Мишель Роуэн - Something Wicked

“Nancy’s bringing over a tray shortly from next door.” Andy also owned Hot Stuff, so one thing Triple-A never lacked was caffeine or high-caloric pastries.

“Is she bringing over some of those chocolate donuts I love?” Darrak asked.

Great , Eden thought. Way to concentrate on the problem at hand.

“I’d be surprised if she didn’t,” Andy replied. “That girl has a big old crush on you.”

“On me ?” Darrak looked pleased.

As if he didn’t already know that. The Hot Stuff assistant manager, Nancy, drooled uncontrollably whenever she was in Darrak’s presence. It was kind of pathetic.

Also, why were they discussing donuts when there were more important subjects on the table at the moment?

“I’d never normally be so crude as to say a lady’s a sure thing.” Andy walked to the glass door and peered outside at the parking lot before looking at Darrak again. “But, trust me, Nancy’s a sure thing. So if you’re interested, now’s the time to get some.” He glanced at Eden and grimaced. “I probably shouldn’t say that in front of your sister, should I? Sorry Eden.”

The day wasn’t getting any better.

“We were talking about weird things?” Eden prompted, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “What kind of weird things? Other than Nancy’s dark desires, that is.”

Andy rubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, his forehead furrowing. “I don’t know exactly how to put this, but. . our clients are strange .”

Eden tensed. “Strange how?”

“I thought I saw one of them—” Andy shook his head. “It’s just that I could have sworn I saw. . uh. .”

“What?” Her throat felt tight.

“Fur.”

“Fur?”

“Just for a moment. A split second, really. I was doing some run-of-the-mill surveillance. A guy wanted me to keep an eye on his wife at home during the workday. And she”—he spread his hands—“had fur. And then the next moment she didn’t. Like, poof .”

Oh, boy.

“That does sound kind of crazy,” Eden said cautiously. How would he react if he learned about shapeshifters and other supernatural species secretly milling about town? Would he freak out? Run away? Blame Eden for bringing this craziness into his life? Shut down the business? All of the above?

“Another client. . I could have sworn her eyes turned white right in front of me when discussing a case. Like, no pupils or irises. Just stark white.” He cleared his throat. “And they glowed a little, too. I’m crazy, aren’t I?”

“Well. .” Eden began. “Maybe you need to—”

“You’re not crazy,” Darrak interrupted. “The client’s furry wife was likely a werewolf. They’re the most common shapeshifter, after all. And glowy white eyeballs are a dead giveaway that you’re talking to a fairy who’s low on his or her power. Try not to get too close when their glamour starts to slip like that. It’s this whole moth and flame thing they do. They’ll suck some of your energy right out of you before you even know what’s happening.”

Andy’s mouth gaped open. “What did you say?”

Eden’s eyes were wide. What was Darrak doing? She was about to explain it away, and he’d just blurted out the truth like it was no big deal?

“Darrak. .” she began.

“Andy’s a part of this now,” he reasoned. “I don’t know why you insist on keeping this all a big fat secret. . sis .” He grinned. “Andy’s trustworthy enough, isn’t he?”

If looks could exorcise demons, Darrak would be bound for the Void right now.

“But — but. . werewolves and fairies don’t really exist,” Andy protested weakly.

“Of course they do,” Darrak assured him. “And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Just go with it. It’s not a big deal.”

Void bound. Decimation by eyeball, coming right up.

When did she lose control over this situation?

Andy sat down heavily behind his desk, his eyes shifting rapidly back and forth. “Oh, my God, you’re right! She’s a werewolf. Her husband is going to flip out!”

“He’s probably a werewolf, too,” Darrak said. “Shifters rarely crossbreed. They’re very particular about that sort of thing. Something about keeping their family lines pure. It’s very Harry Potter . Only werewolves instead of wizards. But wizards are real, too. FYI.”

Andy continued to gape at him for a moment, then let out a long shaky breath as Eden looked on helplessly at this train wreck of a conversation. “I’m going to throw up.”

“No, you won’t.” Then Darrak grimaced. “Or, you probably won’t. I don’t know.”

“No. . I’m — I’m fine.” Andy swallowed hard. “This is going to sound nuts, but as bizarre as what you’ve just told me is, it’s a huge weight off my mind. I thought I was going insane!”

“You’re not. Well, probably not. I’m not an expert.”

“My brain is one of my most prized assets.” Andy leaned back and pressed his palms against his temples. His chair squeaked noisily. “Without it, I don’t know what I’d do.”

“The same could be said for most humans,” Darrak agreed.

“Werewolves!” Andy exclaimed. “Here in Toronto!”

“And fairies, too,” Darrak reminded him, finally noticing the death glare Eden was sending him. “What?”

She just shook her head.

“Fairies, too.” Andy looked stunned. “How do you know these things?”

“That’s easy. Because I’m a de—”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Eden clamped her hand over Darrak’s mouth.

He grabbed her wrist and pried her hand away from his face before looking at Andy. “Because I’m very astute,” he finished. “I’ve been aware of the supernatural world that surrounds us for a very long time.”

“Unbelievable.” Andy’s face was pale. “And you, Eden? Did you know about this, too?”

“It’s a recent revelation for me,” she admitted, her voice hoarse. “Like, really recent.”

Andy smiled shakily, but it quickly faded. “Werewolves sound dangerous. Do I need a. . a gun with, um, silver bullets in it?”

“Fairies are more dangerous than werewolves, on the average.” Darrak moved out of arm’s reach of Eden. “But if they’re your clients, they came to you for help. They wouldn’t attack anyone they need.”

“That’s comforting.”

Eden tried to relax. On second thought, this was good. Andy had learned the truth — part of it anyhow — and he wasn’t running away screaming. Why had she been so worried? She couldn’t control everything. After all, denying the supernatural world didn’t make it go away.

“Are you done with the werewolf case?” she asked, feeling uncomfortable about saying the word out loud.

Andy shook his head. “I took off when I saw the fur. I have to go back and get some more pictures tomorrow. Werewolves might not be into interbreeding, but they don’t seem to have a problem with infidelity.”

The bell on the door jingled, and Nancy walked in with a tray of coffees in foam cups and a brown paper bag. She was medium height, with bleached blonde hair, bright red lipstick, and a permanent glow courtesy of her lifetime membership at the tanning salon down the street.

“Greetings, Triple-A!” she said cheerily.

“Nancy.” Andy’s voice was now weary. “Great. Wonderful. You’re a peach.”

“I have something here for you.” Nancy’s attention was on Darrak.

His eyebrows went up. “Oh, yeah?”

She nodded and reached into the bag. Eden strained to see what it was and then was sorry she did.

“Is that a. . a gigantic donut in the shape of a heart?” she asked.

“It is,” Nancy confirmed and bit her bottom lip. “I made it especially for Darrak. It has a creamy custard center.”