Knight was asleep on the couch, and Trey was at work. I was also working-on my Bram novel and getting closer to finishing it day by day. This Relations-Office-imposed hiatus was great for writing my novel, even if it was a bummer to no longer be on the team. And I missed Quillan, so what? I was disappointed he hadn't stopped over or called since discovering Knight was living with me.
I pushed thoughts of Quillan out of my mind. It wasn't my fault he was too proud or too whatever to continue our friendship. It was out of my control, and things out of your control should be left alone cause there isn't a damned thing you can do about them.
I finished chapter twelve with a smile and stretched my limbs, eyeing my outline. I had four more chapters to write, then I'd be finished.
The sound of Knight shifting on the sofa captured my attention, and I glanced over just as he threw a pen at me. It landed at my feet, with a tiny thud.
“Do you have to type so loud?” he muttered and crossed his arms behind his head. The blanket covering him shifted until it was only concealing his bottom half. A brown nipple appeared to be winking at me.
I threw the pen back, and it landed just beside his head. I wished I had better aim. “If you don't like it, go back to your hotel.”
“You should be happy I’m forfeiting a comfortable hotel room to sleep on your uncomfortable couch to make sure you’re safe,” he said and shook his head. Sitting up, he threw me an unamused frown. The blanket dropped from around him, revealing his hunter-green boxers. With a groan, he hoisted himself to his feet and headed for my bedroom.
“I'm sleeping in here,” he mumbled. “I don't care if you don't like it.”
Actually, I did like it. Let him box himself up in my bedroom so I could actually get more work done. It was a hell of a lot better than having to feign disinterest in his half-clothed body.
I sighed, thinking I should be asleep, also, but I wasn't tired. Last night was the third night we'd spent camped outside the abandoned warehouse on Magnolia Street, or snooping outside Dagan's club-wherever the creature went, we went. But, unfortunately, in those three nights, the creature hadn't been summoned by its master even once. And the spell’s expiration date of two weeks loomed over us like a tornado.
I just shook my head and reread the notes Bram had left me when we'd put Trey under his less-than-thrilled, but watchful eye. The notes were really three pages of anecdotes and stories from his life written in an impressive hand. I found myself admiring the curlicues and tendrils of what looked like calligraphy. Hmm, I wouldn't have thought Bram would have such nice writing. Then I remembered how ancient he was, and I found myself sorely wishing I could've learned eighteenth century graphology in grammar school.
The notes were so detailed, I didn’t need any more interviews which was great because it wasn’t like I had lots of free time with Knight and Trey living with me.
I glanced at the postscript:
Perhaps these notes will suffice for the remainder of your book. I am not interested in watching the hobgoblin again.
Yours,
Bram
I smiled as I reread the note-at least he was honest. And I couldn't say I blamed him. I was getting mighty sick of guarding Trey, too. And, you could throw Knight into that sentiment as well. I couldn't wait for my humble apartment to be mine again.
I shuffled through Bram's notes for at least the fifth time and thought about what a full life he'd led. Three hundred years…it seemed Bram had made good use of it, although I was convinced he'd exaggerated some of the accounts-the claim he was able to overcome two master vampires without suffering any injury to himself, being just one example. Oh, and there was also the amusing little account of his five-some at the Court of Queen Victoria with four of her ladies in waiting… But, other than those embellishments, I had to admit Bram was roguishly entertaining, and his liaisons would provide plenty of fodder for an interesting book. Well, at least I hoped they would.
“I can't sleep,” Knight complained as he reappeared in my living room, rubbing his eyes. Apparently, modesty wasn’t part of his vocabulary, and he strutted into my room practically naked.
“If you're looking for sympathy, you've come to the wrong person,” I said snidely. “I've had less sleep than you.”
He grimaced as he lumbered into the kitchen where he reached for a bag of ground Starbucks and poured some water into my Mr. Coffee-a cherished birthday present from Quillan. I decided to fight the urge to think of Quillan again and steered my attention back to Knight, who leaned against the counter, massaging the back of his neck as he waited for the coffee to run its course.
“And for Hades sake, put on some damned clothes.”
Knight chuckled as he performed isometrics on the edge of the counter until his muscles bulged, the show-off. “You appeared to enjoy rubbing your hands across my chest the other night.”
He was never going to let me live that night down. This was the sixth time he'd brought it up in the course of three nights and four days. “You talk about it so often, I think you’d like a replay.”
Knight grabbed a mug and poured his coffee. Not bothering with cream or sugar, he brought it to his lips and swallowed, the heat of the liquid apparently not bothering him. Hmm, another Loki trait? I felt like I should start keeping a log of all his abilities for future reference. He nodded. “Just say when.” I grumbled something unintelligible but was interrupted. “You must’ve thought about what it would be like,” Knight continued and gave me a promising smile.
