Aw.
I glided through the hall, taking deep breaths as all the magicals’ emotions started licking at my senses, like silent but nagging flames. I made it to the buffet, making sure to ignore everyone around me and in my path. My hope was that if I avoided eye contact, somehow my Empathy wouldn’t be so intense.
With slightly shaking hands, I managed to pour myself a cup of coffee with three sugars, then loaded a plate with a pastry and some red berries. I wasn’t too hungry, but I figured I had a long day ahead. Carbs were welcome. I counted to a hundred in my head as I made my way to my team’s side of the table.
Anxiousness, anger, jealousy, curiosity, frantic heartbeats, and affection, fear, and concern—these were the overall vibe of the coven that morning. Every magical had something to worry or be thrilled about, and it was all piling up on top of my already-frayed nerves. I needed to eat really quickly and get out of there.
“You made it!” Santana greeted me with a smile, then nodded at the empty chair. “Sit, eat, take it easy.”
“Take it easy.” I chuckled softly. “Easier said than done.”
Wade watched me quietly, measuring me from head to toe, most likely assessing his shopping skills on me, the live model. His gaze darkened as it wandered up and down, before he looked right into my eyes for a second. My heart skipped a beat. Without so much as a hello, he shifted his focus back to Astrid.
“Alton said he’ll bring over the assignments this morning,” he told her, while I sat down and chose to focus on his emotions, since everybody else was so freaking loud and everywhere in my soul.
He was tense. His self-control was spectacular, since there was something akin to a storm brewing inside—a raw state that I didn’t recognize. There was a pang in my stomach, which I attributed to hunger, so I mowed through my breakfast and washed it down with coffee.
“Do we know what we’ll be doing first?” Astrid replied, while Santana watched me, amusement twinkling in her brown eyes.
“Probably Park West cleanup. That’s a priority,” Wade replied.
My heart was beating a little faster than usual, but, given the number of people surrounding me, it was becoming difficult to ascertain whether it was my feeling or someone else’s. I’d never been so out of control as an Empath. Nights spent in the casino had taught me to master the self-control part, and yet the coven made it extremely difficult to hold it all together.
Or maybe I was still tired, even overwhelmed by the previous day’s events.
My Daisy…
“So, sleep well?” Santana asked, ignoring the cleanup conversation.
“Like a log,” I replied, then took another sip of coffee. The food was settling nicely in my stomach, but something was still tugging at me on the inside.
That’s not me, for sure.
I looked at Wade, persistently even, but he refused to acknowledge me. Santana was quick to catch on. “Did something happen?” she asked, somewhat amused.
“Nope, all good. Weird good. But good. For the most part, anyway. You know, after we set aside the fact that my car and my place were trashed by—”
“Not another word!” Wade cut in, gritting his teeth and giving me a deadly glare.
Whoa.
“Oh, yeah, right. Sorry.” I remembered the secrecy part about the triple gargoyle incident, as per Tobe’s request.
I didn’t show any remorse, though, not while Wade’s eyes were still on me. There was something a little too sharp, too rough about Wade this morning, something that contradicted the kind (though slightly creepy) gesture of buying me a whole new wardrobe. He clearly had no intention of making a habit of being nice. So, I considered it a slip, and switched back to treating him with the same abrasiveness that he showed toward me.
“Thank you for the lingerie, Wade,” I said, barely recognizing myself.
The man had an ego, and I was ready to take a stab at it. The coffee was kicking in.
Wade’s forehead smoothed, a muscle flexing nervously in his jaw as he continued to glare at me, this time for a much different reason. It was hard to keep a grin from slitting my face in that moment, but I managed nonetheless.
My remark was enough to draw the attention of the entire Rag Team. Astrid chuckled and, for a moment, was the target of Wade’s deadly scowl. She hid her face in her coffee mug in an attempt to stifle her amusement.
“Is that what you meant by ‘weird good’?” Santana grinned. “Wade Crowley buying you intimates? Did he get the bra size right?”
