Hand In Ash

by Zoe Parker

  “See enough yet?” Devil sounds smug enough; she considers leaving him here.

  An eerie meow floats through the air, and she’s already halfway to the door when Devil realizes he’s alone in the kitchen.

  “Sora! Don’t you dare leave me here!” Laughing now, she slides to a stop outside of the door, watching him barrel towards her. The temptation is strong, but at the last minute, she lets him pass and slams and locks the door before jogging to her car, wondering if she has some air freshener in it.

  The smell is lingering.

  Digging through the back, she finds spray for the car and sprays it all over herself before climbing in and giving it one last look before leaving. Devil is grumbling from his car seat, and then he starts laughing.

  “What?”

  “You smell like a new car,” he says, chuckling.

  “Better than smelling like an old litterbox.”

  “Are they all going to be like that?” She turns the GPS back on and exits onto the highway.

  “Well, they’re considered prime real estate, all listed under market value, so I imagine they’ll all have some kind of issue.” She just hopes it’s not all like this one. There was definitely something more in there than a bad smell.

  “Joy.”

  Determined to enjoy what she can about this excursion, she takes the next exit with a bit more enthusiasm than required. Devil hadn’t buckled himself in, and he thumps against the door with a muttered curse. Amused, Sora keeps driving while humming under her breath.

  The second house looks much better. It’s on a cul-de-sac and has a tidy yard, a brand-new paint job, and looks like a happy place to live. Feeling more positive about this one, she nearly skips to the porch only to discover the key box sitting on one of the patio chairs.

  This isn’t good.

  Cautiously she knocks on the door, in case someone is in there. The last thing she wants to do is have someone try to zap her or worse, shoot her. The door swings open, and she takes a step back. The shifter, a man in his early thirties with a mop of messy curly hair and something yellow around his mouth, gives her a jaunty smile.

  He’s also as naked as the day he was born.

  “Hello, how can I help you?”

  “Uh, we came to look at the house,” she answers, already wondering if she can outrun this guy.

  “Oh. So, this house isn’t free?” he asks with a small frown on his face. Fighting back a gag, she watches him lick around his mouth, completely missing the gobs of whatever food he smeared all over himself.

  “What do you mean by that?” she asks, taking another step backward. Definitely not this house.

  “It was unlocked, so I let myself in, I figured since it was empty and owned by pack it was free.”

  “That’s called squatting, and it’s illegal, you dumbass,” Devil says, floating around to block her view of the shifter. “Whoever owns this house isn’t going to be happy with you or the mess you made in there.”

  “Yeah, I should probably call someone… Devil, let’s go.” She’s already walking when she says it. Back in the car, she takes her list and marks off this property as well. Squatters aren’t kind to property, and she has no desire to clean up after them.

  “Who the hell thinks a house is free?” Devil asks, shaking his head.

  “That idiot, apparently. I’ll email the listing agent to let them know. From what I could see past his big ass, he’s done some damage to the place.”

  “You’re talking about all the dead half-eaten animals on the floor, I’m guessing?”

  “At least they were animals and not people.” A small mercy considering how this afternoon is going already.

  “That we know of.” It’s not unheard of for humans to be prey. It’s frowned upon but not entirely illegal.

  “Rumors say people taste like chicken,” Devil says with laughter in his voice.

  “I’ve heard some shifters like to chew on skulls too.” That shut him up. The last thing in the world she wants to do is spend the next few hours trying to get those images out of her head.

  “It must be cold in that house,” Devil says, breaking the silence. Sora snorts. She knows exactly where this is going.

  “We both know that not everything can grow in the cold,” she counters, playing along.

  “Some things don’t grow at all.” Both of them laugh, and she shakes her head as she pictures the naked shifter again. There’s more than one reason no shifter women have claimed him. He’s a bit lacking in the department that matters most to female shifters.

  “I hope he has hidden talents, or he’s going to be a lonely man forever.” Devil is still riding the penis joke train.

  There was something worse about him than his lack of certain things. “What the hell did he have on his face?” Even picturing it makes her stomach turn.

  “I’m pretty sure it was animal fat, but there’s always the chance he was eating mountain oysters.” Mountain oysters?

  “What are those?”

  “Are you serious, right now? Sora! They’re animal balls.” He breaks out into guffaws.

  “Ew!” And now she can’t get that image out of her mind of the shifter eating them like bonbons. It’s disturbing and kills the small pangs of hunger.

  “You want to get some food?” he asks after the laughter dies down.

  “Are you telling me that talking about balls makes you hungry?”

  “Oh, eat a dick, Sora.” He sounds put out, and it’s enough of a reason for her to continue.

  “Better than balls, Devil.” Her laughter fills the car, and as they turn into the last house on her list, her laughter turns into a shocked gasp. As she pulls into the long driveway, giving her ample time to stare at the house and the surrounding property, it’s like fate hits her in the head with a hammer.

  “Wow, this place is just… wow,” Devil says with his face pressed against the windshield. Her mouth is hanging open as far as his.

