CHAPTER SIX
REL STILL FELT COLD. A bone-deep block of ice nestled in his stomach, freezing his blood and sending continuous shivers through his body. Zeth squinted, swaying to music only he could hear and mouthed at his empty beer glass. It appeared he hadn’t noticed the lack of liquid inside. Gone was his usual rigid posture and calculating gaze. Every now and then, he broke out singing.
“Despro.” Slouching lower in his seat, Rel worried this case might have finally broken his friend. The pain he desperately tried to hide was clear in his partner’s eyes. Signaling the barman for a top-up, Rel knew he should stop—he should be the sensible one and look after his friend, given his soused state—but he couldn’t bring himself to put down the resing glass.
Rel needed the fire in his throat an
