The Hex Files - Wicked All The Way

by Gina LaManna

  Only then, once we were alone and enclosed in a private clearing, did he loosen the rest of the way. He pulled me into his arms, his chest strong as stone, his arms sturdy as steel. But his lips, when they touched mine, were soft as clouds.

  Our tongues met in a clash of pent up desire and desperate want. His hands pulled through my hair, dragged off my leather jacket. My fingers fumbled with his shirt as we struggled to get closer, closer, to disappear into one another.

  Then my legs were wrapping around his waist, my arms clutching at his neck as we moved in a tangle of limbs, stumbling backward as we twisted and moved together. My back hit the trunk of a tree, shielded by Matthew’s hand as he balanced me there.

  “I guess you missed me, huh?” I asked. “It’s been a while.”

  Matthew groaned. “You can’t even imagine.”

  His hands reached for my pants. I held back, gave him a coy smile. “Don’t you have to take a girl out to dinner before you do this?”

  Matthew grinned back, his fangs descending, gnashing in a thoroughly appealing way as I remembered the feel of them on my neck. “How can you be thinking about food at a time like this?”

  “I’m just saying—”

  Matthew closed off my complaints with another kiss. And this time, I didn’t think about food. Or the case. Or anything at all, except that when I was with Matthew King—all was right in the world.

  Chapter 4

  I woke in Matthew’s bed, sighing in a mixture of bliss and soreness.

  “I’m not twenty-two anymore,” I said. “I can’t do those acrobatics anymore. Do I have a scratch on my back?”

  “That would be the tree trunk,” Matthew said, rolling me over to examine my bare skin. “Sorry about that. I’ll get you some Aloe Ale. I guess... I was a little out of control.”

  “No need to apologize. Really, the pleasure was all mine.”

  “I hope so.” Matthew grinned, pressed a kiss to the sensitive part of my neck. “Though I have no complaints. You know, the Ale will work better if we shower first...”

  I groaned. “Really? Again?”

  “It’s been a while.”

  “Yeah, but it was a long night,” I said. “And we have a case today.”

  “Autopsy won’t be done for a bit, meeting’s not until nine.”

  “You did that on purpose.”

  Matthew picked up my naked body, cradled me closely against him in a way that had me heating up from the inside out. “Indeed. And I’d hate to waste my hard work and preparation. Shall we?”

  “We shall,” I said, a laugh bubbling up inside. “You sneaky bastard.”

  And we did. An hour later, freshly showered, dabbed up with Aloe Ale, and practically floating from all the endorphins I’d racked up, Matthew and I made our way up the precinct steps where the cement was still cracked from Matthew’s previous stomping.

  Matthew and I went separate ways as we entered the building. I went to find the sludge machine that dispensed our coffee while Matthew headed upstairs at the chief’s insistence.

  I slipped into the kitchen and pulled out a mug that said World’s Best Grandad on it. I headed over to the coffee pot and waited behind a mousy-haired female in a patrol uniform who I’d never seen before. After a few minutes, I peeked my head around, wondering what was taking so long.

  “Sorry, dammit, this stupid machine.” The woman—or girl, rather—jammed the filter into the pot. “This thing isn’t working right! And I can’t find any filters.”

  “It breaks all the time,” I said. “And if we run out of filters, we just use toilet paper.”

  The officer turned, her cheeks blushing pink as she stared at me. “Are you joking? Er—sir. Detective DeMarco, sorry. I didn’t realize it was you in here. I, um, sorry about the language.”

  “It’s not your fault, it’s the coffee pot’s fault,” I said, stepping around to take a better look. “What’s your name?”

  “Lexus.” She blinked, shook her head nervously. “I mean, Officer Lexus. I mean, Marguerite Lexus Primrose.”

  “That’s a mouthful.”

  “My friends call me Lexus,” she said apologetically. “I hate my first name. And my last name sounds... I dunno. Fluffy.”

  “Lexus, huh?”

