H Mallory - To Kill A Warlock

Sam's smile beamed wider. “Actually, you both have to drink it… if you want it to work right. Besides, don’t both of you want to be able to track the thing?”

I couldn't argue. Sam opened my cupboard and produced two juice glasses. There wasn't that much potion in the stone bowl, so we'd each just have a gulp, probably. Okay, I could handle that. Disgusting, yes, but doable all the same.

Sam ladled out two equal portions and placed the glasses before us. Then she turned to Trey, who was still riveted by Nosferatu. “Trey, I need you now.”

He nodded, his attention still stuck on the screen, even as he made his way toward us. “What do I do?” he asked.

Sam took his arm and positioned him between Knight and me. She stood next to Knight so we were all surrounding the kitchen table like the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. Only our gifts weren't gold, frankincense and myrrh, but nasty creature juice. Just then, the phone rang. “Should I get it?” I asked Sam, not wanting to appear rude. “Yeah, go ahead.” Wondering who the hell could be calling me at this hour, I lifted the phone. “Hello?” “You have some nerve coming here and asking for my help and then nearly blowing the whole goddamned thing!” Dagan roared. I gulped down an acid response. “I already got an earful.” I glanced at Knight-I'd gotten a lot more than an earful. “You're lucky I don't come down there and show you what I really think of you.” “Is that a threat?” I asked, my temper thinning. Threatening a Regulator was not a good idea, even if I had royally screwed up.

“No, it'll be a promise if you ever embarrass me like that again. Luckily for you, I was able to convince my guest that you were just a silly, jealous idiot and not some incompetent cop.”

I frowned. “Is that all you have to say?”

“Don't show your face around here for a while. I won't be held responsible for my actions if you do.”

Yeah, I'd say that was a threat. “Speaking of being responsible, Dagan, why the hell did you let her drink your blood? And don't even start by telling me you don't know what a demon's blood will do to whoever drinks it.”

He chuckled, long and hard. “There aren't any laws against me sharing my blood.”

No, there weren't. He did it purely to make my job harder. “You asshole,” I seethed. I slammed the phone down before he had the chance and turned to face the others, who regarded me with undisguised curiosity. I shrugged. “Dagan's just pissed off with me, that's all.”

Sam nodded, like it wasn't news and motioned for me to resume my place with a cock of her head. “Okay, now Knight, er Todd…” she glanced at Knight sheepishly.

“It's okay,” he said.

Trey didn't even notice.

“Okay,” Sam started up again. “You and Dulcie need to drink the potion and then grab the hand of the person next to you as quickly as you can. Trey, you and I need to focus on containing them.”

“What?” I asked, stiffening. “Containing us?”

“That's why we need four people. Well, really, we could've used more but four will do. When you take a creature into yourself, you adopt some of its mannerisms, and if it's a violent beast, then the same can be said for you.”

I dropped her hand. “You mean to tell me that Knight might end up having some of the creature's…tendencies in him?”

Sam nodded, a nervous smile on her lips.

I sighed. “So, we might have a six foot four monster on our hands? Built like that?” I said, pointing at his chest. He just grinned. Bastard.

“Well, you might have a bad reaction, too,” Sam said.

I shook my head, not concerned about myself-I’d be more like trying to contain an enraged mosquito; it was the potential Frankenstein in the corner that worried me. “Maybe this isn't such a good idea.” “It's the only chance we have,” Knight interrupted. “I can control myself, and I can control you.” I frowned at that less than humble announcement and took Sam's hand again. “For Sam and Trey's sakes, you’d better be right.” Knight disregarded me and faced Sam. “How long will this spell last?”

Sam was silent as she considered the question. “Well, if the creature does rub off on you, in terms of habits, those usually last maybe a day or so. As far as being able to track the creature, you'll probably have about two weeks.”

“That should be plenty of time,” Knight said. He picked up his glass of nasty libation and regarded me with a smile. I grasped mine and watched Sam take Trey's hand, hesitation in her eyes. Trey was eyeing the wretched juice as if he wanted some.

“Cheers!” Knight said and downed his. I was quick to follow. Then I plastered my hand into Sam's and Trey's. At first nothing happened. But then, I thought I was going to explode.

Searing pain shot through me, like someone was shredding my insides. Unable to continue standing up, I started to collapse to the floor but Sam and Trey fought to keep me upright. My blurry eyes found Knight's face. His eyes were shut tight against the pain as he leaned against the wall.

I wailed out against the agony as tears streamed down my face. Trying to tear my hands from Trey and Sam's tight grasp was next to impossible and finally, when I knew I couldn't handle anymore, it stopped.

I caved into the floor as soon as Trey and Sam released me.

Sam hovered over me, her expression pinched. “Well, now we know who can hold their potions.”

I looked at Knight who seemed to regard me with amusement-a raised brow and broad grin. There didn't seem to be any sign of the creature in him. Just the same cocky bastard he always was. As for me, I couldn't say I felt any creature stirring within me either. “Why didn't you tell me it would feel like that?” I demanded. Sam held out her hand and helped me to my feet. “Because you never would have agreed to take it.” I frowned. “So, how does this spell work anyway? I don't feel any different.” Sam shook her head. “You and Knight need to focus on wanting to track the creature. You have to awaken the spell for it to work.” “So, what will we see?” I insisted. Sam smirked. “Why don't you try it?” “Okay, what do we do?”

“It helps if you’re close together. Now focus on one another's eyes. Then inside your mind, call to the creature, make it to show you where it is.”

Knight stood before me, a slight smile playing with his lips. I faced him and gazed into his eyes, trying to call the creature, but the only image in my mind was how hard Knight had been when laying on me in the woods. I closed my eyes, hoping the darkness of my eyelids would dispatch memories of Knight and his erection.

Luckily, I saw the creature. And it wasn't the redhead at all. It was hideous in its natural state-oafish and bulky with red body hair that covered its entirety. Its face was flat, two huge, yellow and round eyes peered from its head. It didn't appear to have a nose, but its mouth was full of teeth that looked like they belonged to a tiger shark. It was hunched over, its back making a perfect half circle. It dug its teeth into the carcass of what looked like a rodent, macerating the small animal in the same way it must have done to Fabian, Tad and Guy. I was suddenly ill.

Victoria's Secret catwalk? Ha, not on your life.

“Where is it, Dulce?” Knight whispered.

I pulled my attention from the creature and noticed its surroundings. High ceilings and broken windows, cement floors with puddles of Hades only knew what. The whole place was dark and drafty. “The abandoned warehouse on Magnolia,” I whispered, opening my eyes. “Let’s go after it.”

I started for the door, but Knight grabbed my arms, chuckling as he did so.

“It will be morning soon, Dulce, and shapeshifters are like vampires-they don't operate in the day. Its master isn't going to call it tonight. From here on out, we track it every evening.”