“Eldris,” Elias said as he leaned back in the chair and tented his hands. “So nice to see you again so soon after the theater. I go months without the pleasure and then I get to have it twice in one week.”
Penelope’s skin was turning a shade of white again as she leaned away from Elias. Dr. Luke needed to high tail it back here with her water. I was surprised he hadn’t already spotted the old coot was warming Ami’s chair.
“Yeah,” Eldris gushed, seemingly oblivious. “I’ve been working really hard on that new video game I’m creating for Game World. They gave me a five figure advance and part of the profits when I’m done.”
“Did you have a lawyer look over the contract?” Elias asked his eyes now widening with excitement over the prospect of a new client.
“My dad handled it,” Eldris said as he took a sip of his dark roast. The kid’s leg was bouncing so hard I could hear the coins jangling in his pocket.
Dr. Luke approached with a cardboard container full of drinks, Ami hot on his heels.
“Hi again, Elias,” he said, but his tone said he clearly was not glad to see the man again. “I thought you were joining Sabrina for tea.” He gestured with his head to her table where she was now happily chatting with another of the town’s gossips. The two women kept glancing over at the group and then whispering behind their hands.
“Yes, well …”
For once Elias didn’t seem to have much to say. That wouldn’t make him sound like a drooling, forty year old pervert. Mark that one on the calendar.
Dr. Luke stood there, balancing his coffees and waiting for Elias to realize he needed to get out of the chair. And scram. Elias got the message because he stood from the wingback so Dr. Luke could set his package down. Ami was about to sink back in to her chair when Elias stayed her with a hand to the forearm.
“Miss Amelia, I have a favor,” he whispered. What was with the down low routine? Everyone could hear him. Probably even Sabrina. Silence fell over the Coffee Hut like a clock had stopped ticking. Lola hissed in a breath.
“What?” she asked. Oblivious to any implications as she sucked down the last of her first mocha and stirred the ice remnants with the straw.
“I really need some help writing my client newsletter,” he replied. He still hadn’t taken his grubby mitt off Ami and Eldris had perched himself on the edge of his seat. In case he needed to launch himself into an erect position. “I could really use some help from a professional journalist. Like yourself.”
Ami took a step back and his hand fell between them. Limp. Probably like every appendage he possessed.
Bang!
The loud noise jerked my head up and my eyes to the picture window. Tweety had just flown herself straight into the two ply glass as if she thought she could fly through it right in to the coffee shop. I had to get out there. Where the hell was Sage when I needed him?
I’m outside dunderhead. You didn’t really think I’d let you go off to the caves alone?
“Was that a bird?” Eldris questioned as he stood to look outside. “Was it trying to commit feathered suicide?”
Dr. Luke jumped up when he realized there might be an animal in desperate need of his services. “It looks like a yellow Finch. That’s a song bird. I can’t imagine why it would be flying down the middle of the street. Or, trying to get inside.”
I trotted off behind Dr. Luke because I’d need his help to get through the heavy door. He swung it open and rushed over to the little bird that now lay on the ground. Stunned. I glanced up at Sage.
What the hell?
I couldn’t stop her. Not that I wanted to. By the by, I thought the impact might knock some sense in to the … harlot.
“You’re okay, little guy,” Dr. Luke said as he gently scooped up Tweety and held her in the palms of his large hands. “I better get her to the clinic.”
Lucinda … evil … coming … curse …
She wasn’t making any sense at all due to the head trauma and staggered breathing. Maybe it was the feel of the foreign human hands on her battered body or the shock had worn off, but Tweety’s head snapped up and she made a feeble attempt to fly away, landing instead in Dr. Luke’s thick head of dark hair. She flailed around atop his melon for a few more seconds, got her bearings and flew into a nearby tree on the boulevard.
I turned to Sage and sent my thoughts his way.
Why was she here and why did she feel she needed to get inside?
Something about Linda Chokecherry. She saw something and she wanted to tell you. From what we just heard, I gather Linda is planning some kind of dark curse. Or, she has already.
Why didn’t Tweety just tell you?
