“I’m collecting my favor.”
Viktor’s head jerked back in surprise. He threaded his fingers through his hair and then stroked his beard. “Continue.”
“What we discussed earlier? I’m okay with it, and I’m not about to beat a dead horse. I’m in need of some basic training to sharpen my skills, and it’s not something I can do on my own.”
When he shook his head, a long section of his hair fell over his face. “I cannot. It’s too much—”
“Only for a week,” I insisted. “That’s all I’m asking for. One week. This is probably the easiest favor you could hope for, all things considered. You don’t know what I might have asked you for down the road. Give me seven days, and then you can scrub my memory.”
Viktor raised his drink and grimaced after polishing it off. He was dressed in a knit sweater jacket with large buttons up the front. It was loose with a wide collar, and the sleeves were pushed up to his elbows. The laid-back style suited him—like a distinguished gentleman you might find sitting before a fire and drinking a glass of brandy while reading Dickens. Despite his silver-and-dark-grey hair, Viktor wasn’t old. He looked like a robust man in his late forties or early fifties who’d lived a hard life, but that was how Shifters aged.
“I cannot send a trainer into the city. You realize the dangers,” he said.
“That’s not a problem. I’ll splurge on a cab. I also have no aversion to walking, especially when the weather is nice. The same training as before, except I’d like to set the hours without condition. I’ve only got seven days, so I need to make every second count. Do we have a deal?”
A chuckle settled in his chest. “You strike a hard bargain. My only concern is whether or not I am training my future foe.”
“You can’t pick and choose the favor I ask. You’re in my debt. Are you rescinding your offer?”
Viktor waved his hand. “Nyet. I do not have a crystal ball, but apparently I have brass ones to do this kind of favor. I accept.” He leaned forward and shook his finger. “There will be no extensions. When the session ends, you must leave the property. I do not wish for you to speak to others in the house or make yourself comfortable. If you don’t show up, you will not gain back that day. It is lost. If my trainers are busy with other matters, you also lose that day.”
“But that’s not right.”
“Let me finish. Don’t be so dramatic.” Viktor tried to drink from his empty glass and then just licked the rim. “Unless there is no alternative, I will make sure they are available to you.”
This turned out to be easier than I thought it would. “By the way, Niko’s on the roof. He wants you to call him down when you’re ready to leave.”
Viktor knitted his brows. “That is unlike him not to join us.”
I tapped my palms on the table and decided I better make my exit before he changed his mind. “Well, I don’t want to take up your time. Tell everyone I’ll be coming by in the morning so they know to buzz me in.”
In my periphery, I spotted Christian entering the game room.
Hmm, maybe I’ll hang out for a few minutes longer, I thought. I was curious to see his reaction when he found out he wasn’t rid of me just yet.
I slinked across the room to the bar and sat on the stool, turning so I could watch over my left shoulder.
Christian strolled up to the table when Viktor crooked a finger at him.
“Hope he isn’t with you,” someone said.
A guy crossed my line of vision and sat in the chair next to me so that we were facing each other. He let out a pulse of energy to signal he was a Mage. I flared back to show interest. Why not? He looked like a movie star with his hair spiked in different directions, a smooth shave, sparkling hazel eyes, and a thin leather jacket.
He did that sexy thing men sometimes do where they trace their thumb across their bottom lip. “I know this sounds cliché, but I happen to come here a lot, and I haven’t seen you before. I’d definitely remember those eyes. Did you just move here?”
Viktor was deep in conversation, but Christian had his head tilted in a peculiar manner, his gaze darting off to the side instead of looking at Viktor.
I swung my eyes back to the man. “I’m local; this is just my first time in here.”
“Are you independent from your Creator?”
“That’s an affirmative,” I said, wishing he’d offer to buy me a beer.
“What’s your name? I’m Kiernan.”
“Raven.”
He reached out and lifted the ends of my hair. “Now that’s a fitting name. You have pretty eyes, Raven. I’m sure you catch hell for it in most places, but that’s what makes you stand out. You caught my attention.”
Kiernan let go and lifted two fingers at the bartender. Two longnecks appeared, frosty vapor coming from the freshly popped lids.
I guzzled down a few swallows and felt my cheeks flush from the unexpected compliment.