Magical Midlife Love (Leveling Up 4)

“What are ye going to do, do bar handstands and hope I die of fear?” Niamh shook her head.

“Going great here, then, hmm?” I slid into the seat. “Thanks,” I told the woman.

Her lip pulled up at the corner, like she was snarling.

“Don’t even bother, Jessie. She’s been at me all afternoon.” Niamh waved it away. “She’s trying to push my buttons, hoping I’ll start a fight. What a load of hassle that would be.”

“Miss Jessie!” Donna smiled at me. “Haven’t seen you in a while. What can I getcha?”

“Umm…beer, I think. Something strong.”

She nodded and moved away.

“Uh-oh, beer, eh? Not wine?” Niamh glanced over. “You’re going to be here for a while?”

“Yes, but not so long that I can’t get home.”

“Ah, sure, Austin Steele will make sure you get home.”

“Call him alpha,” Faith grumbled.

“He’s not my alpha, and you’re not in his pack,” Niamh replied. “But helluva try, girl. Helluva try. Drink up. Maybe you’ll be pleasanter when yer drunk.”

“All these new people do is stare,” I murmured to Niamh. “It’s really annoying.”

“Aye, it is. They aren’t allowed to make challenges, so they glare down powerful people and hope for the best.”

“And when nothing happens?”

“Well, Faith there just keeps at it, and it seems the bollocks behind ye isn’t giving up, so I’d say we’re in it for the long haul. Just ignore them. It’s more fun when they grind their teeth in frustration.”

“I won’t always be on a lea—”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard ye the first time. Janey Mack, she’s something.” Niamh rattled the ice around in her glass. “Paul, if you please. A whiskey, too. I need a little help drowning out my new dear friend.”

“Fancy meeting you here.”

I recognized that voice, like a growl, but not angry. Not unpleasant.

Turning, I scowled at my “rescuer.” “You scared off my nemesis,” I said. “Now how am I going to find a way to stab him without getting in trouble? He tattles.”

“May I sit with you?” He stood straight and tall, as though at attention, waiting patiently for the verdict. His face was a closed book, no hint of the easiness I’d heard in his tone.

“Sure, why not, invite all yer friends,” Niamh said dryly.

He ignored her, continuing to wait for my response.

“Yeah, sure, if you want,” I said.

He nodded, grabbed a chair from down the way, and placed it behind us, forming a triangle. I scooted out and turned my chair a little out of politeness. Niamh didn’t move.

“I came to ask the alpha about your game,” the man said, and then stuck out his hand. “I’m Kace.”

I shook it. “Jacinta. Jessie to those in the know.”

“Miss Jessie, eventually, when that God-awful butler makes his rounds,” Niamh muttered.

“That’s Niamh.” I hooked a thumb at her, belatedly realizing Sebastian hadn’t come in with us. For a guy who didn’t usually feel fear, he’d sure gotten a wake-up call on this trip.

“Sebastian is going to train me,” I told Niamh while he was on my mind.

“Oh yeah? That’s good news, now. As odd as they come, make no mistake, but he does know his stuff.”

“Sebastian, is that the mage?” Kace asked, interested rather than aggressive, his mannerisms subdued, not at all like he’d been with Sasquatch pushed against the fence.

“It is, yeah,” I answered. “He hasn’t been here long. Where’s Sasquatch, Niamh?”

She huffed out a laugh. “He came in here shaking like a leaf, so he did. Pure terrified of something. He took one look at my new friend Faith there, sitting next to me, turned around, and walked out. If Faith weren’t the worst thing to happen to sunny days, I’d be relieved for the peace and quiet.”

“Just wait until my—” Faith started.

“Yeah, yeah, yer leash. Jaysus, do ye not get out much or what?”

“Kace did that.” I thanked Donna for the drink and then pointed at Kace. I didn’t really want to play conversation host to a stranger today, but he’d been trying to help, and the least I could do was be polite. If I’d actually been in trouble, he would’ve been a welcome sight. “Whatever he wants.”

“No.” Niamh put out her hand. “She doesn’t know shifter rules. She is offering because of Jane manners.”

“What’s the matter?” I asked, pausing with my beer raised, ready to pour it into the glass Donna had provided.

“Let me get the round,” Kace said.

“No.” Niamh shook her outstretched hand. “No. She stays on my tab, and that is that. She will neither buy nor accept drinks from nice-looking gentlemen who gave Sasquatch a good clatter across the head.”

“I didn’t—”

I waved Kace away. “Let her dream.”

He shrugged at Donna. “I’ll have a beer. Bud.” Kace nodded to Donna.

“What’s the deal with buying drinks for a shifter?” I asked.

“We—”

“No!” Niamh half turned so she could glare at Kace. “Fer feck’s sake, lad. Do ye have no sense? Leave her be. Mind yer business.”