Tetra regarded the shot glass with appreciation. Val guessed from their conversation that the faerie wine was over four hundred years old. “Nice. They were nutty in those years.”

“Indeed they were.” Enzo raised his chin. “You know your booze.”

“It’s the one thing I do know.” Tetra knocked the faerie wine back in a single swallow, and acid vapor curled from her lips.

“Val.” Isabella poked her in the belly. “Keep typing.”

Val focused on the phone screen. Her clumsy fingers took several attempts to type the message.

Hey, I don’t know if you remember me. It’s Val, the bodyguard who’s scared of heights. Are you still single?

“Uh, no.” Isabella took the phone.

“Give that back!” Val protested.

“You can’t do that.” Isabella regarded the message. “It’s not right.”

“Do what?” Val asked.

“Text him a naked pic!” Jess enthused.

Isabella gently removed the beer glass from Jess’s hand. “I think that’s enough for you, Jessica Caroline.”

“Give it back, Bella,” Liam chided.

“Fine, but you can’t send him that.” Isabella returned the phone.

Val deleted the last sentence and typed a new ending to the message.

I was wondering if you’d still like to ask me out.

“Too direct,” Jess announced.

“Give it back,” Isabella demanded.

Val meekly surrendered her phone.

Isabella typed for a few seconds, then returned it. “Now you can send it.”

Do you still want to go and get that drink sometime? :)

“I don’t do smiley faces,” Val grumbled.

“Shhh. Send it,” Isabella hissed, almost faceplanting in Val’s lap when she leaned over.

Val laughed and gently shoved Isabella upright. “Okay, okay.” She sent the message. “Now what?”

“Now we wait.” Isabella beamed.

“I gotta pee.” Val slid off the stool and eyed Tetra. “Stay here,” she added quietly.

Tetra glowered.

Val moved through the crowd to the restroom, shoving men out of the way when they acted like she didn’t exist. She splashed cold water on her face and felt steadier when she returned. Before she could reach her friends, Enzo stepped out from behind the bar and gripped her elbow.

“A word, Val?” he asked quietly.

Val stopped. “Is something wrong?”

“Not at all.” Enzo grinned. “I think I’ve found a solution to our staffing problem.”

“Oh?” Val followed him into the tiny office.

“Yes.” Enzo shut the door behind her. “I’ve found us a barmaid.”

“Who?” Val asked.

The orc paused, folding his hands. “Tetra.”

“What?” Val squawked. “No!”

“Think about it.” Enzo held up both hands. “She’d be safe here, and I’m here to ensure that everyone else is safe, too. You can’t watch her every minute of every day, especially when you pick up another bodyguarding gig.”

“Then she’ll stay in the apartment,” Val snapped.

“You and I both know you won’t make her a prisoner. You want to help her, right? You want to make her a productive member of society.” Enzo raised his eyebrows. “Don’t you?”

Val paused. “Well, yeah. But she could be dangerous.”

Enzo chuckled. “I’m counting on that. Jeff needs backup now that the bar is busier.”

Val rubbed the back of her neck, thinking about her words to Tetra earlier. “She does need a job.”

“This is perfect.” Enzo grinned, showing off his tusks. “She’s a good kid, Val.”

“She tried to murder her sister.”

“Yeah, well, in faerie culture, that’s not as big a deal.” Enzo chuckled. “I’m guessing she was exiled?”

“For the rest of her life,” Val confirmed.

“Let her make a home among the humans like you and me did, then.” Enzo spread his hands. “This could be a stepping stone to many good things for her.”

Val folded her arms. “I’ll think about it.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Daylight felt like daggers spearing Val’s eyeballs. She moaned as she padded barefoot through her kitchen, which was a much more pleasant experience than the day before. She kept her eyes half-shut as she groped her way to the fridge.