by Lexi Ostrow
“Dee?” Ivy’s voice rang out from behind her.
She flinched. They were still three blocks from the meeting. She couldn’t conceal where she was going, and Ivy wouldn’t let her keep quiet.
Trying to look relaxed, Deidre plastered on a smile and turned. “Ivy, fancy meeting you here.”
“I was just on my way to the meeting. Jonathon, hey.” She lifted a brow. “Everyone knows it’s meeting day – or they do if they don’t bail on Coven events.”
“I’m sorry.” Deidre glanced sideways at Jonathon. “We’ve been taking advantage of the honeymoon phase.”
Ivy smiled. “Well, I can’t blame you for that. Though if you miss another, I can’t protect your spot.”
The Crescent City Coven was the single most sought after in the world. They practiced in one of the few cities known for magical history, and one of the most tolerant. If a witch didn’t attend gatherings, even though they were optional, someone could vie for the spot.
“I know. Guilty of having a life.” Deidre’s stomach rolled at the lie. They came easy, but she hated lying.
“I’m just glad you two found one another.”
“What?” Jonathon spoke louder than Deidre did.
“Well, I noticed it almost immediately at Lita and Sam’s wedding. You two have an energy pulling you together. I just wasn’t about to push Dee before she decided it was time.”
Her jaw dropped. “You foresaw this?”
Ivy nodded, tucking a curled strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “I did. I didn’t think it was worth sharing because you like to do things on your own.”
Deidre didn’t understand. Ivy often read cards and had premonitions as a result of her traveling through time, but she never kept things quiet. “You saw Jonathon and me dating … or tied together.”
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes,” Jonathon spoke, clearly seeing the possibility Deidre thought of as well.
“Goddess, calm down you two, does it matter?”
“Humor me.” Jonathon stopped walking at the corner and turned to face Ivy. “When my future is foreseen, it would be nice to have details.”
“I saw you tied together. It was summer, like it is now, but I couldn’t tell the year. You were somewhere very white; white couch, white walls, white carpet. You were happy, probably happier than I’ve ever seen you. Certainly happier than I’ve ever seen Jonathon. You both sat on separate couch cushions, but Dee, your legs were over Jonathon’s. So, together.”
Deidre closed her eyes, barely bitting back the cry of frustration. The place was obviously Jonathon’s condo, but it didn’t enlighten them at all. Except that maybe you are attracted to him simply because you are.
Jonathon started walking again. Putting just enough distance between them to give him space to clearly be annoyed without triggering anything that would make them sick.
“Did I say something wrong?” Ivy’s brow knit together.
“No … just not what we expected.” Deidre started walking after Jonathon. “We were trying to figure out why suddenly there was this undeniable attraction between us.”
“If you ask me,” Ivy touched Deidre’s shoulder. “It’s because when you met, you were so full of grief, you couldn’t see what was in front of you.”
Jonathon turned up the courthouse steps.
“Wait a minute. Where are the two of you going, anyway?”
“Right here.” Jonathon turned on the steps. “We’ve got business at the meeting.”
“What business?” Ivy didn’t ascend the stairs. Instead, she narrowed her gaze on Deidre. If she demanded Deidre tell her, as her High Priestess, Deidre would need to come up with a lie, quickly. “It’s that cold case, isn’t it? The one Lita told me about.”
Deidre’s shoulders sagged, but she didn’t let out a sigh. “Yes, we need some information for a case.”
“Why aren’t you scheduled then?” Elijah walked up and dropped a kiss on Ivy’s cheek. “Sorry. Pack business took longer than expected.”
“Not to worry,” Ivy chimed with a sparkle in her eye. “I didn’t wait for you, anyway.”
“Obviously,” Elijah scoffed and turned his attention on Deidre and Jonathon again. “If you’re here for a case, why weren’t we informed?”
“We’re not here on police business. Not officially.” Jonathon trotted back down three steps to stand closer to them.
Ivy’s hands settled on her hips. “Are you two even really dating?”