  It’s not that the property is fancy, the grass is slightly overgrown, and the weeds are taking over near the house, but something about it shines to them both. It’s a faded yellow, with no shutters and a large bay window facing the driveway. The porch wraps completely around the front of the house, and even from this distance, she can see the old, but tasteful, rocking chairs lining it. The front door sets like a beacon in the center of the porch, surrounded by a panel of etched glass on either side. The bright red of the door stands out like a flame.

  “This. Is. The. House!” she exclaims, hopping out of the car as soon as she puts it in park. Devil is right on her heels, and when she walks up on the porch, the feeling of home fills her with warmth and comfort.

  “This place… there’s magic here, Sora. Can you feel it, like a hum in the air?” Devil asks in wonder. “Why in the world are they selling it?”

  “The owner was honest and said they think it’s haunted, so whatever magic is in this place isn’t shifter friendly.” She considers that a bonus. When she finally gets the door open and before her is a large, empty living room that’s slightly stuffy but welcoming, she smiles. Her skin tingles as she walks through the rooms on the first and only floor.

  She stops in the center of the house, where a small altar stands empty but was well-used in the past. This isn’t haunted. It’s standing on a well of pure wild magic, and whoever owned it before was powerful enough to not only mask it but used it to feed the land.

  Trailing her fingers across the altar, she says a silent prayer to whatever god is listening and goes to explore the basement. It looks like any other basement, filled with the scent of old herbs and fabric. But there’s no evidence of leaks or previous water damage, so it’s more than usable. The attached garage is also in good condition with a workbench set up for potion and charm creation. Only one type of supernatural would use things in this way. She goes back into the house to the sunroom on the other side of the kitchen.

  “A sorcerer lived here, made this place a home.” She turns around in a
circle with a smile on her face.

  “A long, long time ago,” Devil adds.

  “You think? The place is dated, sure, but it’s not exactly falling down around our ears.” It definitely needs updates. The wallpaper is from another time, something her mom might have used a few decades ago, and the carpet is worn and needs to be replaced. All things that can be done easily.

  “There’s a preservation spell on it, a potent one. It’ll last for a long time to come. Did you see how easily it let us inside? There are wards, but they parted for us with no problems. It’s like this house wants to be owned.” He wanders into the bedroom, and she stares out the window into the large, open back yard. There’s a line of trees at the end of the field. The house comes with ten acres, a lot for the price, and now she knows why.

  The house didn’t want shifters in it, but for some reason, it wants them here.

  “You’re talking like this place is alive.” Maybe he’s onto something about that. Running her hands along the wall makes her fingers tingle, and she gets a sense of something resembling a heartbeat.

  “In a way, it is, I think. So much magic was poured into it. The original owner loved this place, and it shows.” They look at each other and say at the same time, “This one.”

  “This one.” She calls the listing agent and discusses buying the house.

  “What loan company will you be using?” the pleasant voiced woman asks.

  “None. I’ll be paying cash for the house. Voss also mentioned that I get a discount, is that still an option?” There’s no harm in using a real estate coupon.

  “Yes, Mr. Jane has already contacted us concerning it. How soon would you like to purchase the home?”

  “Well, I know it’s a lengthy process, but I’d like possession as soon as possible.”

  “That won’t be a problem. Once we receive payment, we can have you in within a few days. There’s no current resident, and while processing can take up to thirty days for the full deed switch over, there are no problems with you staying in the home during that time.”

  “Can you email the links to make the payment? I can actually send it right now.”

  “Of course. I can get you the keys as soon as payment clears.” Sora disconnects the call and takes another long look around the house.

  It’s starting to get dark outside by the time she makes herself leave. Locking the door behind them, she gives the frame a pat and takes her time walking down the short front walk to the car.

  “Are you going to keep the car?” Devil’s question is a good one, and until now, not one she’s given much thought to.

  She won’t lie to herself; she loves the car. It has all the latest gadgets, rides wonderfully, and can go about anywhere she needs to go regardless of the weather. Plus, heated seats. She doesn’t want to return it, but she doesn’t want it for free either, but the price tag is a bit higher than she wants to pay for a car.

  “Do you think he intended for me to give it back?”

  “No. His bullshit about a company vehicle is just that. I’d keep it, but to soothe your guilty conscience, consider it hazard pay. Hank pays you well, but for what they have you doing and the danger you’re in, it’s not enough.” It’s devious, that’s what it is. “Pay him a discounted rate for wear and tear.” She laughs at his suggestion and decides to pay Voss for the car and keep it. She’s grown used to it and its comforts; she’s fond of it.

  “I’ll text him about it later. First, I want to go to the furniture store and the charm shops. We have shit to buy!” Excited about shopping for their new home, she ends up going to multiple stores and buys more than she intended to. The furniture companies will deliver the stuff in a few days, and the rest she packs into the car and drags to the hotel.

  Once there, she starts packing unnecessary items and, while folding summer clothes, checks her email and discovers the house price is over twenty-thousand dollars cheaper than the listed price. Rubbing her hands together in glee, she wires them the money, electronically signs the contracts, and texts Voss about the car.

  His response is fast. The car is yours; that was my intention from the beginning.

