Chapter 11: Her Demon Dogs

“Doggies?” She blinked dumbly as if just now tuning into the conversation. Taking another sip of her drink.

Welcome back. Tev thought dryly. Able to admit to himself he was fuming at the liberal touching she was lavishing on Bast.

All women do. Tev reminded himself.

“I have doggies. Tev gave them to me.” She glanced back at Tev and caught his angry look.

“Why do you look a fine rage?” Her hand fell from Bast’s shoulder.

“I don’t.”

I probably do. I’m oozing it.

“You do, Little Brother.” Bast agreed. “Why are you so upset?”

As if you don’t know…Tev gave him a filthy look.

“What do you mean I called for you?” Tev demanded.

“You were thinking of me.”

I wasn’t.

“I did not.”

“You did.”

“When?”

“When you were wishing I was here to partake with you.”

“I vividly recall that was not at all what I was thinking.”

I was thinking how much I bloody well hate drinking with you.

Oh. That’d be enough. Tev deflated.

“I’m certain that’s what I heard.” Bast said dismissively. “Ale.” He called. Slapping the table.

“No.” Tev shook his head, eyes widening. “Not with her.”

Please not with her.

“Why not?” She demanded. Tearing her eyes from Bast again.

“Because.”

I don’t want to be intoxicated. Can’t be. Not with you.

“Because why?”

“Because I need to be in control.”

To ensure I don’t encourage her seduction. It requires enough will when I’m sober.

“It seems to me you’re in control far too often.” Bast murmured.

Tev tossed him a dark look.

“Agreed!” Serdephe cried.

He certainly doesn’t need your encouraging! Tev suddenly felt everyone was turning on him.

I’m fast losing this battle.

“I want another one.” She objected when the wench arrived with the drinks.

“She wants another.” Bast said.

“Bast!” Tev cried.

“One won’t hurt her.”

“You promised me I could partake of a man’s world.” She contributed fueled by Bast’s encouragement.

“I didn’t say that.” He defended.

I said I’d show it to you. Not help you liquify.

“Ale is part of a man’s world.” She persisted.

“But it isn’t-”

Proper for a…

“If you’re going to say ladylike, I’d remind you, you said you like it far more when I’m not a lady.”

“Did he now?” Bast handed her a mug and held his aloft. When she did the same, he cheered her.

“That’s fun.” She giggled. “Again!” She reached to cheer Teverius.

“This is a poor idea.” Tev’s eyes flicked from one to the other.

“I suggest you join us.” Bast drawled.

“I will not.” Teverius snapped. “Someone must remain appropriate here.”

Bast sighed and leaned back. Draping an arm over the bench back.

Serdephe immediately nestled against his chest.

“Then I guess I shall just have to sit here until you do.” Bast stared at him unflinchingly as the woman tucked against his chest.

“I hate you.”

“I get that so often!” Bast absentmindedly plucked at Serdephe’s burnt mystery food.

“Will you leave if I drink?” Tev asked hopefully.

“No.”

Figured as much. Worth an effort.

“Will you switch me seats?”

“I will.” He grinned.

“You’re absolutely vicious.”

“Someone has to be. Or all my brothers would be lonely.”

“What in Ardae does that mean?” Tev snapped.

“It means I’ll switch you spots so you may get drunk next to this lovely lady.”

“See!” Serdephe pointed out. “He says I’m a lady.”

I don’t give a man’s fart what he said!

Teverius’ eyes narrowed on Bast. Well done, bastard.

“Don’t look at me so.” Bast gave him a goading head tilt. “I’m not the one saying I prefer when she doesn’t act the lady.”

“It doesn’t mean what you think.”

“Of course not.” Bast smugly took another swig from his mug. “Mardichi!” Bast called without looking. “Come join your Little Brother!”

For the love of all that’s Holy! Teverius groaned. This eve has fully gone to rot in Hell.

Robust laughter bellowed from the other end of the room. The giant redhead stood and tossed off his cloak. Making several men object at the massive size of him.

One man muttered, “It’s RedBayne. The Assassin.”

“I shall be back Norris.” Mardichi announced. Tossing the cloth down on the bench. “Tonight, we injure Little Brother with large quantities of me favorite sustenance.”

“Of course, you do.” Norris grumbled off-handedly.

Tev groaned. This is going to hurt.

Please don’t do anything stupid. Teverius willed himself. Praying the night would end with him retaining some glimmer of dignity.

“I’m not drinking anymore.” Tev moaned as he stared at the Driter Den’s leaking roof in misery.

I’ve already drank far too much.

How much have I consumed? He belched. Gaze falling to his empty cup. Safe to assume, far too much.

“Yes, you are.” Mardichi and Bast bellowed in unison. Slamming their mugs down.

But I really don’t wish to.

“It’s okay.” Serdephe giggled as she curled against Teverius’ side, hiccupping on occasion. “I’ll drink it.”

Dear God, no!

Horrified, Tev ripped it from her reach. “Oh no, you won’t! You’ve had plenty.”

More than plenty.

And I entered this eve with such honorable intentions.

“Are you sure I haven’t had, just enough?” She trailed a finger down his neck and over his open collar to the top lace of his tunic. Curling a finger to tug at it. As she tucked her face into the bare flesh of his neck.

He swallowed hard.

The other two men looked at him, brimming over with amusement at his suffering.

“Yea, Tev!” Mardichi agreed. “Are ye sure she’s no’ ‘ad jus’ enough?”

“She doesn’t need your encouragement.”

Or mine.