Deidre opened her mouth, but Jonathon spoke first.
“We’re attracted to one another, which is all you need to know.”
“Excuse me?” Ivy gasped, but a smile formed. “Oh, you’re going to be good for her.” She started up the steps and stopped. “I’m going to take my husband inside before he says something he’ll regret.” Ivy extended her hand to Elijah, who grumbled something under his breath, but took it and followed his wife.
“Do you think she saw this … the hex?” Deidre whispered when they were out of earshot.
“I think she must have and misunderstood.” He ran a hand over the back of his head, sighing. “We almost did.”
Unless Ivy just saw us together, and the hex has nothing to do with why I can’t stop wondering about what kissing you would be like.
“Come on, let’s head in.”
Together, they walked up the final steps. Deidre shivered as the cold air conditioning blasted over her when she entered. “We’re done walking places.” Sweat aside, she was sick of the temperature swaps from the street to inside buildings.
Jonathon snickered and gestured for her to sit. “I’m not trying to sound like an ass –”
“But let you do the talking. I got it.”
“It’s nice to see some extra bodies here today.” The mayor’s voice drifted over from the podium in the center. “I’ve served on this Council since my first election almost a decade ago, and I don’t think we’ve ever had two people join at once when there wasn’t a catastrophe in our hands. Please note, these meetings proceed as usual, and then guests may approach.” Courtney smiled before turning to Renard. “Let us begin.”
Renard – Vampire Elect – straightened his tie as he rose. “The vampires are happy to report a drop in accidental drainings amongst the younger ones across the country. Though I take fault, many of the house heads are stepping forward with their plans for keeping the newest vampires from accidental criminal activity. A request for a victimized clan to join my own is in the works. No further news.”
Deidre swallowed and glanced at Jonathon. No sign of shock at hearing new vampires seemed to be draining victims played across his face.
Renard sat, and Angela, a djinn, stood.
“The djinn have nothing to report. Our numbers in this country remain small – with many preferring cultures where djinn are worshipped, not feared.” She sat.
On and on it went, until Elijah sat, and Courtney turned her attention back to Deidre and Jonathon. “Please, introduce yourselves.”
Jonathon did not so much as clear his throat as he stood to speak. He did not tug at the collar of his shirt or even glance her way. One thing proved predictable, he was the embodiment of calm and she couldn’t stop the slight tap of her foot against the linoleum floor.
“Thank you for allowing us to come. I am Jonathon Trevors, and this is Deidre Adams. We are here with a request for information from the Council Elects.”
Deidre glanced at Patrick, whose eyes narrowed ever so subtly across the way.
“Together, we are looking into a person, likely Supernatural, who has reason to hate the city of New Orleans. While not police business, this will tie back to cases. I’ve searched the archives and come up short.”
Every word rang out clear. He’d practiced so many times the last few days Deidre wasn’t shocked he delivered it perfectly. If he hadn’t, they might have brought death to the entire room.
“There are always those who hate where they live,” Patrick spoke and stepped from his seat
to walk through the center to stand before them. “What brings this question up?”
“That is not a concern. We are within our rights to ask questions about threats to our city.” Deidre spoke up, surprising herself and likely Patrick, who did a double-take in her direction.
“Very well, then. I will start. There is no warlock knowingly sharing upset with the city. We do monthly castings to protect our safety, and many submit to mind readings to ensure they are truthful. Though Mister Trevors could have told you that.” Patrick came awfully close to snapping at the warlock in front of him but remembered himself.
“I will answer for the humans.” Courtney sighed. “There are many who are upset. They feel infringed upon, even after all these years. Many will line up outside my office and demand recourse.”
“I do not feel we are looking for a human. These issues, if a human were behind them, they’d be suicidal.” Jonathon spoke, but Deidre agreed.
“The djinn do not harbor ill will of any kind.” Angela’s voice rang out. “We are as peaceful today as we were on the eve of our curse.”
Despite the djinn blood in the hex, this wouldn’t be a djinn. No, this was a caster or shifter, they knew as much from the simple speech their captor gave before dropping the hex on them.
