Hand shaking as she pointed to the back of the church, she took a breath to start in again, gulping it back when Jenks kissed her soundly, wrapping her slim form in his arms and body, their wings somehow not tangling as they hovered in the hallway.
Ill take care of it, love, he said when they parted, his emotion so earnest that I dropped my eyes, embarrassed. Matalina fled to the desk in a dusting of mortified red, and after grinning at us in some masculine display ofmasculinity, Jenks flew to the back of the church.
Jack! he shouted, the dust slipping from him a brilliant gold. You know better than that. Get your brothers and get out here. If I have to dig you out, Im going to clip your wings!
Huh. Ivys long fingers carefully picked up a cracker. Ill have to try that.
What? I asked, shifting to prop my clipboard up on my knees.
Ivy blinked slowly. Kissing someone from agitation into bliss.
Her smile widened to show a slip of teeth, and a sliver of ice dropped down my spine. Fear mixed with anticipation, as unstoppable as jerking my hand from a flame. And Ivy could sense it as easily as she could see my embarrassed flush.
Pulling herself upright, she stood. I blinked up at her as she stretched, and brushing past me in a wave of vampire incense, she headed for the door as the doorbell rang.
I got it, she said, her pace provocative. David left his hat.
My exhaled breath was slow and long. Damn it, I was not an adrenaline junkie. And Ivy knew we werent going to shift our relationship in either direction. Stillthe potential was there, and I hated that she could flip switches in me as easily as I could flip them in her. Just cause you can do something, doesnt mean you should, right?
Exasperated with myself, I grabbed the empty cracker plate and headed for the kitchen. Maybe I needed a midnight run myself to clear my head of all the vamp pheromones in there.
Cat in the house! came Ivys call, and then a different voice filtered in, stopping me cold.
Hi, Im Marshal.
If the mellow, attractive voice hadnt jerked me to a halt, the name would have, and I spun in the hallway.
You must be Ivy, the man added. Is Rachel in?
Four
Marshal? I exclaimed as my thoughts realigned and I figured out who was standing in our threshold. What are you doing here? I added as I headed back.
He shrugged and smiled, and the cracker plate dangled from my hand as I pushed past a belligerent Ivy to give him a one-armed hug. Dropping back a step, I warmed, but damn, it was good to see him. I had felt really guilty watching him swim back to his boat last spring, having to go on hearsay that he made it back all right and that the Mackinaw Weres were leaving him alone. But not contacting him had been the best thing to ensure his anonymity and safety.
The tall, wide-shouldered man continued to grin. Jenks left his hat on my boat, he said, extending the red leather cap to me.
You did not come all the way down here for that, I said as I took it, then squinted at the dark shadow of an infant beard on him. Youve got hair! When did you get hair?
Taking off his knitted cap, he ducked his head to show its fuzz. Last week. I brought the boat in for the season, and when Im not wearing a wet suit, I can let it all grow back. His brown eyes pinched in mock agony. I itch like crazy. Everywhere.
Ivy had moved back a step, and setting the cracker plate on the table beside the door, I took his arm and pulled him in. The scent of his short wool coat was strong, and I breathed it in, thinking I could smell gas fumes mixing with the strong redwood smell that meant witch. Come on in, I said, waiting for him to finish wiping his boots on the mat before he followed me into the sanctuary.
Ivy, this is Marshal, I said, seeing her with her arms crossed over her middle and Davids hat in her grip. The guy who got me out to the island at Mackinaw and let me run off with his diving gear. Remember? It sounded stupid, but she hadnt said anything yet, and I was getting nervous.
Ivys eye twitched. Of course. But Jenks and I didnt see him at the high school pool when we returned his stuff, so I never met him. Its a pleasure. Dropping Davids hat on the small table beside the door, she extended her hand, and Marshal took it. He was still smiling, but it was growing thin.
Well, this is it, I said, gesturing to the sanctuary and the rest of the unseen church. Proof that Im not crazy. You want to sit down? You dont have to leave right away, do you? Jenks will want to say hi. I was babbling, but Ivy wasnt being nice, and shed already driven one man out of the church tonight.
