Page 74 of Draekora

At any other time, hearing Aven say those words in the dead of the night would have had Alex reaching for A’enara and swinging with all her might. But after their enjoyable day together, she couldn’t find it in her to call up any apprehension whatsoever.

“Wha’ ’re you doin’ ’ere, A-A-Aven?” she asked, slurring half the words and yawning his name. “’s the middle of the night.”

“I’m sorry it’s so late, but I want to show you something.”

“Why don’ I haf’a lock on m’door?” Alex grumbled, rolling over and burying her face in her pillow.

“Aey-lee-uh,” Aven called, tauntingly drawing out her name. “Trust me. You won’t want to miss this.”

Alex made an annoyed sound in the back of her throat and rolled over again, squinting up at him to grouch, “This better be worth it.”

He grinned in triumph and handed her a steaming goblet. “Drink up, you’ll feel awake in no time.”

True to his promise, after only a few sips of what Alex recognised as warmedlaendranectar, she felt as if she’d slept for days and was now ready to take on the world.

After making Aven leave her room so she could change into what she considered a night-time escapade outfit—tights, boots and a dark tunic cinched at the waist, coupled with a hooded cloak—Alex met him out in her hallway. Without a word, he pulled her close and activated theValispath.

“Do you mind telling me what’s going on?” Alex asked as they soared out of the palace and into the city.

“I already did,” Aven replied, sounding distracted. “I told you I want to show you something.”

“You could be a tad more specific.”

But there was no need for him to reply because theValispathbrought them to a halt in the dark alley outside The Scarlet Thief.

With a groan, Alex said, “Narsae de Trigon? Really, Aven?”

Seeming surprised, Aven asked, “You’ve been here before?”

“It’s not a memory I want to relive,” Alex said. “Why are we here?”

“I know it’s not the most… hygienic of places, but I promise there’s a good reason for us being here.”

“Hygienic isn’t the word you’re after,” Alex replied as he led the way towards the entrance.

“No, it definitely is,” Aven said with the hint of a smile. “We might not be able to get terminally sick, but if a plague was ever to break out amongst our people, I’m certain it would start here.”

Stepping into the grimy, low-lit tavern, Alex couldn’t help but agree. Being human and therefore susceptible to illness, she also set herself a mental reminder not to touch anything. Eww.

“Tohro,” Aven greeted the burly barman eyeing them from behind the bar. He appeared to be expecting Aven, but showed definite surprise to see Alex.

She too was surprised, though not at seeing him again. Rather, she was surprised to see no one else in the room. The place was empty.

“They’re all out back,” Tohro told Aven. “I closed the place down early like you asked. Make sure you lock up when you’re done.”

Aven gave a nod of agreement and guided Alex deeper into the tavern, his steps long and buoyant.

“Seriously, Aven,” Alex said, a trickle of apprehension crawling along her skin. “Why are we here?”

He stopped at a wooden door that had seen better days, covered as it was in suspicious stains and gritty bar filth.

“I need a favour, Aeylia.”

Alex looked at him, intrigued.

He fixed his eyes on hers and said, “Just for tonight, I need you to forget you grew up with mortals.”

Alex’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”

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