voice fueled my anger like kerosene on a fire. “Yes, I think I’d be prettier and maybe happier!” “I think you’ll be disappointed.”
I turned around to face him again but losing my mojo, I dropped my eyes back to the floor, hating the fact that I was so mortified, I couldn’t hold his gaze. “Regardless of what you think, I’d be happier with how I look.”
He was silent for a second. “You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
I searched for any indication of teasing in his expression. But his face reflected mine-not a smile, not a sign of playful repartee, just an earnest, searching look as though we were both trying to read each other's thoughts. “I…I um, I don’t know what to say,” I managed. Quillan grabbed my hand forcing my attention back to him again. “Not only do I think that, but you’re the best person on my team.” “Quill…” I started, not wanting a “you’re so money and you don’t even know it” conversation. “You’re the smartest on the team, Dulce. You’re the best employee I have.” Heat crawled up my neck. “Thanks, Quill, but I really don’t need to hear all this.” His eyes narrowed. “Not only that, but I’ve had to talk myself out of asking you out on a date since you joined my team.”
My eyes went wide. It was like I was in a movie, maybe a dream. I’d always imagined I was just Quillan’s co-hort, one of the guys, his favorite employee maybe. “So, is this my review?” I asked with a flippant laugh, trying to make light of the situation.
“No, Dulce, it’s not.”
I looked down again, wishing the ground would open and swallow me. After another hopeless silence, I glanced up at Quillan-almost to make sure he was still there. He didn’t say anything and neither did I. We just stared at each other. Before I could blink, Quillan leaned into me, his face inches from mine.
“Can I kiss you, Dulce?”
I nodded dumbly as he ran his hands through my hair and he brought his lips to mine. His lips were soft and full. I closed my eyes and reveled in the taste and smell of him. He pulled me closer and I wrapped my arms around his chest, allowing myself to sink into him. Surprise flashed through me when I felt his tongue in my mouth.
A wave of unease blew through me and I pulled away. He was my boss and as such, I shouldn’t be kissing him. He didn’t drop his arms from around my waist. “Are you okay?” he asked, flashing an embarrassed smile. I nodded. “I, um, I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” He laughed. “Good surprised or bad surprised?” “Good surprised.” I glanced away, trying to calm my frantic heart. “I just never thought you felt this way about me.” “I’ve wanted to do that for years.”
I was spared the need to respond when the shrill ring of the phone interrupted. I lunged for it, breaking from Quillan’s embrace. “Huh-Hello?” “Dulce, it’s Sam. You’ve gotta get to Trey’s house now. I haven’t been able to reach Quillan…” “Trey?” Shock jolted me like a splash of cold water. “Quillan’s here,” I said. “Good. He needs to come too.” “Why, what’s going on?”
She sighed as if it was too long a story to get into over the phone. “Just come over as fast as you can. I’ll explain when you get here.” “Okay, but tell me-is Trey…okay?” “Yes, just hurry.” I hung up and faced a puzzled Quillan. “Something’s wrong with Trey. Sam said we should go over there now.” “What’s wrong with him?” “I don’t know. She just said we need to hurry.” He shook his head. “You’re off any cases, Dulce.” My mouth dropped open. “That’s not fair. What am I supposed to do, Quill?” “Wait here. I’ll take care of Trey.” “But-” “Relations Office orders, Dulce.” I narrowed my eyes. “And what if the creature comes here while you’re gone? How will you feel then?”
He looked like he was going to fight me about it but ended up laughing and shook his head. Then he pulled his keys from his pocket and started for the door. “How do you to talk me into these things?”
I followed him outside to his black Ford F150 and got in before he changed his mind. Not that I thought he would-he never had in the past. But then, we’d never kissed in the past either. This kissing thing was really going to screw things up-I could see it already. “You look pissed off,” Quillan said and pulled into the street. I glanced out the window. “I’m just wondering where we…stand now.” “Where do you want us to stand?”
Hmm, I wasn’t sure. I’d imagined kissing Quillan so many times but my daydreams hadn’t ever progressed past the kissing stage. “I don’t know.” “Tell me you don’t regret it.” I threw him a consoling smile, even though the verdict was still out over whether or not I regretted it. “Not at all, Boss.” He glanced at me and put his hand on my knee. “We’ll figure it out, Dulce.”
Five minutes later, he pulled in front of a white stucco building with an unkempt front yard. Turning off the engine, he offered me a consoling smile before opening the door and jumping down. He started for the apartment building, me in tow.
As soon as we reached the top step, a worried Sam burst from the door of the first apartment down the hall. “Good, you’re here.”
Quillan disappeared inside Trey’s apartment. Sam held the door for me, distress evident in her frown lines.
“What’s wrong with Trey?” I asked as she closed the door behind me. Trey’s apartment was dark-the thick curtains barring any sunlight. The furniture was mismatched and old-stuff even Good Will would throw away. The place smelled of stale beer and trash lined the floor like it had a right to be there. I glanced at the other side of the room and made out the shape of Trey lying prone atop a filthy sofa.
Sam took a deep breath like she was about to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. “He’s under a sleeping spell.” Then she took another breath. “I called him on the way home from work today to see how he was since he was still freaked out about that vision he had. But when I called, he didn’t answer. I decided to swing by and found him like this.”
“He looks dead,” I started.
“What vision?” Quillan asked.
“Trey called me the other night because he’d seen a vision of Fabian’s murder. He knew it was a female creature and someone else was involved,” I said.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” Quillan snapped.
I shook my head. “I told him to, but he was really upset at the time. I guess he didn’t want you to think he was a wuss.”
“I don’t care about that,” Quillan said, running an agitated hand through his hair. “I should’ve been told. It’s part of the case details. Dulcie, you should’ve told me.” I held up my hands. “Hey, I’m off the case, remember?” He frowned. “What else?” “He was worried that whoever was involved in Fabian’s murder would know he’d had the vision and would come after him.” Quillan nodded, like he was letting it all sink in. Then he turned to Sam. “Are you sure it isn’t worse than a sleeping spell?”
Sam brushed her hair back from her face. “I did a couple divination spells on him. I know it’s a Sleeper; it’ll take me a while more to figure out what strain. Whoever did it is well-versed in magic”
“Do you think it’s a witch?” Quillan asked.
Sam shook her head. “I have no way of knowing. But I’d guess it was a witch, fairy, elf, warlock…someone with ready access to magic.”
“None of that matters now, though,” I interrupted. “Can you break the spell?”
“I’m going to need some supplies. Since Fabian’s is closed, I have to drive to Harmony tomorrow to get what I need, Quillan.” Even though it was a statement, there was a question in her tone. He nodded. “Go ahead.” “So, you can’t break it until tomorrow?” I asked. “No way I can do it tonight. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to break it tomorrow-depends on what I can find in Harmony.”
“Will he be safe until then?” I asked, trying not to look at Trey. It was uncanny how dead he looked-it was like we were at his funeral and taking turns looking at the body. Only this funeral parlor reeked of old beer.
“He’s fine. Think of him as Sleeping Beauty,” Sam said with a forced laugh. “But he shouldn’t stay here tonight. Who knows if the person or thing who did this might come back?”
“He should stay with me,” I said. “Between Sam’s spell and the gremlins, my place would be like trying to bust into a military base.”
“Wow, Dulce, you trying out for the Girl Scouts?” Sam asked.
I shrugged. “Just trying to do my part.”
Quillan nodded. “It’s a good idea, Dulce. I’ll get the big guy to your apartment.” Then he faced Sam. “As soon as we get Trey situated, I need to take your statement.”
“Say hi to Lottie for me,” I said with a wink.
###
