“I think he’s grateful that you didn’t make him your familiar.” Justina laughed as she straightened up. “Think about it.”
Leaving me to my thoughts, Justina moved back towards her desk. “Mary, we’ll come up tomorrow and assist you in any way we can.”
Nodding once, Mary waved before she shut her Skype down. The room fell silent, no one uttering a word as the atmosphere grew heavy.
“I’ll do it,” I blurted, shocking everyone into looking at me.
Tilting her head to the side, Justina put her hands on her hips. “Do what exactly?”
Looking at Gerard, I gave him a smile. Without looking away, I spoke to my boss. “I’ll do the spell tomorrow. I’ll make it impossible for anyone to stop our attempt at getting this warlock link out of me. Then, once it’s gone, Kurt can cast the spell on me so I can end my addiction to magic. I just want to go back to being a little bit normal again.”
Kurt’s scoff was joined by a bark of laughter from my mother. Justina didn’t say a word, but I heard her getting back into her chair. I was ready to let go. Gerard had made me promise to live without magic for a week after I was disconnected, but I would prove to him that I didn’t need the extra power at all. He could make me feel good. Although, fuck it, it wasn’t about that. I had to learn to make myself feel good. If I couldn’t make myself happy, no other bugger would be fit for the job.
Chapter Six
“Do you believe I can do it?” I asked Gerard as we sat on the bench facing the river Thames.
The sun had set an hour ago. A breeze wafted from the water, sending the front of my hair away from my face. It was like a warm caress.
Mr Quiet Guy turned to look at me. Taking my hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “Yes, I do. Devon, what I said in the bathroom-”
“Guys?!” Kurt shouted from the agency’s front door. “We’ve got a lead we need to follow. Now.”
Argh. Didn’t Kurt know that my emotions were flipping all over the place? Today had been a heavy day, why couldn’t I just enjoy the riverside view with my man? And, then ravish him in bed in the not too distant future?
Gerard switched into agent mode straight away. He’d only been awake for two days, but he was desperate to get back into the field. Mackenzie now had a big X on his head. Not only from the government but from my man. No one threatened the people he loved and got away with it. Although, maybe that was something we needed to talk about. Everyone in existence would want to threaten me if they knew what was going on with me. I was a freak of nature in so many ways.
“Wait, can’t you finish what you were going to say?” I pleaded, grabbing the back pocket of his jeans and attempting to stop him from walking away. “We’re not technically on duty.”
The smirk on Gerard’s face made me want to extend a fist and wipe it cleanly off. Alas, he was too pretty to actually carry out my inner threat.
“We’re never off duty, are we? We’ll pick up this conversation again soon.”
Watching his tight arse, clad in black jeans, walk away from me, I resisted the urge to call out. To force him to face me. My heart hoped so hard that his foray into near death had made him see… what exactly? How much I meant to him? How he couldn’t let me go?
Sighing, I dragged my size fours to the building. Once in the hallway, I waited, my shoulders slumped. I hadn’t even had my gushy reunion with my man. Nothing had been resolved. And yet, he threw me a little wink when the others gathered. I couldn’t wait to get his clothes off again.
“Devon, I have no idea what you’re fantasising right now, but could you stop?” Justina’s expression was hard.
I was about to raise my hands in apology, but she shut me down with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I’ve just had a call from a witch who frequents nightclubs in London. One of his human friends died from a magic drug overdose last week.”
Oh, exciting. My stomach started to flutter at the prospect of work. I might complain about interruptions to my alone time with Mr Winky. Seriously, did he have something in his eye? But, I loved following the trail of a suspect. Or, at least getting intel from my very intense boss.
“He’s just interrupted a deal with a man that matches Mackenzie’s description. Apparently, our informant has taken it upon himself to make sure no one else suffers the same fate of his friend.”
“Shame there’s not three hundred of him,” I quipped. “They could police all the clubs in London.”
Nope. They were not in the mood. Serious mode was well and truly switched on. Mentally chastising myself, I turned my own agent head on.