  “My parents are obsessed with human machinery.” Lexus squinted. “Especially cars. They, um, study it. I guess they were into Lexuses—Lexi?—when I was born. My mom vetoed it being my first name, but my dad snuck it into the middle. I’m not actually sure what would be worse.”

  “Sorry to hear that.”

  “Me too,” she said with a snort. “Oh, look at that. You got the coffee to work. What did I do wrong?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said, jiggling the pot so the liquid ended up inside. “I just pressed start.”

  “I tried that, but there’s this sort of sludgy mess that comes out, and...” Officer Primrose stopped when I turned to look at her, her cheeks pinkening further. “Oh, oh. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”

  “You don’t come in here much, do you?” I yanked the pot out and began pouring myself a cup of the bitter smelling liquid. “The coffee’s been like this for decades.”

  “Ah, no,” she said. “I usually bring my coffee from home, but I was a little rushed this morning, and... forget it. I’m an idiot.”

  “Nah,” I said, unable to keep from thinking the girl had come from money. Her parents had named her Marguerite Lexus for crying out loud. She thought the coffee pot was broken because it wasn’t primo caffeine. I gave her two weeks before she dropped out of the job. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. We’ve just let our palates adjust. Or burned off our tastes buds so we can’t tell the difference.”

  I watched as Officer Primrose valiantly reached for a cup that said BOSS across the front. Gently, I reached out and took it from her. She glanced up, concern on her face.

  “That’s the chief’s,” I said. “Don’t want to use his mug.”

  “Oh.” She slapped her forehead. “I can’t believe I’ve lasted a week in the department. I’m the worst.”

  “You are not the worst,” I said. “You’re learning the ropes. Where are you headed this morning?”

  Primrose gratefully accepted a mug with a unicorn on the front that said something about magic, then poured herself her own cup. “I’ve got a meeting. Look, thanks, Detective. I’ve studied your work, and suffice to say: Wow. The amount of cases you’ve closed, along with Captain King...” She paused to shake her head in what appeared to be genuine awe. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

  “They’re teaching that stuff in school these days?” I wrinkled my nose. “When did I get old enough to become a historical figure?”

  “I didn’t mean that! I just—I’m fascinated by your Reserve skills, and... I’m going to shut up.”

  “I’m running late for a meeting, so...” I hesitated, gave her a quick nod. “Good luck with everything, Primrose.”

  The girl spluttered some semblance of thanks. I was already on my way down the hall before I heard footsteps behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I found Officer Primrose scurrying a few steps behind, her eyebrows squinted in concentration as she scanned the passing room numbers.

  “You lost?” I asked, when I’d made a few turns and it was clear she was following me. “I can give you directions.”

  “Is it that obvious?” She squinted down where she’d jotted notes on the inside of her hand. “I’m looking for Captain King’s meeting in the—”

  “Really?” I paused. “That’s a detective meeting.”

  She flashed her hand around to show me the writing. “It’s part of a training program for some of us. We’re sitting in on a briefing.”

  I waved for her to follow me. “Sit near the back if you don’t want to look like a suck up.”

  “I don’t want to look like a suck up,” she repeated. “But I’m afraid I might be one. If I’m really a suck up, should I sit...”

  I pushed the door open and held
an arm out. “Sit wherever you like.”

  I took my customary spot near the very back. The room had mostly filled up already, the tables and chairs taken by familiar faces—most of them in plainclothes, a few of the officers helping on our cases wearing their uniforms. Cups of coffee sat before most of the filled seats, steam curling up, the smell of caffeine both tantalizing and somewhat sickening.

  Officer Primrose kept right on following me to the back of the room where I plopped down in a seat just as Matthew began speaking. Thankfully, he cut off whatever Marguerite Lexus Primrose had been about to say to me.

  She was nice and all, but I’d fulfilled my daily quota of small talk with her in a matter of five minutes. I was plum out of words for the next few hours unless they were related to Mason White’s murder.

