Page 79 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

“Good.” After sheathing the dagger I held, I reached forward, yanking the other one from the bouncer's hand, the squelching sound more audible than most patrons were comfortable with as a few of them gagged. He grunted, staggering back, or tried to anyway.

I wrapped my fingers around his wrist once more. “Before we go,” I forced his hand back to the table and slammed the knife through his wrist, tearing through muscle and tendon and bone. He screamed and the smell of piss followed. I wrenched the knife to the side, mutilating his hand. Without bone to keep it from falling, the appendage dangled by the remaining muscle and skin. Ireleased him and wiped the blood on my trousers. He fell to the floor, cradling his wound close to the chest.

I pointed the dagger at Irene, who watched me with narrowed eyes. “Try to find a loophole and I’ll have this piece of shit establishment ripped apart for kindling and you’ll be tossed into the fire first.”

With that, I reupholstered the blade, and I wrapped my arm around Meera’s waist, pulling her into my side as we turned to leave. Everyone watched us in silence; fear, disbelief, and uncertainty still permeating the air. Only our footsteps could be heard as we took leave, Irene’s people forced tofollow the terms their boss had agreed to. The man at the door pulled it open, his nostrils flaring at me in anger.

“Fucking leprechaun,” Meera said, flipping Irene off before we walked through the exit. “I hope you find hair in your soup . . . and I hope it’s a pube.”

We didn’t bother to stick around for a reply. The door shut behind us, and we stood in what felt like another world. The sounds of the tavern were a stark contrast to the brothel. No one in the pub heard past the sound barrier. People were drinking merrily, chatting to each other, completely unaware of what had just happened.

Meera’s hold on me tightened, and her walk was unsteady. She turned to me, her eyes dreamy as she bit the corner of her bottom lip.

“We need to leave here quickly,” I whispered to her, cradling her cheek carefully with my gloved hand. The silver sheen covering her face and neck was already affecting her, and it was starting to affect me too.

“Something is happening to me,” she muttered, pressing her hand to her chest. “I think I’m having a reaction to that dust. I feel hot. Is it hot in here?” She started to fan herself.

“Yes, it’s just hot,” I lied, pulling her toward the bar. I flagged down the man I’d spoken with when I arrived. “Galpin, was it?”

“Who’s askin’?” He came over with a smile but quickly took a look at Meera and his skin paled, guilt causing him to lower his gaze. “No . . . she’s such a nice girl. I should’na sent her ‘n there.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” I replied through gritted teeth. Lashing out wouldn’t help us now. “But we both need your help now.”

“Name it,” he said, straightening his shoulders.

“We need a place to stay. An inn. A barn. A room. Anything. Somewhere that isn’there,” I said, gesturing to the brothel door.

He nodded, yelling at someone in the back to come out and cover the front. He grabbed his cloak from a hook on the wall, wrapping it around himself. “My brother. He owns the inn. I’ll take ya’ there myself.” He quickly assessed Meera’s clothing, and he looked around to see if there was another one hanging. He began to remove his own. “Ya’ need this ta’ stay warm.”

She swallowed thickly, shaking her head. “Too hot,” she said, licking her lips, and I swear the sweep of her tongue was in slow motion. A low rumble vibrated in my throat.

“I understand.” Galpin’s eyebrows knit together, and he refastened the cloak. He turned to me and quietly added, “It’s on ya’ too, mate. The dust.”

I nodded, my jaw clenched. “I’m aware.”

He waved us to the door, pulling it open. “This way.”

The wind howled, swirling flakes of snow in spirals. The moment the crisp night air reached me, my senses were assaulted by something new. I inhaled sharply, my muscles locking into place as a new heated desire coursed throughme. The scent of her filled my lungs—heady, intoxicating—utterlyruiningme.

Arousal coiled between us, pulling tight and trying to take control.

Thick and powerful and all-consuming.

But it wasn’t mine.

It was hers.

Chapter 27

Meera

Everythingburned. A tingling heat swept from my legs to my fingertips and everywhere in-between, making my skin feel too tight, too sensitive. My mind reeled back to the fight in the brothel, the heat intensifying as I recalled the way Vareck moved. The way hefoughtfor me.

I knew he was intimidating. I’d heard tales of his ruthlessness. After spending time with him, I’d begun to wonder if they were even true. Now there was no doubt in my mind.

Instead of scaring me, it had the opposite effect. Fricken romance books.

I lifted a trembling hand to my throat, wondering what it would be like to get on his bad side. To feel those strong fingers wrap around my neck, pressing just enough to make me shiver. Would his hands be calloused like they were in our dreams? Would he hold me firm and take me from behind? Maybe he’d shove me up against this wall and?—

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