My eyes squinted. But ticked off was better than being turned on. You should have come to me right away, I said. It will be harder now.
We thought it was you, Ms. Morgan. We had to make sure it wasnt. Now that we know for sure, we wish to engage your services.
Engage my services. How old is this guy? Youve been following me, I said, remembering that itchy feeling between my shoulder blades whenever I was out: the grocery store, the shoe mall, the movies. I had thought it was Wayde, but maybe not. Crap, how long had they been shadowing me?
Three weeks, Wayde said, answering my unspoken question. I didnt know it was the I.S. or I would have told you.
I turned to him, appalled. You knew someone was following me and didnt think I needed to know? Isnt that your job? I snapped, and Nina chuckled.
His expression closed, Wayde looked first at Nina, then at me. Its my job, and my call.
We believe theres more than one person responsible for the crimes, Nina broke in, and my attention was recaptured by his/her silken, aged voice. It was still Ninas, but the self-assurance was mesmerizing. There seem to be two modes of operation, harvesting, then dumping. Witches. All the bodies were those of witches.
My expression twisted. I didnt like the sound of that. Harvesting? Thats ugly.
Nina took a deep breath, almost as if shed forgotten to breathewhich was a distinct possibility. Its the dumping thats disturbing us the most. Nina will escort you through the newest site, and by the time youre done, a courier will have delivered to your church the information we have on the earlier crimes. Id rather you not come into the I.S. tower, if you dont mind.
Not a problem, I said softly, thinking it over. Demonlike crime, not demon crime. I didnt want to risk the demons knowing that I was still alive. But if it was truly demonic work, it would be all over the airways. Demons are not subtle. No, it was probably a group of wannabe witches dabbling in black magic, giving demons a bad name. Taking them out would not only make me feel good but it might help me get my citizenship pushed through.
Okay, I said, and her soft, pleased sigh slipped over my skin like a silk scarf, raising gooseflesh. I have to make a call. And thats even assuming I take the job. What does it pay?
Nina reclined in her chair as if she owned the entire building. What do you want? she asked, her slim fingers gesturing gracefully, the red-painted nails catching the light. Money?
The word held a badly hidden disdain, but no, I didnt need money. My purse was plenty fat. Literally. My credit cards had been canceled, my bank account, my phone plan, everything. I was unwillingly off the grid and carrying cash thanks to the money Trent Kalamack had given me, money originally from the Withons, a small (by his standards, not mine) token amount hed demanded as an apology for their trying to kill him. Good thing I had a bodyguard.
A valid drivers license would be nice, I said, fighting not to look at the form on the desk. With that, I might get my bank account back. And my car registered in my name. The independence would do wonders for my self-esteem.
Leaning forward with a masculine huff of air, Nina brushed her long fingers through the forms between us, making me wonder what it would feel like to have those sensitive fingertips on me, and I shivered again. It wasnt her/him, it was the vamp pheromones rising in here, and I leaned past Wayde to crack the door. Office chatter, loud and excited, drifted in, and the undead vampire smiled, knowing why I had cracked it, though Nina wouldnt have had a clue.
Id appreciate a list of the curses and how theyre performed so we can decide which are legal and which are not, she said, and I caught back a bitter laugh.
You have a library card, right? I said flippantly. Its all in there.
Nina cocked her head and eyed me from around her long, beautiful eyelashes, making my heart thump. Not all of it, she said softly, her words like an old jazz song down my spine.
I licked my lips and sat straighter, knees pressed together and hands clasped in my lap. I dont deal with my legal kinNina, I said tightly, not liking the undead playing on my libido, and not through a young, innocent woman. Raising my hand, I jiggled the band of silver preventing me from tapping a line. He knew I had it. They all did. Im a limited-magic demon. Give me my car registration and my license, and Ill find them for you. Thats my offer.
Done, Nina said so quickly that I wished Id asked for more.
Nina leaned forward, her long hand extended. I took it, and as we shook, the undead vampire left and I was suddenly shaking Nina the DMV workers hand.
Ninas eyes widened as she gasped and pulled away. The scent of sweat rose, thick, and she fell back into her chair, her head lolling as her legs splayed awkwardly under the desk. Wow, she gasped to the ceiling, her lungs heaving as she struggled to catch up on the air her guest had probably forgotten to take in. Her face was pale and her fingers were trembling, but her eyes were so bright it was as if electricity was arcing through her. What a rush!