“Santana.” Wade’s tone was flat and filled with warning, but she was anything but bothered. I was in for a treat.
“Wade,” she shot back, mimicking his tone. “Is there something you wish to share with the class?”
“Nope,” he said. It was his turn to hide his face in his coffee mug, but there was no amusement coming from him. Just burning embarrassment. I’d struck a nerve, as he’d probably expected me to stay quiet about the whole lingerie thing. In your dreams, Crowley.
“So, Harley,” Santana said, smiling at me. “Did he get the size right?”
“Santana,” Wade tried again, trying so hard to be polite.
“He did. Perfect fit,” I replied, trying so hard to keep a straight face. Wade’s turmoil was delicious, and it seemed like fair pay for my flustered morning. The intention may have been noble, but, seriously, you don’t just buy a girl that kind of lingerie right after you call her Mediocre. Magical pun intended.
“Don’t be alarmed,” Dylan chimed in, grinning. “Wade’s gift-buying skill is out of this world.”
“Yeah, I told her the same thing,” Astrid added, and Wade seemed to relax a little, while Tatyana and Raffe watched with straight faces. “Nothing to be… you know, creeped out about. Wade just knows us a little too well, without actually knowing us.”
“Has he bought you any black lace lingerie?” I asked Astrid, not ready to let Wade off the hook just yet. I made her blush, as she shook her head. I then looked at Dylan. “Did he get you a perfectly fitted jockstrap, by any chance?”
“Oh, hell, no—" Dylan burst out, then stilled when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Attached to said hand was Alton Waterhouse, freshly shaved and fitted into an elegant, dark gray suit, complete with his dragonhead cufflinks—his Esprit.
Fun’s over.
And just like that, Wade could finally breathe again. I caught a glimpse of Tatyana smiling, and that was a first, given her otherwise icy demeanor. Only then did I realize how hard she was laughing on the inside, as was Raffe.
Good, at least they get some early entertainment before the workday begins.
“Good morning, team,” Alton said, then dropped a file on the table before Wade. “I have your assignments for the day. I kindly ask that you and the investigative team play well together, going forward. You’re all grownups in a magical coven, not raucous children in a schoolyard.”
He looked at me, specifically, as he added weight into that last sentence. My face burned with shame, remembering yesterday’s incident with Finch. But that quickly went away when I caught a glimpse of Finch’s satisfied sneer from where he sat, farther down and across the long table.
“Yes, sir,” Wade replied.
I could feel the glimmer of hope that this was where the conversation ended, as he flipped open the file. Then Garrett decided to rub it in.
“Don’t worry, sir, my team is made up of professional adults. As long as we’re not provoked, it will all work out to the coven’s advantage,” he said.
“Then keep Finch on a leash,” Alton shot back. “I have a low-tolerance policy for bullies.”
Oh, snap!
“She threw me on top of a table,” Finch interjected, narrowing his steely blues at me.
“I’m a late bloomer with no Esprit, so what does that say about you, then?” I replied with a grin.
Alton let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s enough. We have enough on our plates as it is. Petty feuds will not help us redeem this coven’s h
onor.”
“What honor?” Garrett scoffed.
“Like it or not, Kyteler, you are associated with this coven. Its honor is your honor, too. I suggest you start acting accordingly,” Alton replied, then gave me a brief, encouraging smile. “Good luck today. I’ll be expecting a full report in the evening.”
He then left the table and met with the preceptors, who were waiting for him on the other side of the banquet hall, by the main exit. I turned my attention back to our table, where Wade was busy reading through the folder, while Astrid craned her neck to get a better look at the pages.
“You had better bring that smart mouth with you to our date night, Harley,” Garrett said, then stood up, followed by Finch and the others on his team. “I absolutely love it.”
He gave me another one of those charming winks, complete with a dimpled half-smile. It made Wade boil with anger. Nevertheless, while I understood the animosity between Wade and Garrett, I needed the scoop on the investigative team, and what better source than the leader of said team?