“I speak for the witches. While our measures are not as severe as the warlocks, I have heard no rumblings of discontent. Yes, many wish to lift the restriction on business numbers, but I do not believe any are capable of criminal activity.”
“Are you certain?” Deidre spoke, turning to face one of her best friends.
“Does what you seek have the mark of a witch within our city?” Ivy challenged, her eyes nearly glowing as anger wrapped around her.
“The person or people we seek have the mark of magic. Period. I question you because I want to be certain our kind are not behind the rumblings Jonathon and I were privy too.”
“What rumblings?” Elijah’s growl rolled through the room.
“Ones that are not public.”
“The Council has a right to everything.” Elijah snarled, his hand slamming down onto the back of the chair in front of him.
Jonathon stepped in front of her as if protecting her from her friend. “The Council is to serve the people. I’ve been involved in an altercation that I want solved.”
Ivy’s hand snaked over Elijah’s bicep, urging her husband to sit.
Fantastic. I’ve pissed them both off simply by trying to stop a death sentence placed over the city.
“The shifters report.” Jonathon pressed, still not moving from in front of her.
Daring to risk injuring his pride, Deidre used her right hand to shift him sideways, ignoring his scowl when he glanced her way.
“As it’s been known for some months, the shifters grow tired of being hunted. Many deaths are accidental, as humans mistake them for their animal counterparts, but others feel they are targeted – both in human and animal form. This is not a new issue, but rather one I’ve sought to alleviate for years. As neither of you are shifters, it is not surprising you do not know of the guidelines we’ve enforced.”
“So those shifters ….”
Elijah crossed his arms over his chest. The action reminded Deidre just how large a man he was – both in height and form. “There are no names to report. I speak directly with alphas. You want species, take out a pen, warlock.”
Deidre couldn’t place a time when Elijah held such wrath behind his eyes.
“The eagles. The hawks. The deer. The gators. The wolves.” He leveled his glowing stare at them as he reminded them his kind was hunted, too.
So, all but the deer remain suspects. We narrowed nothing down except removing the dragons.
“Thank you, Elijah. You have our word. We have no intention to poke around where we are not wanted. Simply put, we’re keeping our ears to the wind to see what comes of what we’ve heard before making things into a panic. We’ve had quite enough of those here.” His lips twitched into a small smile.
A break of laughter echoed in the mostly empty room, and the tension that came with Elijah’s anger dissipated.
“Thank you. We appreciate the help. I’ve not had much to do since Vexx destroyed my world, but keeping my eyes and ears out makes me feel like I can help in the event of something brewing.” Deidre not planned to say the words, but they slipped out.
Jonathon’s hand wrapped around hers and gave a small squeeze. He supported her. Despite telling her it would be best if he spoke, he didn’t belittle her when she had. This isn’t just the hex. This man is more than anyone could ask for – if only he did more than live and breathe his job.
“Very well then,” The mayor spoke again. “Does anyone have other business?”
The room remained quiet.
“I hereby adjourn the August meeting of the Council of Supernaturals.” With no gavel to bang, the woman merely stepped away from the podium.
“They’re very anti-climactic, aren’t they?” She whispered to Jonathon.
He didn’t get to say anything because Ivy spoke.
“Lunch?” The fury in her sparkling eyes was gone.
“I don’t think I can. I really want to keep looking into what Jonathon and I heard the other day.” Please don’t ask questions.
“No. I think lunch would be wonderful.” Jonathon cleared his throat and offered a hand to Elijah as the werewolf walked over. “All good?”
Elijah gave a nod. “I sometimes forget that I’m not part of the force anymore. Whatever you’re doing, I’ll help how I can. I can’t give you names. I won’t send you after good people just because one person is upset. That’s not fair.”
“Let’s skip the shop talk and grab a bite at Brennan’s. I could use a tasty treat, and we’re all plenty dressed for it.” Ivy’s cheerful demeanor wasn’t forced. Ever since finding Elijah, she learned to enjoy things beyond work.
