Elemental Assassin 05 - Spider's Revenge

the scent of sugar and spices filled my lungs, smelling better to me than the most expensive perfume. The aroma would only intensify once Sophia and I started cooking.
    I walked over to the cash register. For a second, it was almost like I could see Fletcher sitting on the stool there, wearing his blue work clothes and apron, just like he had in my dream, vision, or whatever that strange trip had been the night I’d almost died. My gaze went to the wall where the bloody copy of
Where the Red Fern Grows
hung in its usual spot, along with a faded photo of Fletcher and Warren Fox.
    I might have only imagined it, but it seemed like the smell of chicory coffee suddenly filled the air. I breathed in again, and the aroma was gone, replaced by the usual swirl of spices. But I knew that Fletcher Lane would never truly leave me. I smiled and got to work.
    All the waitstaff came in at their usual time, and everyone greeted me with enthusiasm, telling me how sorry they were that I’d had mono for the last six weeks. That’s the story Finn, Bria, and the others had spun to explain my absence. I didn’t think anyone really believed it, though. Iwouldn’t have. I didn’t know how many of my employees knew what had really gone down between me and Mab, or even realized I was the Spider, but at least some of them had heard the rumors. I could see it in the way their eyes didn’t quite meet mine. I supposed it would take some time for all the hoopla surrounding Mab’s death and my part in it to die down—if it ever really could.
    Thanks to Sophia’s tender loving care, business hadn’t suffered at all while I was gone. By lunchtime, the Pork Pit was as busy as ever, and I was happy to be back in the thick of things—back where I belonged.
    My happiness lasted until about three o’clock that afternoon.
    I was wiping down the counter when the door opened, causing the bell to chime. I opened my mouth to greet my new customers and then I saw who they were—Ruth Gentry and Sydney. With my right hand, I kept on wiping the counter. With my left, I palmed one of my silver-stone knives. I still wore them, of course. One up either sleeve, one tucked against the small of my back, and two more nestled in the sides of my boots. My usual five-point arsenal, all stamped with my spider rune. I might have killed Mab, but that didn’t mean that I had a license to do something as foolish as not have my knives handy.
    “Sophia,” I murmured. “We might have a situation here.”
    The dwarf, who was slicing tomatoes, grunted and looked over her shoulder. When she saw who had come to call, she moved to stand beside me, her black eyes as cold and hard as mine were.
    Gentry didn’t dawdle by the door. She marched overto me, with Sydney trailing along behind her. Both of them had cleaned up considerably since the last time I’d seen them. Gentry had on a new stiff pair of jeans and a spiffy pink flannel shirt with what looked like real pearl buttons. They matched the handle of the revolver that she had tucked into the new holster under her matching pink jacket. As for Sydney, she wore a pair of expensive cargo pants, along with a sweater set done in a sky blue. Her face had also filled out since the last time I’d seen her, and her eyes were clear of that wounded, hungry, desperate look they’d held before.
    “Ruth Gentry,” I said in a pleasant voice, mindful of the half-dozen customers who were in the restaurant with us. “What can I do for you?”
    Under the counter, out of sight, my thumb traced over the hilt of my silverstone knife. Gentry didn’t look as if she’d come here for trouble, but you never knew. Just yesterday, Finn had heard a nasty rumor that Jonah McAllister was trying to put a new bounty on my head—literally. The lawyer wanted someone to bring him my head—without the rest of my body attached to it. Finn’s sources claimed that there were no takers so far, despite the fat wad of cash McAllister was offering. Amazing how people tended to leave you alone after you killed the most powerful woman in town.
    The bounty hunter stepped up to the counter, her pale blue eyes sweeping over me. Surprise flickered in her gaze, as if she couldn’t quite believe that I was still alive. Sometimes, I couldn’t believe it myself.
    “Gin Blanco,” she said, matching my pleasant tone. “You’re looking well. All things considered.”
    I didn’t say anything. Gentry could see just how well I was, and if the bounty hunter