“What do you think you are doing?” shouted Miles.
“Having a friendly chat. What do you think I was doing?”
“I think you have a lot of secrets, dangerous secrets. Care to tell me who that was and why you were attacking him with magic?”
“Well, he’s not a friend, I’ll tell you that much.”
“Obviously. So, who was he?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“I can make you.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
We stood there staring, neither of us willing to be the first on to look away. Muffin’s whine finally broke our stare off.
“Unless I’m under arrest, you can’t detain me.”
“That’s not entirely true. And, you’re welcome for bailing out you and that mutt.”
I flipped him off and headed home.
The sound of footsteps behind me told me that Miles wasn’t leaving me alone. While, all of us staying at Lochlan’s wasn’t a secret, I wasn’t too keen on the enforcer knowing where I lived.
“You don’t need to escort me home. I know the way.”
“I’m sure you do. But, you’ll get an escort whether you want one or not.”
I purposely walked fast until I reached Betty. I hopped in and took off, leaving the enforcer swearing on the sidewalk. Try to follow me now.
By the time I walked into the house, I was worn out and a bundle of mixed emotions.
“You reek of magic, not just yours, but others,” said Sterling from the living room. “And you smell like –”
“Not right now. Didn’t Lochlan fill you in on today?” I asked.
“He did, but I’d like to hear from you.”
“It can wait until the morning. I just can’t right now.”
“Marty?”
I stopped mid-step and turned around.
“What?”
“We can help.”
“I know.”
In my room, I flung my clothes onto the floor and sunk wearily onto the bed. Muffin circled around my legs, which were dangling off the bed. I felt like a coiled spring, wired tightly and just waiting to spring free of its confinement. My gaze fell on the bag of herbs sitting on the dresser.
I jumped up, startling Muffin and earning a warning growl. Nasty beast. God, why am I being such a heartless bitch? I stopped and plopped down next to Muffin. I looked him over for injuries, but saw no wounds or other signs of damage. Although, he’d probably get an upset stomach from consuming my father’s rotten blood.
I placed the herbs on a dish and lit them. The smoke slowly rose up and floated through the air, leaving a blessed calm as I breathed it in. I drifted on the calming waves the smoke created, feeling every bit of tension, stress, and unease leave me.
I could get used to this, I thought before drifting off to sleep.
22
The next morning I woke up with a throbbing head and a mouth full of cotton. Why do I feel so crappy? The late night interviewing people at the vampire mansion must have worn me out more than I thought.
I quickly got ready for the day and another “beat down Marty” training session with Miles. At least the training session would spare me from chatting with the others about my visit with the vampires. I wanted to figure out the religious angle first rather than go to Sterling and tell him I had another case that I wasn’t making adequate progress on.
The remnants of the last night’s incense in the dish was just barely noticeable. If there was time, I’d have burnt more of it just to take the edge off.
I snuck out before anyone could delay me. Muffin whined at being left behind, but I still wasn’t comfortable bringing him. Can I get out of training? I didn’t want to face Miles. There was no way Miles wouldn’t press me for more details about the fight with my father.
Going to the Enforcers Training Academy was similar to the level of fun you’d get from having your fingernails pulled out with pliers. I portaled into the training location and no sooner than I stepped through, I slammed into a man’s chest. It was Miles, who barely budged from me hitting him. He was stronger than I gave him credit for. And, he looked pissed. Oopsies. Actually, I didn’t care if he was mad.
“Did you miss me, Miles?”
“Come with me.”
“Ah, you say the sweetest things.”
He didn’t even look back to see if I followed. Instead of heading to the training arena, Miles, brought me to a room in the inner building. This part of the academy was an inner block that was ringed by an outer wall. This was also the part of the academy where I was held before when I needed the healer.
The room was a well-used office and unexpectedly quaint – not what I expected from the grumpy enforcer. Papers were stacked in neat, little piles on the dark wood desk. A book shelf was filled with books, many of which looked to be well-used and dust free. Only a book lover took such care of his books. A small table rested in between two brown leather chairs. Torches flickered in the holders, lending a soft light to the room.
“Couldn’t wait to get me alone? And here I thought I wasn’t your type?”
“How hasn’t someone killed you because of your mouth?”
“My charm offsets it.”
“Sure it does.”
Actually, being nervous made me mouthier than normal. It was my built-in defense mechanism and helped keep people at a distance. To most people, I was a cold-hearted bitch and I planned on keeping up that impression.
He watched me checking out the room and just to poke him more, I added, “You can read. Imagine that.”
His face reddened and he opened his mouth to respond, but stopped. The man had great restraint, which I found very respectable. He’d have made a great PI. He could take the
