As we turn onto the busier street, I get the impression we landed on the seedy side of town.  Most of the buildings are one to two stories, but taller buildings are visible in the distance. The buildings around us, while not old, have not been well maintained or made from quality materials. A few people are milling around— loitering, really.

I head straight toward a pink-cheeked man whom I would bet my blades has drugs in his coat. He’s the sketchiest of them all, affecting an air of innocence and looking completely suspect. Ryke grabs for my arm, but I ignore him. He and Mel hang back as I approach.

“Good evening.”

Shady-guy’s light blue eyes look me up and down appraisingly. “What kin I do for ya, love?” he asks in what sounds like a thick Earth-Irish accent. It’s one I haven’t heard in a while.

“I would like to speak to the person in charge.”

“In charge o’ what?” he asks with a suggestive smile.

“Don’t play games. I am prepared to pay for information.”

“That's not how it works, don’t you know?” he replies.

“I do know,” I reply, casually lifting my coat and shirt to expose the myriad of hilts on my belt.

“Why are you lookin’ for her?” he asks, his tone more serious though his eyes linger on my waist after I drop my coat back into place.

It’s a woman… interesting. “I would like to do business.”

“I doubt she’s going to do business with you.”

“You have absolutely nothing to base that off aside from my appearance. If she meets me in that pub,” I say, pointing across the street, “in, say, two hours, I will give you 300 IPC.”

He straightens. “You are going into Mackey’s Bar?”

Do I have his attention for the bribe or my intent of entering a pub? “Is it open to the public?” I ask with raised eyebrows. He nods hesitantly. “Then yeah, I’m going to get a drink while I wait.”

I turn my back on him and gesture for the others to follow me. It feels good to be in control again and working on a specific task.

The dimly lit room is already packed when I push open the door. Everyone looks our way as we pause—even the servers stop to look at us, the music becoming unnaturally loud in the stillness. Ryke pushes Mel behind him, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. If a man did that to me…

I remove my coat and hang it on a hook by the door, deliberately taking my time. The air is thick with the warm aroma of food, vape mist, and people.

Alcohol bottles line the wall behind the bar, which is made of rich, dark wood polished to a gleam. I stride along behind the people seated toward an empty stool.

A huge man with dirty red hair and a beard pushes his stool in my path. I don’t slow, so he heaves himself to his feet.  I stop directly in front of him, the top of my head barely taller than his round belly.

“You ain’t welcome here,” he growls at me with an Irish accent.

“Oh?” I ask loudly. “Are you the owner?”

He glares down at me. “Don’t have to be. Mackey’s Bar is for the locals.”

I cock my head to the side. “I think we can come to an understanding.”

“Are ya deaf, bitch? I said git out,” he snarls and shuffles closer.

The stench of unwashed body and stale beer assaults my nostrils. I smirk, tipping my head back to look at him. “Don’t make me embarrass you in front of your friends. I will buy a round for everyone if we can stay for a drink.”

“Embarrass me?” he splutters. “What? Is your friend going to fankle me up?” He juts his chin toward Ryke, who hasn’t moved.

“No, I am.”

Several men nearby chuckle as the big guy’s face goes red. I think he’s grappling with an innate disinclination to throttle a much smaller female opponent, which is exactly what I want him to do.

He reaches for me, not using nearly enough force, and his forearm connects with mine as I take one step closer, the brace on my fans taking the impact. In the same motion, I bring my knee up into his groin as hard as I can.

There is a moment of motionlessness where we look into each other’s eyes, his upper body bowing toward me. As he doubles over, I grab his hair and slam his head into his vacated stool.

Men all over the bar stand up. He goes down on his ass as his massive hand goes to his nose, blood seeping around it and down his arm. 

“How about that round?” I call out.