Chapter 6

Mac sat on his couch, his leg stretched out in front of him. He was thirsty and was due to take an antibiotic. Probably the pain pill too, but he generally didn’t take those. They always made him feel nauseous. The doctor gave him one just in case, but he wasn’t going to take it unless he had to. They had given him a little of the healing potion, but he had been cranky and left before they brought another one over. His stupid thigh would take a while to heal; the Shadow had used a large serrated knife and twisted, making sure to tear up muscle and ligaments.

He sensed a portal opening and sat up straighter. His wards only let a few people into his house, so whoever was coming was friendly.

“Hi. I’m glad to see you’re actually sitting down,” D said as he came in. He had a bunch of stuff in his arms.

“I am. Figured the laundry could wait another day,” he joked. “Whatcha got?”

“Food. Viv sent some of her chicken soup, bread, and cookies.”

“Oh yeah?” Mac said, trying to keep from smiling. His ma—friend’s friend had thought of him.

“Thomas was very put out that you got his favorite cookies, so she was going to make him his own batch. I’m missing out on the bread though. This was supposed to be for our dinner.”

“I’ll share,” Mac offered.

“I’ll heat up some soup for you. Here’s the note she sent and the cookies,” D said, handing him a basket of still warm cookies and a piece of notebook paper. It looked like it had been ripped out in a hurry, the little tabs still hanging on.

I’m sorry you were hurt tonight. I hope you feel better soon. Tell D if you need anything else, and I’ll send it through him. ~Viv Below that were reheating instructions for the soup.

He glanced quickly at the kitchen, seeing D with his back to him standing at the stove. Mac brought the note up to his face, sniffing, trying to catch the scent of Viv. It was there, mixed with the smells of D and Thomas.

“Care to tell me what that’s about?”

Mac jumped. Damn man was awfully quiet when he wanted to be.

“What? Just reading the note,” he answered.

“I didn’t know you read by sniffing,” D said dryly.

“Eat a cookie and shut up,” Mac muttered, shoving the basket of cookies at his friend.

They munched away on the cookies in quiet until the timer went off for the soup. D brought him a bowl and a slice of the buttered bread. Mac was hopeful that D had forgotten about him sniffing the note.

“She’s your mate, isn’t she?”

At least he waited until he was done eating. The soup had been perfect, his demon practically purring that they were eating a meal provided by their mate. No, not mate.

“Can we not talk about this?”

“I think we need to at least once. She’s extremely nice. Hence your dinner. It’s not like you’ve gone out of your way to be nice or even say hi to her, but she still rushed to make you fresh cookies and sent you food.”

“Probably because we’re friends,” Mac pointed out.

“I don’t think so. She asked about you. Her eyes always go straight to you if you’re nearby. She feels the pull, doesn’t she? That’s why she worded her answer the way she did when I asked if there was anyone she was interested in dating. She didn’t say no, she said there wasn’t anyone she thought was interested in her.”

“Let it go, D.”

“Just tell me.”

“Yes, she’s my mate. But it’s not going anywhere. It can’t.”

“Why? She’s not like?—”

“No. We’re not going there. The answer is no. I’m not going to take her for my mate. She can keep on dating and find some human that will work well enough. I’m fine alone. I swore no more humans, and I’m keeping that promise to myself.”

“Does she know?”

“I’ve never talked to her, D, so I really doubt it. It wouldn’t change anything if she did. Can we talk about this case now?” he asked, getting angry.

“Fine.”

He knew D was angry with him, but he was still here because he was a good friend. Mac knew this was the best for both of them. He was an angry asshole who hated most people, especially humans. Viv was not. She always had a smile for people.

“There’s evidence of someone helping him, but I haven’t been able to find anything. He’s refused to talk,” Mac said, frustrated with this case. He had caught the Shadow. There was plenty of evidence linking him to the killings, much less the fact that when Mac had finally caught up to him, he was about to kill another. They had him for so many crimes; part of his and D’s abilities were able to sense evil and the crimes a person committed. Unfortunately, it didn’t extend into reading someone’s mind and learning if they had help.

“Maybe some time spent in punishment will loosen his tongue. We can try interrogating him in a few days and see if anything changes.”

“Maybe. I just know there’s someone else involved. Maybe drawing the victims out, selecting them, clean up. Something. Maybe they just watched. I don’t know, but I know there was someone else and it’s driving me nuts not being able to get them too,” Mac vented.

“I’ll keep an ear out. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know,” D promised. “You need anything before I leave?”

“Can you help me up? I’ve got to hit the bathroom before I go to bed, but getting up is challenging.”

D pulled him up easily, making sure he was steady on his feet before loading the bowls and plates in his dishwasher.

“I’m heading out!” D called out. “Call if you need anything.”