I finished chewing before answering. “A small island a few hours away. The Tavern.”
“The Tavern,” he muttered. “And whose territory is that?”
“Nobody’s in particular.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was founded by a group of pirates,” I said. “They claimed the island as their own and built a wall around it. But over the years, it’s become a place of respite for all wanderers and pirates.”
“Will I be able to stay there permanently?”
“You’ll be better off there than The Cove.”
I’d already decided that I’d show him who to talk to once we arrived there in order for him to obtain permanent residency. And after that, he’d be their problem.
Just a few more hours to go.
I washed my face and led the dolphins back to their harnesses. Kiev and I resumed our seats on the boat. As we moved forward, I couldn’t deny that part of me felt guilty that I hadn’t offered to drop him at The Tavern to start with. It hadn’t been that far out of my way. And it was without question safer for him than The Cove.
Of course I knew why I hadn’t done it; I’d just wanted him out of my sight as soon as possible. I hadn’t even given myself a chance to think of any alternatives to the merfolk’s realm.
Now that the silence between us had returned, so did my embarrassment. Sitting so close to him didn’t help. I doubted that I would have asked those personal questions of him had I known our journey would be delayed like this.
I felt thankful for the cool breeze wafting through the cabin, calming my blazing cheeks.
Chapter 9: Kiev
As soon as the silhouette of The Tavern came into view, Mona slowed the boat. I got up and stepped out on deck. I scanned the area for any sign of hawks. Nothing stuck out as suspicious to me.
A high black wall surrounded the island. Lanterns were scattered at intervals around it and an orange glow emanated up into the sky from behind the walls. Faint chattering and music drifted toward us.
I walked back to the cabin and resumed my seat next to Mona.
“It’s safe,” I muttered.
She nodded and we continued ahead at full speed until the dolphins approached shallower water and slowed down. When the boat hit the sand, we both jumped out. Mona loosed the dolphins from their harnesses and, to my surprise, let them go swimming off.
“I’ve trained them well enough. They’ll stay around the area and be here when I need them again.”
I helped Mona push the boat onto the sand. Wordlessly, she started walking toward the wall. I followed her, scanning the length of the structure. We were headed toward a large oak door carved into it. On approaching it, Mona knocked three times.
“Who is it?” a gruff voice shouted out from behind the door.
“Mona,” she replied.
The door swung open. Standing in front of us was possibly the most grotesque creature I’d ever laid eyes on. His body was tall and wide, and his skin coarse like leather. Two small tusks grew out of his bottom jaw. His nose was squashed and small like a button. And one of his eyes was missing; the eye that remained was a bright orange color and bulged in its socket.
“Who’s that?” he said, peering down at me curiously.
“It’s okay. He’s with me.”
His face split into a crooked smile. “So Mona the witch finally got herself a man. About time.” He broke out into raucous laughter.
“Shut it, Ronan,” Mona snapped. “I’m just dropping him off here.”
She pushed past the creature to escape his jeers. I sped by to catch up with her.
“What is that thing?” I asked, once I was sure we were out of earshot.
“An ogre,” she muttered. “And don’t be surprised. You get all sorts here.”
We walked through a dark tunnel and up a dozen stone steps. We emerged into the borders of a town. Shabby buildings made of logs and bricks lined a wide dirt street. The place was lit with lanterns hanging from trees that gave off a warm glow.
Mona was right; an array of various creatures milled about. Vampires, werewolves and ogres were the only creatures I recognized. I tried to satisfy my curiosity about the others, but she ignored my questions, her eyes set firmly ahead as she sped forward. I couldn’t help but notice how many of them had some kind of physical impairment, be it a missing leg or arm, or some other kind of disability. I even caught sight of some in makeshift wheelchairs.
I had no idea where Mona was leading me. She moved fast and dodged through crowds as she hurried forward.
Eventually we stopped outside a large stone building. “The Blue Tavern” was inscribed on a creaking wooden sign that swung above an old oak door. When we entered, bitter smoke invaded my nostrils, enough to induce a coughing fit. The lively tune of an accordion filled my ears.
A stout female vampire stood behind the bar taking orders. Mona asked for some water. The vampire turned her round face toward me and raised her eyebrows.
“You want something?”
I looked up at the menu scrawled on some wooden boards in white chalk. The most appealing thing on there appeared to be fish blood, which said a lot about the menu.
“No.”
“Michelle, will you ask Elizabeth to come down briefly?” Mona asked. “I need to talk to her urgently about something.”
Michelle nodded and said, “I’ll check if she hasn’t gone to bed already.”
Mona thanked her and scanned the room. She walked toward the far corner of the room. We sat down at opposite ends of a creaking wood table. She took a sip of the water, her eyes on the table.
“You don’t have to pay for that?” I asked.
“Payment in these parts is different to anything you’re used to. As you’ll soon find out.”
She chugged down the glass of water in a few more gulps and left for a refill. She was gone for more than fifteen minutes and when she returned, she was accompanied by a large brown werewolf. It being night time, the wolf was in full transformation.
“Oh, hello,” the wolf said on noticing me at the table. “Who are you?” Although the wolf’s voice was gruff, I could still tell that this was a female.
“His name is Kiev,” Mona answered for me.
The wolf reached out a paw to shake mine, her beady grey eyes gazing at me. I obliged her.
“I’m Saira,” she said. “I take it that you’re Mona’s friend. Will you be joining our crew?”
“He’s not my friend,” Mona said. “I barely even know him.” She said the words without looking at me. “And no. He won’t be joining us. It’s a long story, but I just agreed to drop him off here.” She tapped her fingers on the table and craned her neck toward the direction of the bar. “I’m just waiting for Elizabeth so I can go up to bed…”