The Dragon Games

Tipsy

"Now that we're alone..." Technically, Atlas led Bianca and I down the long alleyways, but she was too wasted to remember anything in the morning, anyway. "We should discuss the important matters."

I nodded. Cassian told us to not reveal our strategies and pathways to other squads, but my alias with Atlas took precedence – his poison was too valuable to lose.

"Like, how come you stepped on that table, only to turn that poor boy down?" Atlas said.

My face dropped in annoyance, but before I could reply, two pairs of footsteps echoed down the tunnel. I froze, recognizing a voice.

"You were waiting on someone in particular, weren't you?" Atlas continued, oblivious. "You wished that –"

I clamped a hand around his mouth, pushing his back against the wall and out of sight. From the turn of the corner, no one passing by could see us. He raised his eyebrows suggestively; I could feel him smiling beneath my palm.

'Edmond,' I mouthed.

Immediately, his posture changed. His body tensed, and his eyes narrowed, cutting to the direction I nodded to. Edmond strolled down the tunnel, a young woman leaning heavily into his side. While neither was in any condition to fight, drinks and isolated locations were a recipe for disaster – not to mention the restrictions on my divine. 

Our best bet was staying quiet and un –

"Hey!" Bianca shrieked, splashing a flask of ale over her hand as she stumbled out of the dark.

And not just any flask, I realize with sudden fury, my flask! She stole my bloody ale!

"Whaddahell you doah my chamber?" Bianca demanded.

Edmond turned around, giving Bianca's sloppy, drunken state a once over. His lip curled, the girl tucked beneath his arm instantly forgotten in favor of newer prey. "Ah, it's the girl from the boat."

"The girl from the boat?" Bianca sneered, sparking into a brief flash of lucidity. "Like you don't know who I am. Like you didn't get me blacklisted from nearly every squad at bidding because I was the only one who heard your name and didn't instantly fall at your feet."

Edmond smirked. "I haven't the faintest clue what you speak of."

"Oh, so on toppa dirty schemer, you're a dirty liar, too."

Edmond's smirk only widened. Without taking his eyes off from Bianca, he tipped his head toward the girl. "Why don't you run along, sweetheart? It seems I must teach another Tudor some manners."

When the girl continued to blink stupidly, completely out of it, Edmond gave her a push. She staggered forward, swaying on her feet, then collapsed on the floor, even drunker than Bianca. 

The back of her dress was ripped open, the ribbons undone all the way to her waist. Edmond stepped over her twitching body to reach for Bianca, just as Atlas and I stepped out of hiding.

"Yeah?" Atlas said. "And what lesson is that?"

Edmond stopped short and his eyes flickered between me and Atlas. He was surprised at first, but then his lips twisted into a slow grin. "Ah, I see I'm not the only one taking home some nightly entertainment. Where'd you get this one from? Maud's? The Gentleman's Palor? Richie's?"

Atlas strode forward, but I put a hand on his chest, stopping him. "It's three against one," I told Edmond. "Leave while you still can."

"Is three-on-one good enough odds for you?" Edmond said. "Finally ready to fight me now?"

I said nothing and made sure my face gave nothing away, either.

Edmond sneered. "Coward." 

He hoisted the girl into his arms, letting her head droop against his chest as he carried her away. He was almost gone when Bianca whipped my flask at him, dousing him head to toe. He froze, his shoulders going rigid, ale dripping down his shiny blond hair. 

Then he slowly looked over his shoulder, his eyes bright and livid, honing in on Bianca. 

"You will live to regret that," he hissed, his voice trembly with barely contained fury. Then he turned back around to part.

"Edmond," I said.

Edmond paused, his hands curving into fists.

"Leave the girl."

Without another thought, Edmond dropped her, letting her fall face first into a muddy puddle, and then he strode into the darkness of the tunnel as she gurgled and choked. Atlas let out a low curse and ran to her, hooking his hands under her arms to pull her up. 

But she didn't make it easy on him. She started pawing at his clothes, pulling his colar down to reveal some skin and a gold chain. 

"Is this real?" She curled a hand around his necklace, tugging it like a rein. "Are you rich?"

"No," Atlas lied, tilting his head to dodge her claws. His pity for the girl quickly faded, growing more annoyed with each tug on his chain. "Quite poor, actually."

"Rich and humble," she giggled, stroking his jaw. "What a catch."

I stepped between them and grabbed the girl's cheeks to force her to look at me. To my surprise, her face looked freakishly similar to mine – pale skin, freckles, and gray eyes. 

I pursed my lips, swallowing the unease rising up my throat. "Where are you from?"

The girl's stare returned to Atlas, her lips curving into a sleazy grin. "Oh, you can take me anywhere you like."

"No," I said dully. "I did not ask if you wish to sleep with him. I asked where you are from."

The girl blinked a couple of times, then slurred out her address. She was no whore, as Edmond had implied. She lived and worked at a mill, grinding grain. A dry heave interrupted the girl's speech. 

I turned at the noise, just in time to see Bianca pitch over her knees, retching up a day's worth of food. Instantly, I rushed to her side and held back her hair. At least, that's what I meant to do, but I found myself pinching the bridge of my nose and letting out a bone-deep sigh.

"You take Bianca back to the tower. I'll worry about this one," Atlas said, hoisting the girl over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Buy her a new dress before she gets home," I said.

Atlas saluted me, flashing a crooked grin as he left. "Your wish is my command, Miss Raven."

I turned to Bianca, who was breathing hard on her hands and knees. 

"Up you go," I said, sliding an arm under her shoulders. 

Gritting my teeth, I pushed us to standing and began the long trek back to the tower. My thighs trembled with each movement. While I have a thief's build, she is built like a warrior, with a good four inches and forty pounds of muscle on me.

"Reginee, my dear sweet, sweet Roogan," Bianca slurred in my ear. "I must confess something to you."

"Must you?" I wheezed. She was even more uncooperative than before, leaning on me like a walking stick.

"Promise not to think less of me for it."

"I don't make blind promises. Best play it safe and tell me nothing."

"I think... "

Oh gods, she was telling me anyway. What a lousy criminal she'd make, spilling her guts after a few measly drinks – literally and figuratively.

"... I think I'm a little tipsy."