“Hawk insisted. Said we all needed to stick together during these times.” Gillian took a sip of tea and then made a face.
“Is there a problem?” Bibbi asked.
“No, not at all. This will do.” Gillian put the tea down, not drinking anymore.
I glanced around the room, but Hawk had already gone to the office. What was he thinking, moving her in?
She finished the scone that would’ve been better with her chocolate and moved on to some strips of meat. She picked up her tea and then held the cup out. “Bibbi, would you mind adding a touch more sugar? It’s so hard for me to walk, and I’m used to tea that’s not quite so bitter.”
“Of course not.” Bibbi’s smile was near scary, not that Gillian seemed to notice.
Gillian focused on me next. “Tippi, would you mind checking over at my shop while I’m recuperating and seeing if they need anything?”
“Of course not.” I would’ve paid for an excuse to get out of there. While I was at it, I’d get a cocoa too. Although I’d keep that to myself. Bertha already appeared to be beating her dough to death instead of gently kneading it.
“I’ll help you,” Bibbi said, splashing tea on Gillian as she hurried to my side.
We got out of the building before her yelling stopped.
Bibbi walked so close that she nearly ran me over. “She’s trying to move in on our man. This is not happening.”
“He’s not technically our man.” He wasn’t Gillian’s, either. She could pet his shoulder all day long and it wouldn’t make it so. I didn’t think. Either way, Bibbi didn’t need to hear those thoughts. She was already at a ten on the riled-up scale.
“Yes, he is. He’s yours first because he likes you better, and that’s fine. I’ve accepted that. You were here first. But if that doesn’t work out, I get him next. That one is not allowed to stroll in and jump the line.” Her hands were balled into fists.
“Don’t get worked up. You don’t know that she wants him.” Wow, how far I’d come in the lying department. That lie had flowed over my lips like water down a river.
“Did you see her face as he carried her to the couch? The way she asked, ‘Hawk, is tea okay?’” she said in a mock falsetto. “She wants him, all right, and he’s not hers to take. He’s ours.”
I took a step to the side before I got plastered into a nearby building as she raged. The denial route was not calming her down.
“Fine. But let’s see what happens. I get the feeling that she isn’t Hawk’s type.” It was the only thing safe to say, since sweet Bibbi was near growling and about to foam at the mouth like a Rottweiler defending its territory.
I didn’t particularly like where Gilli’s mind was going either, but I didn’t own Hawk. We’d had a handful of kisses and more than twice that in fights. If you counted up both, the tally put him closer to enemy than ownership.
Plus, it was true what I’d said. He wasn’t going to be interested in her. Gillian was a cute girl and all, with her big brown eyes and brown ringlets, but personality? Never. Even Belinda, for all her faults, had been made of tougher stuff than the take care of me, I’m injured Gillian. How could he possibly be attracted to her?
“Don’t worry. He’s not going to pay her attention. It’s not going to be a problem. She’ll get bored and go back home,” I said as we got to the Sweet Shop.
“I hope so, because she’s already irritating me. I don’t know how long I’ll last.”
I held the door open for her. “You know, maybe we should get you a double today?”
“Good idea.”
14
The front door blew open with a gust of wind. A stream of dark smoke twirled its way toward me until it formed glowing embers that hovered in the air, before turning into ash that piled up onto my desk. Everyone in the office watched as the ashes seemed to plump up and then bind themselves into a burned piece of paper that slowly turned cream.
There was only one person, or creature, this could be from. I leaned forward, reading the note without touching it.
I’ll pick you up at the square tonight for our meeting.
Xazier
That was it. No “will you come?” or “does this time work for you?” Another man in my life who thought he could dictate to me. They were like a bag of chips. I couldn’t stop plucking them out, and damned if I didn’t feel salty about it. Unfortunately, this man was from hell, and he could dictate to me for the simple reason that his origin scared the living hell out of me and damned anyone who judged. If that didn’t terrify a person, it would mean they’d lost all their marbles.
I grabbed a pencil, stabbing the note. It went up in a puff of smoke before it made it to the wastebasket.
“Well?” Zab asked. “Are you going to share, or are we going to have to beg for information?”
Musso’s fuzzy brows rose.
“You gotta tell us. What did it say? The suspense is killing me.” Bibbi leaned forward, wrapping her hands around the front edge of her table.
This discussion was as desirable as having my nails pulled out during a torture session, which might be on the table.
“It’s Xazier. I have to meet with him tonight.”
“What are you going to do? Are you going to go?” Zab asked.
“I have to go. Nothing else to do. I need to buy us time.”
“Wow, you’re really going to go,” Bibbi said, sinking back into her chair.
“She’ll be fine. She’s tough. She can handle this,” Musso added.
Dusty jumped onto my lap, making little whimpering noises.
Zab got out of his chair and reached for newsflash papers. “We should probably call—”
“We should call no one. This was my agreement, and there’s nothing Hawk can do about it. I know. You don’t like it. She doesn’t like it,” I said, pointing in Bibbi’s direction. I looked at Musso. “I’m sure you didn’t like it either.”
He grunted.
