the witches. Subjugated. Left to rot. This could be your opportunity to take your revenge, while I take what is rightfully mine.”
