Reign of Blood

Chapter Forty-Seven

"Something bad is going to happen," Annaliese told the barmaid who she was yet to decide whether she liked or not. Initially, it had been a no. Now, she wasn't so bad.

Rosa almost laughed. Annaliese saw something behind her eyes that was a whole lot more knowing. "Something bad's always happening. In places like this, it's just a matter of when."

"I don't want to hear your sob story."

"Good because I wasn't going to give it to you."

"You're an angel. Or you were one. Don't your kind have a sense for impending doom?"

"Nope. My extra senses start and end with my dick-ometer."

"And what's that supposed to be?"

The barmaid shrugged. "Sometimes, I look at men and I can feel what it is they're sporting."

"Charming." Annaliese hadn't come down the stairs to hear about the barmaid's dick guesser. "Do you feel it?"

"That something bad's going to happen? Sure, but I get that a lot. That's when I start barring how many drinks the demons get."

"Someone came to see Chronos this morning, didn't they?"

"Uh huh."

"Who?"

"I don't know if you know him. He's about yay tall. Big werewolf guy. He's got a right scowl on his face. You know, the kind that think they're owed something. He was dropping a letter off with Chronos—but they've met here before. He's not a regular. I've only ever seen the guy in here when he comes looking for Chronos. I was told his name, but it's something stupid. Left my brain almost immediately. In fact, six months ago they were in this bar forming a plan to top you. Funny how times change, isn't it?"

Annaliese tried to picture him, but the barmaid hadn't given her a lot to go off. That could've been anyone.

"Can you tell me anything else?" She pressed.

"Like what?"

"Any defining features. A name."

"His name's Fen something. Can't remember what. Like I said, funny sounding name. I meet a lot of people, and they're not all Kings, Queens and Princes. You tend to remember the royal ones." To herself, she muttered something about royal pains in the arse. "He's got a big scar down his face too. A right nasty thing. He must've gotten it before he hit his immortality. That enough for you?"

Annaliese sunk back in her seat, a feeling of dread pooling in her stomach.

She was thinking into this too much.

So, maybe Chronos had received a letter from his people out of the blue that morning, and yes, maybe that had been a little worrying, but that didn't mean her suspicions were somehow correct. The wolf that delivered the letter could've been anyone.

Just because he fit the description of someone from the past...

"Rosa, do you know what Chronos did with that letter once he'd finished reading it?"

"He left it on the bar, why?"

"Do you still have it?"

"I do."

"Give it to me."

"I don't know. It says Chronos' name at the top."

The barmaid was soon frowning, a pain forming between her eyes.

"The coughing's going to start up in about twenty seconds," The witch Queen said matter of factly. "The usual, I should imagine. You'll start spitting blood, then things will get tricky. After that, I'll have you bleeding out of your anus. I've heard that can be quite painful. In light of this, I recommend you give me what I want and the pain can all go away."