Sure. I can stay for a minute. Marshal took his coat off as he followed me to the furniture clustered in the corner. I watched him take a deep breath of the chili-scented air, and I wondered if hed stay if I asked. Plopping myself down in my chair, I gave him a once-over as Marshal eased his lean swimmers body down to the edge of the couch. Clearly not yet ready to relax, the tall man sat on the edge with his arms flat on his legs.
Marshal was wearing jeans and a dark green pullover that had a backwoods look to it, the color going well with his honey-colored skin. He looked great sitting there, even if his eyebrows werent grown in yet and hed nicked himself shaving. I remembered how utterly in control he had looked on his boat, dressed in a swimsuit and an unzipped red windbreaker that showed skin so smooth it glistened and beautiful, beautiful abs. God, he had had nice abs. Must be from all the swimming.
Suddenly shocked, I froze. Guilt turned my skin cold, and I settled into my chair, heartache riding high where enthusiasm had just flowed. I had loved Kisten. I still loved him. That Id forgotten for even an instant was both a surprise and a pain. Id been listening to Ivy and Jenks long enough to know this was part of my pattern of getting hurt and then finding someone to hide the pain with, but I wasnt going to be that person anymore. I couldnt afford to be. And if I saw it, I could stop it.
But it was really good to see Marshal. He was proof that I didnt kill everyone I came in contact with, and that was a welcome relief.
Uh, I stammered when I realized no one was talking. I think my old boyfriend stole some of your gear before he went off the bridge. Sorry.
Marshals wandering attention lighted briefly on the bruise on my neck before rising to my eyes. I think he recognized something had shifted, but he wasnt going to ask. The FIB found my stuff on the shore a week later. No problem.
I didnt have a clue he was going to do that, I said. Im really sorry.
He smiled faintly. I know. I saw the news. You look good in cuffs.
Ivy leaned against the wall by the hallway where she could see both of us. She looked left out, but that was her own fault. She could sit down and join us. I flashed her a glance, which she ignored, then turned to Marshal. You didnt really drive all the way down here to give Jenks his hat, did you?
NoMarshal dropped his head. Im here for an interview at the university, and I wanted to see if you were jerking me around or if you really did have a job where you thought you could take on an entire Were pack alone.
I wasnt alone, I said, flustered. Jenks was with me.
Ivy uncrossed her ankles and pushed herself away from the wall an instant before Jenks zipped in, wings clattering. Marshal! the exuberant pixy shouted, dust slipping from him to make a sunbeam on the floor. Holy crap! What the hell are you doing here?
Marshals jaw dropped. For an instant, I thought he was going to stand up, but then he fell all the way back into the couch. Jenks? He stammered. His eyes were wide as he looked at me and I nodded. I thought you were kidding about him being a pixy.
Nope, I said, enjoying Marshals disbelief.
What you doin here, old dog! the pixy said, darting from one side of him to the other.
Marshal gestured helplessly. I dont know what to do. You were six feet tall the last time I saw you. I cant shake your hand.
Just stick your hand out, Ivy said dryly. Let him land on it.
Anything to get him to stop flying around, I said loudly, and Jenks settled on the table, his wings going so fast I could feel a draft.
Its great to see you! Jenks said again, making me wonder just why we were so glad to see Marshal. Maybe it was because he had helped us when we really needed it at great risk to himself when he owed us nothing. Crap on my daisies, Jenks said, rising up and settling back down. Ivy, you should have seen his face when Rachel told him we were going to rescue her ex-boyfriend from an island full of militant Weres. I still cant believe he did it.
Marshal smiled. Neither can I. She looked like she could use some help was all.
Ivy made a questioning face at me, and I shrugged. Okay, seeing me in a tight rubber suit might have swayed his decision, but it wasnt as if I had dressed up to romance help out of him.
