I didn’t think it was Quillan’s responsibility to buy dinner again, so I ordered a pizza.
“Ham and pineapple, my favorite,” he said, sinking his teeth into a slice.
I smiled-his stopping by every day after work was becoming comfortable. Today had only been the third time, but somehow it felt…right. The thought scared the crap out of me. What was I thinking? I was Quillan’s employee. And nothing more.
“How are the gremlins working out?” Quillan asked between bites.
I pulled my attention from the wall, where I’d been zoning out into space and daydreaming about all the things that could and would never be.
“So far so good. I haven’t seen them. Well, other than feeding them every morning.”
Quillan nodded, but his attention was glued to the floor. He took another bite, chewing slowly. There was something definitely bothering him. If he’d had laser vision, I’d have a sizable hole burned into my carpet right about now. “What’s up, Quill?” I asked, half wondering if I really wanted to know. He dropped the crust of pizza onto the plate. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” “Hmm?” “I overheard you and Sam talking on the phone the other day about a doctor’s appointment you had.” Mortification, embarrassment, and shame all took turns attacking my pride until I felt like a pile of self-consciousness. “That’s really none of your business.”
He nodded, but by the steel set to his lips, he wasn’t giving up. “I know. It’s not, Dulce, but I care about you and I thought I should tell you…you don’t need surgery.”
My face had to be bright red-the blaze of complete and total humiliation flooding my cheeks like red dye dropped in water. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or embarrassment.
“Well, I wish you hadn’t overheard our conversation, since it was private.”
“Have you made up your mind about it yet?”
“No.” I paused, pretending extreme interest in removing the lint from my sweatshirt. “And I really don’t want to talk about it.” I picked up my pizza, which suddenly seemed to weigh twenty pounds, and brought it to my mouth. I chewed but couldn’t taste anything, the aftertaste of shame still polluting my mouth.
Quillan took another bite of his pizza, and the silence in the room was telling. I put my slice back on the plate, feeling completely stuffed and more so… sick.
“You know the anesthesia could kill you or screw up your brain, right?” he finally said. “We can’t handle that sort of stuff, Dulce. We’re not like humans.”
I sighed. “Quill…”
“Just indulge me for a minute, Dulcie, please.”
No, I'd indulged him long enough. The subject was closed. It was my decision and damn anyone who wanted to change my mind. “The anesthesia will be fine.”
Even though I spoke with assurance, I wasn’t convinced. The risks of complication had always been the foremost reason I hadn’t gone through with the surgery. But Quillan’s doubts didn’t need company.
He shook his head. “Our bodies aren’t meant to handle harsh human sedatives. It’s a huge risk.”
I stood up and dropped my pizza slice into the trashcan, wishing I could dump the conversation as easily. My eyes fell to the view outside my window as I searched for the gremlins, hoping to focus on something else.
“Is that all you have to say?”
“Why are you doing it?”
Quillan’s voice came from behind me. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying not to think about the fact that he was standing so close. His crisp aftershave hit me like a truck and I closed my eyes. After a second or two, I forced my eyes open and turned around. He stood maybe two inches from me, the heat of his breath searing my neck. I took a step back.
“Why do you think I’m doing, er, thinking of doing it?” I quipped, but he didn’t respond. “Because obviously I don’t like my ears.”
Quillan’s jaw tightened. “It’s not because some guy wants you to do it?”
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I turned my back to him and gazed outside the window again, much preferring the view to the stubbornness in Quillan’s eyes. “I’m doing it for myself. I just happen not to like my pointed ears, and I think if they were…normal looking…” “You’d be prettier? Maybe happier?” The sarcasm in his 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.
###
Sam and Quillan took off twenty minutes later, leaving me alone with my comatose guest. We’d set Trey up on my couch and now he lay there with my blue blanket stretched out over him. I felt like I was living Weekend at Bernie’s or something.
I glanced at Trey and not finding him in need of anything, returned my attention to my email inbox where I’d just opened three more rejection letters for Captain Slade. Big goddamit. The phone rang and I picked it up mindlessly, not even glancing at the caller ID. “Hello?” “Dulcie.” It was Knight. I narrowed my eyes. “Ah, just the person I wanted to talk to.” He chuckled flirtatiously. “Is that so?”
I stood up and rubbed the back of my neck. “Yeah, jerkoff, I didn’t appreciate that stunt you pulled at the Relations Office to get me off the squad.” Total silence. “Hello? Are you still there?” “Too bad.” I sputtered. “You arrogant…” “It was for your own good.”
“So now I have nothing to do all day, I’m not getting paid and I have two ugly gremlins running amok in my yard. I really got the short end of the stick on this one.”
“Sorry about the pay thing, but it was necessary. And I didn’t order the gremlins, so I have no idea what that’s about.”
“Oh, you didn’t order the gremlins? So, what I have like a secret admirer who sends me monsters instead of candies?”
Knight laughed, pissing me off more. “I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe the Relations Office thought you needed them. I’ll check into it.”
I sat down again and faced my inbox, the rejection notices staring back at me like they were laughing. Well, screw them. “Where the hell have you been?” I asked, wondering why I hadn’t heard from him in the last four days or so. I checked the caller ID, but the number wasn’t listed.
“Before you answer, what’s your number?”
He gave me the number and then added, “I’ve been running background reports on all the creatures in Splendor.”
I sank back against my chair. Yeah, that would probably take a good three to four days. “Let me guess; was I in that batch of reports?” Knight chuckled again, and even though it annoyed me to admit it, it was damned sexy. “I ran a report on you before we ever met.” Great, that was comforting. “Well, I have news for you.” “Do tell.”
I explained the Tad Jones and Guy Riley murders, how they each had something to do with the illegal potions trade and finally, the Trey situation. “Is your friend a good enough witch to break the spell?” Knight asked. “Yes, she is,” I snapped. “If she can’t, I could. She’s meeting you tomorrow?” “Yes,” I answered, rolling my eyes. Holy Hades, the man was arrogant. “Okay, I’ll meet you both at your place, then.” “Aren’t you afraid of involving Headquarters in your little secret case?” I asked, my tone thick. “If your friend is trustworthy, I’ll swear her to secrecy.” “Fine, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I didn’t wait for a response before I hung up.