  “You may notice a few new faces here today,” Captain King said to the room which, now that he mentioned it, did appear to be more crowded than usual. “They’re some of our finest new recruits. These officers all received exemplary scores on their classwork and have expressed interest in pursuing career paths as detectives.”

  I side-eyed Marguerite Lexus Primrose and found her practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. It was a wonder she didn’t explode to her feet with waves and bright eyes, introducing herself to anyone who’d listen.

  “It’ll be a two-week assignment,” Matthew continued. “We’ll be matching up one detective with one officer. The officer will assist on all active cases—duties will include, but are not limited to, accompanying the primary to crime scenes, interviews, and of course, paperwork.”

  A few nervous laughs came from the crowd. Most of it from the newbies. The old dogs—myself included—were internally groaning. Just what I needed, I thought with another glance at the starry-eyed officer next to me.

  When I turned back to the front of the room, I caught the gaze of Marcus Prey—a detective I’d clashed with in the past—and we both rolled our eyes. I knew exactly what he was thinking because I was thinking it too. My name better not be called.

  “Lewis, you’ll be paired with Officer Stem,” Matthew called. “Stem—where are you? Wave a hand so Lewis can see.”

  A small kid with bright orange hair waved a hand so enthusiastically that I hid a snicker as Lewis shrunk in his seat, his eyes conveying the same dissatisfaction I’d feel if it were my name the captain had read aloud.

  I tuned out as Matthew continued roll call. There was no way I’d be paired with someone. I was a Reserve—not even a regular detective. Plus, I was working what would soon become a high-profile case, and Matthew had to know that I didn’t have time to train and work it, and still wrap it up in a timely manner. There was no way—

  “DeMarco,” Matthew barked, then clarified when my gaze met Nash’s. “Detective DeMarco, you’ll be paired with Officer Primrose.”

  I closed my eyes as a squeal next to me sounded shrill against my ears. There was a muted clapping of hands, but by the time I opened my eyes, Lexus had stopped the clapping to do a wave to the room—as if I didn’t know who she was.

  “Got it,” I mumbled, distinctly ignoring Marcus Prey’s smirk.

  He’d gotten by without an officer, which in retrospect, was probably a smart choice on Matthew’s part. Prey flirted with everything in a skirt, and while I had gained some respect for him, Officer Primrose was in no shape to have her first mentor be Marcus Prey.

  The rest of the meeting devolved into updates and assignments. Officers and detectives left the room as tasks were handed down until it was just Lexus and me left sitting in the back.

  Matthew stepped down from behind the podium and sauntered through the empty room. He gave us a thin smile. “I trust you’re both agreeable with the assignment?”

  “Are you joking me?” Primrose gasped. “I mean, yes! God, yes! Of course. I’m so pleased. I’m in shock. Really, speechless.”

  Matthew turned his gaze on me, his eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. If I wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of apology in his eyes. “The best with the best,” he said nobly. “It seems Officer Primrose is well acquainted with your body of work, Detective DeMarco.”

  “Yes, sir,” Primrose said. “She was included in my thesis.”

  “DeMarco, you’ll be happy to hear that Officer Primrose is our most promising recruit for the detective track,” Matthew said. “She’s broken all sorts of records on her school exams. The highest in the class. I’m looking forward to seeing what this partnership can do.”

  “Um, Officer—” I turned to Primrose—“can I have a moment alone with Matthew? If you’ll just wait here for a second.”

  I stood, trying to ignore the look of disappointment in her eyes as I laid a finger firmly on Matthew’s elbow and directed him out of the room. Once we were in a deserted breakroom just off the hallway, I spun to face him.

  “What the hell is this about?”

  Matthew raised a hand. “What happened to your Christmas cheer?”

  “Um, she took it all.” I thumbed over my shoulder. “Did you hear her squeal? I’ve never known a detective who squealed. She’ll last a week. Tops.”

  “Give her a chance, DeMarco. Detectives come in all shapes and sizes.”

  “Not in that size,” I said. “She’s—I don’t even know what size that is. Extra-super-excitable.”