“But it’s done, and I’m going to uphold my end and buy us time. Now I’m going to go get ready before dinner, since I have no clients anyway.”
All leather, the better for fighting? Or something a little softer so I didn’t appear to be picking a fight? Maybe something in between? I settled on leather pants, along with boots that had a good grip and a hard sole, and a fuzzy sweater that clung to all the right spots.
Everyone was eating dinner when I went downstairs, but no one was talking. The room grew quiet as I took a seat. There wasn’t any blame. It was hard to start a conversation that didn’t involve the only thing we were all thinking: I had an evening engagement with a demon.
No matter how many times I said that in my head, it never lost its bite.
Hawk wasn’t back, which wasn’t altogether unusual. No one really knew what he did most of the day. Considering some of the secrets I did know, that might’ve been for the best. Plus, I didn’t need anyone adding to my own chorus of doubts.
I took a scoop of stew and filled my bowl. I wasn’t particularly hungry but ate like it was my last meal, just for the sake of it. If the leather pants and boots ended up being more appropriate for tonight, I’d need the sustenance.
“Cute outfit,” Bibbi said in between bites of stew. “I don’t remember seeing that sweater before.”
She hadn’t. It had been an impulse buy, a little too fuzzy and a little too deep a neckline for what I typically wore.
“If he’s a warm-blooded—something or other—it should keep his attention,” she said, as she dipped a roll into the broth.
“Can’t hurt, I figure.”
“You’re not trying to date him, are you?” Gillian asked from across the table, looking like she’d been fed poison. “I mean, I heard you didn’t get many dates, but don’t you think this is a little bit much?”
“Of course she isn’t,” Bibbi snapped.
They continued to bicker as Oscar walked to the door and nodded for me to follow him. He was leaning on my desk when I joined him.
“Y
ou sure you know what you’re doing?” He scanned my outfit with a look that was more like fatherly concern than the roguish looks he gave me when Hawk was about.
I walked over and leaned on the desk beside him. “Of course I don’t. I barely know what I’m doing on a good day, but I’m going to figure this out the way I muddled my way through everything else.”
“Stakes are pretty high.”
“They weren’t when I was hanging on to a giant bat’s back?”
He half laughed, but he was still too somber for my liking. Or maybe it was the dimly lit room that was making things seem so bleak. I’d pretty much lay the blame on anything but what I’d gotten myself into at this point.
“As frightening as this sounds, yes, I think they were. We were there when you were on that bat, and whether or not you knew it, we would’ve stepped in if things turned. This? Going off with him alone? I’m not comfortable with this. I don’t know what this demon wants from you, but this isn’t just about Xest.”
“This is the first meeting. He’s not going to cross the line that fast.”
“I’m not sure why you’re so confident, but I hope you’re right.”
“So do I.” I straightened and grabbed my coat off the hook.
Hawk still wasn’t here. Why I thought he’d somehow know and show up was beyond me. He wasn’t psychic. Why it felt so weird to leave here and do this without a glance in his direction, a knowing look, something, was beyond me. I’d insisted Zab not tell him, and the guy might’ve actually listened for a change, as weird as that felt.
“Well, I’m going to head out,” I said. “Don’t want to be late, after all.”
Oscar straightened. “Let me walk you over?” He moved to grab his jacket, but I waved him off.
“No. Arriving with backup isn’t the look I’m going for. I’ve got this.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Not even close to confident. Closer to the realm of wishful thinking.
Oscar nodded, but his body seemed to be struggling not to follow me anyway. I hurried out the door to make it easier for him to stay behind.
I flipped up my collar and shoved my hands in my pockets, looking both ways before I got too far away from the safety of the building. Mertie’s words from the other day still lingered in my psyche as I waited for a horde of delusional witches and warlocks to chase me down.
I sped up but then forced myself to slow down. There was no way I’d allow a crazy horde of witches to chase me off the streets of Xest. I’d spent too much time fighting for the right to be here.
I turned the corner, and Hawk stepped out in front of me. I stopped just shy of colliding with him.
“You don’t have to go.”
Of course he knew I was on my way. Had to have been Oscar. Or Zab. Zab would’ve ratted me out to Hawk if he thought it was the right thing. Musso might’ve given Hawk a heads-up. Bertha definitely would’ve. Bibbi might’ve been trying to protect me. There were too many options. It was impossible to figure out who it might have come from. It was like searching for a water leak in a colander.
“Yeah, except I kind of do,” I said, walking again. I had enough jitters without having a second helping of the don’t-do-this speech.
He grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop beside him.
I glanced at his hand and then met his gaze, making my feelings of being detained clear.
He didn’t budge.
“I’m telling you if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. We can ride out the consequences.”
He dropped his hand, having said what he needed to say.
I should’ve walked away. Xazier would be waiting, but I was sort of stuck in place.
Hawk did have his upside. Problem was you were sometimes dragged up to that peak bound and gagged, whether you wanted to be or not.
I bit my lip, knowing I had to get going and having a hard time walking away. It was probably my destination. It had to be. It wasn’t Hawk.
I forced myself to take a step before I stopped again.
