Page 20 of Heir of Illusion

“Aren’t you going to say hi?” He doesn’t bother lowering his voice.

Calum glances up, turning to glare at the reaper with annoyance. “No, I had’na planned on it.”

The reaper ignores him, keeping his gaze on me. “I’ll sit here all night if that’s what it takes.”

The old man’s head falls back as he releases a long sigh.

“Goddess spare me from the young,” he grumbles before taking a long swig from his ale and twisting in his chair to face my new companion. “Hello, lad. How’s yer evenin’?”

Foamy beer clings to his white mustache, causing me to bite down hard on the humor that threatens my foul mood. The reaper slowly turns his head toward the elderly mortal. His expression is cold, but I spot a flash of amusement in his eyes.

“Are ya happy with my greeting, since it apparently means so much to ya?” Calum demands.

“My apologies, sir,” he responds evenly. “But I wasn’t speaking to you.”

Calum glances around our empty corner, his brows raised. “Who else would ya be talking to, lad?”

Without missing a beat, the reaper gestures in my direction. “Why, the beautiful woman across from me, of course.”

I silently thank the Fates that no one can see the heat rising in my cheeks.

Calum eyes the seemingly empty seat before shrugging his shoulders with nonchalance. “Don’t go thinking yer special, lad.” He waves the reaper off before taking another gulp of ale. “She talks to me all the time.”

His silvery blue gaze flickers in my direction as one corner of his mouth kicks up. “Does she now?”

Calum nods. “Always flirting with me, isn’t she? I keep telling her it’s no use. My heart will always belong to my Francie, Goddess rest her soul.”

Leaning forward, I can’t help myself from speaking up for the first time since I walked into the pub. “You can’t blame a girl for chasing the most handsome man in the room.”

His wrinkled cheeks blush instantly as a bashful smile plays at his lips.

“And that includes you, lad,” Calum taunts the reaper. “She fancies me the most.”

“So it would seem,” my companion says, sitting back in his seat as he stretches an arm across the back of the booth beside him. His other hand pulls a few copper coins from his pocket and tosses them to elderly gentleman. “But I do need to speak with the lady privately, so why don’t you go to the bar and get another round on me?”

Calum pockets the change. As if seeking my approval, he glances toward my side of the table, his rheumy gaze settling on a spot several inches to the left of my head.

“Go ahead.” I keep my voice quiet, hoping not to draw any further attention.

Sparing one last glare in the reapers direction, he rises and makes his way to the bar. His steps are stable, but there’s a frailty to his stature that betrays his age. Turning back to my companion, I find him staring at me with a strange expression. For someone who can’t actually see me, he does a surprisingly good job of judging where my eyes are.

“What interesting friends you have.” The hushed, intimate tone of his voice sends chills dancing across my arms. “I confess, I’m jealous. You’ve never commented on my good looks.”

“Because you’re hideous,” I lie, crossing my arms as I lean back.

One hand moves to his chest in a scandalized fashion. “Is that any way to talk to an old friend?”

“We’re not friends.”

His pale eyes glimmer with suggestion. “I think last night makes us more than acquaintances.”

My eyes narrow. “I threw a dagger at your face, and you decided to elevate me to friend instead of enemy?”

“Don’t sell yourself short, my lady.” A lazy grin pulls at his full lips. “You threwfourdaggers at my face.”

“Pity none of them hit their target.” My fingers move to the hilt of the sword I carry tonight, wondering how well he’d dodge a weapon of this size.

“You did draw blood, though.” He leans forward, appearing genuinely impressed by this. “It’s been years since anyone managed that. You should feel proud.”

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