“Devon, Gerard, when we get to the club, I want you to speak to the owner. Find out if he’s aware of drugs being sold in his club. Play nice. I don’t want to offend anyone. We’re going to question the man who made the report. He’s hanging around outside the venue.”
There was no need to reply or react. We knew our duty, we were ready. Reaching for Gerard, I froze when Kurt caught my elbow in mid-air.
“Hold back on the magic. The last thing we need is an addict to get trigger-happy for no reason.”
I didn’t have time to think about being offended before Gerard grabbed my wrist and relocated us to the club. The small line of people who waited by the door didn’t notice us appear.
“Ignore Kurt.” Gerard almost dragged me through the people to the front of the queue.
Showing his agency ID card, he nodded when the bouncer gestured for us to go in. The intoxicating vibration of music entered my aura as soon as we were in the small hallway that led to the inner sanctum of the dance club.
“Once this is over,” I said, forcing Gerard to let go of me so I could straighten my top and wrap my fingers around my dagger handle. “I’m going out on the razz. I’m so ready to get raving drunk.”
Without agreeing or disagreeing, Gerard opened the doors so we could enter. The vibe was low key. The music was dancey, but it was a little too early to be banging. Several paranormal beings were spread throughout the room. A dancefloor was on the left. Several booths were on the right with a bar directly in front of us.
“The bar.” Gerard didn’t wait for a reply as we strode across the room.
I’d only just heard his voice over the noise, which meant that we needed to interview the owner away from the premises, if he was here at all.
My spine tingled as I passed a vampire. His eyes traced the length of me, his tongue flicking out to press against his extended canine. As if I would be interested in a vampire.
Not bothering to make eye contact with him, I pushed through a couple of humans who were dancing on the walkway. Why did humans do that? There was a dancefloor for a reason.
“What can I get you?” the bartender shouted when Gerard leant over the sticky surface.
Placing my hand on it, I quickly pulled away. I couldn’t exactly be judgemental about the place, considering my room at the agency was cluttered with tons of rubbish. It was about time I moved out and got my own place. At least no one, meaning Justina, would cringe every time they came to see me.
“The owner.” Gerard flashed his badge at the same time as a man came out from a door beside the bar.
Waving us over, he opened the door and disappeared. The guard out front must have let him know that we’d arrived. Going over, we retraced his steps, following him down a hallway and into an office.
“Let me do the talking,” Gerard said, softening his agent blow with a waist squeeze.
Er. No. I wasn’t a damsel in distress agent. I was Devon Jinx. Kickass warrior princess. Okay, so I was exaggerating just a little.
“Who are you? What can I do for you?” The man was dressed in a pink shirt and very skinny white jeans.
“Sorry for barging in on you, but we’ve just had a tipoff about drugs being dealt in your premises. Would you know anything about that?” Gerard’s feet were evenly apart, firm on the red carpeted floor.
My gaze traced the sex swing in the corner, my mouth only just staying
closed.
“I’m Jack, nice to meet ya,” the owner said in a thick cockney accent. “And, who might you sexy motherfuckers be?”
There weren’t many men that phased me, but Jack was a character. His charisma was matched by the outlandish pictures on the walls. He lowered himself behind his mahogany desk as he lifted a box from a drawer. Taking out a cigar, he offered one to Gerard.
Ignoring him, Gerard flashed his card again. “We’re from the Hunted Witch Agency. We’re after a man called Mackenzie Bruce and a woman called Candy Fieldman. Have you seen either of them tonight?”
Cocking his head to the side, Jack chewed on the end of his cigar. “I know Candy. Intimately, if you know what I mean.”
For some reason, he was speaking to me. I didn’t care about his sexual endeavours. Although, I was a little gobsmacked by him, so I stayed quiet. Gerard had ordered me to let him take the lead.
“Have they been at the club tonight?” Stepping forward, Gerard leant on the desk, his broad shoulders crowding Jack.
“I know you!” the man suddenly exclaimed, getting up from his seat and pointing at me. “You’re the bitch who tried to break into this club, months ago.”
