House of Blood and Beasts

39. Blackout

    "So what did your father have to say?" Sarai asked as they slipped onto two vacant stools at the bar.

    Ruhn signaled the bartender and put in his order before answering. "He's heard rumors about us."

    "And?"

    "He wants me to end our relationship." Ruhn met her gaze. "If I don't, he insinuated that he'd have you killed." Sarai's throat bobbed and he turned away with a shrug. "Or me. Maybe both of us. It's not too late for him to produce another heir, after all."

    "Ruhn..." She rested a hand on his arm. "You should've called me when you left."

    "I went to a gun range. I was too angry to talk to anyone."

    He caught the glass of whiskey that the bartender slid his way and Sarai took her own drink. Ruhn took a sip, focusing on the familiar burn of the amber liquid. "What will we do now?" Sarai asked. "Do you want to end things?"

    Ruhn glanced at her. "Do you?"

    "No." She looped her arm through his and let her head fall against his shoulder. "You're one of the only good things in my life right now. I'll die before I choose to give you up."

    Ruhn couldn't help but smile. "That seems a little dramatic, don't you think?"

    "Maybe, but it's true."

    "Well, I share the sentiment. We'll just have to take more precautions, at least for now."

    "For now?" She echoed, raising her head.

    "Someday we'll work something else out. Something that will require less secrecy and involve less risk."

    "I don't know. Secrecy and risks make all of this so much more exciting." Sarai batted her eyelashes at him, then raised her glass to her lips. "It's fun, knowing that we're going against Sabine and the Autumn King's wishes, and living our best lives while doing so."

    "It is fun," Ruhn agreed. "But someday, I want to have fun and not fear for your life at the same time."

    "This is Crescent City, Danaan. Is it ever possible to have fun and be safe?"

    "If it's not, I'll make it so."

    "My hero," she giggled, draining the last of her drink. "Come dance with me." She hopped off the barstool and held out her hand.

    Ruhn let her lead him to the middle of the room, where a few other patrons had begun to dance. They melted into the crowd seamlessly, matching each other's movements and following the rhythm of the music. Ruhn's smile grew, washing away the prior stress of the day. Sarai mirrored his expression.

    "Have you received any updates on the drug case?" She asked, twirling away from him for a moment, then coming back against his chest.

    "No. The Angels don't seem interested in sharing what they've learned, if they've even learned anything. I'm beginning to think they already closed and filed the case."

    "People died," Sarai pointed out. "They can't just do that."

    "The Governor's Triarii can do whatever the fuck they want, as long as he doesn't have a problem with it."

    "It's not fair," she huffed. "That was our case. They should've let us see it through."

    "I suppose the Governor decided it wasn't worth the risk when the Crown Prince of the Fae was almost killed by a drugged Angel. That could've sparked a war between our people."