We sit at the bar, surrounded by a crowd of drunks and bar maids. From what I've read from books, it's stereotypical with the whole drunkards and barmaids serving them. Kind of a downer. I was expecting more.
"Don't be bummed out." Alex says. "Only the desperate drunks are here. It's still early in the night."
"Then shouldn't we have organised a room them?"
"Yeeaah. I should have thought of that."
"Then why-"
"Look over there." He nods to the back.
He sees a group of men with a woman who seems to their superior, due to how she's dressed. They're far away from us, sitting in a shady booth. They don't want to be noticed. And they're discussing something serious.
I instinctively turn my head, my left hear facing them.
"We're understaffed. We need more men for this job." One of the men (Man 1), says. He sounds worried. "This is too much of a big job. Our group isn't enough."
"You mean, they're not good enough." Another man (Man 2) says. He's next to the woman. She's deep in thought. "Our employers has seen all of our guild members, and she doesn't even like half."
"Fussy bitch." Says another.
"What are you doing?"
I jump at Alex's voice. I glare at him.
"Listening in on their conversation."
"But they're at the other end of the-"
"Shut up!" I hiss.
"... so, what do you propose?" Man 1 asks.
"Well, we don't have a choice." The third asks.
"Will you lot be quiet!" The woman slams her fists down. "I'm trying to think of a solution, and you two are getting on my nerves with what we already know."
"So, what's your solution, Boss." Man 2 asks.
"Isn't it obvious. We hire more."
"But, what makes you think they can do it?"
"Well, we ask what their skills are of course. Doesn't matter if they get injured or killed. They're not ours."
I raise my brows. This leader of theirs is both cruel, but efficient in how things get done. I look at Alex, who's drinking a pint, and punch him lightly on the shoulder. He looks at me and smirks.
"So. What did you hear."
"They need more men for a job because their employer is fussy with her employees."
"How the hell did you hear that?" He looks around the room for some reason. As if mapping how I would've left and come back without him noticing. I suppose a normal person wouldn't be able to hear from here.
"I listened."
I get a blank stare.
I sigh. "My bloodline has sharp senses. I know because my brothers and I inherited it from our mother. It's how William was able to overthrow Rogan. Believe it or not, it wasn't just through alliances."
"So, you have super-hearing?"
I sigh, rolling my eyes. "Yes."
"Anything else?"
"Just shut up, and lets go." I get up and drag him to the group on the other side of the of the pub.
By the time we arrive at their table, I had let him go so that we can walk beside each other. We stand there, back straight with determined yet blank faces. Best not to sound too eager. Even I know that an openly desperate person who seeks a job is off-putting.
"What do you want?" The woman says.
"We want a job. We suspect you might have one for us." Alex says.
She smirks. "And what makes you think that?"
"You're men don't exactly look happy." I nod to the men. "Either they couldn't get another drink, which I highly doubt, or they're shitty about a job. It's also not happy hour yet."
"You're quite sharp." She eyes both of us, interested. "Both of you."
She leans back in her seat.
"What kind of job are you looking for? We might have it."
"Well," Alex starts, "we don't care if it's legal. So long as it pays well."
The woman laughs. "Hahahaha. Oh, I like you."
I bite my lip. I don't think I'll ever get used to Alex's way of doing jobs. Doing stuff that's illegal, it goes against all my teachings. It feels... wrong. Should I even stay?
"We need someone with skills. And preferably experience."
"We both know martial arts, and how to use a gun. I know my way around certain unorthodox jobs. And my friend here, has uncommon assets."
I want to beat him.
"And what would they be?"
"I don't want to divulge that kind of information." I say, glaring at Alex. "I don't feel comfortable about people knowing what it is."
"If it's magic, then that would be helpful." The woman rests her head on top of her folded hands. "Though some of my men would be unsettled by it."
"So, do we fit your criteria?" I say.
"Well, you two would certainly appeal to the lady who we work for. But," she holds up an index finger. "A gun and fist fighting won't be enough."
"Well, I don't need a melee weapon." Alex assures her. "You don't have to be far away to shoot someone. And I have an device to make my gunshots silent."
"Mmm." The woman's eyes gleam. Then she turns to me. "And you?"
"I'm good at knives. I left it in our room, however."
Alex takes a quick glance at me.
The woman chuckles. "You're both hired. My name is Sulia."
Sulia? That's a strange name.
"My name 's Alex."
"I'm Ro-" Wait, I shouldn't use my real name. "Rowena"
"You'll get a 7% cut each. That makes 8 of us. We'll meet in the Black Crow at 5pm. Do NOT be late."
"Yes ma-" Alex jabs his shoulder into my ribs.
"You got it."
With finding a job resolved, we head back to the bar. I can't believe I was about to call her ma'am. That would both be too formal, and give away what status we came from. We lean against the bar, watching as a few more people walk in. Including women. I have a feeling the one's that come in alone are the heavy and most tolerant drinkers.
"See," Alex leans in and grins. "I told you there would be women who come here as well. You should stay and watch."
"What? Where are you going?"
He's already walking away with our bags.
"To organize a room." He turns his back on me and gives a small wave.
I sigh. It's starting to get really noisy in here.
"Want a drink, missy?"
I jump at the voice. It's the bartender.
I suppose I shouldn't be rude. I mean, I'm at a pub. "Yeah. Can I get a pint?"
"Sure thing."
