Chapter 8

The customer who entered the shop turned tail and fled when he saw the prices. Just came in long enough to foil her chat with the handsome CA agent. Assuming he told the truth. Then again, why lie? He did fit the profile. Good looking and confident. Driving a blacked-out SUV. Doing weird shit he couldn't explain.

Like, why would the CA care about spells in the alley… unless… could it be her boss was about to go down? Adeline knew enough about business to know the shop had to be losing money hand over fist. She'd worked here eighteen years, with yearly pay raises, even a pension plan and medical insurance, all costly. Never once had Mr. Charyx complained about the lack of customers to justify her salary and benefits. It could only mean one thing.

The shop acted as a front for money laundering. If authorities were about to move in and make arrests, would anyone believe Adeline when she claimed innocence? Hopefully, they'd look at her living situation and bank account. Enough for her needs, no big extras. They'd soon realize she didn't profit off any ill-gotten gains.

An investigation would probably mean Ambrose would be back, along with his partner. Orion, the dog. Also, very good-looking and super charming—in human form.

Wait, had he flirted with her in the hopes of cozying up and pumping her for information? It would make sense, assuming the whole secret agent thing was true. Without a badge number, she couldn't exactly call to check.

When closing time arrived, she didn't have to do anything but gather her stuff and go, locking the door behind her. The overnight crew would handle everything else. As she walked, she glanced over and noticed the SUV parked in its spot. Would it trail her?

She stared forward and went a block before glancing over her shoulder to see it creeping.

Yup. Stalking. Ignore or confront?

Before she could overthink it, she crossed the road, marching for the vehicle, which pulled over and stopped by the curb. As she approached the driver side window, it rolled down, and she saw Ambrose behind the wheel with Orion in the passenger seat.

"You're following me," she stated without preamble.

"Just making sure you get home safe," Ambrose's lame excuse.

She arched a brow. "I walk this way every day and have for a long time."

"After what happened with that wererat—"

"What of it? I would have handled it if your dog partner hadn't interfered."

"Dog?" Orion piped up. "You told her?"

Ambrose glanced at his friend. "She would have figured it out sooner or later."

Actually, she probably wouldn't have, but she didn't correct him. "Why are you really following me? And don't give me some baloney about it being unsafe for me. Is this about my job?"

"I don't think so," Ambrose replied slowly.

"But I am a person of interest in whatever you're investigating," she pushed.

"Yes, but not in the way you think," Ambrose stated without clarifying.

"I know nothing, so before you drag me in for interrogation, whatever it is you're looking for, I am not involved."

"Are you sure about that?" Orion leaned over to ask.

"Pretty sure. I hate to break it to you, but I am a very boring person. I work in a dull going-nowhere job, live with two cats, and occasionally have to deal with cryptids breaking in. That's it." Too late she realized she'd let that slip.

"How often has it happened?" Ambrose asked with a serious expression.

"For a few years now." She shrugged. "I should probably change apartments again, but the rent is right and the commute easy. It seemed simpler to get a taser to handle it."

"Have you been reporting these attacks?"

If they truly were CA agents, they would already know she'd never filed any complaints after the first incident. She bit her lower lip before shaking her head. "I haven't called anyone about the break-ins, not since the first one, which turned out to be a giant headache of paperwork."

"Is it always wererats?" Orion jumped in to ask.

"Usually but not always. I've also dealt with a leprechaun, some goblins, and a fairy." The last one she'd felt bad about because she found them super cute, but when it launched itself at her, hissing, she'd whacked it with a frying pan, and well, it didn't survive.

"Did you ever notice anything strange about those you've confronted?" Ambrose had a slight crease to his brow. "Perhaps odd behavior?"

"Odder than trying to rob someone with very little?" She shrugged. "Not really. Maybe my apartment is some kind of magic hotspot. Could even be the previous tenant used to have business with them."

"Business with wererats and goblins?" Orion snorted.

"I told you I don't know why. Just gave a possibility, which, I'll admit, is probably farfetched, but at the same time, I don't understand why it keeps happening."

"Have any of them ever hurt you?" Ambrose changed the line of questioning.

"Only one came close. It broke in through my window before the landlord had the bars installed. It might have ended badly for me if I'd not grabbed a kitchen knife." Hence how she knew what a mess a bladed weapon could be. After that incident, she'd gone shopping for a bat and then later the taser.

"What about the cats?" Orion pointedly asked.

"What about them? I found them in the alley behind the shop and adopted them."

"You found them?" Ambrose sounded surprised.

