Page 81 of Lana Pecherczyk
“Thank you,” Nikan’s sharp words pierced the air.
Manfri’s wings faltered at the acknowledgment of a debt. It tipped the balance between them as they carried Cielo during their descent. Being close to public eyes, Cielo shirked out of their hold and stubbornly flew the rest of the way.
“We didn’t do this because we expected a favor,” Manfri said.
“I know.”
They dropped onto a street in Cornucopia, stumbling in their haste. Each shifted their aching wings away and stretched. Manfri still couldn’t believe they’d entered the Collector’s trove, thinking her most prized possession would bea jewel or even her son, but it was something else entirely—her greed.
“You good?” Cielo asked Nikan.
“I should ask the same of you.”
“I’ll be fine once I get a drink.”
“Maybe this will help.” Manfri pulled a palm-sized, jewel-encrusted bottle from his rear pocket.
They gaped at him.
“When did you get that?” Cielo asked, swiping the bottle and uncorking it.
“While you were gone, I talked Nikan’s ear off and?—”
“Say no more.” Cielo burst out laughing. “Manfri’s artful distraction to the rescue.”
They shared the stolen liquor, finding it potent enough to make the ground tilt beneath their feet instantly. But they felt good. Alive. Hungry. Ready for more adventure.
“We fucking rescued you from the Collector!” Manfri blurted, bumping shoulders with Nikan.
“Shh.” Cielo put his finger to his lips, glancing around to see if anyone heard. The ramshackle street they’d landed on was nearly empty, save for a drunken elf pissing on a wall twenty yards away.
“Come on.” Manfri slammed his palm against Nikan’s back. They stumbled forward, laughing. Maybe a little drunk. Definitely drunk.
“What did you say this was again?” Cielo squinted like a pirate at their new friend as he held up the empty bottle.
Nikan shrugged. “Something she told me not to drink.”
“You want it back?”
“I want nothing she touched,” Nikan declared. “I’m done. So done.”
“Good.” Manfri clapped him on the back again and waggled his brows. “Let’s see about getting you laid.”
“Eat!” Cielo scowled at him. “We need food first.”
“I’ve never…” Nikan blushed. He glanced down at his borrowed attire. “I don’t even look…” His stomach growled. “I have no coin.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Cielo winked and held up a palm-sized ruby that looked almost black in the moonlight.
“You sneaky little fucker.” Manfri shoved him, loving this triumphant feeling. This is what he missed—the adventure, the danger, the camaraderie, the celebration.
“We were there because I lost the bet,” Cielo drawled, all puffy eyed from the liquor. “I had to come away with something.” He tossed the ruby to Nikan. “You said you’re done, so we’d better spend it. But it’s your choice. Whatever you want.”
Nikan looked at Manfri. “What do you think we should do?”
“Stupid question. Let’s party.”
Two elixirsand a pint of sour Orc ale later, with bellies full of food, the three victorious crows stumbled down Cornucopia’s main street. They’d won a velvet cloak off a posh traveler’s back (which Manfri promptly lost in a canal), started a brawl with dumb owl shifters, and pilfered an empty stein as a trophy—something to remember this night. Manfri hadn’t decided if it would go to his trove or if he wanted to look at it every night before going to sleep.