I looked at Wayde, who seemed nonplussed, and Nina suddenly sat up as if remembering that we were still in here. Ah, thank you, Ms. Morgan, she said, rising to her feet, full of energy. Ill get your registration started and give you the address to the cemetery. Id take you there myself, but I have to do something for him first and will meet you there. I have to go. Eyes wide, she caught her breath, and I swear I saw her shiver.
The paper was a soft rustle as she darted for the door, her speed edging into that eerie vampire quickness that Ivy, at least, took great pains to hide from me. I jerked, staring at Wayde as Ninas exuberant voice echoed in the outer offices. My God! I could hear everything!
Exhaling, I unclenched my fists. Track down some bad witches. I could do that. Like Nina had said. All it would take would be some detective workwhich I sucked atand some earth charmswhich I could still do. I should call Ivy, I said softly.
Looking uncomfortable, Wayde handed me my bag, and I slipped a hand inside to find my cell phone. I frowned at the missed-call number. Trent? What does he want?
Thats probably a good idea, Ms. Morgan, Wayde said, leaning over to look out the office door, but I was having second, third, and fourth thoughts.
Good idea? Right. That was the last thing this was.
Chapter Two
Friday traffic was thick this time of day in downtown Cincinnati, and I huffed as I stopped at yet another red light, my head tilted as I held my cell phone to my ear. The woman had put me on hold to check the appointment books, and I was ready to hang up on her.
Just getting across the city had been trying. The little blue sticky note Nina had given me two hours ago had only a street name and number. I didnt remember a cemetery on Washington Street, and I wondered if shed meant the old potters field where theyd built the music hall. God, I hoped not. Dead people gave me the willies.
Wayde sat beside me, his legs flopped open and taking up the entire passenger seat, trying not to look uneasy as I slipped my little car through trafficId shaved at least five minutes off our travel time. I hadnt had the chance to try the Mini Cooper out in traffic until today, and the new-to-me vehicle was fantastic for turning on a dime.
Miss? the young voice on the other end of the line said, and the light turned green.
Yes! I said, glad I had an automatic as I crept forward through the intersection and tried to aim the heat vents at the same time. I cant make it. Not today, and probably not this weekend.
My hair blew in the warm draft, and the woman sighed. In the background I could hear some progressive alternative rock. Takatas latest, maybe? I can take you off the books, but Emojin isnt going to be happy.
Ive got a job this week, I explained loudly as I took a quick look behind me and swerved to the right to get around some old guy in a blue Buick. Sure, the run didnt pay money, but getting my license and car registration back made me more than happy. Baby steps. I could do this.
Wayde grabbed the chicken strap, swinging with the momentum. Ticking off your tattoo artist isnt prudent.
Frowning, I snapped, Like saying no to the I.S. is any better?
He shrugged, and I turned back to the road, slowing down. We were close to Fountain Square, and they usually had a cop on a horse somewhere. When can you come in? Emojins assistant asked. These specialty dyes dont hold their qualities forever.
I slowed more, my bumper almost on the car ahead of me. Crap, I could almost read the print on the tube of lipstick the driver was applying in the rearview mirror. Im sorry, I said, feeling a touch of guilt. Ill be busy all this weekend and probably next week. Ill call when I can come in. Okay?
The light had turned green, but the woman ahead of me wasnt moving. Watch it! Wayde shouted as I crept forward, and thinking we must be closer than I thought, I stomped on the brake. Our heads swung forward and back, and I grimaced. Youre going to lose your license the same day you get it if youre not careful, he said, letting go of the strap and sitting straighter.
Theres a good ten inches there, I grumbled. It looks closer because the car is small.
Theres a good ten inches there, I grumbled. It looks closer because the car is small.
From the phone came a faint Ill put you down for Monday, midnight.
Is she not listening to me? I wont be there! I exclaimed. I wouldnt have to keep canceling if you wouldnt keep making appointments I cant keep.
Hey! I yelped when Wayde snatched the phone.
Give me this before you crack us up against a wall, he said darkly, his eyes pinched and his expression cross, his red beard making him look like a Viking.
I can drive and talk at the same time, I said, indignant, then hit the gas to make the next light before it turned and we were stuck behind Miss-America-Wannabe again. Rearview mirrors are for seeing whos behind you, not for putting on makeup.
Not well, you cant. Wayde put the phone to his right ear. Mary Jo? This is Wayde. Give Rachel my next appointment. Ill get her there.