“I don't know what I would do if I lost Kingsley. That rat is my life... he even comes before this job and Gerard. No partner would ever come between my rat and me.”
Gesturing for me to follow, Devon started towards the lab. I could see the others through the window in the door, going about their daily routine of trying to find rogue witches. The Hunted Witch Agency had gone from strength to strength recently. Maybe I could apply for a job if I never went back to Paranormal MI5. Not that I would leave the MI5, my job as ley line protector was too important for me to have that amount of freedom. My mother would never allow it.
“I-I...” Stuttering, I licked my lips when Devon paused in the hallway. “Can I leave you to do it? I've got a lead to follow.”
“I thought you were on sabbatical?”
Smiling briefly, I shrugged. “Would you take a rest if someone was out to get you impregnated by a stranger?”
Her eyes widened as she cradled the bag gently to her chest. “I'll take good care of her.”
Nodding, I turned and left before I was tempted to snatch Smudge back. It was the last time I would see her before she was cremated. Devon would return her ashes to me, but the thought of not having my furry friend as a constant companion made tears fall from my cheeks as I closed the agency door behind me and moved to sit on a bench beside the river.
My phone was clamped in my hand as I searched for the most recent picture I'd taken of Smudge. She looked bored, her eyes staring straight ahead as I tried to get her to pose with me. She wasn't one for photos, much like her witch. We had been very similar, and yet, I hadn't noticed it before.
Dialling Dave, I waited for him to pick up. He had left for the office this morning, a grin emerging as he waved goodbye and got in his car.
My heart beat faster as his voice greeted me down the phone. Would he treat me differently? Would he regret spending the night?
“Hello, gorgeous, how are you feeling?”
Clearing my throat as my gaze traced the lapping water against the stone wall of the Thames, I tried not to smile too broadly. “Confused.”
“Confused?” His voice grew concerned.
“Trying to grieve for Smudge at the same time as falling in love with my desk friend isn't that easy. Am I supposed to be sad or happy?”
“Where are you? I need to see you. These arms need filling so you have the space to be both.”
Taking a deep breath, I tried not to preen. All my book boyfriends were as handsome as Dave. They were strong kind men who wanted to take care of their women and save the world in one go.
Sitting back, I closed my eyes and felt the sun stroke my face. “I'm outside the Hunted Witch building. I need you to do me a sneaky favour.”
“What's that?” he replied with no hesitation.
Telling him about Brianna's ex-boyfriend, I explained that I needed his details. I remembered that his name was Finlay Harrington. That was all I knew.
Dave could conjure up information on basically no information. He was a genius with technology, which was why MI5 wanted him stuck behind a desk. His mad search skills were detrimental to our team.
“How's the others?” I asked him as he did his search from the office.
I missed the office a lot less than I had imagined I would. It had only been a mere few days, but I was so used to being in the MI5 building, it was strange to not constantly worry about rushing back to write up the case files. It was a nice feeling to have a small load off my shoulders.
“Jake is currently shifting through CCTV of your house to see who attacked Smudge.”
Frowning, I glanced around me when a bird cawed loudly. “I have CCTV?”
“No,” Dave said quietly. “I do. My place is opposite yours and when Lucien broke in, I decided it was best to add it. Your barrier spells are strong, yes, but I figured that CCTV would help put my mind at ease.”
“Don't tell me you’ve watched my house night and day, you weird stalker.”
His small chuckle ran into my ear, the deep tone almost making me shiver. I pictured him sitting at his desk, his back straight, and his fingers typing on the keyboard, too quick for me to see what he was writing.
“I'm hoping we'll have a hit on it soon,” Dave said, ignoring my remark about stalking. “Bingo. I've got a match for Finlay Harrington. Sending you the details now. He works at London Dungeons.”
My phone beeped in my ear as I thanked him. I'd been forced to leave my tablet at work. Being allowed access to the database while on sabbatical hadn't been part of my mother's plan, which was a little frustrating.
“How bloody ironic considering he dated a vampire,” I said, ready to sign off. “I'm going to head over there now. I need to have a little chat with our friend.”
“Not on your own, you're not.” Dave's tone was stern. “We'll meet you there.”
“You will?”
That wasn't possible. My mother would kick the whole lot of them out of MI5. They couldn't risk their jobs for me, that was crazy. Although, all three of them were a little mad. They worked for me, after all.
“Jake's just shown me a picture of the guy who butchered Smudge,” Dave said through gritted teeth. “It's the same man.”
My hand started to shake as I got to my feet.
A man and woman who had been walking