“You’re dating Garrett?” Santana asked, her mouth twisted with disapproval. She didn’t like him much. Actually, she kind of hated him. There was some history between them, I could feel it.
I shrugged, stealing a glance at Wade, whose green eyes were fixed on me. “I never say no to free food.”
A hammer dropped heavy in my stomach. That was Wade. For some reason, I’d hit deep with that one.
“You should be careful with him,” Santana said. There was a hint of sadness in there, tucked away between layers of stifled anger. “He’s charming as hell, but he’s an absolute prick and a sociopath. He will not hesitate to throw you under the bus if it works in his favor.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay. I’ve dealt with his kind before. I see it as a good opportunity to play nice with him, and hopefully get some insights into their investigation,” I replied. “You never know, he might let some juicy stuff slip, if he gets comfortable enough.”
“That’s why you agreed to go out with him?” Wade asked, surprised.
“That was the main reason, and it still is. Though, I have to admit, I did enjoy pissing you off a little while I was at it.” I smirked.
He exhaled sharply, once again irritated, but, at the same time, somewhat relieved. What was there to be relieved about, though?
“Look at Harley, all conniving and devious,” Tatyana said appreciatively, grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Watch out, guys, I think we’ve got a champion on our hands. She just needs some good old-fashioned nurturing and guidance.”
“Oh, teach me, master,” I replied, offering an overly reverent nod.
The Rag Team chuckled—with the exception of Wade. All he did was let the corner of his mouth twist a little, enough to show me he was slightly amused. Deep inside, however, there was concern and… something else, an emotion I had a hard time identifying, a feeling that gnawed at my stomach uncomfortably.
Chapter Nineteen
“I’m supposed to walk into my own workplace with a fake ID and tell them I’m there to inspect the premises?” I asked, staring at the plastic card in my hand that said I was a Homeland Security agent, while standing in front of the casino where I’d been working for the past six months.
Wade, Tatyana, Santana, Raffe, Astrid, and Dylan were next to me, all suited up in shades of gray and black. I was the only one in jeans and a leather jacket, which made me stand out—and not in a good way, especially when waving around a phony Homeland Security badge.
“You’re an agent in training,” Wade replied, straightening his navy-blue tie, which he’d matched to a dark gray suit and white shirt. His Esprit rings didn’t exactly match the outfit, but then again, looking at the rest of the team, they all had something that didn’t quite click. Nevertheless, they looked serious enough in those suits to pass as government employees. “And this is a good opportunity to let the casino know you’re starting a new job.”
Wade looked around, his hands on his hips. His suit jacket was open, revealing his narrow waistline in sharp contrast with his broad shoulders. I couldn’t stop myself from staring. In my defense, only then did I notice how good he looked in a suit. The pants were tailored to gently hug his muscular thighs and calves.
“See something you like?” Wade asked, breaking me out of my… analysis.
“Nothing whatsoever,” I replied, my face blazing, thankful he wasn’t an Empath. A sliver of disappointment trickled through me—was that mine or his? “Why are we here, exactly? You haven’t told me anything about the mission file. Is it a secret?”
“No, I just don’t want you to get overwhelmed on your first day,” Wade said. “But, to ease your mind, we’re simply doing a second sweep of the casino, checking security footage again and questioning other potential witnesses in the area. The investigative team is handling your apartment this morning, so we’re not needed there till the afternoon.”
Given that it was well before ten a.m., the only people in the casino at that hour would be Malcolm and the bar staff. Wade was right, it was a good opportunity to tell Malcolm I was trying on this new job. Although, I planned to leave room for a return, in case I decided not to stick with the coven.
“Okay,” I said, nodding slowly. “How do we do this, then?”
“Santana and Raffe will take the parking lot and 55th Street, where the attack took place, then check the records of the City Heights Family Health Center, in case someone checked in during or after that night with gargoyle-related injuries. Like Alton said, just in case someone slipped through the cracks, since we have no account of the gargoyle’s whereabouts from the time it escaped until the moment I saw it lurking around the casino,” Wade replied. “Tatyana and Dylan will cover the block between 56th Street and El Cerrito Drive. Astrid will cover everything between El Cerrito Drive, Madison Avenue, and El Cajon, all the way up to the Golden Stiletto Bar. There’s no point in going beyond that point. Astrid can tap into street cameras, if needed.”