Because I might have called her a tramp the last time I saw her. Or, maybe I used the word floozy. I don’t really remember. But that loose bird doesn’t care for me overmuch.
I wonder why?
Stifle it mouse house.
“Well,” Dr. Luke said as he ran a hand through his hair to straighten it back into his normal style. “That was strange.”
Ami peered around his shoulder to stare at Tweety. “If this is an omen of how this day’s going to go. Maybe we should just skip the caves. I hate to say it, but between Pen almost passing out and now this odd bird side show, it might be best to call it day before it even gets started.”
“No.” Pen raised her voice slightly. I knew she was afraid. Afraid of what conclusion Elias might come to if the group allowed that melodramatic man to go exploring alone. “We’re going.”
Chapter 6
Lola rolled her azure blue eyes as she trotted along next to me. Man, it was hot. Damn Dr. Luke and his hair-brained idea to go see the caves. But I actually was glad he was along because knowing Pen and Ami, they would have come anyway. And alone.
The sun shone fiercely on the red rock and my black fur. Said shiny coat might end up scorched right off my body if we didn’t get to our destination soon. Pen and Ami had walked up ahead, Pen’s ponytail bobbing in the light breeze. Dr. Luke’s hiking boots fell in perfect lively steps beside me and Lola. I bet Lola was regretting her decision to come on this trek but she hadn’t complained. Yet.
“Tali,” Luke said in a soft voice still filled with happiness. “My date last night went really well.”
I looked up at him and bored a hole into his forehead with my best kitty glare. Had he lost his fool mind? He could learn a thing or two about romancing the ladies if he stuck with me. Case in point. Mine was already glued to my side like Elmer’s and I didn’t even have to do any heavy lifting. Where was Pen?
Dr. Lucas Collier is snookered.
I glanced up to see Sage soaring high above, keeping watch over our little quintet. Yes, Dr. Luke was definitely up the creek without a paddle in the romance department. He should have been up ahead, holding Pen’s hand, keeping her safe. Instead, he lagged behind with a couple of fur balls. Albeit, one was as gorgeous as Penelope, If I do say so myself.
Thanks, Tali.
That compliment got me a rub to my cheek with her silky white fur.
“Why, ladies, fancy meeting you here.”
Where had that old codger Stout come from? I thought we’d lost him back at the Coffee Hut. It was as if he’d just appeared in this desert like some sort of decrepit mirage.
Coffin dodger.
That must be UK slang for old as dirt. Said oldster was standing way to close to Amelia for my liking so as we approached, I deliberately knocked in to the back of his legs and he lurched forward. After he regained his balance, Stout turned around and speared me with his bird-like glare.
“Hello, Dr. Collier,” he snarled. “I didn’t see you back there. And with your menagerie, I see. Glad you were able to make it to the caves today after all the incidents at the Coffee Hut.”
“Hi again, Elias,” Dr. Luke replied.
Stout rested his eyes on Lola with curiosity and intrigue. “I’ve never seen that white one before. Where did she come from, Miss DeLacroix?”
Not on your
bloody life, douche bag. Back off my woman.
Pen scrunched her eyes up. She knew where this was headed. Straight off in to the ditch. I gave Lola a look. “That’s Lola. Her owner just passed away.”
“Is she available for adoption?” Stout asked his black eyes lighting up with pleasure.
Hit it, doll.
Just when Pen had opened her mouth to answer, Lola opened her mouth. And hacked up a giant fur ball right on to Stout’s brand new leather hiking boots.
“That’s disgusting,” he said as he slammed his boot on the rocks a couple of times to get the vomit off.
“She has a bit of a cough but it’s clearing up nicely with antibiotics,” Dr. Luke said. “Also, she’s spoken for. Jessie …”
Pen cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Lola is already adopted. By me. Tali’s attached to her and I think we should keep her. I have room in my bed so what’s two cats when you already have one.”
“Absolutely, you can never have too many cats,” Dr. Luke jumped in.
Right on.
“Yes,” Elias said but his facial expression was saying, ‘no’.
