The tavern smelled like sweat, cheap ale, and bad decisions. My coin purse was lighter than I’d like, my last contract went sour, and the barkeep had started giving me that you’d-better-pay-your-tab-soon look. I sat hunched over my drink anyway, swirling what was left and pretending the dregs were worth savoring.

It wasn’t easy finding work alone. People liked hiring duos, teams—hell, even mercenary bands were in higher demand than lone bounty hunters these days. I could shoot straight, track like a hound, and cut a man’s purse from thirty paces, but none of that seemed to matter when you didn’t have someone to vouch for you.

That’s when I saw her.

She looked like she’d wandered straight out of a noble’s party—silk too fine, eyes too soft for a place like this. The tipsy sway of her movements made her stand out even more, especially to the wrong kind of crowd. Sure enough, a half-orc with too much grin and too little sense had zeroed in on her. He leaned close, voice low and leering, one thick hand braced on the bar beside her.

I tried to ignore it. Gods know I did. Not my problem, I told myself. I wasn’t getting paid to play hero tonight. But when she flinched, just slightly, that was it.

I downed the last of my drink, slammed the mug down, and stood.

The tavern floor creaked under my boots as I crossed the room. Without a word, I slid onto the stool between them, cutting off his view. The half-orc blinked at me, confused for a heartbeat before his expression soured.

I offered the young woman a small, sideways smile. “You alright, sweetheart?” I asked, tone casual but eyes sharp.

The half-orc growled low in his throat. “Hey, this ain’t your business.”

I turned my head just enough to meet his gaze. “Then you’re lucky I’m easily bored,” I said, resting a hand on the hilt of my dagger. “Now—why don’t you buy yourself a drink somewhere else?”

The half-orc’s glare lingered on me, his hand twitching near the knife at his belt. I didn’t move—just met his eyes, calm and cold as winter steel.

“Not worth it,” I said quietly.

Something in my tone must’ve landed. He muttered a curse and backed off, stomping toward another table. The tension slipped from my shoulders, though I kept my front up.

I turned to the woman beside me. “He won’t bother you again,” I said, softer now. “You shouldn’t be here alone.”