Marshals eyes darted to Ivy when she pushed herself into motion. Sleek and predatory, she eased onto the couch beside him, angling herself so her back was to the armrest, one knee pulled up to her chin, the other draped over the edge of the couch. Her magazine slid to the floor when she bumped it, and she pointedly set it on the table between us with the headlines showing. She was acting like a jealous girlfriend, and I didnt like it.
Huh, Jenks said, a smile on him as he looked at me sitting with my hands clasped primly in my lap and that unusual amount of space between Marshal and myself. I guess you can teach a young witch new tricks.
Jenks! I exclaimed, knowing he was talking about me distancing myself from Marshal, but the poor witch didnt have a clue. Thank God. Incensed, I made a snatch for the pixy, and the laughing four-inch man settled himself on Marshals shoulder. Marshal stiffened but didnt move but for tilting his head and trying to see Jenks.
You said you were here for an interview? Ivy said pleasantly, but I didnt trust her mood as far as I could throw her. Which was about three feet on a good day.
Moving carefully as if Jenks might leave, Marshal eased into the cushions and away from her. At the university, he said, showing signs of nervousness.
Whats the job? Ivy questioned, and I could almost hear her think Janitor? Though not saying one cross word, she wasnt being nice, like Id asked him to come over to betray Kistens memory.
Marshal must have picked up on it, too, for he shifted his wide shoulders and tilted his head to crack his neck, clearly a nervous tick. Id be coaching the swim team, but once Im on the payroll, I can put in for a real teaching position.
Teaching what? Jenks asked suspiciously.
At that, Marshal smiled. Minor ley line manipulations. More of a high school course than anything else. A primer to bring deficient students up for the hundred-level classes.
Clearly Ivy wasnt impressed. But she probably didnt know that he had to be at a four-hundred level to instruct anyone in anything. I had no idea where my ley line proficiency put me, seeing as I was picking it up as I went along, learning what I had to when I needed it, not what was safe or prudent in a steady, progressive pace.
Cincinnati doesnt have a swim team, Ivy said. Sounds like quite a job to build one.
Marshals head bobbed, and the stubble on it caught the light. It will be. Normally I wouldnt even try for the position, but I earned my bachelors here, and coming back feels right.
Hey! Jenks exclaimed, and I shivered in the draft from his wings. Youre a Cincy boy! What year did you graduate?
Class of 2001, he said proudly.
Holy crap, youre almost thirty? the pixy said. Damn, you look good!
Almost? No, Im past it, he said, clearly unwilling to divulge just how much. But since he was a witch, it didnt really matter. Its the swimming, he said softly, then looked at Ivy as if he knew she was going to look up his records. I majored in business management, and I used my degree to start Marshals Mackinaw Wrecks. Disappointment flickered over him. But thats not going to work anymore, so here I am.
Too cold? Jenks said, either ignoring that we were likely the reason it wasnt working anymore or trying to make light of it. God, I froze my nuggie plums off in that water.
I winced, thinking Jenkss mouth was getting steadily worse. Almost as if he had to prove he was a man in front of Marshal, and the way to do it was to be as raunchy as he could. But I had heard the hint of blame in Marshals words.
The Mackinaw Weres found out you had something to do with me getting onto the island, didnt they, I said, knowing I was right when he looked at his water-stained yellow leather boots. Shit. Im sorry, Marshal, I said, wishing now Id just knocked him on his head and stolen his stuff. At least hed still have his business. Id done the right thing, and it had hurt him in the long run. Where was the justice in that?
His smile was tight when he pulled his head up, and even Ivy looked apologetic. Dont worry about it, he said. I didnt lose anything that mattered in the fire.
Fire? I whispered, appalled, and he nodded.
It was time for me to come back, he said, one shoulder rising in a shrug. I only started the diving business so I could build the capital to get my masters.
Ivys fingers, drumming on the couch, went still. Youre finishing your degree?
Saying nothing, Marshal ran his gaze over her as if estimating how great a threat she was and nodded. Hey, I have to go. Ive got a couple of apartments Im looking at tonight, and if I dont show on time, the Realtor will probably figure it was a Halloween prank and leave.
