Kevin smiled, and his hands moved quickly. He prepared a portal as Leese slipped on her shoes. A photo from the back pocket, a small vial from the front. He drew a circle on the wall next to the television. The portal shimmered into being, and on the other side, Leese’s bedroom.
Zoey shook her head in amazement.
Leese hugged Kevin, and the pair displayed some public affection. Before stepping through, Leese turned and looked at Victoria.
“You all are just checking out the guy’s apartment, right? No crazy stuff?”
“No crazy stuff.”
One last kiss. Leese took a step through the portal.
“Text me later.”
Kevin closed the portal. He took a breath as he regarded Victoria and Zoey.
“I don’t have to work. So, I’ll join you.”
Victoria noted his tone. His not having to work had nothing to do with it being Saturday. She filed the point away for later.
“I’ve never been to Philadelphia,” Zoey said.
“Shit,” Kevin said. “Me, neither.”
Victoria put a hand on her shoulder.
“We shouldn’t be long.”
Zoey stifled a yawn, eyeing up the bed behind her.
“Let me know what’s going on. I’m curious, now,” she said. “But I need some sleep.”
Victoria turned to leave, crossing the basement. Kevin followed closely.
“Good day, Zoey. I’ll see you later.”
They went upstairs. Victoria heard Zoey settling in behind them, removing her clothes, climbing into bed.
“Okay, so,” Kevin said. “What are we doing?”
“The first thing you are doing is taking a shower. Get cleaned up. Do you have something nice to wear?”
“Uh, I have a suit?”
“A little too much. Just a shirt and tie will do.”
Victoria turned toward the stairs, to retrieve her flats from the bedroom. Kevin didn’t follow, instead moving toward the kitchen. Curious, she trailed behind him.
“Ah,” he said, approaching the plastic container. “I think it’s done.”
She stood in the doorway as Kevin held up his coat. His boyish smile was contagious, and she found herself laughing at his enthusiasm.
The coat was completely dry. The magical soaking bath was gone. Only a single feather was left behind.
Kevin spoke to the coat.
“Better than ever,” he said. “I knew it wasn’t your time yet.”
“So,” Victoria said, gesturing to the gift. “What’s the deal?”
He slipped it on and adjusted his shoulders.
“I’m not using this to store magic anymore. Maybe just a few portals, but that’s all.”
“Oh? Then what’s with the weird bath?”
Kevin walked to a drawer next to the sink and pulled out a knife. Holding the bottom of the coat in front of him, he ran the blade through the fabric. As soon as he withdrew the blade, the fabric knitted, pulled itself together.
“Impressive.”
“It’s also fireproof,” he said, beaming with pride. “And a few other cool things.”
Victoria took stock of her kitchen. It was still a mess from the night before. The safe, where Kevin kept some of his more unusual ingredients, was open. Various spices littered the counter.
“Do you think maybe you’re obsessing about this too much? About magic? You know, it’s okay for a saltshaker to just be a saltshaker.”
His demeanor changed.
“How … can you say that? After everything we’ve been though? And not just us, but Leese? Cindy? Sometimes, I don’t think I obsess about it enough.”
“Okay. Sorry I brought it up. Now, go take a shower.”
“Do I smell that bad? Or is it the coat?”
“The coat is fine. And I’m sure Leese thinks you smell like a Greek god, but this old nose is telling me you need a shower. Use the one up in my room.”
“It’s okay,” he said, pulling a photo from his pocket. “I’ll head home real fast. I have to get my clothes, anyway.”
She smiled.
“Kevin, I have no desire to see you naked.”
“I know, I know. But all that time I spent at Martha’s, there’s just something about your own stuff, you know?”
“Yes, I do.”
*****
Thirty minutes later, the portal opened on Victoria’s kitchen wall. She sat at the table with her legs crossed, a glass of blood in one hand, a tablet in the other. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Kevin.
The witch looked good.
Black slacks, a white shirt and tie. He even had a pair of dress shoes. The coat completed the look. He wouldn’t seem out of place in a boardroom.
“Wow,” she said. “You clean up nice.”
“Shut up,” he joked.
“I haven’t seen you dressed up since high school.”
“I feel like an idiot.”
“Well, you look amazing. And in this day and age, we all know how you look is all that truly matters.”
He laughed at the joke. He hooked his thumbs in his pockets and held out his coat, looking down at himself.
“Now, why am I dressed like a salesman again?”
She reached for a picture she’d printed and held it up.
“We need to go here.”
Kevin took it and looked it over.
“Is this Tavers’ place?”
“Yes. That’s his office building.”
“Do you have any photos of inside? Like his actual floor, or whatever?”
“No.”
“This won’t work. I mean, there are walls here. But … it’s outside. If I make a portal, and a guy is strolling past with his dog, that won’t be good.” Inspiration struck as the corner of his mouth lifted. “Come with me.”
Victoria hid a laugh. The tie must have added to his confidence. Kevin was capable of leading, but seldom chose to. He preferred to be a soldier, not a general, and always deferred to the elder supernatural beings in the inner circle. It was nice to see him taking charge for a change.