  Unsatisfied with that, she replies. I prefer to pay you anyway.

  Several minutes pass before she finally gets his answer. Dinner.

  She makes a face and considers looking up the full price and paying it but stops because she knows he won’t take it. For whatever reason, he’s determined for her to have the car. It’s not as if the cost of it will break him. He’s probably one of the richest men in the world.

  She still has to fight an inner struggle. Taking it doesn’t feel right, but the twinge of guilt is nothing compared to what she would have gone through mere months ago. Voss is helpful, mostly for his own reasons, and she appreciates it, but there are always strings attached.

  What else do I owe for it? She texts to him.

  Just dinner, Sora. And if you won’t let it lie with just that, you can pay me an even ten thousand over the next ten years. I won’t accept any more for it, and if you try to return it, I’ll let it sit and rot outside of your new house.

  To her, that feels like a sneaky way to keep a connection between them, and she’s not comfortable with that. It’s also annoying that he already knows she bought the house.

  I’ll pay it all upfront and be done with it.

  Fine.

  After staring at the screen debating on her next text, she types it out and hits send before overthinking it. Glad to see you survived your challenge.

  Were you worried about me?

  She was off and on in the back of her mind, but he wasn’t at the forefront, and that shows how she’s separated herself from her feelings for him, but instead of telling him that she sends something short and sweet.

  Yes, and not any longer. Good night. She’s not going to bed. She’s just unsure of what else to say to him. There are lots of things she wants to say, sarcastic, and potentially insulting things, but not all. Not even most of it.

  Life after Max is enlightening, better for her, but also sometimes incredibly confusing.

  “I think you should hire a maid,” Devil says suddenly, plopping down on the bed beside her.

  “Why?”

  “You’re not exactly the best housekeeper, and I suck completely. Might be nice to have someone else come in and tidy up.”

  “Who do you suggest we have do it?” The idea isn’t completely unappealing; cleaning isn’t her favorite thing to do, and cooking isn’t either.

  “There are a bunch of non-fur shifters who are looking for work.” It sounds to her like he already has someone in mind for the job.

  “What about the wards, though?”

  “We can key them around him, I reckon.”

  “Wait, him?”

  “Are you being a sexist, Sora? Can a man not be a maid?” She frowns at him, unsure if he’s serious or not. “Don’t worry, I won’t call the feminist police on you, but as you’ve figured out, I’ve got someone in mind.”

  “I’m listening.” The more she thinks about it, the more appealing it is.

  “He’s damaged in their eyes, unable to change and small for his size, so all they do is bully him and ignore him. Treat him like right shit.” Devil is a lot of things but never a bully, and over the years she’s seen him help many people get out from under the burden of it.

  “You trust him?” That’s the real issue. It has to be someone irreproachable, and that’s a big set of shoes to fill. The fact that Devil is close to another person, enough to recommend them and sound so angry with the shifter’s treatment, makes her happy. At least he wasn’t alone when she had her head up her ass for ten years.

  “I trust them enough, but we can also take precautions.” He studies her a moment. “You know how Dirk is kinda scarred?” She nods. “Levi is a bit like that too.” Which isn’t a deciding factor in anything. Scars aren’t something she will ever judge or base someone’s character off of.

  “How old is Levi?�
�� She’s dying to know more, but rapid-firing questions at him won’t accomplish anything. He’s an ass like that.

  “Somewhere in his twenties, physically. Mentally, I think he’s at least a hundred. I think he’s a good fit for us.”

  “Is it a room and board kinda deal or he just comes in so many times a week and cleans?” She’s already suspicious that it’s the former, and she’s okay with that, she thinks.

  “We can protect him here,” Devil finally answers.

  “Why have I never met this… Levi?” She’s curious and wary. Not all of Devil’s acquaintances are nice people. When he was hardcore into his party phase–her fault–some of the people he was hanging out with had criminal records as long as her arm. But because she had her head so far up Max’s ass, she didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask.

  She owes Devil so much for sticking with her through that mess.

  “He and I aren’t that close, but we’ve hung out a few times.” Meaning Devil has rescued him a time or two, or his version of it.

  “Well, if he doesn’t mind sleeping in the basement, we can set him up down there. It’s waterproof, and I’m sure we can bugproof it too. Put some carpet in or something as well,” she suggests, watching Devil’s face closely.

  “I’ll call him tonight.” He starts to float off to go and pack his own things but pauses in the doorway. “Thanks for trusting me.” Then he’s gone, unintentionally leaving behind bittersweet feelings and guilt.

  She rubs a hand down her face. No matter what happens in her life, or relationships, anything really–she’s never pushing Devil out again. She’ll stay single forever if she has to.

  He’s a complete pain in the ass. A scary construct left over from before the war. Secretive, mouthy, and more violent and dangerous than he lets on. But he’s hers, and when it comes down to it, she’s his.

  Resolved and allowing herself to once again feel excitement for moving, she finishes up her packing and climbs into bed. Devil doesn’t join her like he usually does. She wonders what he’s doing and, after tossing and turning twenty times, goes in search of him. She stops in the doorway of his room that he never used and watches him stare at the wall.