I met Nal in the alley just outside the inn where we were staying. “Well?” he asked, not bothering to take his nearly used-up joint out of his mouth. The smoking didn’t suit his tall, blond, ponytailed, pretty boy looks. Neither did his personality. “What’d you find out?”

“I warned her,” I said. “But she seemed set on going through with it.”

“Fuck.” He spat the joint onto the cobblestones and snuffed it out with his boot. “You want to do the dirty work, or should I?”

“I’ll do it.”

“You sure you can handle it?”

I glared into his golden desen’s eyes. “I can handle it.” I’d have to, because I doubted he’d be able to.

“I won’t tell you how to do your job, then. But we’ve got three days before we have to report in.”

“I know.”

He sighed. “This whole thing is shit.”

I held out a hand, and he dropped a joint into my palm. I hated the things, but I needed something to calm down. He flipped open his lighter and lit up my joint. I almost coughed, but the herbs inside did their work, then thinking didn’t feel so painful.

I’d give her tonight and tomorrow to think about it. Then I’d get a solid answer out of her. If she still planned on going through with it, I’d have to change her mind, one way or another.

“This whole thing is shit,” I parroted.

“I need a drink.”

“You just smoked.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“And?” He headed inside.

I’d barely gotten a few puffs out of it, but I flattened the joint under my boot and followed him in, just in case he needed a chaperone.

He sat at the bar and didn’t take long to chug a few mugs of beer. The bartender cocked an eyebrow when he asked for another but gave him one anyway. He was already wobbling on the barstool, and I rolled my eyes as I sipped my water. Good thing I was doing all the heavy lifting on this trip.

A woman further down the bar watched Nal like a hawk, and I kept my own eye on her. She was pretty, with curves that definitely caught my attention, but I didn’t like that hungry look in her eyes. After Nal finished his next beer, she walked over with an exaggerated sway of her wide hips.

“Having a good evening, I hope?” she asked as she trailed a finger across Nal’s shoulder, making him jump.

He mumbled something incoherent, looking my way like a plea for help.

But she hadn’t crossed a line, yet.

“I could make it even better.” Those long fingers kept tracing circles on his shoulder, and she moved in closer, nearly jutting her chest into his face. “I have a room upstairs. You could—”

“I’m not interested,” Nal grumbled, pushing her hand off him.

“Aw, don’t be like that. No need to be shy.” She reached for him again.

I grabbed her wrist. “He said he’s not interested.”

She looked me up and down like she hadn’t noticed me before, then smiled. “What about you, then?” She stepped around Nal like he’d stopped existing and ran her fingers down my chest.

Part of me wanted to knock her on her ass and tell her to go fuck herself, but my Rage was starting to boil up, and I needed to let off the steam in a way that wouldn’t get me hunted by guards. I grabbed her arm, pulled her close, and breathed in her ear. “Don’t expect me to be gentle,” I whispered.

She shuddered. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Nal shook his head as I let her lead me upstairs.

I was true to my word as I bent her over the bed, but she didn’t seem to mind. I would have bet the whole inn could hear her over-the-top moaning. I’d get shit from Nal in the morning, if he’d even remember.

Once I was through with her, I got dressed while she whined that I wasn’t staying. I barely said another word to her before heading back to the room I was sharing with Nal. He was already passed out in the bed. So much for taking turns.

I sighed and got as comfortable as I could on the pile of blankets on the floor, wondering how I’d waste tomorrow. But I laid awake for hours, dreading what I might have to do the next night.

I hoped this Eujia Levie would be able to take a hint.