I laughed and shook my head, standing up. I suddenly found myself tremendously fatigued. In all truth, I was exhausted. Not only by my lack of sleep, but the constant banter with Knight was equally draining. I started for my bedroom, imagining myself in the arms of Morpheus, when it suddenly dawned on me why he was becoming so sexual.
I smirked and stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. “You do realize what's going on here?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “No.”
I laughed, pleased to be the one still left untouched by the creature’s blood. Apparently fairies were immune to Kragengen blood. But the same couldn’t be said for Lokis. I took my time before explaining, enjoying every second of the fact that there was finally something I could hold over his head. “The creature is still in your veins, its…interests haven't dissipated yet.” “Its interests?” he repeated. My smile expanded. “It's sexual appetite.” He nodded and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Could be.” He shrugged. “I definitely don’t feel myself.” “Yeah, no kidding,” I chortled. “What about you?” he interrupted, eyeing me lasciviously.
I shrugged, delighted with the conversation. In fact, I had to admit it was the best conversation Knight and I had ever had. “I feel just fine,” I said with a confident grin.
“Oh, is that so?” he asked facetiously, apparently annoyed he was the only one feeling the sexual bug.
My eyes rested on his fingers tapping against the coffee mug. “Don't get any ideas. I saw what turns that fiend on, and I'm not into sadomasochism.”
He smirked and placed the mug on the counter, closing in on me until I was backed up against the living room wall. “You should keep an open mind,” he said in a subdued voice like he was telling me what the weather was like.
I tried to shake my head, but he kept coming. He stood less than an inch or so away-close enough to run his index finger down the center of my neck, dipping into the depression at the junction of my clavicle bones and down the center of my chest. I gripped his finger before it reached my breast. “Trey is gone. It's just the two of us,” he whispered, as if those words were incentive enough to jump his bewitched bones. “You're not in the right frame of mind, Knight,” I said with a counterfeit smile. “I'd be taking advantage of you.” “I want you to take advantage of me. I’m thinking chains and blindfolds…”
I squared my palms against his chest and thrust him away from me. “Don't push me, Knight, or I'll report you to the Relations Office… possessed as you are or not.”
He frowned but his eyes continued to undress me, like he'd never seen a woman before. I glanced down at myself, trying to figure out what was so arresting, but couldn’t find the answer. I was wearing a black tank top and short pajama shorts. Damn it all, I'd have to start wearing my Winter jammies.
And Knight? He looked like a zombie determined to get my brains. But, instead of a brain-besotted zombie, I had a horned out of his mind Loki on my hands. Sometimes life throws little surprises at you and this was definitely one I was going to get miles out of.
“Knight, pull yourself together! If we’re going to work together, you’ve gotta snap out of it!”
###
Knight and I resumed our usual position of laying in wait on our stomachs, just outside the entrance the creature used to come and go through the warehouse. The cold bite in the air contrasted dramatically with the raw heat emanating from Knight's eyes.
It was midnight, and I'd had enough creature stalking to last me a lifetime. I hadn't slept well as I was afraid Knight was going to try to make a move on me again. Whatever he'd swallowed, his sexual appetite was getting more pronounced by the day, making him as fun to be around as a horny dog who refuses to let go of your leg. It was ironic to think I much preferred the staid, cocky and controlling Knight I'd come to know so well. The feel of his palm smacking my ass was the last straw. “For Hades sake, Knight, pay attention to the goddamned creature!” “I can’t help it!” he groaned and rolled closer to me. I pushed him away and when he ventured a hand near me again, I smacked it away. “Hit me again please,” he whispered. “Harder.” This was going to be a long night.
I wrenched my eyes from his lusty gaze back to the creature who was in its natural hairy state in the midst of devouring what appeared to be a road kill carcass. From the corner of my eye, I could see Knight still watching me, paying zero attention to the creature. I handed him the binoculars, hoping it would give him something to do.
He held them up and feigned interest in the creature before dropping them to the ground and returning his insistent gaze to me. “You're much nicer to look at,” he whispered.
Why the hell did I have to put up with this? “Watch the creature.”
“We have time, Dulce, it's not going anywhere,” he said, wrapping his arm around me. I pinched it hard and he moaned out. “Again, Dulce, do it again.”
Instead, I crawled away from him. “Knight, lay off me. You're going to be very humiliated when you come out of this.” I glanced at him with a smile. “And you can bet your ass I'm never going to let you forget it.”
I grabbed the binoculars, figuring one of us needed to pay attention to the creature. Refocusing on our subject, I suddenly noticed the creature wasn't in the warehouse.
“Goddamit!” I seethed. “The creature left. Get up, get up.”
I got to my feet and sped down the alley, Knight directly behind me. Turning the corner, I nearly lost my footing in some loose gravel and pushed myself against the wall of the warehouse to regain my balance, motioning Knight to do the same.