"Yeah. I thought it would be nice to have them as pets, only they're a tad standoffish. But they're company, and even better, they wake me up when someone tries to come in."

"How many intruders have they handled?" Orion queried.

She snorted. "None. You have seen the size of them, right? They let me know we have company, and I take care of the rest."

"When you say, ‘take care,' what exactly do you do with the intruders?"

Her lips clamped tight. Now wasn't the right time to incriminate herself by admitting she dumped them under a bridge for the troll to dispose of. "Knock them out and toss them to the road."

"Even the dead ones?"

"Who says I kill them?" she riposted. As if she'd admit to anything.

Ambrose's expression clearly said he didn't believe her, but he didn't prod. Orion did.

"You mean to tell me, after zapping their butts, they don't come back for revenge?"

"Why would they do that when there's easier pickings?" Her breezy reply. "Now, while this has been enlightening, I need to get home to feed my cats. Feel free to follow, although I should mention I've never been burglarized before midnight, so you'll be wasting your time."

"Get in and we'll give you a lift," Ambrose offered.

Get in a vehicle with two strangers, who may or may not be CA agents? Which reminded, she'd yet to see a badge. "Where's your ID?"

"What ID?" Orion repeated.

"I'm afraid I was mistaken earlier when I said I had my CA badge in the SUV. It appears I left it at the hotel." Ambrose neatly supplied.

"Of course, you did," she muttered. She turned from them and headed back across the street to resume walking home. She didn't need to turn her head to know they crept behind. It oddly reassured. She'd slightly fibbed about never having confronted anything after work because it only happened the one time. It probably helped she rarely went out at night. Her evenings were spent watching television, which did little for her social life. Then again, she didn't make friends easily. The few she'd had over the years never lasted. Not because they drifted apart or lost interest. Her friends had a tendency of dying via freak accidents.

Ever watch any of the Final Destinations with the fluke events determined to kill people? Very much like her friends. The last one, several years ago, Dolly, had died after a night out at the movies. Even worse, they'd argued about a stupid plot point. They'd split up, both pissed, but Adeline never had a chance to apologize. On the bus ride home, something in the road caused the driver to swerve, hit a curb, and tilt up on two wheels before flipping right over, crushing a guard rail, rolling down a steep incline, and landing in a stormwater catch basin. Poor Dolly drowned.

Then there was her college friend, Anita. They were actually in their room—Adeline studying, while Anita boasted about how she wasted her time because she already had the answers to the test—when a pipe in the upstairs bathroom burst. The water seeped through the ceiling into the light socket and jetted down to hit Anita in the head, electrocuting her.

There were others. A guy she was casually dating, John, got hit by not one but two buses while crossing on his light right after dumping her for refusing to have a threesome. Jane, from high school, went to prom with Adeline, and on the limo ride home, as she ranted about the fact Adeline had gotten rid of the smuggled flask, Jane got hit by lightning through the open moonroof.

She chalked up the many deaths of people close to her as being unlucky but also used it as an excuse to recluse herself. Hence why she didn't change jobs or apartments. Her job involved little interaction. Her apartment suited her need to hide away. The upstairs units, rented month to month like hers, had a high turnover rate, so she never got to know anyone, never had to see them freakily die.

Speaking of her place, she saw it up ahead. As she passed the window, she spotted her cats lying in it. She entered and stopped dead at the strong odor of fish. Odd since she'd fed them kibble in the morning.

"Hey, Smudge and Fudge." Usually they barely acknowledged her presence, but today, Fudge jumped to the floor and sauntered over to rub against her legs and utter a meow.

She blinked. "Hi, big guy. What's up? You hungry?" Neither came running as she opened the fridge. They did, however, stare intently at the bathroom door.

The food plates went on the floor and remained untouched. Odd and completely out of character for her hungry felines. Adeline stepped past them to open the washroom door, saying, "Mind if I go pee?"

They did mind, seeing as how they both flew into the room and began prowling the space, sniffing. The shower drew their avid interest, and they sat on opposite sides of the drain.

Weird, but they were cats after all. She peed, washed her hands, and left them to wait for whatever bug they thought might be down there. Basement apartments occasionally had roaches or other nasty beetle-type bugs come crawling out. Not that she'd seen any since she got her cats. So if they wanted to lie in wait for whatever skittered, have at it.

Nothing in the fridge appealed for dinner. The vegetables required work to make them edible. Given her restlessness, she opted to go out. The vegan bistro down the street did a mean deep-fried tofu and lentil salad.

