I squeezed Heidi’s shoulder as I squeezed past her. She shot her arms out and blocked the entryway, preventing Neo from following me. I mentally thanked her, and knew that eventually, Will would stop fuming and forgive me.
In spite of knowing how deadly dangerous a confrontation between Peter and Neo’s goons could be, I couldn’t help the butterflies in my stomach as I strode out the metal door to the alley. Peter was here to see me. I mentally rolled my eyes at myself—keep it in your pants, Jolene.
THE CASE
I grinned when I saw him. I couldn’t help it. The pale fluorescent light from the lobby spilled into the dingy alley and lit up Peter’s handsome face. He stood, facing me, beside some crates and a metal trash bin.
With his clean-shaven face, tidy police uniform with its gleaming gold buttons, and boyish good looks, he seemed completely out of place in the seedy Darkmoon District.
Peter’s lips pulled to the side in a bashful smile. “Hey.”
I winked. “Hey.”
Metal crashed behind me, and Neo’s deep voice growled, “Who’s there?”
I skipped into the alley and yanked the metal door shut behind me as Peter leaned over to look around me, his brow pinched. “Everything okay in there?”
I nodded. “Just peachy.”
A low growl sounded to my left, and I jumped.
Liar.
“Daisy,” Peter chastised.
Of course. How could I forget Peter’s loyal, bad-tempered canine partner? I squinted in the near total darkness and made out a shadowy outline—topped by a couple of pointy ears. Guess her attitude toward me hadn’t improved since the last time I’d seen her.
I had a few choice words for her myself, but since I could speak with animals and wasn’t actually telepathic, I’d have to save it for a time when Peter wouldn’t overhear.
Another crash sounded from inside the clinic, and I grabbed Peter’s arm and dragged him forward. “Let’s skedaddle.”
He hesitated a moment, glancing back at the door, before he let me lead him down the alley. Daisy fell into step on his other side.
“So….” I hustled forward, dragging Peter with me. I mean, I needed to get him away from Neo and his thugs, but it didn’t hurt that I got to fondle his beefy biceps a little. Fondle? I released his arm. Don’t be a creep, Jolene.
I glanced up at him, barely able to make out his features in the darkness. Metal fire escapes dangled overhead, silhouetted against the cloudy night sky, and the pale moonlight cast just enough light to make out Peter’s jaw. A flock of bats winged by far overhead, squeaking.
“So, what brings you to my neck of the—ow!” I doubled over and clutched at my shin. I’d just banged it against a crate and bit my lip to hold back the string of obscenities I longed to utter. “Mother of pearl…,” I ground out, keeping the more colorful language to myself. Peter was such a Boy Scout—I didn’t want to make him blush. Well… I mean, I did a little but for other reasons.
A light burst into being, bright and blinding. I squinted as I fought to balance on one leg.
Peter cupped my elbow, helping me stay upright, and held his glowing wand aloft. “Are you alright?” His eyes searched my face, full of concern.
Warmth flooded my stomach at that look of his. All that worry for little ol’ me? I rubbed my shin and put my foot back down, standing upright.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I waved it off, though my lower leg still ached. That was going to leave a bruise.
Peter’s brows pinched together as he searched my face. “You sure?” He shook his head. “Should’ve lit my wand earlier, but I forgot in the rush.” He scratched the back of his neck and looked disgusted with himself.
I grinned. “Don’t worry about it.” My face fell though as we continued on, the bright lights of the street ahead bouncing off muddy puddles. The curse that had taken away my powers had also stripped me of my ability to shift into an owl.
My shoulders slumped, and that familiar weight of angst settled on my chest. Even in human form, I’d always had great night vision thanks to my shifter powers—but even that was gone now.
“So, uh—the reason I came looking for you….”
Peter, Daisy, and I stepped out of the alley onto Urchin Street. It wasn’t the main drag of the Darkmoon Night Market but sat a couple of streets off it, so it still saw a decent amount of traffic. We headed in the direction of my home and pet psychic shop.
I looked up at Peter and hurried along to keep up with his clipped pace and long strides. “Right—so what’s the rush?”
The officer nodded as we strode past a few food carts, steam rising from a giant wok and wafting the delicious smell of “fried” toward us. “I’ve got a case I’d like to hire your help on.”
I grinned up at him and gave him a mock salute. “Jolene Hartgrave, on the case.”
He chuckled, which made his blue eyes sparkle. The flashing purples and reds of the neon signs overhead cast shifting lights over his face and square shoulders. “Don’t you want to know what it is, first?”
I shrugged. “Nah. I’m in.”
Daisy, prowling on his other side, growled. Just so you know, I’m not happy to see you. I’ll be watching you.
As we passed by the bar below my home, the thumping bass beat of the blaring music gave me a little cover. I let out a few quiet yelps and growls, my eyes on the German shepherd. Just so you know, you’re a dog, so… enough said.
She narrowed her dark eyes at me and snarled. A dog with big teeth.
I rolled my eyes and whined. The better to bite me with? Way to be a cliché.
Peter shot me a puzzled look, and I plastered on my best innocent smile. Nothing to see here… just a woman and dog exchanging insults.
The pulsing music faded as
