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ways.
    Unfazed, Coeus replied, “That is not a problem, my lord. I also have the most fetching boys.”
    Several patrons sniggered behind him. Jared scowled at the taverna keeper. This was such a waste of time. He should be arranging for more guards, setting traps, putting an end to the thefts. “I am told you have in your possession a slave who is an oracle.”
    Something flashed across Coeus’ face before it settled into an expression of indifference. “I do. Her talents are well known—and do not come without cost.” 
    Jared recognized the shrewd manner of an opportunist. The fear he sensed in the odorous fool would make it a simple matter to barter a low price. “Quality never does,” he replied with a benign smile. “What is your price?”
    Coeus named an exorbitant sum. Jared snorted. This oracle must commune with the gods in person. He countered with a sum worth two skins of mediocre wine.
    Coeus clapped his hands together. “You drive a hard bargain. Agreed.”
    Jared cocked a brow. He liked to think he was a good judge of people and he sensed the proprietor was the greedy sort, yet the man had put no effort into negotiating a more advantageous deal.
    “It’s not fair! Why does that barbarian wretch get to have the best ones?” the harlot screeched, earning herself a slap and a sharp reprimand from Coeus. Rubbing her reddened cheek, she shot Jared a sulky look and slinked back to a gaunt man with jaundiced skin who cackled in delight as she plopped down on his bony lap.
    Coeus returned his attention back to Jared and smiled. “This way, master.”
    Suppressing a growl at the time this was taking, Jared followed Coeus’ waddling body to the rear of the public room, through an archway and into a small courtyard—if it could be called such. The area was nothing more than a patch of dirt surrounded by decaying brick walls. There were no flowers or succulent greenery, only parched tufts of weeds and despite the open sky above, filled with stale air.
    Coeus paused at the foot of a decrepit stairway, the outer portion of which was gone, disintegrated into a pile of stone along the edge of the dwelling wall. Jared doubted very seriously if the steps would hold his own weight, much less the hefty girth of his host.
    Instead of climbing the stairs, Coeus led him to a wooden door partially hidden behind a stone column. He lifted a warped bolt, shoved it open, and stood back holding his hand out in invitation. Jared reached into his money pouch, dropped the coin into Coeus’ hand, then ducked beneath the lintel and entered the room.
    ***
    Bryna’s head shot straight up with the creaking of the door. Her eyes burned from the sun streaming into the gloom of her cell. Against the blinding light, she could see only the silhouette of a very tall man. She forced herself not to rub her arms and betray the anxiety skimming along every inch of her body.
    The man stepped inside. Coeus started to follow, but was stopped by a muscular arm stretched across the entry.
    “I have paid my coin,” the man said. The rich timbre of his voice seemed familiar. “I would speak with the seer alone.”
    Coeus’ face turned several shades of red before tilting his head in acquiesces. “As you wish, master.” He backed out but not before shooting Bryna a hard look of warning. The door slammed closed.
    Accustomed to the dismal light, Bryna’s eyes adjusted quickly. The man stood with his back to the door, legs braced, his face draped in shadows. The long sleeves of his robe fell toward his elbows when he crossed his arms over the broad chest of a warrior. A furring of black hair jutted out from beneath the neckline of the tunic, eliciting a coil of warmth deep in her belly. She pulled her gaze away, trailed down his narrow waist and froze at the knife fastened to his belt.
    The light of a thousand stars flashed in her mind and she was running along a dark path, her hand grasping that of a small child. Distorted sounds echoed around