by Cahoon, Lynn
“Face it, Parris McCall, you’re head over heels in love with the guy,” she whispered. The mirror face grinned back. The door opened and Ty walked in, his muscular body naked and his erection growing at the sight of her. He growled and gave her a quick bear hug.
“Cold shower for me. See, I’m being good.” Ty kissed her on top of her head and released her, stepping into the shower.
Parris giggled when she heard his yelp, knowing the cold water had hit.
She let Dragon in from the back yard and gave him a treat. One he promptly took to the couch and started crunching. Parris thought about the man in her shower, his glass and chrome condo deep in downtown, the perfect bachelor pad. He wouldn’t step on a half-chewed rawhide bone in the middle of the night. Ty would have a conniption if Dragon chewed a hole in his living room furniture. She knew Dragon would see the fine leather couch as a gift from the doggie gods. Having a future with this man would be challenging and probably cost her more in compromises she could give. At least today. Who knew how she’d feel in a year, or two. Her thoughts were interrupted when Ty walked into the room.
Looking at him, his body tan and ripped, his shirt flapping open revealing his chest, shiny from the shower, she almost gasped as he walked toward her.
He put two fingers under her chin, lifting her head up meeting his lips. And man, the guy could kiss. Rational thought about changing this relationship onto more platonic terms flew out of her head. He was here, now, kissing her. And that’s all that mattered.
He pulled away, looking at her. “You ready?”
“Part of me wants to sit here with you on the couch and kiss some more.” Parris gently pushed Dragon aside and grabbed her purse off the couch.
“I could be convinced,” Ty teased. He stopped buttoning his shirt.
Parris lightly punched his arm. “Stop tempting me. One drink, I’ll talk to April for five minutes, and we’ll be out of there.”
“And come back here?” Ty ran the tip of his finger up down her arm to her palm sending electric shocks through her body.
“Where else would we go?” Parris opened the condo door. “Come on, Casanova. We need to get going.”
“Postponed enjoyment, that’s all. Not really a no.” Ty finished dressing and walked through the doorway, jiggling the door handle, checking the lock and sending Dragon into a barking rage on the other side of the door.
“Best alarm system there is, a barking dog.” Parris followed Ty to the sidewalk.
Ty took her arm and pulled her close. “Easiest to get rid of as well.”
“That’s mean.” They crossed the empty street. The streetlights hadn’t come on, the even though the setting sun had brought a last gasp of light into the street. The mums in the planters stretched to the reflection, not wanting to give up the warmth. The night air felt soft.
“He’s right you know,” A gruff voice came from under the building’s stairs at the Campbell’s house.
“Henry, I didn’t know you guarded the house. How the heck are you?” Ty stopped next to the garden fence.
Parris watched as what appeared to be a normal sized man stepped out of the shadows. As he approached, he elongated, to what Parris could only guess was seven foot tall. His face crinkled like an old man. He wore brown, from the beret on his dark brown hair, salted with a touch of gray, to the brown waffle stomper type boots he wore on his large feet. He must wear an eighteen, maybe nineteen, size shoe. Absently she wondered, where did trolls shop for shoes? Or for berets?
She supposed shops catered to the magical folk, like the hotel they’d stayed at in Cincinnati. Places a human would never see, only for trolls, or a fairy or even a witch, the stores would shine like neon. Or maybe the folk glamoured the clothes on their bodies. Made people see what they wanted to see. Parris would bet on the stores though. She turned back to Ty and realized he’d asked Henry about the watcher.
“He hasn’t been around much lately. Not since before the two of you went east.” Henry pulled off his hat scratching his head. “It’s like he’s lost interest. I’d call off the surveillance but The Council feels Parris is their best shot to find this Coven X. What The Council wants…” Henry paused.
“…The Council gets,” Ty added dryly. “Parris and I appreciate your attention, even if the watcher hasn’t returned. That could be a good thing.”
Henry shuffled his feet, clearly embarrassed by the attention. “Don’t have much else to do anyway.”