“And where exactly are we going?”
“Downstairs.”
They took care to be quiet as they descended. The lights were out, and Kevin stumbled once. Victoria caught him and held his hand, guiding him. She didn’t need to see in the dark. She was so familiar with the layout of the basement, light wasn’t necessary.
Zoey slept soundly in bed. It looked like a car had hit her. Sheets were scattered everywhere. Her pillow was already on the floor. A leg stuck out at an odd angle, an arm hung over the side. Victoria took a moment and gently covered her with a sheet.
Kevin was already at the computer, waking it from sleep. He’d found what he was looking for by the time Victoria put a hand on his shoulder.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
He printed another photo.
“I Googled the address. Google isn’t that hard to use.”
She laughed.
“So I’ve heard.”
“Anyway,” he said, holding up the picture. “This here is like two blocks away. Much safer to use.”
She examined the photo, taken from what looked like an alley. It had a view of the city street, with steam rising from a street grate.
“I will trust in your judgment.”
Smiling, he moved to the wall, and hesitated.
“You ready?”
“Certainly.”
They stepped through the portal, into the alleyway beyond. Kevin quickly closed it behind them. He took a step forward, out of the shadows, toward the street, but Victoria didn’t follow.
“Victoria?” he said. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Just … give me a second.”
With all the practice Kevin had, he sometimes forgot that traveling via magical portal was always jarring, even to someone as old as Victoria.
The quiet comfort of her basement was gone. Zoey was now a state away. The morning sun was overhead, and her skin instantly fe
lt hot. She placed a palm on the brick wall next to her, to get her bearings. That brick only a moment ago was drywall.
The sounds and scents of the city assaulted her, like she had just stepped into a nightclub or restaurant. Conversations, traffic, people living their lives. It took a moment to focus.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Kevin waited patiently, concern in his eyes. Victoria smiled, touched at his sweetness. She squeezed his shoulder and forged ahead.
“Philadelphia,” Victoria said, with a sweeping gesture. “I haven’t been here in a long time.”
“Is it like they say? Are the cheese steaks really crazy here?”
“How would I know? Next time you go on a date, you should bring Leese here.”
“We did go to Athens once.”
She laughed.
“Then Philadelphia should be nothing.”
The pair walked in silence, with Kevin absorbing the surrounding scenery. She stopped a moment to poke at her phone, check the nearby street markers, to make sure they were going the right way.
“We’re okay,” she said. “One more block over.”
“Why are we dressed like this?”
“So we can get inside.”
“Why didn’t we just come at night? Sneak into the place?”
“We could have. But I’d rather not deal with alarms and security.”
They rounded the corner ahead and approached Michael Tavers’ office building. The parking lot was full, surprising Kevin.
“People are working today? That sucks.”
“My contacts tell me Tavers was very hard working. Treated his employees very well.”
“What happens to this place? I mean, he’s not around to run it anymore.”
“That depends on his will, his family situation.”
“Family situation.” He laughed, but it was more sarcastic than joyful. “I don’t think childhood demons count as family.”
“What?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
“Speaking of working, why aren’t you?”
“Why am I not working? It’s Saturday.”
“Yes, it is. Now, why are you really not working?”
He stopped in the middle of the lot, next to a pickup truck. Victoria turned to face him, a small smile on her face. Kevin was embarrassed for a moment, then took a breath. He walked to catch up, and they resumed their pace.
“It turns out you can’t take months off from your job, even if your girlfriend was kidnapped, and still be employed.”
“You got fired?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you go to Jack?”
“Hell, no. I’m sure he’s the one who said to fire me.”
“What’s the plan, then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll start my own business, like Alex? I can sell potions.”
She cast him a sideways glance. He watched for it, laughing when it came.
“Just kidding.”
They approached the front door. Victoria stopped, turning Kevin to face her. She straightened his tie, smoothed out his coat. Giving him a look from head to toe, she caught him completely by surprise when she snapped a photo with her phone.
“Hey!” he said. “What are you doing?”
“I just want to document this. For Leese. She’d never believe it. So yummy,” she teased.
“Stop,” he said, nodding toward the building. “What are we doing in here?”
“Just leave everything to me.”
Victoria pushed opened the glass door. The cold air in the lobby greeted her, bringing a chill to her legs. A young woman sat behind a desk not far away. She typed with fervor, looking up only briefly at their arrival.
Victoria didn’t move to the desk right away. She wandered with her hands clasped behind her, pretending to admire the layout of the lobby. She stopped to stare at a painting on the wall, then a model ship encased in glass. There wasn’t much to the lobby otherwise, just one door leading deeper into the building, an elevator and stairs, and some restrooms.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist finally called.
She flashed her brightest smile. Kevin did the same, staying near her side.
“Hi. I’m Mr. Tavers’ eight-a-m.”
“You have an appointment with Mr. Tavers?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, but he doesn’t make appointments on Saturday.”