He used the ruse of getting the slime off his boot as a reason to sidle up closer to Ami. She was having none of it and backed up until her feet were dangling far too close to a rocky overhang. I could hear the clang of the loose dirt and pebbles as they fell over the side and hit the rock on their way down to the ravine below. Pen saw it too because she reached out a hand to steady her and pull her back toward the group so she wouldn’t be in a position to kill herself over the bird man of Alcatraz.
“Miss Penelope, I’m starting to think you’re withholding the adoptable cats from me,” Elias said as he narrowed his eyes. “Now … I wonder why you would do that.”
Because you’re a card carrying member of the blue rinse brigade. No … wait. You don’t have any hair.
You’re incorrect, furry mole patrol. That man is a card carrying member of the OAP.
OAP?
Yes. The Old Age Pensioners. Step away from Miss Amelia, codger.
Sage had flown down in time to overhear the tail end of the conversation and put his two cents in. Or two pence as it were.
“Elias, I would never do that,” Pen defended. “I don’t have any cats right now that would be a good fit for apartment living. The only one I have is Presto and she’s an escape artist. She’d fly right out your sliding glass door and then she’d end up right back with me after she’d destroyed some unsuspecting citizen’s flower beds.”
Twat incoming. Like enemy fire.
I glanced up just in time to see Damian striding towards us wearing expensive aviator sunglasses and Abercrombie from head to toe. Great, as if suffering the fool known as Elias Stout wasn’t bad enough, here was ignoramus number two.
“Penelope, Ami, Collier, Stout,” he nodded. “I didn’t expect to see all of you here today.”
What was he talking about? Since Sabrina Scuttleworth had blabbed all over town, almost every resident of Shadowkeep was here today at the caves. Trying to see something move or whatever was going on in there. Trying to be the one person that could figure out what magic was at play. If any. Trying to be the local hero. On a witch hunt.
“Hi, Damian,” Pen was the only one who responded. The rest just glared or looked at their shoes. Ami was still trying to keep Elias from getting too close to her. It almost looked like he wanted to grab her hand again in his clammy, hairy one. Why was it that men without hair on their head seemed to have wads of errant hair all over their body? Not that there’s anything wrong with having hair all over your body.
Right doll? Wink, wink.
Agreed, oh handsome and furry one.
After the nice compliment, I glanced over at Lola and all of her white hair stood straight up like she’d stepped in to an electrical storm. Damian Chokecherry strikes again.
Who is that man, Tali?
Bad news. Stick close to me, kid. Like static cling. Which I hate to tell you, but you already look like the brand ambassador for Static Guard.
Lola sidled up to me as her hair gradually went back down to lay flush to her back. Damian looked down at us with disdain.
“Why are those cats along?” he asked. “Can’t you people go anywhere without your animal sidekicks? Then again, you own an animal shelter and you’re a vet, so it’s probably to be expected.”
He let his obsidian gaze wander to Elias. “And Stout, your colleagues could be considered animals so you probably feel right at home as well.”
Elias bristled at the veiled insult and opened his mouth, but must have thought better of taking the bait because he snapped it shut again.
Ami couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She never had and never would. “What’s my excuse then, Damian? I work at a newspaper and don’t have anything to do with the animals. But I’m still here and I’m happy Talisman, Lola and Sage are here with us.”
Damian turned as rigid as rigor mortis when he heard the word ‘Sage’ and started to crane his neck until he found my fine feathered friend perched on a nearby boulder.
Pillock.
Damian’s face turned into an evil grimace that would make Crispin Glover proud. If his look could talk it would say, ‘I’d like to take that owl down with a Barnett Ghost 350’. Sage did the typical snub and turned his head to the side to slight Damian. Of course, Damian didn’t know the rebuke was on purpose, which was probably the only thing that was keeping the man stationary and not walking over to put Sage’s neck in the owl Half Nelson. Then snapping it off his body.
“You’re not going to believe it!” The animated voice of Sabrina cut through the tension and everyone stared at the women as she trotted towards them, hands flailing.