A blast from the past battered my brain. Of course. Jeremy, the witch Gerard had killed, had forced me to try and gain access to the club. Although, we had managed, to be fair.
“I thought I recognised this place,” I said, absentmindedly.
“I’ve got a good mind to ring my mate, Trygger.”
A grin came to my face as Gerard looked between us. “I’ve not seen Thunder Hunter in a while. Go ahead.”
Jack paused with his hand hovering over his phone. “Ah, you know the bastard. No point in getting him involved then. What the fuck do you want with Mackenzie and Candy? And, no, before you ask again, I’ve not seen them tonight. I’ve been in here… waiting.”
“Waiting for what, exactly?”
I almost slapped my forehead. Asking that question had made Jack smirk to himself. It was obvious that he was probably waiting for something that I didn’t even want to think about.
“Just some friends. We’ve decided to test the swing to see how many people we can fit on it.”
Gerard’s arm muscles tightened. “How often do you see Candy in these premises? We have reason to believe they’re poisoning magic drugs that are being sold around London. Do you know anything about it?”
Leaning back in his chair, Jack put his legs up onto the desk. The smoke from his cigar wafted around his head as he breathed it out. “Nah, mate, I’m a pretty open guy, but I ain’t a fool. My bouncers are witches. They check everyone for magic before they’re allowed in the club. I ain’t got the money to fight big lawsuits if something goes wrong. You know what I mean?”
If Thunder Hunter, the grandson of Thor, was best friends with Jack, I knew that he would probably be telling the truth. Although I didn’t have much experience with the man who was a warrior, I knew that he was honourable. Well, kind of.
“How about Cameron Fieldman? Do you have any connections with him?” Gerard stood straight and cracked his knuckles.
It was a little amusing to watch my man try to intimidate the un-intimidateable Jack. They were miles apart from each other, but each one had his own power. Jack might be human but apparently he knew people. Not many humans would be able to persuade witches to work for them.
“I know Cameron through the circuit, but I’m not personally associated with him. I’ve heard some dodgy things. And, I have too many dodgy things going on in my own world. Although, completely legal, of course.” Winking at me, Jack offered me his lit cigar.
My instant reaction was to cringe. There was no way in hell I would smoke a cigar that had been in his mouth. Was that cruel? Maybe. Was he creepy? A little. Was I shocked for the first time in ages? Definitely.
“What dodgy things have you heard?”
Ignoring Gerard, Jack got up from his seat. Coming around the desk, he looked down at me. “You’re awfully quiet for someone who’s got all that magic sizzling inside. Devon Jinx, I’d like to feel some of your inside-”
Before I could reply, Gerard’s hand shot in front of my face. His fingers wrapped around Jack’s throat, squeezing tight.
“Firstly, you’re lucky she doesn’t use that magic to cut off your dick. Secondly, she’s mine.”
The club owner’s eyes bulged as his cheeks blossomed dark red. If Mr Protective Hunky Bad Cop didn’t let go soon, he would kill the man.
Grabbing Gerard’s elbow, I ran my hand down his tattooed arm. As my fingers reached his wrist, he let go, dropping Jack to his feet.
“Well,” Jack choked. “That wasn’t very friendly, mate.”
Keeping my expression calm when Gerard looked at me, I indicated that we should leave with a nod of my head. The huge bubble of excitement that sat a little lower than my stomach distracted me. Gerard had never been so macho over me before. I liked it. He could beat men who made passes at me all the time if I got to watch. Hmm… maybe that wasn’t a healthy thing to fanaticise about. Although, not many men bothered, so it didn’t matter. They could probably tell that I was trouble from ten thousand miles away.
“Before you leave,” Jack said as we moved towards the door. “I promise that I’ll keep an eye out for Candy. If she turns up, I’ll call you.”
Nodding our thanks, we made our way outside. The adrenaline in my veins was compounded by the heady dance music. I wanted to take Gerard to an alley and jump him. Alas, Justina and Kurt met us as soon as we walked out of the door.
“Anything?” Kurt snapped, clearly not in a jovial mood.