“He did with me.”
“Uh, no. That’s impossible.”
Part of Victoria’s plan included pretending to be annoyed. It turned out acting wasn’t necessary. The receptionist—her desk plaque identifying her as Tonya—annoyed Victoria without trying. With her arrogance, smugness.
“Why don’t you try checking that little computer sitting in front of you?”
Tonya huffed, and her fingers flew.
“You must have made a mistake,” she said. “Mr. Tavers, he wouldn’t … ”
She trailed off as her expression changed. Panic took hold as her cheeks turned red.
“Uh, I’m so sorry. He does … I’m sorry. You’re Victoria … Smith?”
“I am. Would you mind calling him? Let him know we’re here?”
Tonya floundered for words.
“I … uh, would you mind if I made a phone call really quick?”
Victoria flashed a mock look of confusion.
“Certainly, especially since I just asked you to.”
She left the desk, giving Tonya privacy. Kevin stayed at her side, leaning in to whisper.
“Smith? Is that really your last name?”
Victoria smiled.
“How did you get an—?”
“Shhh.”
She focused her ears. Being in the same room, with no distractions, she could hear both sides of the conversation. Tonya spoke with another woman.
“An appointment? Today? Are you kidding?”
“No! They’re right here waiting for him now. What do you want me to do?”
“Just … hold on. I’ll be right down.”
Tonya hung up. She made no effort to talk to Victoria, tell her someone was coming. She was content to hide behind her monitor.
The elevator door opened. Out came a woman, mid-thirties. It was casual day at the office on Saturday. She wore jeans, a Philadelphia Eagles tee-shirt, flip-flops. Her dark hair was pulled in a ponytail. She flashed a smile, trying to exude friendliness and confidence.
“Hi!” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Jamie. I’m Mr. Tavers’ personal assistant.”
Victoria returned the warmth, shaking her hand.
“Hi, Jamie. I’m Victoria, this is my partner, Kevin. We really appreciate Michael fitting us in on a Saturday. I know he’s a busy man.”
“Yeah, he definitely is. I know this is terrible. I’m so sorry, but something very important came up for Michael. I’m afraid he’s not here.”
“Not here? That can’t be. We just talked on the phone last night.”
Jamie’s eyes lit up, and she forgot herself for a moment.
“You did? You talked to Michael? What did he say?”
“It was a private conversation, Jamie. Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. I don’t want this trip to be a waste of your time. Would you want to talk in my office a moment?”
“Sure.”
They joined Jamie on the elevator. Victoria filed information away. There were no cameras, six floors and a basement. The sixth floor wasn’t locked at all, no special key to get there. The ride was quiet, with Jamie only flashing Victoria and Kevin an awkward smile. The door opened, revealing the fifth floor. Employees worked in various offices and cubicles. A man pushed a cleaning cart down the aisles, picking up garbage. Various sets of eyes took in the supernatural pair.
Jamie led them to her office, closing the door behind her. The room was spotless. Only a picture of a dog gave a hint as to any personal life. There was a refrigerator in the corner, which she opened.
“
Would either of you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
Kevin reached out.
“I’ll take a water, thanks.”
Victoria flashed him a look, amused.
Jamie’s pleasant, friendly demeanor changed as she peered out through a window, searching the office floor for prying eyes.
“Listen,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t be saying this. I could get in a lot of trouble. But we don’t know where Michael is.”
“You don’t know?”
“No. No one’s seen him for weeks.”
“But I spoke to him. We have a meeting scheduled, for right now.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But, is he okay? Do you know where he is?”
Victoria glanced over at Kevin, who was in the middle of a drink.
“Hmm. Interesting.”
He nearly choked at being addressed. He quickly put the bottle down.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, it is.”
“Maybe we should pull out?”
He brought a hand to his chin, deep in fake thought.
“Maybe. Pulling out might be best.”
“Victoria?” Jamie said, confused. She took a seat across from them.
“Okay, now I shouldn’t be the one telling you this. We talked last night about a potential sale of the company. To me.”
Jamie’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping.
“What?!”
“And now, he’s suddenly gone. Either you are toying with me, or he is.”
“I don’t know what you—”
“True. You don’t know. So much effort went into setting up this meeting.” That wasn’t a lie. “I guess it’s good to find out, now, that I’m wasting my time. We’ll show ourselves out.”
Victoria stood and left the office, leaving Jamie behind her desk. Kevin awkwardly jumped to his feet and followed.
“Uh,” he said behind her. “Thanks for the water.”
She tried not to laugh.
They crossed the floor and headed toward the elevator. She heard the whispered gossip around them, talking about her looks, her identity, her motivation. Without a word, she stepped into the elevator. Kevin joined her, and she waited for the doors to close.
She pressed the button for the sixth floor.
“Damn, Victoria,” Kevin said. “What was all that about?”
“Just checking the place out. The people he hires, cameras, layout. And to get into this elevator alone.”
Damned and Cursed | Book 10 | Fallen Skye Page 7
