“Pafifama!” Shannon yelled around the bottle. “Mop it!”
“Shut up and drink!” Pacifica tipped the beer into his mouth, and he was forced to chug it down.
Shannon’s vision started to get fuzzy as the alcohol moved through his body. The people holding him, sensing weakness, redoubled their efforts to grope him.
Somebody’s hand grabbed his bottom and squeezed.
It was the last straw.
“That’s IT!” Shannon roared as he twisted his body with all his might, sending drunks flying in all directions. He flipped onto his feet and struck a fighting stance.
“Face me like men, you perverts! I won’t let you lay a finger on Raquel!”
Luckily, no one was sober enough to notice Shannon’s strange comment—even Shannon didn’t seem to notice what he was saying.
The drunks who were still on their feet formed up for the attack.
“First opponent—I’m Falk, the blacksmith! I’m twenty-seven and single! My hobby is gardening! Here I come!” A young man hollered and ran at Shannon, who floored him with an elbow to the gut.
“Fat chance!”
“Second opponent—Michelle, from the bakery! I’m an innocent seventeen-year-old who’s feeling lucky tonight! Our love will bloom like a beautiful flower!”
“Your love dies!”
“Third opponent—Pacifica! I don’t really know what’s going on, but here I come anyway!”
“Dammit, Pacifica! Get out of here!”
“Fourth opponent—Randall, the doctor—”
“Too slow, old man!”
And thus the party at the Wild Horse Inn continued into the night.
Bodies of the unconscious and wounded covered the floor.
Exhausted, battered, and starting to feel the effects of a wicked hangover, Shannon staggered toward his dressing room.
“I will never, ever, drink alcohol again,” he mumbled.
“Quite a night, eh?” an amused voice called out to him. Shannon turned to see Safir holding a jug of water.
Shannon answered incoherently and took the jug.
Safir smiled an apology. “I’m sorry you had such a difficult time tonight,” he said. “Nobody meant any harm by it. In a small town like this, there isn’t much to do for fun, so people will take any excuse to party.”
“I understand that, but…”
“I know, I know. But I hope you’ll come back and entertain us again, Shannon.”
“Not in a million—” Suddenly realizing what the man had said, Shannon snapped his head up in surprise. Safir just smiled, his face the picture of content.
Oh, crap.
“I could tell as soon as you started singing. Raquel sang for me once and your styles are very different.”
Shannon spread his palms apologetically. “Sir, there’s an explanation for this—”
Safir raised a hand to stop him. “Look,” he said firmly. “The house was packed, and they loved you. You don’t have to explain a thing.”
Shannon sighed. Phew, he thought. At least not everyone feels like being a jerk tonight.
“But you’re really something, Shannon. Where’d you learn to sing like that?”
Shannon shrugged. “My late mother came from a family of court musicians. She didn’t carry on the family business herself, but she knew how to sing, so she taught Raquel and I when we were kids.”
Safir turned to where Pacifica lay snoring. “And her?”
“She was only four when our mother passed. Raquel’s been her mother since then.” Shannon chugged the water straight from the jug. After a night of performance and battle cries, his throat needed all the comfort it could get.
“Ah. Well, anyway, thanks again for performing—it’s not every day we get crowds like that.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’d be willing to offer you an exclusive contract, if you’re interested. You could even perform duets with Raquel.”
Shannon brought down the jug and panted. “Thanks,” he breathed, “but no thanks. We don’t plan to stay in town much longer.”
“Don’t you like it here?’’
“It’s not that.” Shannon paused awkwardly, not sure how to explain. “This is a nice town, and my sisters and I appreciate how welcoming you’ve all been. It’s just…” He frowned. “That’s all the more reason why we can’t stay here too long.”
“…Then it’s probably better if I don’t ask why.”
“I’m sorry.” Shannon bowed his head.
Safir patted Shannon heartily on the back. “Don’t worry about it, my boy. I’ll be sorry to see you go, but I suppose you have your reasons. But you will be around for a little while, right?”
“Until we finish paying for the repairs to the Big Bear Inn.” Shannon took another chug.
Suddenly, Safir’s expression turned serious. “Listen,” he said as his voice went low. “I have a favor to ask.”
Shannon pulled down the water jug. “What?”
“It’s about Winia. We’re in the same business, so I’ve known her for a long time. She’s had a difficult life, and because of it she’s never really gotten along with anyone. She always acts so adult-like and closes herself off. But since you and your sisters came to town, well… I’ve never seen her act so young or smile so much.”
Safir looked Shannon straight in the eye. “I don’t know why you’re traveling,” he murmured. “But when you leave, do it in a way that doesn’t hurt her.”
Shannon smiled faintly at Safir.
“I’ll try,” he promised.
In the woods outside Taurus, far from any human dwelling, an unnatural silence hung in the air. Not a single insect buzzed; not a single bird chirped. It was as if sound itself had been erased.
A voice rang out.
“I will repeat the plan of action,” it stated. There was no sign of the voice’s owner, nor was there a response.
The incorporeal voice went on. “Each team will move to their designated location and execute lockdown. Detain any man who tries to enter or exit the action zone. Await further orders from Colonel Sturm; if the order for action is not heard by one-twenty Glock, retreat from the location.”
“If the order for action is announced,” the voice continued without a shred of hesitation, “eliminate every last citizen to maintain Class 1 Confidentiality regarding the Scrapped Princess.”
Still was there no response. The words vanished into the night, becoming a part of the cold silence.
After a while, the sound of buzzing insects and chirping birds filled the woods once again—as if nothing had ever happened.