“I’m not concerned about tonight. He’s not going to do anything, at least not during this first meeting.” As I said it, I believed it in my gut. It was too early in the game for Xazier to show his full hand.
Hawk reached into his pocket, grabbed my hand, and placed a small ball in it. “If you get into trouble, wrap your hand around this and call my name. I’ll be able to find you wherever you are.” His hand stayed wrapped around mine for a moment longer than needed.
“You think I’m not capable of handling this?”
“The things I think you’re capable of would astound you.”
I felt like my brain was melting, along with everything else inside of me.
“I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting.” I spun, walking away before I did something crazy, like kiss him. I walked the rest of the way alone, refusing to check on Hawk’s location even as I could feel his eyes still on me.
Xazier appeared the moment I reached the square. He held out his arm. “Are you ready?”
I smiled, reminding myself how I’d told everyone else this wouldn’t be a problem. I believed that. I did. I definitely did.
“Where are we going?” I laid my hand on his arm, knowing it was that or make a scene. The strange feeling that Hawk was still watching wouldn’t let me do that, no matter how panicked I was.
“Somewhere warmer. I detest the cold.”
A second later, the sun was bright and the air was warm. We were no longer on the cold streets of Xest but standing on a terrace in the sun, overlooking the sea with a smattering of blue and white buildings scattered along the shoreline.
“Are we in…” I lost my words as I took in the human man, or human-looking man beside me. Gone was the red skin and horns, replaced by golden hair and blue eyes. His jacket and suit had been swapped out for a short-sleeved button-down and linen pants.
“We’re in Greece. I keep a place here, among others. As for the other changes, it goes over easier with the human servants. May I?” He raised his hands to help me out of my jacket.
I turned, shrugging out of it but not before I palmed the stone from Hawk. Luckily I had, because Xazier didn’t just help me with my jacket but my entire outfit. I was in a flouncy little white sundress that wasn’t shy on the cleavage.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I figured it would be more comfortable.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”
I wouldn’t have worn this in a million years. For all its cleavage, it had eyelets and a gathered hem. It was romantic and pure looking and everything I hadn’t been since I was five, watching my mother get dragged away to the asylum the first time. I won’t even get started on the strappy heels that wouldn’t be worth the thread that held them on my feet if a fight broke out.
We took a seat at a bistro set that was on the terrace, overlooking the coast.
“Wine?” He raised his hand, summoning someone over before I could answer. “The new Cabernet that just came in.”
As soon as the servant left, I said, “Are they human?”
“Yes. Demons make horrible servants. They really aren’t built to please. Whereas these humans can be controlled and paid off. Plus, if they complained, who would listen?”
“They don’t get alarmed when you just appear?” I asked.
“They had some notice I’d be arriving with company. As far as my mode of arrival, it’s not their business to ask questions or care either way.” He spoke like someone who was above the law, the human race, all of it. As if nothing could touch him, and it probably couldn’t.
The servant returned with a bottle and glasses that he filled.
“Try it. It’s lovely. Won this at an auction last month.” Xazier smiled, raising his glass to me.
I clinked glasses and took a sip for the same reason I pretended to like the dress. There weren’t many other options right now.
“I’m not that familiar with wine, but it tastes wonderful,” I said.
�
��Trust me, it is. Would you care for a snack or light meal?”
“No, I already ate. I wasn’t sure where this meeting would take place. I didn’t know if we’d have to go to your…place of business.” This had never entered my imagination, not once. There had been days in Xest I’d missed the warmth of summer. Now the only thing I missed was the cold of Xest and the heat of the fireplace in the back room.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I certainly wouldn’t bring you there. Oh no, not there. Right now, you’re still an unknown to my colleagues. I think I’d like to keep it that way, until I get to know you a bit better myself.” He continued to watch me, leaning forward and resting an arm on the table in between us. “There’s something about you I find intriguing, and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. You present yourself like a common witch, but I’m not so sure you are what you appear.”
“I am just a common witch. I have no delusions of grandeur. I couldn’t even work a spell that well until a couple of months ago.” How was it that my freak flag waved so brightly? Was it my hair? Was it something I did? How was I triggering people’s radar? I need to figure it out and then shut that signal down.
“Maybe that’s because you weren’t meant to work a spell? No, I’m never wrong, and I can sense there’s something different about you. I’m going to figure it out, too.”
“Well, if you figure it out, you should share it with me.” I took a big swig of wine then put my glass down before I repeated the mistake. Drinking myself out of this conversation wasn’t a good plan considering my tolerance, or lack of. “A friend of yours, Lou, visited. Wanted me to tell you he was aware of the situation.”
He leaned back, swirling his wine in his glass. “I figured he might come by. That’s all right. He tends to be nosey that way.”
He was staring at me over his glass, the same way he’d stared at me in the office the day we met. His human appearance didn’t make it any more comfortable than the first time.
“So as to Xest, there’s not much to tell you about at the moment. I appreciate the drink, but I don’t want to take up too much of our time.” I got up from my chair, hoping he’d follow suit.
The Most Wanted Witch: Tales of Xest Page 8