He stood, and I found myself rising as well. Jenks darted into the air, grumbling about not having anything comfortable to put his ass on in the entire church before he landed on my shoulder. I wanted to go with Marshal so the Realtor wouldnt convince him to take a rattrap that would be noisy with humans after sunup, but he probably knew Cincinnati as well as I did. Not much changed fast, despite the size of the city. Besides, I didnt want to give him the wrong idea.
Ivy stood as Marshal shrugged into his coat. Nice to meet you, Marshal, she said, then turned her back on him as she walked out. Five seconds later, I heard her taking the lid off the slow cooker, and a new wave of tomato, beans, and spices wafted out.
Can you stay for dinner? I found myself asking, not knowing why, except that he had helped Jenks and me, and I owed him. We actually cooked tonight. Chili.
Marshals eyes went to the top of the dark hallway. No, but thank you. Im having dinner with a couple of guys from school. I just wanted to bring Jenks his hat and say hi.
Oh, okay. Of course hed have friends here. I was being stupid.
I followed him to the door to see him out, my eyes landing on Jenkss leather cap, back after months of being with Marshal. I was glad to see him, and I wished he could stay, but it was tinged with depression from the guilt that I even wanted him to.
Glowing a hot gold, Jenks hovered at eye-height beside Marshal as I reached to open the door. Its good to see you, Marsh-man, he said. If it was warmer, Id show you my stump.
The way he said it almost sounded like a threat, and I could see Marshal thinking about it as he slowly buttoned his coat, probably trying to decide if he was serious or not. I wanted to talk to Marshal alone for a moment, but Jenks wasnt leaving.
Jenks suddenly noticed that neither of us was talking, and when I made a face at him, he dropped in height. If you want me to go, you just have to say so, he said sullenly, then darted off to leave a fading sprinkling of pixy dust to glow on the floor for a moment. My blood pressure dropped, and I smiled at Marshal.
That was the most excellent charm Ive ever seen, Marshal said softly, his eyes dark to take in the limited light in the foyer, making him human-size, then small again.
Its not half as excellent as the person who actually made it for me, I said, thinking that Ceri should get her just dues. I just invoked it.
Marshal took his hat out of his wide pocket and put it on. I felt a twinge of relief when he reached for the door, then guilt that Id enjoyed seeing him again. God, how long will I have to live like this? Marshal hesitated. Turning back, he searched my face. I silently waited, not knowing what might come out of his mouth.
I, ahIm not interfering in something, am I? he asked. With your roommate?
I grimaced, cursing both Ivy for her jealousness and Jenks for his protective nature. God help them, were they that obvious?
No, I said quickly, then dropped my gaze. Its not that. My boyfriendI took a breath and lowered my voice so it wouldnt break. I just lost my boyfriend, and they both think Ill jump into bed with the first guy to come into the church simply to fill the ache he left behind. A fear that is both understandable and at the same time unnecessary.
Marshal shifted his weight back. The guy that went over the bridge? he asked quizzically. I thought you didnt like him.
Not him, I said, flicking my eyes to his and away. My boyfriend after him. Kisten wasimportant to both Ivy and me. He died to prevent an undead vampire from binding me to himI dont remember it, but I know he did. And I stillI closed my eyes, a lump in my throat. I still miss him, I said miserably.
I looked at Marshal, needing to see what he thought. His face was carefully blank of expression. He died? he said, and I nodded, looking away.
I think I understand, he said as he reached to touch my shoulder, and guilt tweaked through me as I soaked in the support radiating from him. Im really sorry about your boyfriend. UmI didnt know. I should have called before coming over. Ill just, uh, go.
His hand slipped away, and my head came up. Marshal, I said, reaching to take his sleeve, and he stopped. I let go, then glanced behind me at the empty church, then back to him. I loved Kisten, but I had to try to start living again. The pain would ebb only if I pushed it out with something good. Marshal patiently waited, and I took a deep breath.
Id like to see you again, I said, miserable. If you want. I mean, I really cant handle having a boyfriend right now, but Ive got to get out of this church. Do something. His eyes widened, and I blurted, Never mind.