The last thing Deidre felt she could do was shelve the conversation, but Ivy would grow suspicious. If she asked questions, there was no telling how long before she or Jonathon spoke the wrong words.
“Sounds like a plan to me!” She looped her arm through Ivy’s. “You boys go on ahead. I need to make sure a certain witch isn’t terribly pissed off at me.”
Fourteen
“Your money’s no good here.” Elijah playfully smacked Jonathon’s hand away from the check.
Deidre snickered.
“I have more money than you do, wolf. I’m not paying for a family on an alpha’s salary.”
“Ouch. Pretty sure he won that round.” Ivy smirked and leaned back just a bit in the chair. “But we invited you. I’m paying.” Ivy tossed her card down on the table. “My family is the oldest. Therefore, you can’t argue with me.”
“She’s quite pleased with herself, isn’t she?” Jonathon asked Elijah.
“Oh, this is nothing. Wait till she really gets going. How have you never seen this side of her?” Elijah shook his head. “I thought she showed off this attitude to everyone.”
“Oh, she does, she’s just more fun when she’s drunk.” Deidre grinned.
Smiling felt wrong. Laughter shouldn’t have a place in her world, not under the circumstances. Yet, it had to happen. Even in the midst of danger, everyone’s lives ticked on. Each person marched closer to their end, whether predestined or a shock, they moved closer to the time when they took their final breath but still continued to live in the moment.
“Thank you,” Their waitress, who’s name Deidre couldn’t see, took the small black folder.
“I know Ivy doesn’t want to risk a confrontation, but I have to ask. What did you hear?”
The smile fell right off her face.
Neither she nor Jonathon spoke, and tension began to settle around the table. Elijah’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m not a cop, but this is still my home.”
Why can you not think of a single quick charm? Deidre’s heart thumped in her chest, threatening to leap out of her mouth if she dar
ed to open it.
“Just pissed off people making threats when they think no one is listening. Only, after the last few incidents, I prefer not to write anything off as blowing off steam.” Jonathon leaned back in the chair and stretched.
Goddess, how does he do that?
“Very well. As I said, I won’t give names, but you’ll do best to start keeping your ears open around the eagles and gators. Both species in the wild are threatened, and I can think of a half dozen accidental hunting moments in the last few years.”
Deidre closed her eyes for a moment to process. Both species could easily survive a hurricane. Eagles would struggle a bit more, but something made sense about that. If they threw off suspicions, and they knew when it would come, they could easily take shelter from the storm like all animals do.
“Thank you, really.” Deidre blew out a breath and fought off a wave of upset rising through her like a tide. “I’m so tired of thinking the worst in people, but if I do nothing with the rest of my life except make sure people are prepared for acts of terror, then it’s a win.”
Elijah nodded. “You’re doing the right thing. Even if I don’t approve of someone like you doing it.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jonathon, once again, spoke up before she could.
“Deidre is peaceful. She doesn’t have the stomach to run around playing cop.”
“Except that I am.” She stared at Elijah, noting for the hundredth time that the man was a real ass when he wanted to be. “I think it’s time we head out. Jonathon, care to come over for that movie you wanted to show me?”
“Thanks, Ivy. Sorry, but I think it’s best if we head out before any of us say something we regret.” Jonathon offered Deidre his hand.
She ignored it, not to be rude to Jonathon, but in spite of Elijah’s comment. Deidre tried to keep her calm. Elijah knew her well. If that was his opinion of her then she’d done something wrong. Or maybe she’d just changed in the last few weeks. Is that even possible?
Irritation rolled off Deidre in waves that if she’d been casting, would have thrown Jonathon into the wall as he walked beside her down the narrow hall of Brennan’s. He didn’t blame her – or Elijah. The Deidre he’d known for the past ten or so months didn’t like confrontation. She stayed in her own lanes and did her own thing. He’d just assumed her husband’s death caused that, but what if she’d always been the less adventurous of the crazy trio?
