No kicks were necessary. Tetra sulked in the passenger seat while Liam pointed out the sights as they drove the short distance to the Iron Fist. Her mood failed to deter him.
“That’s the statue of George Washington.” Liam’s arm strayed dangerously near the faerie’s teeth as he pointed across the car. “It’s the reason this is called ‘Continental Army Plaza.’”
That made no sense to Val. Was George Washington a warrior?
Tetra grunted. “Uh-huh.”
“Here we are!” Liam concluded brightly, steering the sedan into Val’s reserved parking spot in front of the Iron Fist. “The greatest watering hole in New York City.”
Val laughed. “That’s a bold statement, Lee.”
“I mean it.” Liam opened his door. “You and Enzo have done great things with this place.”
They disembarked and crossed the sidewalk to the little bar. It was squeezed into the ground floor of one of the many square, staid buildings surrounding the plaza. Golden firelight poured from its glass door and windows. The corroded metal sign hanging over the door read The Iron Fist.
“Looks Iron Dw—” Tetra began.
Val glared.
“Uh, like the sign’s made of iron,” Tetra muttered.
“Iron is a theme.” Liam grinned. “You have to taste their Iron IPA. It’s the best beer I’ve ever drunk.”
Early though it was, patrons already filled the bar. Only a few stools were open—no booths—and Val steered Tetra toward an empty one beside two young humans.
“Lee!” Isabella, the curvaceous one, spread her arms. “It’s great to see you here.”
A worried frown creased Jess’s forehead above her thick glasses. “We didn’t have to come here tonight, you know.”
“This is a safe space.” Liam slid into the stool opposite them. “Don’t worry, Jess.”
“Evening, girls.” Val prodded Tetra into the stool beside Isabella’s. “This is my new tenant, Tetra.”
“She’s French,” Liam announced.
Tetra glowered.
“Nice to meet you.” Isabella raised her glass. “What are you drinking?”
Enzo hurried to them with a tray of empty glasses. “Hey, everyone. Sorry for the wait.”
Tetra’s eyes widened at the sight of the orc, and Val remembered her shock the first time she’d run into a para living in the human world.
“Soda for me, please,” Liam requested firmly.
“Good man.” Enzo slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s wonderful to see you here.”
“A round of Iron IPA for the rest of us.” Isabella grinned. “Right, Val?”
“Absolutely. Looks like you need a hand, Enzo.” Val moved around to the back of the bar.
“If you have a minute.” Enzo grimaced. “I thought it’d be quieter. Dante’s not available tonight.”
“It’s time I pulled my weight again, anyway.” Val grabbed his elbow and steered him firmly but discreetly to the back of the bar.
Enzo raised his eyebrows as she grabbed the tray from him and opened the dishwasher. “Who’s your new friend?” he asked quietly.
Val clattered the glasses into the dishwasher to muffle their conversation. “It’s a long story, but basically, she’s sentenced to vassalship for her crimes.”
“Crimes?” Enzo gathered clean glasses on a tray.
“Attempted murder.” Val paused. “Of Sinatria.”
“Aha. She sent the assassin,” Enzo guessed.
Val nodded as she pulled out the dishwasher’s second rack and continued stacking glasses inside. “You know how vassalship works?”
“Not really.”
“She’s magically bound to do whatever I tell her,” Val explained. “It’s a thirteen-year sentence.”
Enzo blinked. “That’s...intense.”
“I know. Not sure what I got myself into. Either way, she’s dangerous, but she’s under control. She’s a faerie made human-passing by...” Val grimaced. “By magic I’d rather not go into right now.”
“A faerie, huh?” Enzo shook his head.