Parris felt Ty’s elbow in her side. “No matter, it’s nice of you to protect me. It’s made me more comfortable knowing you are here.”
“Ain’t no problem.” Henry blushed, red blooming on his cheeks. He turned to go back to his perch under the stairs. “You have a nice night. I’ll keep an eye on the house and that dog of yours.”
Ty put his hand on Parris’ back as they walked away. When they’d turned the corner, he glanced down at her. “Great job. Trolls work hard for compliments. If you want them to do something right, just let them know how much their work means.”
“Everyone likes appreciation now and then, even if you’re a troll.” Parris thought about the clientele at the bar. Half of the regulars came in the bar because they’d nowhere else to go. No family, some even, no home. Every person she met fought some private battle. Good or bad, Parris believed humans, people, she corrected herself, were put on the earth, for one main reason, making another’s path easier.
They walked in silence the rest of the way to the bar. Thank the gods he was here, making her path easier. He’d saved her life, protected her grandmother, and she’d never said thank you. Hell, Ty’d brought her grandfather home.
Walking through the door, something felt wrong. The jukebox blared, the customers drank, laughed, and behind the bar where April should be serving drinks, a worn out Jake stood. She wondered how long he’d worked or if he’d even gone home last night.
Fear seized her throat, making her choke. She swallowed down the bile and marched up to the bar where Jake poured a draft into a frosty glass. When he saw her, then immediately dropped his eyes, she knew he didn’t want her mad. “Where’s April?” she demanded.
Jake finished pouring the beer, handing it to the late twenties college kid. Fred, his name was Fred, her mind screamed. Jake took Fred’s ten and counted change before he answered Parris. “Some guy called in for her, said she didn’t feel well. I needed the extra hours so I decided I could handle her shift.” He shrugged. “Maybe I should have called, but we have it covered.”
“You look like hell,” Parris snapped.
“I have three more hours. Sasha said she’d stay and help with closing. If you’re okay with it, we’ve got the bar covered.” He nodded to a guy who had walked in the door. “I’d feel better if you checked on April. She’s never once not called, no matter what.”
Parris nodded. She turned, then paused. “You sure you’re okay here? You really look tired.”
Jake held up an energy drink. “I’m Red Bulling through the night. You check on April and tell her she gave me her bug.”
Parris tapped the bar with an open palm. “You have my cell.”
Ty followed her out of the bar. “Should we run back to get my car?”
“No, let’s catch a cab. He can drop me off, then take you to get the car. That way, you know how to get back.” Parris held the door open for a cab depositing his fare at the bar. “Besides, I feel like we need to get there, now.”
Parris climbed into the back seat, giving the driver April’s address. Ty added, “Two stops.”
Parris watched the driver’s glance flit up to the rear view mirror assessing the riders. They must have passed muster because the driver pulled away from the curb.
The closer they got to April’s street, the more nervous she felt. As the cab approached, a dark sedan peeled out of a spot near the front of the building. She watched Ty crane his head around, trying to see the driver.
“It can’t be,” he whispered.
“See y
ou in ten?” She tapped his leg, trying to get his attention.
“What, yeah, maybe I should come in with you?” He turned and stared at the place where April lived. Her parents had bought the small house right after she’d committed to the local university, arguing buying would be cheaper than paying for room and board on campus. April only paid for her food and cable. When she graduated, her parents told her she could buy the house from them, or they’d sell it and she could move wherever.
Parris loved the white house tucked in a row of matching houses. Once, this had been a family neighborhood, now it consisted of rentals for the university students. The school even included the streets in their security area, driving their golf carts down the sidewalks on a regular basis. Parris had been surprised there’d been a parking spot so close. “I’ll be fine. You’ll be back in ten minutes. Twenty, tops, if you have to park over on Grant.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Besides, it will give me time to determine if the girl’s been playing hooky or really sick.”
“April doesn’t seem like the type to shirk her job.” Ty watched Parris leave the cab. “Go easy on her.”
