Chapter 9

©2009/2010 A. Jane

Issie bit her lower lip as she tried to take in everything Meria was telling her. She wasn’t sure how she was going to remember it all. She liked the Sparrow; the Bird wasn’t treating her like she was stupid. She was patiently answering all her questions, never growing frustrated or snapping.

“The first day is very scary, but there isn’t any reason to be scared.” Meria straightened the little apron on Isabee’s hips and then placed a handful of straws in one of the pouches along with the order pad and a pencil. She couldn’t get the smile off her face. Waking up next to Fidgen had been wonderful. “I’m here, and Dewi and Oben are here. If you have a problem, let one of us know. And if Torel tries to pinch your butt, whack him one with whatever’s handy or grab his wrist and let him know you will break it if he tries it again. You may have to threaten further violence, but eventually he backs off.”

“Then the little pervert hits on every female?”

Meria grinned, feeling a bit of mischief. “His youngest grandson, Naro, who’s one of my students, calls him Pervy Mage.”

“I like that name. I think I’ll use it if he attempts to pinch my butt.”

“Sounds like a good plan. So, are you ready to start your first day here at PubWair?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Good.” Meria held open the swinging door from the kitchen. “Then off we go. Oh, one last thing. The Frogs…”

“Frogs come here?” Issie wrinkled her nose.

Meria pointed to a table against the far right wall. “They fill that table almost every night.”

“Do they try to get you to kiss them, saying they’re princes?”

“You’re aware of that trick then?”

“Yeah. There was this one Frog in University who tried that line with Asha—one of my sorority sisters. She didn’t take too kindly to it, but then Mermaids are temperamental like that.”

“I bet he never did it again.”

“Nope. He was actually afraid to go in the water if Asha was around, afraid she might attempt to drown him. They were both on the University swim team at the time.” Issie walked out into the pub, but stumbled to a stop seeing the pub patrons. “There are so many.”

“It’ll be okay. Most of the customers are nice. The ones that aren’t, just tell Dewi or Oben and they’ll eat them.”

“Do they really eat them?”

“Not that I’ve seen, but no one wants to chance it. Come on. Just remember, be friendly, but don’t take anyone’s shit.”

“Okay.” Issie took a deep breath and followed Meria towards the first table; the Sparrow had promised to walk her through the first couple orders.

A loud whistle sounded and all eyes turned towards the bar. Oben stood there, his green eyes letting everyone know he saw all.

“Listen up. The female Lobo standing next to Meria, her name is Isabee; Miss Nightsong to you lot. You will treat her with respect or you deal with me.”

“Is she your woman?” Porth called from the back of the pub, his amber eyes lingering on the busty female.

“No, but she’s under my protection. Speak one ill-conceived word and I will tear your throat out before you can blink. Now,” Oben returned to filling the mug of dark ale he had started a moment ago, “please, enjoy our hospitality.”

“Don’t worry, Dewi and Oben did the same for me.” Meria grabbed Issie’s arm and dragged her to the first table, paying no attention to who was occupying it.

The bell over the door rang and Issie’s eyes widened as two Centaurs entered, slowly winding their way through the tables towards the bar—some of the occupants of said tables needed to move said tables to allow the Centaurs to pass.

Issie couldn’t help but stare; she had never seen a Centaur before. Of course she knew of them, just had never chanced to meet one.

“Hi, Toff. Hi, Ruby.” Meria waved. She wondered if Toff was there to check on Neak.

“You know them?” Issie whispered in awe as she kept staring.

“Sure. Toff’s a frequent customer and, according to Dewi, Ruby and Toff consider themselves mates.”

“Ruby?” Issie’s eyes went even wider as she became excited. “As in the author of Poison Heart, Ruby?”

“Uh huh.” Meria nodded. “I know the feeling. I just met her a few days ago and I was all atwitter, especially when she signed my book.”

“I’ve read Poison Heart at least seven times.”

“Me too! She’ll be thrilled to know she has another fan.”

“Hey! Are you going to take our order or stand their gawking, Birdie?” Kitty groused. “My friends and I are thirsty.”

Meria narrowed her eyes at the Cat. “Watch it, Kitty, or the Lobo here is going to eat you.”

Issie jumped when Meria elbowed her. She tore her eyes away from the Centaurs and turned to see what was up when she saw the Cat. She bared her fangs and growled. She had a scar running down her upper arm from a Tom getting too frisky during a frat party her sorority had attended.

“What, you think I actually buy that? Oben says she’s under his protection, that means…”

Issie’s snarling became that much worse, her hair started to puff up and her canines elongated. “I hate Cats and I suggest you run before I rip you to shreds.”

The Cat realized she was serious and, leaping over the table as a cat, took off, leaving his companions.

Issie started after the Cat, but was grabbed by a pair of strong arms. She struggled, tried to change, wanting to eat the Cat. When she failed to change, she stopped, her breathing harsh. “Somebody eat that damn Cat!”

Porth changed and went chasing after Kitty, with thoughts of impressing the Lobo female. This of course led to bets being placed. There were odds of two-to-one in favor of the Cat making it up a tree and the long shot of thirty-to-one in favor of the Wolf catching the Cat. Then there was one lone bet, made by Dewi, of The Great Oak sending the Cat flying, which was, of course, an even longer shot of sixty-to-one.

“Easy, Issie.” Oben placed Issie on her feet. “We appreciate the sentiment. Trust me, we do. We’ve been trying to get that Cat for over a week, but,” he lowered his voice so only Issie would hear, “remember you carry pups now.”

Issie crossed her arms over her chest, pouting. “I don’t like Cats.”

Oben laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Now back to work. If you’re lucky, I’ll get Ruby to sign a copy of her book for you. I saw the way you were looking at her.”

“Really?” Issie turned around as she brushed her hair out of her face, smiling. “I’m a big fan.”

“I could tell. Go on, have Meria show you what to do. You’re lucky to have her. She didn’t have anyone to show her the ropes her first day and it was much busier than this.”

Issie nodded and turned back to Meria just as a loud yowl rang through the air. The yowl decreased in volume indicating distance being achieved.

Dewi cheered, howling in delight. He had won the bet. Porth was going to get a glass of whiskey on the house for chasing Kitty up Oakie. Dewi was also going to go buy Neak a gift with his winnings. Speaking of which… “All right, losers, pay up!”

“Why is Dewi so happy?” Issie whispered.

Meria dragged Issie over to the second table. “He won the bet and the whole pot. Oakie sent the Cat flying, that’s what the yowl was.”

“Oakie?”

“The Great Oak in the center of the Grove. He doesn’t like grown Wairs climbing him. Actually, the Cat is lucky that Oakie didn’t decide to eat him.”

“Too bad.”

Meria laughed. Then nodded to the table. “Your turn.”

Issie bit her lip for a moment, nerves eating at her, but she pulled her order pad out and her pencil. “What can I get for you?”

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