Kelly moved to follow the publican to a door in the wall at the end of the bar, which opened to reveal a dimly lit staircase. The deputy picked his drink up from the bar and immediately followed. I hung back to make up the rear, ignoring the stares from the omega who paused in his task of cleaning tables and the rest of the patrons.
“Close the door behind ya, please,” the innkeeper called down to me, “makes a helluva draft otherwise.”
I did as he asked, grateful to have it between me and the rest of the inn, blocking off both the stares as well as any potential threat. A few of the looks had been mildly hostile. With strong drink in the mix, having a barrier felt much safer. Not that I didn’t know I could take them with ease, even without Kelly and his deputy’s back up. I had my blades and I was not only sober, but naturally stronger, faster, more agile, not to mention better trained. Still, why borrow trouble?
The landing at the top was large, providing access to four rooms if the door count was anything to go by.
“That is the bathroom,” the innkeeper said. “Lock it if you don’t want someone to walk in on you. There’s soap and clean towels, as well as hot water. Just don’t leave the water running too long in the shower, yeah? Keep it to ten minutes or less if possible.”
Okay, so three guest rooms and a shared bathing facility, which likely held the toilet as well. I decided I could wait to bathe until I reached more secure accommodations.
“Thanks, Paul,” Kelly replied to the man, who nodded and used the key he’d taken to unlock the door next to the bathroom. It was a small room with a bed barely large enough for two. No place to store clothing if you planned to stay a few days or more. Obviously the guests here were usually pretty short term.
“Sheets are clean,” Paul grunted. “I’ll bring a cot up after I send your food up.”
Kelly looked at the folded blankets on the bottom of the bed.
“No need. I’ll just make a pallet on the floor with these. It’s warm enough in here.”
Paul’s eyes slid to me, quickly realizing that Kelly meant to give me the bed.
“If you’re sure,” he replied.
“I’m not about to make a guest in our territory sleep on the floor,” Kelly said, sounding testy.
“All right. Two bowls of vegetable stew or just the one?”
“Make it three,” Richard interjected. “I should probably eat to help soak up the alcohol.”
“Okay, three then. I’ll see if there’s any bread left. You can have a piece with some butter on it if there is.” Paul turned away, not bothering to ask if we wanted anything to drink or not. From the way he hunched as he turned away with the faint acrid scent that spoke of fear, I knew I unnerved him. I felt bad about that, but then again, it wasn't my fault now was it? It was his own leadership that had kept our kind apart, refusing integration. It was their self insulation that led to me being an oddity to them, their fear of our superficial resemblance to their legend digging in and keeping hold.
“So what’s up?” Richard sat down on the edge of the bed. He took a sip of his ale as he waited to hear the answer.
Kelly blew out a breath. “What isn’t? A bunch of things really and I don’t know if it’s all related somehow or not.”
“Okay…” Richard’s brows knitted together in confusion.
Kelly paced around. “Where to start, that’s the thing.”
Ah, so what I’d told him about our people’s histories preyed upon him. Interesting that he thought it might connect to the case.
“Why don’t you start chronologically,” I suggested. “With what happened upon our arrival at Lord Roe’s.”
A sharp knock on the door interrupted us. Kelly strode over to pull it open, revealing the server from downstairs holding a tray.
“No blood in any of ’em,” he informed us, glancing my way with a saucy wink.
Richard guffawed. “Sorry, sweetheart, but if you’re trying to make me jealous, there’s no need. You know you have my heart. ’Sides, you definitely aren’t his type.”
“How do you know? Maybe he likes humans,” the younger man retorted.
I realized that keeping my status underwraps by not wearing my earring might be more trouble than wearing it. But then again, Paul probably would have been scandalized at Kelly sharing a room with an omega he wasn’t mated to, if Lord Roe’s actions were anything to go by.
“You are the first I’ve met in person,” I said, trying to retrieve the situation.
“He doesn’t know anyone well enough to decide things like that,” Richard insisted. “Besides, he’s not here for that.”
“I know. Everybody does. He’s here to help solve the murders.” The lad shivered. “I hope you guys catch him soon.” His eyes widened. “What if I’m next?”
Kelly took the tray from him. “Well then, best get going so you can lock up and retire safely to your room. Richard will return these to the bar on his way out.”
The server pouted, blowing a quick kiss at Richard. “I know you won’t let nobody kidnap and kill me.” He sailed out the door, pulling it behind him firmly.
“I think I need to ask him to marry me sooner rather than later,” Richard sighed. “He keeps tryin’ to make me jealous. It’s like he thinks I might not be all the way in.”
“If you need an advance to go to the jeweler, let me know.” Kelly gave his deputy a fond look. It reminded me strongly of the way my brother looked at me. An ache spread across my chest at the thought of my twin.
“Thanks, man. I think I have enough saved now, though. I’ll let you know if I need more, for sure.” He accepted a proffered bowl of stew. I sank down to sit cross legged on the floor. Kelly handed me my bowl next. The stew looked hearty enough despite there being no meat; a rich broth filled with various in-season vegetables as well as floating lumps of something starchy.
“Oh, yum. Dumplings,” Richard said appreciatively, scooping up one with his spoon. I followed suit.
Ah, some sort of bread. It was soft and quite pleasant. I tackled another one.
Kelly took his seat on the bed, a couple hand spans between himself and his friend. He leaned the empty tray against the bed. No drinks had accompanied our meal and I wondered if they’d been forgotten or if they were to follow.
“Right,” Kelly said. “So, here’s what happened.” He quickly filled in the events as they’d happened, Richard’s eyes growing wide as he listened, but he didn’t interrupt.
“Well, shit,” was all he had to say when Kelly finished, the missing drinks appearing about halfway through. “That’s…I don’t know what to say, really. It’s all kinds of fucked up.” He looked mournfully at his empty glass. “I think I need another drink.” He stood up. “You guys want one?”
I shook my head, as did Kelly.
“I’ll be right back.” Richard bolted out the door.
“Well, that went well,” Kelly mused. He looked me in the eye. “And I haven’t told him the truth about how we settled here yet.”
I had a feeling it was going to be a long day and sleep was going to be some way off yet.