“If she’s sick? I’ll be warm and supportive. If there’s a guy in there and they’re having some fun? Well, the guy better be a fast runner. April doesn’t need a distraction.”
“That’s what you think I am, a distraction?” Ty held the door open watching her.
“A charming distraction. Now go get your car. If we need to take her to the emergency room, I’ll need you back here sooner rather than later.” Parris gently shut the door on him. She waved as the cab drove away.
She turned toward the house. She might have put up a good front for Ty, but honestly, she was scared. Whispering a quick prayer for April’s health, she walked up the steps. She knocked, gently at first, then louder.
“April? Come let me in. April?” She tried the doorknob. Locked. April could be gone, at the grocery store, or at the doctor’s already. Parris knew better. April was home, and she couldn’t answer the door.
Parris pulled her key ring out of her purse. They’d exchanged keys last fall, just in case. This seemed like the perfect time to use it.
She fit the key into the lock, and opened the door.
The smell overwhelmed her causing her to drop the keys. Bending over to get them, she slipped inside the foyer and shut the door. Going straight to the living room, she stopped inside the door. Her mind couldn’t process what she saw. This should not be happening, not at April’s.
Chapter 15
Learning the history of our culture allows you to know your place in the universe. We coined the phrase, he who forgets about history is doomed to repeat it. Take your studies seriously, they may save your life in the future. – The Academy of Witchcraft, Volume 3, Page 1465.
Ty hit a button, connecting to Derek on his cell.
“Hey, you’re back. How’s the old man?” Derek sounded chipper. “I had to run over to The Council grounds. You at the condo with devil dog?”
“Heading to my house. Look, meet me there. We need to talk.” Ty watched out the window as the cab pulled up in front of Parris’ condo. He threw a couple twenties at the driver through the cage. “Thanks.”
He stepped from the cab and waved at Henry who stood watching him. Henry motioned him across the street. “Damn,” he muttered.
“Problem?” Derek’s response quick.
Ty sighed. “Probably not, I’ve got to check in with Henry. You know how chatty trolls can be. The guy acts like he hasn’t talked to another soul for years.”
Derek laughed. “He probably hasn’t. Rumors at headquarters said they pulled Henry out of some village north of Prague. You know he never picked up a second language, even during his academy years. That troll is one hundred percent American southern boy. I can’t even understand why they shipped him overseas.”
“Look, get over to my condo. I need to pick up some supplies before we head over to April’s. Parris thinks she’s sick. I might need your expertise when we get there.” Ty clicked off the phone and greeted Henry.
The troll peered around him, checking both ways down the street like he watched for a wayward parade. “He came back.”
The hairs stood up on the back of Ty’s neck. “The watcher?”
Henry nodded. “He got out of his car, and went around to the back of the house. When he came back, he had a bundle wrapped in a tarp.” Henry held his hands out to indicate a four by four square. “Then he put it in his trunk.”
Ty leaned forward. “What then?”
Henry checked the street again and shivered. “He looked right at me and called out, ‘see you later, troll.’”
Ty frowned. “He saw you?” How was that even possible? No human should have been able to even sense Henry or any of the other magical folk taking turns watching Parris’ condo.
“I don’t know.” The troll’s voice came out in a whisper. “I stayed under the stairs, he shouldn’t have seen me.”
The troll acted scared. Ty’d never seen Henry this scared of anything. Even when he helped him pull down a succubus prostitution ring two years ago. Henry didn’t spook. That’s why he was great to partner with during sensitive operations. Ty put his hand on the troll’s shoulder, instantly regretting the motion when Henry jumped.
“Look, I’m meeting up with Derek. I’ll have him call The Council and get them to pull you off the detail. If the guy has made you, you’re not effective anyway.”
“You’d do that?” Henry’s relief apparent.
“You’d do it for me.” Ty nodded to the cubby under the stairs. “Just stay out of sight until Derek comes for you. Can you hold on until then?”
