Will you be around for dinner? she asked, ignoring that I was staring at my open silverware drawer, slumped in guilt.
Ahhh, I wouldnt count on it, I hedged, wincing when Jenkss kids flowed through the kitchen, jabbering in their high-pitched voices. Circling Bis, they begged him to wax the steeple so they could slide down it, and blushing a dull black, the gargoyle took off after them. You batching it tonight?
Ivy set a hand on her papers so they wouldnt fly up. Yes. Nina is with her folks tonight.
Her mood was off, and I put the finger stick in with my charms to invoke them later. Ivys control was good, but why put warm cookies in front of someone on a diet? She doing okay? I asked, crouching to get my splat gun out of the nested bowls.
Ivys smile was wistful when I came back up. Yes, she said, and a small knot of worry loosened. Whatever was bothering her wasnt Nina. Shes doing well. She still has control issues when heated, but if she can realize it in time, she can funnel the energy into other . . . directions. Her pale cheeks flushed, and her fingers clicked over the keys in a restless staccato.
Knowing Ivy, I could guess where that energy was being diverted, and I dropped the splat gun into my bag, peering in to see what Id collected. Pain charms, finger stick, wallet, phone, keys, lethal magic detection charm . . . the usual. Hey, I appreciate you trying to get my car back. Edden still working on it? I said, still fishing for what was bothering her.
The irritating tapping of her pencil ceased. No one out there knew me, Rachel, she complained, and my eyebrows rose. She is worried about my car? I worked in the I.S. for almost a decade, all the way from runner to the arcane, and no one out there knew me!
Ah, not my car, her reputation. Smiling, I dropped my bag on the table, glad no one there recognized her. Maybe now shed be free to live her life. Jeez, Ivy, you were the best they had. If they ignored you, it was because theyre still ticked. Theres a difference.
Maybe, but I didnt see anyone I recognized. Lips pressing, she tapped her maps. You saw how busy it was. Half of Piscarys children worked in the I.S., and no one was out there.
Maybe they were out at other calls, I suggested.
All of them? Again the pencil tapped, the cadence faster. Where is everyone? she said, eyes on the map. I can see some of them being let go when Piscary died, but Rynn Cormel would still need a foothold in the I.S. Maybe more so since hes not originally from here. You dont think he abandoned them, do you? Now that hes had time to make his own children?
No. He wouldnt do that, I said, trying to reassure her, but the truth of it was I didnt know. That Rynn Cormel had taken Piscarys children in when he became Cincys new top master vampire had been unusual, even if the vampire hadnt had any of his own at the time. It had prevented a lot of heartache, because vampires without masters usually didnt last long, succumbing to blood loss and neglect as they worked their way backward through the citywide hierarchy.
Im sure they were just on other calls, I said when the huge farm bell we used as a front doorbell clanged. My heart gave a pound, and my motion to get the door faltered when Jenks shouted that hed get it. A sprinkling of pixy dust drifted down in the hallway, and I wondered how long hed been eavesdropping. He worried about Ivy, too.
Thats probably Trent, I said, breath catching at the easy sound of his voice.
Ivy froze, her eyes flashing a pupil black as she looked up from under a lowered brow.
What? I asked, liking Trents voice, especially when it was soft in quiet conversation.
Exhaling, Ivy dropped her eyes. Nothing. Ive not felt that in a long while is all.
Felt what? I said defensively when she arched her eyebrows cattily. Oh, hell no, I said as I slung my shoulder bag. Im not falling for him. Its the excitement of a job. Thats it.
Uh-huh, she said, and realizing Id forgotten to put my jacket on first, I took my shoulder bag back off. And thats why you put your best perfume on?
Motions jerky, I jammed first one arm, then another into the jacket. Give me a break, Ivy, I muttered, hearing Trents voice become louder. You know how hard it is to get rid of the stink of burnt amber? I might be having dinner with the mayor.
Trent walked in with Jenks on his shoulder, and my next words caught in my throat. He was in jeans and a casual top. My eyes traveled all the way down. Tennis shoes? Or maybe something a little more casual, I said, feeling overdressed.
His smile was as informal as his clothes, and he nodded to Ivy as she pushed back from her laptop, that pencil of hers twirling around her fingers instead of tapping on the table. Ivy. Rachel, he said in turn, then glancing at his watch. You look nice. Are you ready?
Sure, I said, cursing myself as that same quiver went through me. I saw it hit Ivy, her eyes going even darker. Damn it, I wasnt going to do this. Ah, give me five minutes to change into some jeans.
