Chapter Two

The bar was dank and dark. The room barely slowed its activity when the door swung open to admit a six-three, solidly muscled black man. A mid-weight jacket hung over his fit body as his pitch-colored eyes scanned the room.

Easy steps took him up to the bar where he leaned up against the scarred wood. The bartender walked up and jerked his head in silent question.

“I’m lookin’ for Jötunn,” he announced in a deep voice tinged with an Irish lilt, and held out a bill.

Brown eyes scanned over the part of his body they could see, then the bartender lifted a shoulder in a shrug. His brunet head tilted towards a dark corner, and he grinned as he looked Aidrian over one more time.

Aidrian headed in that direction. At the corner table sat two people, both wearing hats and drinking from tall mugs of beer. Standing at the edge of the table, his eyes told him that one was a woman and the other was a man.

“I need a word with you,” Aidrian said, focusing on the male.

The man looked startled, and his eyes grew large as they took in the formidable person before him. “Can’t it wait, mate?” the man eventually asked, finding his voice. “I’m in the middle of something here.”

Tossing down some money on the table towards the woman, Aidrian shook his head. “No. Excuse me, ma’am. I need a private word with Jötunn, here.”

The eyebrow rose a fraction before she shrugged and slipped out of the booth in silence, swiping the money he’d tossed at her and shoving it in her thick coat. After a toast to her companion, the woman walked away.

Sliding his frame into the place that the woman had just vacated, Aidrian looked at the man who had an even more confused expression on his face. Sure doesn’t look like much, Aidrian thought. “I need you to teach me all you know about the ice.”

The man had begun to shake his head even before he’d finished his opening sentence. “No way, mate. You’ve made a mistake.”

Aidrian didn’t want to hear that. “Look, I’ll pay you for your time, but I heard you were the best…why are you shaking your head at me? Will you not even hear me out?” Damn it! I need this man to teach me!

“I would love to take your money. But I can’t help you.”

Slamming his hand down on the table, Aidrian snapped, “Why the hell not?”

The black-haired, brown-eyed man began to chuckle. “Because, mate. I’m not Jötunn.”

A string of curses began to form and Aidrian just barely contained them. It wouldn’t do him any good to beat up this man for not being Jötunn. Taking a deep breath, Aidrian prayed for control. “The bartender told me you were Jötunn.”

The man leaned back and took a swig of his beer. “Nope. I don’t like the ice and I sure as hell wouldn’t be out on it.”

“Who is Jötunn?” Aidrian ground out. “Look around in here and tell me if he is here.”

Opening his mouth to say something, the man closed it with a snap and looked around the dim joint. His eyes lingered before meeting the bleak stare of the man across from him. “Jötunn’s not here.”

A growl emerged from Aidrian’s throat. “Damn!” he hissed, his nostrils flaring twice before he pinned the man with eyes that had grown deadly.

“I swear man. Jötunn was here but I don’t see—”

“Damn it all,” Aidrian cussed. “I’m beginning to think he’s more trouble than he’s worth.” He stood abruptly and loomed over the man. “So, do we have an idea where one may be able to find Jötunn?”

“Across the street is where Jötunn gets a room when in town.”

A sharp nod was all Aidrian afforded the man. “I hope to hell I never find out you lied to me.” A military spin and he was gone, marching out the door and back into the late afternoon.

“You’re welcome, mate.” The man hollered after him, seconds before he flipped open a cell phone and placed a call.

****

Xar “Jötunn” Hummel walked across the hotel lobby, a trench coat covering khaki pants, a black tee shirt, with only a favorite pair of hiking boots on Jötunn’s feet peeking out. Eyes were framed by thick golden-brown lashes that matched the hair on the head.

A smile formed on Xar’s attractive face. After sleeping in bunkers in Antarctica, there were times a nice hotel was a godsend. Not to mention that in two days’ time, Nepal would be even closer.

The trip was a long time in coming. Years of saving and research were under Xar’s belt. But when the offer came to join an expedition on Mount Everest, refusal wasn’t an option.

“Xar!” a hotel employee shouted. “Got some messages for you here.”