The troll nodded. “Just hurry. I don’t want to be here if he comes back.”
Ty sprinted to his car. He’d lost more time than he’d expected. Parris would be expecting him in less than five minutes, it would be at least that long before he’d even be able to get downtown.
Before he could open the door, Zander appeared, leaning on the car like a side kick from West Side Story.
“I don’t have time for this now,” Ty growled, not looking directly at the Fae. He reached for the door handle. The car moved back six inches. “Stop playing.”
“Just trying to get your attention. You don’t have time to go home. Parris needs you.” Zander touched Ty’s arm. “Look, I know you’re mad, but you need to listen to me now.”
“The last time I listened to you I almost died.” Ty jerked away.
“You didn’t need me. You had Derek. She needed me.”
“Or at least that’s what she told you.” Ty let the words hang. He’d known it wasn’t the Fae’s fault. Yet still, he felt betrayed. Zander should have been protecting him, not Rowena. He blew out a breath. “We still don’t have time for this right now. I’ll go to Parris. If you’re playing with me, this will be the last time I ever trust you.”
“She needs you. Toki made me come. I told her you wouldn’t listen.” Zander kicked a rock with his toe. If Toki showed as a five-year-old, he looked more like a rebellious teenager, ripped jeans and matching basketball shoes. He nodded across the street. “I’ll stay with Henry if you want. He seems scared.”
Ty frowned, glancing across the street. “Something has him spooked, that’s for sure.” He set his jaw ready to decline the help and a vision of Parris standing in front of April’s floated through his mind. He made the decision. “Fine. You stay here. I’ll send Derek when I can. He’ll take the two of you to The Council. Maybe Angel can figure out what’s going on with Henry. He has a bit of a thing for her.”
He reached for the car door handle again, stopped short and looked back. “Anything else?”
“Just get to Parris. Toki won’t forgive me if you’re late.” Zander grinned at Ty’s outstretched hand. “Go ahead, I’m not moving the car anymore.”
Ty climbed into the driver’s seat. He rolled down the window and watched Zander cross the street. He’d missed the Fae. The guy had
a wicked sense of humor and a great three point shot. They’d played so many pickup games in front of the house, Ty’s dad had to replace the hoop three times. Zander turned, feeling Ty’s thoughts. He walked backwards now and called as he disappeared under the step where Henry hid. “I’m sorry.”
Ty gunned the engine and drove off toward April’s. He called Derek on the car phone, explaining what he needed from the condo, telling him to meet him at April’s. Fear grew in the pit of his stomach. Toki wouldn’t call the cavalry unless Parris needed him. He sped the car a bit faster.
It only took one circle around the house before he found a parking spot. Clicking the remote lock on his keychain, Ty took off to find April’s again. All these houses looked the same. After finding the right house, his attention was diverted by a dark sedan slowing on the street. The same car that had pulled out when the cab arrived. The car Henry described. The car Alex drove. Ty froze, trying to see the driver. Trying to convince himself it wasn’t the smart, funny intern from the office. He couldn’t have been oblivious to the wolf in sheep clothing right under his nose.
He half-heartedly smiled, wondering if there was anything useful in Alex Cabot’s personnel file Ty could use to track him down. Or Derek could use. Ty was the brawn, Derek the brain, at least where computers and records came into the picture. Derek would find any clue tying Alex to Coven X. Maybe they’d just caught a break.
Whistling he bounded up the steps and opened the door. “Parris? April? Where are you?”
He glanced around the small foyer, walking into the living room. The room was ablaze in candle light. There must be over a hundred burning candles, causing Ty’s eyes to water. Either they’d interrupted a romantic evening, or…he glanced at the bowl in the middle of the chalk circle. Someone casting a spell. “Damn,” he whispered. He’d liked April. She’d seemed like a good kid. If she was capable of doing such an advanced spell, she had to be a member of Coven X for him not to notice her power.
“Ty?” Parris’ voice came from upstairs. “Are you here?”