No, no! he said. Thats cool. He hesitated, then shrugged. To be honest, Im not looking for a girlfriend either.
I kind of doubted that, but I nodded, grateful he pretended to understand.
There used to be a place by the waterfront that had really good pizza, he offered.
Piscarys? I almost panicked. Not Kistens old dance club. Uh, its closed, I said, which was the truth. The elaborate apartments underground were now the property of Rynn Cormel. And since he wasnt a partier, he had gutted the upper rooms and turned them into a day residence for his living guests and staff. But it still had one hell of a kitchen. Or so Ivy said.
Weight shifting to one foot, Marshal frowned in thought. Dont the Howlers have an exhibition game this week? I havent seen them play in years.
Im banned, I said, and he looked at me as if he thought I was joking.
From the Howlers? he said. Maybe we could just have lunch or something.
Okay, I said slowly, not knowing if I could actually do this.
His smile widened and he opened the door. I have that interview tomorrow, but I was going to go look at some apartments before that. If I treat you to coffee, will you tell me which ones are overcharging me? Unless youre working
Two days before Halloween? I clasped my arms about me in the sudden chill. I hadnt expected to do anything this soon, and now I was having second thoughts. I thought of backing out on the excuse of needing to track down a demon summoner before sundown tomorrow, but I had to give my sources time to work. I stunk at research, and I knew enough people who enjoyed it to pass it off on them. Sure, I reluctantly said. It was coffee. How bad could it be?
Perfect, he said, and I froze when he eased forward. Before it could become a hug, or worse, a kiss, I stuck out my hand. Marshal tried to make his shift to my hand natural, but it was kind of obvious, and his fingers slipped from mine almost immediately. Embarrassed by my guilt and misery, I looked down.
Im sorry youre still hurting, he said sincerely as he stepped back onto the stoop. The light from the sign above the door made shadows on him. His eyes, when I met them, held a soft emotion, black from the low light, nothing more. Ill see you tomorrow. About noon?
I nodded as I tried to think of something to saybut my mind was empty. Marshal smiled one last time before taking the steps lightly and heading for the new-model, chrome-plated sport utility at the curb. Numb, I backed up into the church, my shoulder thumping painfully into the doorjamb and startling me back into reality. Heartache swelled as I shut the door and leaned back against it to stare into the sanctuary.
I had to start living again, even if it killed me.
Five
The soft click of teeth on the knob of my bedroom door stirred me, but it wasnt until a wet nose snuffled in my ear that I truly woke up, with a pulse of adrenaline that was better than chugging three cups of coffee.
David! I exclaimed, jerking upright and scooting back to the headboard, my covers pulled to my neck. How did you get in here? Pulse hammering, my panic subsided, turning to irritation when I saw his pricked ears and his doggy smile. My gaze slid to my clock. Eleven? Damn it, I had a good hour left before the alarm was going to ring. Irritated, I flicked the alarm off. No way would I get back to sleep now. Not after a Weres version of a wet willy.
Whats the matter? Your car not starting? I asked the large, gangly wolf, but he only sat on his haunches and let his tongue loll as he stared at me with his luscious brown eyes. Get out of my room. I have to get up. Im meeting someone for coffee, I said, making shooing motions with one hand.
At that, David snuffed a negation, and I hesitated.
Im not meeting someone for coffee? I said, ready to believe him. Is Ivy okay? Is it Jenks? Worried, I swung my feet to the floor.
David put his front paws, each as big as a saucer, to either side of me to keep me sitting. His breath was warm, and he gave me a comforting lick. He wouldnt get this close in his people skin, but wearing fur seemed to bring out the softer side of most Weres.
I eased back, deciding everything was okay. He didnt look worried. Talking to you is like talking to a fish, I complained, and David huffed, his claws clicking on the hardwood floor as he got off my bed. You want some clothes? I asked, seeing as he probably hadnt woken me up for the hell of it. If it wasnt car problems, maybe he had forgotten to bring something to change into. You might fit in Jenkss old stuff.