I peered around the corner and watched the creature, now in its feminine shape, stepping into a dark Ford Explorer. I spotted the Wrangler which was parked maybe forty feet up the street, hidden behind a dumpster.
Once the Ford started down the alley, I bolted for the Wrangler, pulling my keys from my jeans pocket as I did so. Knight was quick behind me. I beeped the alarm off and threw open the door, not waiting to see if Knight was seated. I didn't have time.
I turned the key in the ignition, put it into drive and peeled into the street, madly searching for the Black Ford. At the base of the alley, red taillights disappeared over the crest of the hill on Magnolia Street, heading onto Periwinkle Street. Craning my head to the left, there was nothing in sight. Hoping the taillights belonged to the Ford, I followed them.
I caught the Ford at a stop light and suddenly worried the creature might glance behind and recognize us. “Knight, drop down so it can't see you.”
He did as I told him, thank God.
I was careful to keep at least two cars between the Ford and myself as we drove down Periwinkle street and headed for Splendor's city center. When the Ford reached Main Street, it took a left, and I did the same.
The Ford continued down Main Street, approaching Headquarters. When it was about thirty feet from Headquarters, it slowed down and made a left into the parking lot.
“Why the hell are they going to Headquarters?” I asked as I drove past them, not wanting to leave any clues that they were being tailed. Instead, I took the first left onto Penelope Street, and then took another left into the alley that bordered Headquarters. I drove slowly as I navigated around the potholes and trash.
Suddenly, it occurred to me why they might be at Headquarters. The illegal potions that were being stored in the vault. Maybe they hadn’t been destroyed on purpose? Maybe these bastards were going after them? The only thing I could wonder is how they would’ve gotten access. Maybe it was an insider job? But who within the A.N. C had access to the vault? It was basically top secret. I glanced at Knight. “Hey, who has access to the vault?” His eyes were closed, his arm out straight as he repeatedly pinched it, writhing in what looked like bliss. “For Hades’ sake, Knight!” He threw open his eyes and glared at me. “Why do you want to know?”
I shook my head, wanting to keep my reasons to myself. I mean, I didn’t have the whole picture yet so no need to fill him on every little detail. “Just curious.” He shrugged. “Anyone management level and above.” “So, that means Quillan and you and who else?” “About a handful of people in the Relations Office.”
I turned the headlights off and pulled up to a break in the wall separating the parking lot from the alley. Turning the car off, so as not to attract any attention, I watched the Ford sit idly in the parking lot, but my mind was still on the connection with the A.N.C.
If a handful of people from the A.N. C had access to the vault, maybe one of them was involved? And only Quillan had access within our branch? Hmmm… No, it couldn’t be Quillan-I’d worked with him too long and knew him too well. There was no way he was involved. And as far as anyone from the Relations Office in the Netherworld? Well, I’d never met any of them and it’s not like the potions went back to the Netherworld-they were destroyed on Headquarters premises.
That left just one person.
Course, I’d thought he was guilty once before and that had resulted in my total humiliation so I wasn’t exactly thrilled with playing that card again.
Knight got out of the car, so I followed suit and forced my attention from the facts that seemed to be pointing the finger at Knight to the Ford which was still idling in the parking lot.
No one got out. No one got in. Maybe that killed my theory about the illegal potions and the link with Headquarters? Maybe Headquarters was just backlogged on destroying the street potions? I mean, who knew how reliable the cauldron delivery system was. Maybe my imagination was running away with me…Good thing I hadn’t said anything.
“Why the hell would they come here?” I whispered, now at a complete loss.
“Because it's the one place where no one would imagine they would,” Knight started, looking pained. He crossed his arms against his chest like he was restraining himself. From what, I had to wonder.
I glanced at him and nodded, wondering if he were the criminal in question. “I guess so.”
He took a deep breath. “That's exactly why they chose to come here. Because it's safe.”
The breath caught in my throat as I watched another car enter the Headquarters lot. This one was a silver, Lincoln Towncar. It pulled up behind the Ford and a man I didn't recognize stepped out. I grabbed the binoculars.
Holding them to my eyes, I watched the man. He was stout and short with a mustache and a sinister air about him. He waddled up to the driver's side of the Ford and had a conversation with the driver. I returned my attention to the Towncar when I glimpsed movement in the back seat. There was someone sitting back there but they were covered by the cloak of night.
The stout man inspected the surroundings of the parking lot, as if alerted that someone might be watching them. I instinctively shrunk back, even though there was no way he or anyone else could see Knight and me. We were completely hidden in the alley. The man shook his head and returned to the Towncar. The Ford started for the parking lot exit, the Towncar behind it. Both disappeared into the lamp-less darkness of Main Street.
“Get in the car,” I said as I went for the driver's side. I started the car and gunned it until we were out of the alley and following the creature and its master.