When she exited her place, she half expected to see Ambrose and Orion parked nearby. They weren't, of course. Why would they be? They claimed to just want to escort her safely home. But she had her doubts. How long before they came knocking in an official capacity?

She kept a hand on the taser in her handbag, just in case. Them asking about her nocturnal visitors had roused her anxiety. They'd implied the actions of those burglar cryptids had been out of character. She wouldn't know since she hadn't interacted with many before that.

The vegan place, Green Tongue, had plenty of seating. They always did, which made her worried about their long-term prospects. The last three restaurants in walking distance started out busy but tapered off to the point they shut down. Perhaps they needed someone like Mr. Charyx with deep pockets to keep things afloat.

As she ate, she glanced around at the few patrons. A man with bushy sideburns seated with a woman of uncommon beauty. An older couple, both male, graying and having an intense discussion, judging by their expressions and waving hands.

A man entered, dressed in a rumpled suit, his eyes bloodshot and his skin ashen. He didn't look well, and wouldn't you know, he headed right for her table and sat down.

"I'm sorry. Can I help you?" she asked, her fork poised midair.

The man stared at her before slowly saying, "I need it."

"Need what? Are you hungry? Do you want me to buy you some food?" He might not look homeless, but poverty could hit anyone at any time.

"You have some. I can sense it. I need it."

"I'm sorry. I think you have the wrong person." Adeline glanced to the side to see if she could spot a waiter for some help.

The man lunged forward to grab her hand, his flesh clammy and cold. He gripped her tightly as he hissed, "Give it to me. I can't stand the emptiness."

She tugged, yanking her hand free before huffing, "I don't know who you are or what you want, but you're making me very uncomfortable, so if you'll excuse me…" She rose from her chair, but so did he.

"Fix me!" the man insisted.

"I'm not a doctor. Go to the hospital." She began backing away, but he kept pace. No one in the place did a thing, even as they watched—and of course one of them filmed. Damn society. No one ever wanted to get involved anymore for fear of social media backlash.

"Liar. Give it," he growled before diving at Adeline.

Before he could connect, someone stood between them, a bigger man who barked, "Keep your hands to yourself, asshole."

Orion?

Before she could blink in surprise, a hand on her arm had her whirling to see Ambrose had also entered. "Let Orion handle him. Come." He tugged.

"But my bill…" She'd only just gotten her dinner.

Ambrose dug into his pocket and tossed cash on the counter where the waiter stood watching and not interfering. "Dinner is paid. Let's get out of here."

A part of her wanted to stay and watch, but a different part wanted as far away as she could get from the misbehaving man. He obviously suffered from some kind of mental episode.

She exited with Ambrose but didn't spot the SUV. "Where are we going?"

"We'll head back to your place for the moment."

Her head swiveled to peek behind. "What of Orion? Shouldn't you help him?"

"Orion's a big boy who can handle himself."

"I don't know what's wrong with that man, though. I think he's having a manic episode. He could be armed and dangerous."

"So is Orion," Ambrose stated with a chuckle. "Trust me, he's faced worse."

As they walked, their pace brisk, she stated, "You were following me." The only explanation for how quickly they'd intervened.

"We did."

"Why? And don't give me some lame excuse about it being a secret. I have a right to know why CA agents are spying on me."

Ambrose shoved his hands into his pockets, ducked his head, and murmured, "I'm not a CA agent."

"Aha. I knew it!" she crowed.

"I'm a scion for the Goddess Hekate."

The unexpected reply had her tripping on the sidewalk. Ambrose reached out to steady her.

"Careful there."

She tilted her chin to meet his gaze. "I don't believe you."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "I assure you, it's true."

"You don't look like a priest."

He snorted, "Because I'm not. I am a scion, what you might term her right hand on Earth, carrying out her wishes."

"Her wishes being what?"

"That varies. Sometimes we eliminate a threat. Other times she has us seeking out things. We also provide protection to people of importance."

"Which am I?"

"Person of importance."

That had her uttering a very unladylike sound. "Now I know you're lying. There's no reason for a goddess or her lackeys to be interested in me."

"And yet here we are."

"If you truly do talk to a goddess, prove it."

"If you insist." He closed his eyes, and his lips moved soundlessly. He began to glow, radiating pink.

"Cute magic trick," she stated, "but that doesn't prove anything."

"Does this?" a female voice said inside her head.

Despite not moving, and having her eyes wide open, Adeline suddenly found herself in a strange place, the floor white marble with streaks of hot pink. Matching pillars rose into clouds, but she could see no walls, just a lounging bed, the couch kind with a partial back and a single arm. A woman lay upon it, wearing a gown of filmy white, her fuchsia hair bound in intricate ringlets upon her head.