David bobbed his head, and after a brief thought of my almost-nakedness, I got out of bed and snagged my robe from the back of a chair. I kept a pair of his sweats, I said as I shrugged into the blue terry cloth and tied it closed with an abrupt, embarrassed haste, but David had turned to the hallway, the perfect gentleman. Feeling awkward, I dragged a box down from my closet shelf and dropped it on my bed. Not that we had a lot of naked men in our church, but I wasnt going to throw out Jenkss old clothes from when he had been people-size.
The scent of Queen Annes lace came to me when I wrestled the box open. Fingers searching through the cool fabric, my slight headache eased and the smell of growing things and sunshine rose high. Jenks smelled good, and it hadnt washed out.
Here you go, I said when I found the sweats and extended them to him.
His brown eyes sheepish, David carefully took them in his mouth before padding to the dim hallway, the oak floorboards glowing with morning sun reflecting in from the living room and kitchen. Shuffling to the bathroom, I decided he had probably locked himself out of his car and change of clotheswhich left me curious as to where the ladies were. David didnt seem to be distressed, and I knew he would be if either one of them had a problem.
Wondering how David knew I didnt have a coffee date when I hadnt even told him I had one to begin with, I shuffled into the bathroom and quietly shut the door to keep everyone who was sleeping, sleeping. It was nearing the golden hour of noon when the church went silentIvy and me asleep and the pixies just settling down for their four-hour nap.
Hanging on the back of the door, my costume thumped, and I quieted it, listening for the hum of pixy wings. I fingered the supple leather in the silence, hoping I would get a chance to wear it. I was pretty much churchbound after dark until I nailed whoever was sending Al after me. And Halloween wasnt a holiday to be missed.
Since the Turnthe nightmarish three years following the supernatural species coming out of the closetthe holiday had been gaining strength until now it was celebrated for an entire week, becoming the unofficial celebration for the Turn itself.
The Turn actually began in the late summer of sixty-six when humanity began dying of a virus carried by a bioengineered tomato that was supposed to feed the growing populations of the third-world countries, but it was on Halloween that we celebrated it. That was the day Inderland had decided to come out of the closet before humanity found us by way of the why arent these people dying? question. It had been thought that Halloween might ease the panic, and it had. Most of the surviving human population thought it was a joke, easing the chaos for a day or two until they realized that we hadnt eaten them yesterday, so why would we today?
They still threw a bloody-hell tantrum, but at least it had been aimed at the bioengineers who designed the accidentally lethal fruit instead of us. No one had been so tactless as to make the holiday official, but everyone took the week off. Human bosses didnt say, er, boo when their Inderland employees called in sick, and no one even mentioned the Turn. We did throw tomatoes instead of eggs, though, put peeled ones in bowls and called them eyeballs, stacked them up on our porches along with carved pumpkins, and generally tried to gross-out the human population that wouldnt touch the no-longer-lethal red fruit.
If I was stuck in my church for the night, I was going to be ticked.
By the time I finished a quick morning prep and was headed for the kitchen, David was changed and at the table, with coffee brewing and two empty mugs waiting. The hat he had forgotten yesterday was beside him, and he looked good sitting there with a thick black stubble heavy on him and his long black hair loose and flowing. Id never seen him so casual before, and it was nice.
Morning, I said around a yawn, and he turned to acknowledge me. Did you and the ladies have a good run?
He was smiling, his brown eyes showing his pleasure. Mmmm. They headed home from here on paws, confident enough without me. Thats why Im here, actually.
I sat at my spot at the table, the bright sun and the scent of coffee making my head hurt. There was a stack of late-night newspapers opened to the obituaries that Id gone through before bed. There had been nothing obvious, but Glenn, my FIB contact, was running the three young witches Id found there through their database to see if they were known acquaintances. One had died of a heart attack at age thirty, another of a brain aneurism, and the third of sudden appendicitiswhich had once been a common, pre-Turn expression for a magic misfire. Soon as I got this mornings edition, Id pass any more likely candidates on to Glenn. He was working Halloween since he was a human and didnt celebrate it; he policed it.