Sapphire

 

It was late in the day, and I had just finished a rather difficult job. In essence, I had robbed the captain of the city guard blind- literally. I had to throw blackout dust in his eyes to grab his money box, and then book it out of his office without arousing suspicion. Success was had, but it was tense for a minute or two. The second I was out the door, the alarm went off, and I set off on my horse for the tavern before the guard could spill out the door and start searching the surrounding buildings. I knocked back my glass and sat it down on the bar, pleased with the day's work.

I signaled the barkeep for another, and she sat it, along with a glass of wine, by my elbow. When I raised an eyebrow at her, she shrugged. “It's from the gent in the corner. You know I don't ask questions.”

“It's one of the things I like about you, love.” She grinned, and wiped down the counter before going to break up the beginnings of a brawl between several young lads in the middle of the crowded room. I turned on my stool, surveying the night's patrons. Several were as you would expect, but others were... interesting.

There was the fairy at a table a few feet away, with bright red hair and a slender build. I mean, the hair was red as in scarlet red, not the bleached orange of so many redheads. His companion, a human woman with bright red cheeks, sat across him, leaning on the table so as to properly display her ample bosom to the blushing pixie. I moved my attention elsewhere.

The stranger in the corner was watching me as my gaze landed on him. He was a human, and had the brightest pair of blue eyes I had seen in a while. When he noticed my attention, he raised his wine glass to me for a moment, and took a small sip, his gaze never leaving mine. I cocked my head at him, assessing. He didn't look like a thief, or an assassin, and I knew most of them in the city by now. So unless he was new, I didn't have to worry about him robbing me blind. Mentally shrugging, I got up and walked over to his table, dropping in the seat next to his right, watching his sword arm. I noted the different daggers he had strategically hidden on his person.

“You're not from around here, are you?” I asked him, setting my wineglass on the table, still untouched.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “What makes you say that?” His voice shot straight down to my cock. It was deep, and resonated through my chest despite the noise of the surrounding bar. Frowning, I waved a hand and sent an invisible wave of magic around us, dampening the sound.

“Because, whoever you are, if you're going to buy me a drink, you never buy wine.” I gave him a small smile, letting him know I said it kindly.

Nodding, he drained the remains of his own wine. “Noted. What'll it be, then?”

I told him, and he wrote it down on a small piece of paper he pulled out of his pocket. He folded it up in the shape of a small boat, and flicked it toward the bar. I expected it to arc toward the barkeep, but it sailed in a straight line. “A magic-enabled human? Interesting,” I purred, grinning. This could be very interesting, indeed.

“My grandfather was a fairy. But I called you over here for a number of reasons,” he told me, leaning back in his chair while he waited for our drinks. I nodded, and waited for him to continue. “There's a rumor going through the city that the Hawk is looking for a new job.”

That stopped me for a second, but I didn't visibly react. “And what does that have to do with me?”

He gave a feral smile as the barmaid set the glasses on the table, rushing off to another table. He picked up one of the glasses, making a point not to touch the other one. I took the remaining glass, and sniffed- single malt, at least eleven years old. Perfect.

The man sipped his whiskey, grimacing, and set it down on the table. “I know from several sources that you're the Hawk, Airen. It's well hidden, but I... know certain people.”

“Suppose your source was somehow right. What do you want the Hawk for?” I sipped my own drink, savoring it a little before swallowing.

He folded his hands behind his head. “I have a job that needs doing, of course, and I can't do it on my own.” At my look, he went on. “There's a certain gem in the palace- it's called the Ocean Pearl, but don't let the name confuse you. It's a black sapphire. I know a man who would pay a generous amount to get it.”

I sat back, calculating. The royal palace was located on top of the tallest mountain in the country, a good three hundred miles north of here. The royal family, consisting of the king and his queen, and their three daughters and one son, lived there exclusively, and so were guarded well and constantly. Not to say that I couldn't get in there, but... it would be difficult. “What's the expected payout?” I asked, lowering my own voice to match his.

His eyebrows went up as he heard the change, but he nodded and spoke a number. My own eyebrows shot up toward my hairline as I heard it. That much money would set me up for life, living as I do. Hell, I could buy a proper house in the city, instead of living at inns. I narrowed my eyes at him. “You still haven't told me why you need the Hawk for the job.”

“Isn't it obvious? The palace is on top of a bloody mountain. You can fly. Therefore, it's a lot simpler to get in.”

I snorted. “If only it were that easy. I have, unfortunately, started stories among the city guard, who now post guards on a lot of rooftops. The palace will have guards on the roof and the wall, now.”

He frowned. “Didn't think of that. However, you're famous, among the thieve's guild. I'm sure we can think of something.” Smiling sweetly, he took another sip of his drink, doing his best not to wince at the strength this time.

I saw straight through it, but hid the fact that I did. “You know what my application process is for potential accomplices is, right?” No sense in having any miscommunication in a job this big.

Frowning for a minute, he remembered and nodded. “Of course. It's the typical fight 'till the other-”

“No.” When he stopped, confused, I leaned over and kissed him. Softly at first, so he could get used to the idea, and then deeper after a few seconds. I pulled back and sat back in my seat, draining my whiskey. I dropped a few coins on the table and beckoned for him to precede me up the stairs. His face was dazed, but he agreed readily enough. If the beginning of a tent in his trousers was any indication, this night was going to be very... interesting.

And the smut is soon to follow! Probably later tonight or tomorrow afternoon. I don't have a regular posting schedule, but I'll get the chapters posted as soon as they're written. No idea how long this is going to be.