“What do I do?” I asked.
“You’re coming inside with me. I’ll check their CCTV again, and you’ll submit your resignation.”
“Okay, see you all back here in, what, two hours?” Santana replied, looking at Wade with raised eyebrows. He responded with a brief nod, and the team scattered in their designated directions.
I followed Wade to the main door, which, of course, was locked, since the casino was scheduled to open much later in the day. He knocked on the glass, then waited until Malcolm opened the door.
“Harley! What brings you here? Your shift is tomorrow,” Malcolm said, surprised to see me.
“Yeah, we need to talk about that,” I replied with a sad smile, hands in my jacket pockets.
“Are you okay? You were pretty much out of it the other night. I left you some voicemails, too,” he said, looking concerned. The last time he’d seen me, he, along with the rest of the casino, had been under Wade’s business card spell, reciting his details and freaking the daylights out of me. I’d stormed out and hadn’t said anything since.
“I’m so sorry about my outburst, Malcolm. I think I had some bad Chinese. It totally messed with my nerves. I don’t know what I was thinking. But, anyway, back to my shift tomorrow,” I said, then pointed at Wade. “This is—”
“I’m Wade Crowley, Homeland Security,” Wade cut in, flashing his fake badge. “We’re investigating an incident that occurred across the street from your establishment eight nights ago. Mind if we come in?”
“You’re investigating, as in the two of you?” Malcolm replied, a confused frown settling across his face. He moved aside, allowing us both to go inside.
“Yes,” Wade said, keeping a stone-cold expression on his face. In all fairness, we were both quite young, but in our defense, Homeland Security had hired five thousand new operatives in the state of California last year, most of them new recruits. Our fake identities weren’t too far-fetched. “Miss Smith is in a probationary period, so we figured it was a good ide
a to start her off with some familiar places on her first field mission.”
Malcolm was astounded, his eyes wide as he stared at me. “It’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” I added softly. “I’m going to have to resign from the casino—”
“Effective immediately,” Wade interrupted me again. He was starting to get on my nerves, so I gave him a discreet, but hopefully uncomfortable, nudge. I heard him grunt, then his irritation flared through me. Yup. He got the message.
“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I hope you understand, Malcolm,” I said.
He nodded in response, then offered a heartwarming and sympathetic smile. “Of course. I’m very proud of you, Harley. Well done. I knew you wouldn’t be with us for too long.”
“Save the spot for me, though.” I chuckled. “They might end up sacking me in a month, and I don’t do unemployment.”
Wade shot me a brief but sharp sideways glance, as if I’d said something out of line. You can suck on that bitter pill, then, Crowley. I was only telling the truth. It was bad enough I was impersonating a Homeland Security agent; there was only so much I could bring myself to lie about in front of Malcolm.
“I’m surprised, though,” Malcolm replied, scratching his stubbled chin. “You don’t have a college degree. Why’d they let you in? I thought they were quite rigorous over at Homeland.”
“We’ve had to lower our standards substantially over the past couple of years,” Wade said, and I could feel his satisfaction at that gratuitous jab. Oh, it is on, Crowley. I will make you cry by the end of this month, I promise. “It’s not college education that is crucial in our assessments, but rather the skillset that each candidate brings to the table. I think we can both agree that Miss Smith’s… talents make her a special case. Homeland decided she was worth a try, which is why she’s in a probationary period for the time being.”
“Well then, again, congratulations, Harley!” Malcolm beamed at me. Even though most of that was a blatant lie, I couldn’t help but relish the pride glowing through me, courtesy of Malcolm. He was fond of me and, in many ways, a father figure, as important to me as Mr. Smith. Needless to say, I welcomed his validation. “Now, how can I help you?”
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven Page 21