"Hello, Adeline." The woman spoke in a husky voice.

"Um, who are you? Where am I?"

"In my domain. My scion prayed to me and mentioned you sought proof of his words."

"You're the Goddess Hekate?" She couldn't help but sound skeptical.

"Yes, in a form that appeals to you visually. Not something I do often, as it feels so very confining." Hekate grimaced as she looked at herself.

"Ambrose works for you?"

"He and Orion have been serving me for quite some time."

"Why are your servants following me?"

Hekate leaned forward as if to see Adeline better. "Because you're going to need their help."

"With what?"

"That isn't quite clear yet. The future is murky around you, Adeline."

"Why would you care about my future?"

"Because you are special."

Adeline snorted. "Wrong person." The definition of bland and boring probably had her picture alongside it.

"Oh, I'm never wrong, child," Hekate purred. "And while I am not entirely sure why you're special, I do know it's important to keep you safe, hence why I've added my aid to Gaia's."

"Gaia, as in Mother Earth?" The hallucination got weirder. It should be known that, while Adeline did believe in Gods, she didn't worship any. Why would a normal human bother? She had no magic, no cryptid blood in her ancestry. She should know, since she'd had her blood tested.

"Yes, Gaia was the first to extend her protection. Subtly of course. While we are mostly prevented from direct intervention, we can skirt that restriction by providing help in the form of believers. Thus did I send you two of my most favored. You're welcome, by the way."

"I didn't ask for your disciples."

"And yet you will need them. I'd suggest you follow their direction if you want to stay safe."

Her jaw dropped. "Um, listen, you might be a goddess, but I'm human. As in not involved in your"—she waved a hand—"religious stuff and all. I'd really rather not be dragged into something."

"As if you have a choice." Hekate's laughter tinkled. "Time for you to return to your time and place, but know you can rest easy for I've sent you my two very best. They will take good care of you."

Before Adeline could say boo, she blinked and there she was still standing on the sidewalk with Ambrose.

"You met Hekate," he stated in the face of her dazed expression.

"That or I had a very vivid hallucination." Could it be the tofu? She'd managed a bite before the interruption.

His lips twitched. "It is a bit strange the first time. But I assure you, of the many gods out there, Hekate is one of the good ones."

"As if you'd say anything else," she drawled.

"Do you believe me now?"

"I guess." Even Adeline couldn't deny something had just happened. "But what I don't understand is why I'd need protection. And from a goddess, no less." Two goddesses, supposedly. Why would Mother Earth be interested in her?

He shrugged. "Alas, Hekate didn't say. But given the events we've seen thus far, I'd say it won't be long before we discern our purpose."

"What events? A single wererat isn't a big deal."

"And the guy in the restaurant?"

"Having a mental crisis."

"If you say so."

They'd reached her stoop, and she paused. "I guess you'll be heading back for Orion."

"And insult him? No thanks. I am, however, hoping you'll invite me in."

The request had her staring at him. For one, she still didn't know him well—and what she did know about him being an agent turned out to be a lie. Two, he'd take up a lot of space in her tiny place, and if she found him titillating out in the open, how intense would it be then? Three, it had been a while since she'd been alone with a guy, especially one that had her tingling.

A woman her age knew better than to invite a stranger into her place.

But a lonely woman didn't have many opportunities and had learned to trust her gut. A gut that didn't sense any danger from him.

"Would you like to come in?"

"Yes, thank you." At least he had excellent manners. Here was to hoping he didn't turn out to be a serial killer.

She let him into the apartment to find her cats still guarding the bathroom door. It drew Ambrose's attention.

"Are they always that interested in your washroom?"

"No. But they're cats, so who knows what goes through their furry minds?" Ambrose paced to the cats, who ignored him. The three then stared inside her small bathroom, which she'd at least cleaned the day before. Hopefully she hadn't left any underwear on the floor.

"Can I get you a coffee?" she asked, suddenly nervous now that he was in her place.

"Yes, please."

As she busied herself, he moved from the bathroom doorway and took a spot on one of her two kitchen chairs that went with the small bistro table. She didn't remember the last time she'd had a guest sitting at it.

"How long have you lived here?" he asked.

"A few years. I got evicted from my last place after the first attempted home invasion."

"It's an old building," he remarked.

"It is, which means it has its quirks." She glanced to her staring cats. "Like plumbing that sometimes releases bugs." She held in a shudder. The coffee finished percolating, and she carried over a cup, along with a carton of almond milk and a bowl of sugar.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Stuck in an uncomfortable loop of politeness. How should she break it? She took a sip before saying, "Should you be checking on Orion?"

