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Chapter 2

In Avarice, it was well known that many of the governing laws and deals were made in tavernes and private clubs. It was something the Noble Houses actively denied however, wanting to maintain their heir of superiority and that such decisions were done properly in the monthly Court Meetings, though anyone who bothered to pay attention to such deals knew the truth.

The Chalice was not such an establishment. Having the reputation as a more working class tavern, its location further inland kept the lower class and die hard drunks away. It was still a far cry from the highbrow exclusive clubs that the nobles were known to favor.

Jessica Whitlock had long accepted that The Chalice would be her work environment indefinitely. It wasn't much, but predatory eyes were rarely on her here. This was not a brothel and she did not have to tolerate such propositions.

While someplace like Fortune's Folly or even the Huntsman's Society were located in nicer areas of Avarice and would certainly pay better, she knew the risks of catching the eye of the nobles who believed everything was for sale.

As a bat, her species was uncommon for the coastal kingdoms. The signature wings of her kind, while not actually capable of flight, gave her a very striking and unique appearance. Though standing out in Avarice was never a good thing for a commoner as herself.

At the Chalice, she found she could be lost in the crowd as just another barmaid without risking the presence of more unsavory customers.

This day she was in the middle of carrying a tray of mugs, the soon to be owners of the beverages had been rather vocal in their inpatients to have their sobriety impaired. Had Jessica not been in a hurry to silence their jovial complaints than she might have been aware of the arrival of a different kind of predator.

Setting the tray of mugs at their table, Jessica declined their offer of a tip. "Tips go in the tip jar," she informed them with half interest, pointing to the identifiable jar on the bar counter.

One of the group, an alligator who she recognized as a regular, held up a coin for her to see. As far as tips go, the lack of any gold on the coin didn't exactly make it an enticing offer. "Aw come on, this tip's just for you and how can I be sure you get it if it goes in the jar."

It wasn't the most original of lines, he had used it before and she wasn't about to fall for it. There was no rule for not accepting direct tips. But in Jess' experience it was a cheap ploy to try and get a better look down her top or to even try and grab a feel for the more bold and fool hearted.

"Uh-huh." She moved away from their table, surprising a roll of her eyes. "Guess you'll just have to hope fate allows me to find it in the jar."

Jessica could hear the gator's friends chuckling at his once again failed attempt to use the 'tip' move on her. Aside from their cheek they were harmless, which is what kept her from being too harsh with her words. After a few drinks they'd leave a more decent tip in the jar as that groups usual practice.

She was nearly back to the bar when she felt two strong paws seize hold of her waist. Jessica's eyes went wide in alarm as he, and it was definitely a he, pulled her close. Dropping the tray, her paw went for the shive she kept hidden at her waistband. Whoever the offender was, she was going to make sure he got cut for his error.

Having to fight against the hold on her, Jessica turned quickly, aiming to swipe the sharp weapon across the creep's chest. Only if this escalated would she go for the face.

The attack did not land however. Her assaulter was quicker than she, managing to catch the bat's wrest in a vice like grip. Her fight quickly turned to worry, then bubbled into rage only to be quickly replaced by shock. Recognition flashed across her face at the known predator in her life.

When she felt his lips on hers, Jess felt her heart suddenly caught up in this pleasant surprise. Despite her better judgment her eyes had just begun to drift close, getting swept up in this not unwanted attention. At feeling her wrist being let go and the louder than needed whistles from the patrons, Jessica's senses quickly took back over.

Eyes opening to now glare at the face against her own, she shoved the bear away, breaking their kiss. Those striking blue eyes of his gleamed with mischief at her, along with a less than innocent smirk.

"What's wrong my little vespertilio, did I catch you off guard?"

"Vic you ass!" Jess nearly hissed at her occasional boyfriend, hitting him in the chest. She could feel her cheeks heating up, reddening under her fur. Whether this was due in part to fading outrage, the sounds of the gator and his mates' laughter or simply hearing the idiotic pet name for her was anyone's guess. Though Jessica was fairly sure it was all three. "I..nearly cut you." Despite her best effort, her scolding had devolved into a tone of guilt.

While she was still annoyed with him, the idea of almost cutting the bear upset her. Vic knew full well about her shiv and how non tolerant she could be when at work. For him to risk an accident just to 'surprise' her was foolish. But she had to admit it was very much Victor.

"Correction, you tried to cut me love," he spoke with amusement. "Your success in that venture I fear was not as likely an outcome as you think." Even as he spoke, Victor leaned down to retrieve the fallen tray for Jessica.

She was unable to surprise a scoff. 'Leave it to Vic to be a condescending jerk while playing the part of the gentleman,' Jess mused to herself.