His impatience was barely suppressed and I smiled, taking the show of emotion from the usually stiff man as a compliment. You look fine. Lets go. I have to be back by two.
But . . . I said, words faltering as he nodded at Ivy and turned, his steps fast as he vanished back the way hed come.
Better get moving, Jenks said, hanging in the air right where hed been sitting on Trents shoulder.
Youre not coming? I asked, and he shook his head.
Nah-h. Trent told me his plans. You dont need me.
Brow wrinkled in confusion, I turned to Ivy. See you later, I guess.
She was already bent back over her work, hiding her eyes. Take it easy out there. There havent been any more misfires, but it doesnt feel over.
It didnt feel over for me, either, and bag in hand, I followed Trent out. He was waiting for me at the top of the hall, his expression sheepish as he fell into step with me.
Did I set Ivy off? he whispered, and my eyes widened. Thats why the abrupt departure. But then I flushed. He thought he had set her off. Crap on toast, he thought he had set her offmeaning . . .
Stop it, Rachel. Um, shes fine, I said, not wanting to say no and have him guess that I had set her off, not him. You dont mind driving, do you? My car is in impound. His eyes went wide in question, and I added, Long story. Not my fault. Ill tell you in the car. He almost laughed, and I could have smacked him. So where are we going, anyway?
I told you. Bowling.
Fine. Dont tell me. He was still smiling and he lagged behind as we passed through the sanctuary, the light from the TV a dim glow as Jenkss youngest watched a wildlife documentary. Bowling. Was he serious? What kind of contacts could he make bowling?
Trents pace was graceful and smooth, his fingers trailing along the smooth finish of the pool table. It was all I had left to remind me of Kisten, and I watched Trents fingers until they slipped off the end. So what did Al say? he asked.
To leave you alone, I thought, and seeing my frown, Trent added, It was tampered with, wasnt it?
Oh! I forced a smile. No, I said as we entered the unlit foyer, pulse quickening when the scent of wine and cinnamon seemed to grow stronger in the dark. It was fine, I murmured. Al says the charm was overstimulated, not misfired. Im guessing it is the same thing that caused the rest of the misfires today. Hows your employee?
Hell be okay with minimal hospitalization. The safety measures in place saved his sight, but if it had happened anywhere else it might have . . . taken out a room. His words trailed off in thought as he reached before me to open the door. Overstimulated? That makes more sense than misfires. I had a couple more incidents come in this afternoon. Little things, but I sent Quen all the data I could find. He says the misfires are localized into a narrow band that seems to be stemming from, ah . . . Loveland?
His voice was hesitant, expression doubly so in the faint light from the sign over the door, and I nodded, glad hed figured it out and I wouldnt have to bring it up. Not many people knew that the ley line just outside the old castle was less than a year old and made by meby accident. I asked Al while I was there. We went out to look, and theres nothing wrong with my line.
Oh! His smile was oddly relieved as he pointed his fob at the car at the curb, and it started up. It was one of his sportier two-doors, and he liked his gadgets almost as much as he liked driving fast. Youre already ahead of me on this. Good. That frees up our conversation tonight. Id like to wedge something to eat into the schedule too. He hesitated, one step down. That is, if you dont have other plans.
I eyed him, not sure why the hint of pleasure in his voice. I could eat, sure. He still hadnt told me where we were really going, and I closed the door behind me. We could only lock it from the inside, but who would steal from a Tamwood vampire and Cincinnatis only day-walking demon? Scuffing down the shallow steps, I headed for Trents car, only to jerk to a halt when he unexpectedly reached before me to open the door with a grand flourish.
Were going bowling, I thought sarcastically as I got in. Right. Trent shut the door, and the solid thump of German engineering echoed down our quiet street. I watched Trent through the side mirror as he came around the back of the car, his pace fast and eager. I fidgeted as he got in, the small car putting us closer than usual. I leaned to put my bag in the tiny space behind the seat, and Trent was holding himself with a closed stiffness when I leaned back. He liked his space, and Id probably gotten too close.
My damp hair was filling the car with the scent of my shampoo, and I cracked the window. Seriously, where are we going? I asked, but his smile faltered when my phone rang from my shoulder bag. You mind? I asked as I leaned to get it, and his foot slipped off the clutch. The car jerked, and I scrambled not to drop the phone. His ears were red when I looked up, and I couldnt help my smile as I found my phone. Its Edden, I said as I looked at the screen. He might have something about my car.
Gesturing for me to go ahead, I flipped the phone open.
Edden! I said cheerfully. Whats the good news about my car?