Chapter 6

Adeline found herself unable to concentrate on her book. Blame the fact she'd looked out the front window and happened to see a man with dark skin exiting the SUV that had been parked across the street for the past week. A man who looked an awful lot like Ambrose, the guy she'd met very early this morning.

As the SUV drove off, the man crossed the street. She couldn't see where he went, though, without stepping outside.

She set her book aside and stood to stretch. Maybe some air would do her good. She headed for the front door and was about to open it when an altercation broke out. Two cars trying to park in one spot. It led to them both blocking the road to get out and yell at each other.

Rather than get drawn into the drama, she exited out the back door into the alley, only to startle at the sight of the gorgeous man from the previous night standing there holding up a glowing blue bag.

He froze, arm upraised at the sight of her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Nothing."

She arched a brow. "Doesn't look like nothing."

Ambrose lowered his arm and cleared his throat. "I meant I'm not doing anything yet. This is simply an inspection."

"Inspection for what? Is there a problem?" She wasn't aware of any health violations or issues. Unlike other places in the city, the alley behind the shop remained well-kept and problem-free.

"No problem. Just routine checking."

Something about his actions and claim sounded off. "Ordered by who?" She crossed her arms and fixed him with a stare.

"Uh…"

Her gaze narrowed. "Are you stalking me?"

"Wh-what? No!" he stammered.

"Yet here you are, twice in one day. Seems like more than a coincidence."

"I assure you, ma'am, I mean you no harm."

She almost grimaced at his use of ma'am. Way to make her feel old. "Says the guy who was walking his dog at an ungodly hour, who didn't blink at the unconscious wererat in my place, and who is now suspiciously waving around a magic bag in the alley by my work."

"You needn't worry. I work for the CA," he blurted out. "Special operations."

"In that case, you'll have no problem showing me your badge."

"I'm afraid I left it in my vehicle."

"Of course, you did," her dry reply.

"I could run back and grab it," he offered.

"Don't bother. Your partner left with the SUV. Convenient."

"I swear I mean you no harm, ma'am."

"My name is Adeline." Why she told him she couldn't have said. "And I want to know what you're looking for."

He glanced at the bag dangling from his hand and sighed. "I'm looking to see if there are spells in the alley."

While her first impulse would be to deny any, she had to wonder, given the blue glow of his sack. "What kind of spells?"

"That's what this is supposed to tell me." He shook it. "It is supposed to detect the genre of spell and emit a color accordingly."

"But doesn't disarm them?"

He shook his head.

"Why would anyone spell this alley, not to mention, why send anyone to check?"

"I'm afraid I am not at liberty to discuss those matters," his stiff reply.

"Well then, in that case, don't let me keep you. Inspect away." She waved at him, and he stared at her for a second before abruptly pivoting and crossing the alley to the other building with the door to the dry cleaners. He held up the bag, which continued to glow blue.

Adeline remained propped in the open door to listen for a customer while watching Ambrose walk the length of the alley and back. His bag remained alight right up to the entrance. When he walked back, she had to ask, "So, what have you concluded?"

"Someone placed a hex on your alley."

"What kind of hex?"

"The kind to repel cryptids. I'm going to guess you never see goblins around? Or any other nonhuman species?"

Her lips pursed as she replied slowly, "You know what, I haven't, not in the alley at least. The elves who work overnight come up through the basement. Never occurred to me that someone might have done something on purpose. Isn't it illegal?" She could have sworn they'd made a law declaring repelling spells on what were considered public venues illegal. Personal homes and businesses, though, could do so as long as the repelling caused no harm.

"Yes. But it's not uncommon for businesses to try and protect themselves."

"I wonder if I should get one for my place." It might help with her home invasion problem but would put a serious dent in her savings.

"That's an excellent idea. I know a few witches who could help with it."

"So are you going to have the spell removed?" she asked.

"Not yet. I want to see if I can figure out who placed it and why."

"Wasn't me." She held up her hands. "One hundred percent human and too broke to even think of doing it for an alley I rarely visit."

"What of the owner?"

"Mr. Charyx? He never comes by."

"Do you have contact info for your employer?"

"Only if you're showing me a badge. But if you give me your phone number or email, I can pass a message along."

"No need. I'll find the information myself."

If he truly did work for the CA, then he'd have no problem.

"You don't have your dog today," she remarked.

"Orion is off doing his own thing." He waved a hand. "He can be a tad independent."

"Ironically enough I had a client this morning named Orion."

"I know. He's my partner."

She stared at him before slowly saying, "You named your dog after your partner?"

Ambrose cracked a smile. "Actually, they're one and the same. In the spirit of being transparent, we're both shifters."

The news dropped her jaw. "Wait, you mean I knocked out your partner last night?"

"Yeah. Insulted him too, seeing as how he rushed in to be the hero, only to get taken out. Thanks. It was kind of awesome." The smile he offered just about melted her into a puddle of goo.

"Glad to help?" Her reply lilted, and she found herself grinning. "So you're the guy who's no pickles, no lettuce, add bacon."

"Yeah. I'm a creature of habit."

"Nothing wrong with knowing what you like."

She might have made more small talk, but the bell to the store actually jingled. A customer? Seriously. And here she'd been enjoying chatting with the handsome CA agent. "Guess I'd better go do my job."

"It was nice speaking with you," he stated. "Maybe we'll have a chance to do so again."

"I'd like that." Unlike his partner, Ambrose didn't flirt outrageously.

Did she think it would go anywhere?

Most likely not, but she went back inside smiling.