When he finally offered the tray back to her, she took it with the full intent of ignoring the bear. She hadn't seen him in weeks and if he expect her to give him the time of day she'd want an apology and dinner. Maybe a new headband as well. All of which he could do after her shift was over.

"No thank you?" Jessica heard him ask in mock hurt once her back was to him again.

Returning the tray to its rightful place on the bar, she turned with arms crossed, a practiced irked look on her face. "Thank you for bothering me at work?"

Victor's paw went to his heart, as if her spurns were simply unthinkable. "You wound me vespertilio, but as always I forgive you."

In the time it took for Jess to roll her eyes, she found Vic was already moving next to her, putting an arm around her waist as he began to guide her to a table. She managed to put up a bit of resistance, dragging her feet as they went.

"Would you just...Vic come on. You're going to get me fired." Despite her protests, Jessica found herself being seated at a table in the back of the tavern, away from prying eyes and ears. That wasn't anything new, what did stand out was Victor's more insistent than normal demeanor.

"Just sit for five minutes and hear me out. If that old boar you work for says anything I'll simple break both his legs and force him to give you a raise."

While many would take the morbid humor as a simple joke, she had been with Victor long enough to know he was fully capable and willing to make that joke a painful reality for her employer.

"Fine, just don't cause a scene okay?" Jessica had wanted her ton to sound like a demand, not a request. Regrettably she knew it had come out like the latter.

Victor gave her a winning grin as if he were a saint. "I never do."

'If only that were true.' She thought in response.

Jessica had expect him to go right into whatever scheme or plan he wanted to involve her in. Instead he was showing signs of caution, taking a moment to insure they were not being listened in on. A prince of Avarice was not known for worrying about anything, at least not in public. This more than anything put her on edge.

"What if I promised you that you would never have to work in some place like this again?"

The worry she had been feeling vanished as she leveled a deadpanned look at the bear. "I'm not marrying you."

Jessica was not that familiar with the political 'game' Victor and his family played with one another. But the news that a bride to be of one of the Golden King's sons being butchered at her own wedding had traveled far. A part of her did love Victor, but she loved living more and that meant keeping their relationship more casual.

Victor let out a laugh, finding the rejection amusing. "By the treasure house woman, no no, haha! You may have a rapier's charm but not enough to make me lose my senses."

If he was trying to get her in a good mood than he was failing. "Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel wanted." Deciding she was tired of his brand of assholishness for the moment, Jessica got up to return to work.

"Jess," he went to grab her arm, but she gave him a look that made it clear she would be the one to make a scene if he did. He held his paws up in reassurance he would do no such thing. "Just sit down and listen to me, this is important."

The tone of seriousness mixed with sincerity was something she had never heard come from Victor Crowley before. Against her better judgment she sat back down.

"Thank you." She watched as he sighed, gathering his thoughts and removing his hat. "I have Urch at the docks now, making the Aureum ready to set sail."

Now he had her full attention. Everyone in Avarice knew of the Aureum and anyone who had ever walked by the docks had certainly seen it. It was without compare the grandest ship anyone in these parts had ever seen and it never set sail. Rumored to have only seen open waters once, the Golden King's flag ship was always maintained but never used.

"So you're doing work for your father now?" Jess asked uncertain. Vic's bemused laugh seemed to speak to the contrary however.

"Please, as is he'd trust me enough for that. No my dear, the Aureum is mine and I'm using her to get as far away from this city and my family as possible." She could see the near mad excitement in Victor's eyes. He was really going to leave her. "That means no more political games or having to watch my back. I can actually be done with Avarice."

Jess' expression hardened. Her and Victor had made no commitments to one another, not really. And yet the idea of him leaving her hurt more than she would have expected.

"I guess thanks for telling me," her voice carried more bitterness than she had intended. "Wondering if your dead at sea instead of a back alley somewhere isn't much different from what we have now. So good luck to you."

Not wanting him to see her emotions try and get the best of her, Jess stood again, just wanting to get back to work.

"I was actually hoping you'd come with me." Victor's smug tone was evident as Jess looked back to him. He was wearing that grin of his that just always seemed to piss her off and yet her heart flutter.

"I...what?" She greatly hoped she had heard him right and this wasn't his streak of cruel humor showing.

"You didn't think I was just going to leave you here in this shithole did you? I'm bringing Urch along and contrary to his own ego, you are for better on the eyes...and nose."

Despite herself, Jess began to laughed as a couple of tears managing to escape her. "You could have just said that in the first place you jerk."

"True. But it was more fun to watch you sweat a bit. So can you be ready to leave by tonight?"

It was a very short deadline. But Jess had little in this city. No close friends or family to speak of and what she called a home was little more than a single room. The idea of sailing away to new places alongside her long time fling, how could she say no?

"If you're serious, I can be ready in ten minutes."