H Mallory - To Kill A Warlock

Trey just nodded, but it was a nod that said he probably wouldn’t. That was one of the things I didn’t get about men-the whole machismo thing-that if Trey told Quillan he was scared, he’d look like a wuss.

“Why don’t you tell me about it?” I started.

Trey exhaled. “Here goes. I was eating dinner tonight, and it hit me out of nowhere. I saw Fabian in his store. It was late, and he was there by himself. Then I remember seeing him trying to get away from something. I got the impression that whatever it was, it was female. And there was someone else in the background. He was dressed all in black and had his head down so I couldn’t see his face. But he was there, watching the whole thing.”

“Okay, you think the creature is female. That’s good to know. Did you catch anything about the size of it or what it looked like?”

He shook his head. “No, nothing. I might’ve been seeing the situation through the creature’s eyes. I could see everything about…Fabian.”

Trey shivered and dropped his attention to his fidgeting hands. “I can’t be alone, Dulce. Not after seeing that.”

“You can stay here tonight. I’ve got Sam’s protection spell on the place, and Quillan dropped off two gremlins earlier this evening so I’m about as safe as can be.” I laughed, trying to lighten Trey’s mood, but he barely managed a half smile. I’d never seen him like this, and it freaked me out. Usually he was the annoying sidekick-the perpetual thorn in my side. I wasn’t prepared for a role change.

“Thanks, Dulce.”

“You know you have to tell Quillan tomorrow?” I asked. “I’m off the case, remember?”

How I was going to get this information to Knight was another question. I’d given him my phone number, but I didn’t have his. I’d have to wait until he called me or showed up in my dreams again. Hopefully I’d get the call.

“Yeah, I’ll tell him tomorrow.”

I stood up and started for the hall closet, pulling two blue blankets from the top shelf and tossed them to Trey. “I’m going to get some shuteye. It’s been a long day,” I said. A sad smile twisted his lips. “Yeah, me too.” “Help yourself to anything-there’s some left over Chinese and juice and beers in the fridge.” Trey threw me a half-hearted smile. “Thanks, Dulce. This means a lot to me. I owe you one.” “No worries,” I said and started for my bedroom. “Night, Trey.”

###

I woke up to the sound of the shower running. Trey had literally made himself at home. Not that it bothered me. I sat up and sighed, pushing my feet into my dog slippers. I plodded into the living room and noticed Trey had folded the blankets neatly in a corner of the couch.

I started for the kitchen to put the coffee on. The shower stopped and moments later, Trey walked into the kitchen wearing his clothes from last night. “What’s for breakfast?” he asked and I suddenly had the very strange image of waking up to him every morning. Egad. “Just the leftover Chinese food. Want some coffee?” “No, no coffee, but do you mind if I help myself to the Chinese?” I shook my head and handed him a fork. “Go for it. Are you driving to Headquarters now?”

“Yeah,” he said as he pulled a box of Chinese from the fridge. He started in on the cold, fried rice right away, not even pausing to take a seat. The dude was serious about eating.

“Do you need to stay here tonight?” I asked, trying to sound…friendly. It wasn’t that I’m a bitch or anything. I’m just not really used to having company. Maybe I’m a little on the anti-social side. But, considering Trey’s current state, he needed a friend. He shook his head. “No, I think I’ll be alright. I’ve got to get over it anyway-it’s not like I’m going to move in with you.” He actually looked hopeful. “Exactly. Will you do me a favor, and talk to Sam, she’ll put a protection spell on your place.” “Yep, I’ll do that,” he said. “I’ll call you tonight to see how you are.” “What are you up to today?” he asked.

My thoughts returned to his question and my face flushed. Sam was meeting me in about an hour to go to my ear augmentation consultation. Not like I wanted to admit that to Trey anytime soon. “Oh, Sam and I are meeting for lunch.” It was sort of the truth, we were planning on getting lunch-afterwards.

Trey finished his rice, threw the container in the trash, and then faced me with a big grin. He started for the door, looking one hundred times better than he had last night. “Well, I guess I better get to work. Thanks, Dulce.”

“Sure, Trey, I’ll see you later.”

###

Thirty minutes later, Sam and I were sitting in the waiting room of Dr. Goodman’s. I hadn’t been able to shake my intense feelings of anxiety, guilt and excitement-anxiety because I was eager to hear what the doctor would say; guilt because it was like I was failing some part of me just by considering this; and excitement because I’ve always hated my ears. Now, they all warred with each other until I felt nauseous. “Trey came to my place last night,” I whispered. Sam dropped the magazine she’d been reading back on the side table. “What for?” she asked and wiggled her eyebrows. “I didn’t think he was your type.” An image of his shiny forehead sweating bullets littered my mind. “Come on, Sam. You don’t think I slept with Trey, do you?” She started to laugh. “No, I guess that would be totally weird.” “I haven’t had a date in a while, but I’m not desperate.” “Okay, point taken. Why did he come over?” “He saw a vision of Fabian’s murder.” Her eyes went wide. “Did he see who did it?”

“No, not exactly. Just that the creature was female. He was super freaked out, though, and stayed the night. I’m worried about him.”

And honestly, as much as he annoyed me, I was worried. If what Trey said about the creature sensing him was true, he could be in serious trouble. I faced Sam again. “Can you put a protection spell on his place?” “Yeah, sure. Why was he so scared?” “He was worried the thing might come after him.” “Do you think it will?” “I don’t know.”

She was silent as she considered it. “You know Quillan is going to be pissed off if he finds out you’re still working on this case?”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why he isn’t going to find out.” I considered telling her about Knight. Part of me knew I shouldn’t-that it was top secret, but the other part of me wanted to gab. That part won.

“You’re never going to believe this, Sam, but…”

“Dulcie O’Neil?” the receptionist interrupted and gave me an expression that said I’d better hurry.

I guess Dr. Goodman didn’t like waiting for his patients. Wasn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? I stood up and started forward, Sam behind me. The receptionist led us to the first room down the hall and told us to take a seat. She closed the door behind us, and we were alone again.

“What won’t I believe?” Sam started, her eyes sparkling.

“Some detective from the Netherworld was sent over here to find out about Fabian’s murder. He said that someone summoned the creature from the Netherworld.” Sam’s eyes went wider. “That’s an automatic death sentence for whoever called it.” “I know. Anyway, this detective said he had orders from the Relations office to work with me.” “Wow, Quillan is going to be uber pissed. Or does he already know? Is that why you’re off the case now?”

“No, Quillan doesn’t know. The order to put me under protection came from the Relations Office. Quillan had nothing to do with it. No one is supposed to know I’m working with the Relations team on the case.”

Sam crossed her arms against her chest. “My lips are sealed. You know me.”