The inside was dimly lit, with warm orange lights glowing behind the bar and along the ceiling beams.
The air smelled like spiced whiskey and burned oak.
There were only about ten people scattered around the room, sitting in pairs or alone.
No one looked up.
But I could tell every one of them was an Exorcist.
'They must be the pub's guards.'
A few of them were watching the door without making it obvious.
They weren't weak either.
I could feel the pressure rolling off some of them like static on a dry day.
They tried to act natural, but to a veteran eye like me, their identity was clear.
I walked to the bar and took a seat.
The bartender came over.
He was tall and muscular, with a braided beard and silver piercings on one ear.
His eyes went straight to my mask.
He didn't ask about it, just gave me a small nod.
"What'll you have?" he asked.
I leaned closer and said quietly, "Zagreus has escaped once again."
He blinked once, then sighed and scratched his beard.
