Something Wicked

He didn’t sound completely certain about that. “Do we have to worry about him?”

That earned a smile. “We?”

“What you’re worried about, I’m worried about.”

“Then no. We don’t have to worry.”

She nodded and pulled her purse onto her lap so she could drop her car keys into it. “So we’ll find this wizard’s assistant. . does he have a name?”

“Stanley. And he’ll be there. He’s there every night, apparently.”

“Why does he hang out at a singles’ club so much?”

“Because he’s horny and alone. Does he need more of a reason?”

“I guess not.”

“Were you planning on getting out of the car today?” he asked.

“It’s a distinct possibility.” She didn’t move for another few moments, though. Andy had been very adamant that they talk this morning, but he wouldn’t say what about. That worried her.

Worry seemed to be her default setting lately.

It was probably nothing.

“Eden,” Andy greeted them as they entered the office. “We need to talk.”

Maybe it wasn’t nothing.

The brisk statement made Eden’s back stiffen. She was hiding so much from Andy that it was about time he naturally clued in on something. In fact, he shouldn’t have to clue in. She should just go ahead and tell him the truth.

Like Darrak, for instance. Andy was under the mistaken impression that he was Eden’s brother. It might have something to do with the fact that Eden had introduced him that way. Andy was sharp, though. A former FBI-agent pushing fifty, with a fit, compact body, thinning blond hair, and keen eyes, he’d single-handedly run the agency by himself for years.

When Eden realized she was possessed by a demon, the shock of this gave her enough concentrated energy to eject Darrak from her body, forcing him to take form for the first time in this office. That much psychic power helped create a “hot spot,” which helped to draw supernatural beings there like a magnet. Triple-A was now their private investigation agency of choice. Since even Others’ problems skewed toward the normal — cheating spouses, insurance fraud, missing persons — Andy wasn’t any the wiser about all the weird stuff going on there.

Andy stood up from his chair and flattened his hands on the top of his desk as he stared at her for a long moment.

“There’s weird stuff going on here, Eden,” he said.

She gulped. “Weird stuff?”

He nodded. “I don’t think it’s just my imagination. Look, I need to get this out and I need you to listen to me. Tell me if I’m crazy, okay?”

Eden and Darrak exchanged a glance. “Uh. . okay,” she said. “I really need some coffee, though. I’m desperate.”

“Nancy’s bringing over a tray shortly from next door.” Andy also owned Hot Stuff, so one thing Triple-A never lacked was caffeine or high-caloric pastries.

“Is she bringing over some of those chocolate donuts I love?” Darrak asked.

Great, Eden thought. Way to concentrate on the problem at hand.

“I’d be surprised if she didn’t,” Andy replied. “That girl has a big old crush on you.”

“On me?” Darrak looked pleased.

As if he didn’t already know that. The Hot Stuff assistant manager, Nancy, drooled uncontrollably whenever she was in Darrak’s presence. It was kind of pathetic.

Also, why were they discussing donuts when there were more important subjects on the table at the moment?

“I’d never normally be so crude as to say a lady’s a sure thing.” Andy walked to the glass door and peered outside at the parking lot before looking at Darrak again. “But, trust me, Nancy’s a sure thing. So if you’re interested, now’s the time to get some.” He glanced at Eden and grimaced. “I probably shouldn’t say that in front of your sister, should I? Sorry Eden.”

The day wasn’t getting any better.

“We were talking about weird things?” Eden prompted, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “What kind of weird things? Other than Nancy’s dark desires, that is.”

Andy rubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, his forehead furrowing. “I don’t know exactly how to put this, but. . our clients are strange.”

Eden tensed. “Strange how?”

“I thought I saw one of them—” Andy shook his head. “It’s just that I could have sworn I saw. . uh. .”

“What?” Her throat felt tight.

“Fur.”

“Fur?”

“Just for a moment. A split second, really. I was doing some run-of-the-mill surveillance. A guy wanted me to keep an eye on his wife at home during the workday. And she”—he spread his hands—“had fur. And then the next moment she didn’t. Like, poof.”

Oh, boy.

“That does sound kind of crazy,” Eden said cautiously. How would he react if he learned about shapeshifters and other supernatural species secretly milling about town? Would he freak out? Run away? Blame Eden for bringing this craziness into his life? Shut down the business? All of the above?

“Another client. . I could have sworn her eyes turned white right in front of me when discussing a case. Like, no pupils or irises. Just stark white.” He cleared his throat. “And they glowed a little, too. I’m crazy, aren’t I?”

“Well. .” Eden began. “Maybe you need to—”

“You’re not crazy,” Darrak interrupted. “The client’s furry wife was likely a werewolf. They’re the most common shapeshifter, after all. And glowy white eyeballs are a dead giveaway that you’re talking to a fairy who’s low on his or her power. Try not to get too close when their glamour starts to slip like that. It’s this whole moth and flame thing they do. They’ll suck some of your energy right out of you before you even know what’s happening.”

Andy’s mouth gaped open. “What did you say?”

Eden’s eyes were wide. What was Darrak doing? She was about to explain it away, and he’d just blurted out the truth like it was no big deal?

“Darrak. .” she began.

“Andy’s a part of this now,” he reasoned. “I don’t know why you insist on keeping this all a big fat secret. . sis.” He grinned. “Andy’s trustworthy enough, isn’t he?”

If looks could exorcise demons, Darrak would be bound for the Void right now.

“But — but. . werewolves and fairies don’t really exist,” Andy protested weakly.

“Of course they do,” Darrak assured him. “And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Just go with it. It’s not a big deal.”

Void bound. Decimation by eyeball, coming right up.

When did she lose control over this situation?

Andy sat down heavily behind his desk, his eyes shifting rapidly back and forth. “Oh, my God, you’re right! She’s a werewolf. Her husband is going to flip out!”

“He’s probably a werewolf, too,” Darrak said. “Shifters rarely crossbreed. They’re very particular about that sort of thing. Something about keeping their family lines pure. It’s very Harry Potter. Only werewolves instead of wizards. But wizards are real, too. FYI.”

Andy continued to gape at him for a moment, then let out a long shaky breath as Eden looked on helplessly at this train wreck of a conversation. “I’m going to throw up.”

“No, you won’t.” Then Darrak grimaced. “Or, you probably won’t. I don’t know.”

“No. . I’m — I’m fine.” Andy swallowed hard. “This is going to sound nuts, but as bizarre as what you’ve just