Within five seconds he gives me one. I pay him. Alex doesn't know I keep some money on me. I only did it because I don't want him to control all the money. Among my expensive education, economics was included.
I drink it sip by sip. This is the first time I've tasted a beer. It's bitter, and you can definitely taste the alcohol. I'm honestly not sure what I think of it. Do I like it? Do I hate it? I can't tell.
As I drink I'm approached by 3 burly men.
"Hello, Little Lady." The middle says. I'm going to call him... Mutton. Due to his brown mutton chops on his face that's connected to his full set of hair. He has a square jaw too.
"Are you alone, Pretty Lady?" The left one says. I'll call him mustache. Ginger hair, round face.
"No." I reply, unimpressed.
I really hope this is not what classes as handsome in this town. Sure, women are attracted to muscle due to biology telling them that large men such as these have the ability to supply food.
"Are you with a friend? Or sister by chance?" The third, Stubble asks. He has a square jaw as well, black hair with stubble around a face. Unlike the others, he has the ability to grow a proper beard.
"That's none of your business. Now push off."
"Come on, Love. We're just asking. We don't want a doll like you to be taken advantage by scum."
"Why, how very nice of you." I smile, putting on my princess mask. "You're so kind."
Mustache giggles in delight like a child, shoulders shaking.
I resist the urge to curl my lips in disgust.
"Your welcome, Little Lady." Mutton goes and stands on my right, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "We'll protect you. So enjoy yourself. We'll drink merry together and share stories."
Out of the corner of my eye I catch ginger slip something in my drink. Some sort of powder.
"That sounds like fun." I continue to smile innocently. "Ooh. I know. How about we play a game?"
"What kind of game, Little Lady?"
"Knockout."
My left hand reaches out and grabs the back of Ginger's head in lightning speed. I pull his head down and smash his head in my knee. At the same time, I use my left arm and unwrap Mutton's hand around me. The moment Ginger falls to the ground I twist Mutton's arm and grab his right shoulder. I spin him around and pull his twisted arm up. I look and see Stubble reach out to me with his right hand. But I kick him in the gut. I then kick Mutton's left leg, forcing him to kneel down in pain.
"Ugh!"
I had already let go of his hand.
Ginger is back up. I backhand slap him with my right hand. He falls back down. Mutton swings a punch at me with his right hand. But I bend backward, avoiding the hit. I twirl around with such speed he didn't notice I was by his side till it was too late. I grab his right arm, pull it back so it's in front of me, twist it, then put my elbow down hard on his biceps. He yells out in pain as the bones crack, surrounded by muscle. I slip my left leg in front of his right and trip him. He falls to the ground again, face first.
Ginger is now swinging punches at me, I step back with each attempt. Stubble is back in again. He's the weakest. He rushes at me in fury, right arm raised high and ready to smash down. I stop, grab it with my right and divert it into Ginger's face.
"Argh! You fuck-face!"
"Oh, now that's not polite." I frown. I pull back Stubble's arm, he faces me and I punch him in the face. He stumbles back, clutching his face. He growls at me. But before he can rush at me again crescent kick him in the face. Back on the ground. I step forward and knock him out by whacking my foot across his face as I step over him.
Despite me being smaller in size, I still have the advantage. My inherited unnatural speed and strength combined give me that. I'm also nimble with quick reactions. Thank you genetics!
"You B-"
I had already turned around and kick ginger in the gut before he can finish. His back hits the bar and he slumps to the ground. It's Mutton's turn to rush at me. But this time, he'll have to either step over, or step on his friend to get to me. I step to the side, right beside stubble's head, reach out, grab his left wrist, pull him and kick him with my lower leg. He grunts, falls forward, and lands on his friend. To finish him off, I slam my foot on his face when he flips around.
I look at Ginger. He hasn't gotten up.
A cheer erupts around me and I snap back out fighting mode. I look around and see people celebrating my win. I look towards the back through the small gap of the cheering crowd. I see Sulia grinning ear to ear.
"Well, you seem to handle yourself quite well."
I turn my head around to see Alex leaning against the bar, looking at me with a grin. I feel like all suspicious, shady people do is grin.
"How long were you there?" I frown.
He shrugs. "Long enough."
He grabs my beer and holds it up to his mouth.
"You realize they slipped something in there, right?"
Alex spits it out.
"I think it's time to go." He awkwardly puts the beer down and walks out of the pub. I follow with a smug face.
We arrive at an inn that was around the corner. I followed Alex as we walk up the stairs and he unlocks a door. Two neat single beds wait for us. I go to the connected bathroom with my bag and dress into my 2 piece pajamas. I walk out and see that Alex is only wear pants. I stand there, unable to move.
My eyes admire his strong back as he folds his clothes. His broad shoulders suit his tall stature. As soon as he's done folding, he turns around to see my stunned face. His stomach doesn't have a defined 6-pack. But you can still see the muscle. His chest is... well, I don't think I need to explain that. But his arms are well toned. If he walks down the street like this, he would make every woman swoon.
"Like what you see?" He smirks.
I snap back to attention and shake my head. I throw my clothes at the end of the bed. "Don't be arrogant. It's one of your flaws."
"One?" He starts getting in bed.
"Yep." I'm already in.
"What's the other?"
"What makes you think there's just 2?"
"What?! How many are there?"
"Not telling." I smirk and blow out the candle by my bedside.
He blows out his and we go to sleep.