“What aren’t we going to believe?” Damian asked. “That you’re here to gossip about the caves? I’m pretty sure that all of us already knew that part.”
Whenever Damian Chokecherry was present it was an equal opportunity offense and Sabrina looked crushed.
“All of you need to come in to the caves to see what I’m talking about.” She pressed ahead in spite of Damian.
The group walked toward the opening of the first cave, the same one where the mystical, ancient and alive drawings were supposed to be housed. The cave was dark and Dr. Luke lifted his lantern high to lead the way. The lack of oxygen, along with the dirt and cobweb smell stung the back of my throat and watered my eyes. Lola screeched when a bat flew from a darkened corner and landed within a few feet of her.
“Keep those damn cats quiet, Collier,” Damian snapped. “They’re on my last nerve.”
Pen reached over and scooped Lola up in to her arms and my girlfriend snuggled in. I was more prepared and able to avoid Damian’s booted toe by sidestepping out of his way and walking in between Ami and Stout. Killing two birds with one stone as it were. Sage remained outside, keeping watch for any strange happenings like Shadow Watchers or Lucinda.
As we hiked deeper and deeper in to the caves, I started to realize how alone we all were with Stout and Damian. Sabrina didn’t provide too much protection with her constant babbling. Of course, Dr. Luke clutched the heavy lantern and could always crack Damian in the skull. Chokecherry was dangerous but Stout was nothing more than a crusty old fossil. With bad breath. It was hard to tell if it was the gas coming from the cave that was tickling my nostrils or the gas from his mouth.
Sabrina gasped and pointed. “There – there it is.”
I kept between Stout and Ami as we gingerly approached the side of the cave where the glyph was supposedly carved in the soft sandstone. The humans stood a few feet from the rock and stared at the images. First, there were about three deer like images that increased in size from small to large. Next to them was a 3-D figure with appendages that looked just like Rosie from the Jetson’s.
“Those are so beautiful,” Ami exclaimed as she reached out a hand towards the images.
Elias Stout slapped her hand away. “Don’t touch that, Miss Amelia! It
may be laced with evil. How would I ever forgive myself if something happened to you while we’re down here? I’d never be able to face your mother again.”
Damian guffawed. “The only thing down here that’s evil, Stout, is you.
Or, you.
“Those drawings are really cool,” Dr. Luke agreed. “Penelope, are you okay?”
I glanced up and noticed Pen had gone white as a sheet. The glyphs weren’t that great that she should be struck speechless and motionless. Lola jumped from her arms when they went limp and at the moment her dainty paws hit the ground in front of me, my pendant started getting hot. It did that whenever there was evil present. The witch was here. I started pawing at it to try to get it to cool down.
“Oh, no!” Dr. Luke rushed towards Pen just as she fainted straight in to his muscled arms.
Chapter 7
“I tried to warn you, Tali,” Tweety wailed as her Finch wings flapped on the arid desert air.
“Warning me before all of your brain cells left the building,” I replied as I watched the small bird flutter above my head, “that might have been your best bet. Do you remember what you wanted to warn me about?”
Nothing but the whispered flutter of her delicate wings interrupted the silence. I sat on a red rock outside the caves. The small bird had found me just as Dr. Luke had carried Penelope’s unconscious body back to the car. As if she weighed nothing. But meant everything.
“I saw her, Tali,” Tweety exclaimed. “It was midnight. Lucinda sat cross-legged in the middle of her living room, surrounded by candles. Black candles. They had sayings etched in to the wax but I couldn’t read the words through the window.”
“What were you doing looking in that dangerous witch’s window at midnight?” I asked. “One glare from her obsidian eyes and you would have evaporated into the ethers. Were you on a death wish?”
The little bird shivered and that caused her wings to vibrate at an even more frenetic pace. “I couldn’t hear her through the glass but I think I could read her lips. They were pursed in the most evil-looking line of menace. I think she said ‘Evil, live, live, live.’ Then she made a stabbing motion with her right hand into the carpet!”
Fur Magic Boxed Set: Talisman, Sage, Fawn, Lola: Paranormal Romantic Comedy Page 10