“No. You?” Gerard’s curt reply made me roll my eyes.
Men were so…
“Cheer up, boys,” Justina said. “We’ve just found out that Candy was the one trying to sell the drugs. Mackenzie was tagging along, looking like a lost sheep. And…” Pulling an evidence bag out of her pocket, she grinned at me.
The corners of Gerard’s eyes creased as he spotted the syringe. It was full. My own smile spread as I clapped her on the shoulder. “Good job!”
“Excuse me,” someone interrupted us. “Isn’t that the woman you’re looking for?”
The bouncer was pointing down the street. Candy, her dark hair tied in a ponytail, was laughing with another girl. They were outside the kebab shop, the light from the window highlighting her as she took a swig from a beer bottle. Did the girl have no conscience?
All four of us started to sprint as soon as Mackenzie came out of the shop holding a bag. Kurt was in front, Gerard almost beside him. Justina was next, me last. Of course. It had nothing to do with the fact that I wasn’t as fit as them, it was because of my little legs. That was my excuse, and I wouldn’t change it.
“Hey!” Kurt shouted when Mackenzie dropped his bag and grabbed Candy.
They started to run, looking over their shoulders as we got closer to them. My boots pounded the concrete, trying to keep up with the others.
As we were passing the kebab shop, Candy’s friend reached out and grabbed my arm. Spinning back to her, I flicked my dagger out of my jacket. Using my momentum, I thrust it forward, aiming it straight in her face. She cowered back, her arms coming up to protect her head. She was human. Shit.
“Oi! You can’t do that!” someone shouted as they came out of the kebab shop.
Waving my hand, I cast a memory spell over them both before heading off to catch up with the others. They had come to a stop at the end of the street, their huffing the only sign they’d been running at all.
“Disappeared?” I asked as I tucked my dagger away.
“No,” Kurt said, running a hand through his shaggy hair. “We caught them. They’re standing right there. Can’t you see them?”
Flipping him off, I rolled my eyes as Gerard took my hand. He smiled down at me, his eyebrows raised. “It was a stupid question, D.”
Oh, that was a new one. A smile came to my lips. “I like that.”
His gaze lo
cked on mine as the others chattered about going back to the agency. Our breath deepened, the world shrinking to evolve around us.
“You like the nickname D?”
He tilted his head to the side, coming closer as he stroked my thumb. Biting my bottom lip, I nodded as I smiled.
“Oh jeez.” Justina sighed. “Do you remember when we were like that? The rush of adrenaline used to get our blood pumping, and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”
The moment was ruined. Breaking eye contact with my man, I frowned at the pair as they watched us. If Justina was talking about their personal relationship, the pregnancy must be effecting her hormones.
“That’s not something I need to know about,” I said, laughing when Kurt wiggled his eyebrows at me.
“Oh, come on. We’re all grown up. How do you think I put a baby in there?” He pointed at Justina’s stomach.
Batting his hand away, Justina looked horrified. Her mouth dropped open as Kurt tried to placate her, albeit with a shrug.
“Okaaayy,” I said, tugging on Gerard’s hand. “We all need a good night’s sleep. Shall we get back?”
“Pfft,” Kurt snorted. “Just don’t keep us awake all night with your ‘sleeping’.”
As we flashed back to the agency, I couldn’t help but wonder if this new family was as dysfunctional as my own.
Chapter Seven
“You look like you’re walking funny, Devon,” Kurt called as we headed into the clearing of Clava Cairns.
My fingers itched to throw a spell of badness towards him. Something gross. Like dog poo right in front of his shoe, just before it hit the ground.
“She is walking funny,” Mary said as she linked arms with Gerard.
Okay, I might be a bit jumpy, but it wasn’t because we’d been up all night, which we had… it was because the magic of both warlock and witch energy was trying to push into me. I’d been avoiding it as much as I could, almost going cold turkey over the last day or two. I was twitchy. Addict twitchy.
Hunted Witch Agency Box Set Books 4-5 (Hunted Witch Agency Set Book 2) Page 19