  “She’s brilliant. At least, her classwork rose to the top over and over again. We need to give her a chance. We can’t afford to let a perfectly capable—and maybe even exceptional—detective fall by the wayside.”

  “That’s noble and all, but if you’ll excuse my French—” I paused for effect, added my hands to my hips for double-effect. “I’ve got shit to do.”

  “Good,” he said simply. “Then it’s all the better I’ve got you an assistant. Use her, DeMarco. Teach her, and then get her to help you out.”

  “This case is going to be high profile,” I said. “The chief wouldn’t have called me in otherwise. A murder of a student on campus? Orientation is supposed to be a safe space for people to learn about magic.”

  “Exactly. You’ll need all the help you can get.”

  Matthew clearly wasn’t budging, so I blew out a breath and let my hands slip from my hips. “What about you? I had a partner until you took this stupid assignment in New York.”

  “It’s not—”

  “It took you away from me, so yes,” I repeated. “It’s stupid. You and I work well together—we close cases as evidenced by Primrose’s thesis.”

  “There are things I need to attend to in New York,” Matthew said. “You know as well as I do that there are happenings above and beyond our control in the world at the moment.”

  “Are you dealing with The Hex Files?”

  Matthew’s silence startled me.

  “Well,” I prompted. “Are you?”

  “I don’t know,” he said quietly. “We’re dealing with some concerning signals. I have to stick it out, Danielle. I wish I could tell you more.”

  “You know, back when you worked your real job, you would’ve told me,” I said. “I thought we shared everything.”

  “We do, but this is different. I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “Of course you’re not,” I said, but my tone was defeated. “Whatever. Are you staying to finish the case?”

  “I can’t. I have to get back—I was planning on leaving directly after our meeting.”

  “I’m sorry I interfered with your travel plans.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that, Dani. You know that as well as I do.”

  “Well, I’d hate to keep you away from whatever secret mission you’re doing,” I said. “If you’re interested, my mom is having her yearly Holiday Happy Hour today. We’re all decorating the tree and drinking spiked eggnog and—whatever. It sounds stupid, but it’s fun. If you want to come, that would be nice.”

  Matthew winced. “I wish I could, but—”

  “You’re busy.” I looked away, didn’t meet his eyes. “Okay, well.
See you sometime.”

  “Dani, listen.” Matthew reached for my chin, clasped it in his fingers and pulled it upward until I faced him. “I’ll try to make it, okay? But no promises.”

  I relented at the torn look in his eye. “It’s not really a big deal at all,” I muttered. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure whatever you’re doing is more important.”

  “I didn’t say that,” Matthew said. “Nothing’s more important than you, but I have a duty to protect the Sixth Borough, and if these signals we’re seeing are true...”

  “Just promise me one thing,” I said. “Will you tell me once you know for sure if The Hex Files are involved? It’s been a while since we took down the ghoul, and we know he still has a master out there. What’s he been doing all this time?”

  Matthew raised one shoulder. “Damned if I know. But I haven’t forgotten, and yes. I’ll let you know if any of this turns out to conclusively tie into the files.”

  “What are we doing?” I pressed. “I hate this. Just sitting here, waiting for his next move.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” Matthew said. “We can’t let him destroy our lives. Murders need to be solved. Work needs to be done. Christmases need to be had.” He paused for a smile. “We’re working, I promise. And in the meantime, trust the files. They’ll draw you all together when the time is right.”

  I tried to nod, but the action was too much. Matthew sensed my distress and pulled me closer, planting a gentle kiss on my lips that stirred up all sorts of feelings. Not all of them love and longing. Some of them were more complex: frustration, disappointment, pain. The distance between us was becoming more and more difficult to bear. My love for him was stronger than ever, but how could we continue to grow as a couple if we hardly talked, and if when we did, it was all about work?

  Before I had time to ponder any of the mess of questions, Matthew and I left the breakroom. We parted, saying one more round of goodbyes that was interrupted when my brother strolled over. Nash nodded to King, then turned to me when Matthew took off down the hallway.