"He's fine."

"How can you know that?" she queried with a frown.

He tapped his temple. "Hekate would let me know if he required my aid."

"Oh." Then because she found herself curious. "How does one become a helper for a god?"

"Some do it via worship, others inherit it from a family member. In our case, we chose to not steal from a witch who was a disciple of Hekate."

"You're thieves?" She couldn't help the lilted question.

"Not anymore and, at the time, we did it out of desperation. We were orphaned and starving. The goddess took pity on us and offered us a more honest way of living."

"So you enjoy being her lackeys?" Such a strange conversation to be having.

"It has its perks. Always fed. Clothed. Housed. Plus, we get to travel."

"What does your wife think?" Yeah, that wasn't exactly subtle, and she was okay with it, given Adeline never wanted to be the other woman.

"Not married," he offered with a smile. "Never found the right person, but I keep hoping." Said while staring at her.

She ducked her head and eyed her coffee. "I'm single too."

"Surprising."

The reply had her snorting. "Not really. Guess I should warn you I'm kind of bad luck. People tend to die around me."

"Unless you're killing them, not sure how that's your fault."

"Except I worry it is somehow because of me." She shrugged as she admitted something she'd long kept tight to her chest. "I mean some of the ways I've lost friends have been something out of a movie. The kind people call unrealistic."

"Accidents happen."

"But they seem to be really common around me. Anyhow, thought I should mention it. I could be hazardous to your health."

"I would have said my heart," he murmured, startling her.

"You have a heart condition?"

Laughter burst from him. "No, I meant more the fact that it races when you're around."

"It does?" She gaped at him in surprise.

"I'm sorry. I'm being much too forward."

"No, it's okay. It's just I'm not usually the type to inspire passion or…" She waved a hand. "Let's just say, I'm not the kind of woman who makes men go crazy."

"Then they are blind. You are extremely sexy, smart, and fun to be around."

Her cheeks heated as she answered with, "How can you say that when we've barely spoken?"

"We're speaking right now."

Indeed, they were, and already she'd enjoyed herself more than she had on pretty much any first date. "Are scions allowed to date?"

"Yes, as well as marry and have children."

"What about your job for the goddess?"

"The goddess wants only what's best for us. If we were to fall in love, she'd adjust her expectation of us in regard to our duty."

"Must be nice to actually talk to your boss."

"Oh, is yours often absent?"

"More like never even met in person. I was hired over the phone and told my duties. Only other folks I've met are the elven night crew."

"How long have you been employed there?"

"Almost two decades now."

"And you've never met the owner?" Incredulity laced his reply.

"I know, weird, right? Which is why when you showed up, I assumed you were investigating my boss, but then you told me you weren't actually CA, that you're here for me, which still makes no sense. I'm nothing special—"

She never finished speaking because suddenly he was in front of her, his lips pressing against hers with a whispered, "You are indeed very special."

And so was he. She tingled head to toe at the embrace, and as the kiss deepened, she parted her lips for his tongue.

Before she knew it, he'd drawn her from the chair into his arms, his body solid and warm against hers, his lips firm and, at the same time, sensually coaxing. Her breath shortened, and every inch of her tingled. When his hands slid from her back to her waist then cupped her butt, she was ready to drag him to her couch.

Only someone pounded at the door.

Ambrose released her reluctantly, and she fought to regain some measure of composure. It would have helped if her knees didn't want to buckle.

What a kiss.

"It's Orion," he announced grimly. His long stride took exactly two steps to reach the door and fling it open.

A disheveled Orion stood there, not wearing the clothes she'd last seen him in. At least, she didn't remember the bright pink tank top or tight gray shorts.

"What happened?" Ambrose asked.

Orion glanced past him to Adeline and shook his head, whispering something.

Ambrose tossed her a quick glance. "Give us a second."

They exited the apartment, and she was left to mull over what just happened.

He kissed me!

Surprise-kissed. Which she had to admit she loved. Most guys these days asked permission, which kind of took the fun out of it. But Ambrose, he acted with passion, and wow… She wondered how far things would have gone if they'd not been interrupted.

Rowr.

A glance at her cats showed their hackles rising.

"What is it? Did the icky bug crawl out of the drain?" She headed over to see, even as she'd rather not know what multi-legged monstrosity had her felines agitated.

The cats arched their backs and hissed, unusual even for them. They usually only acted that way when—

Adeline abruptly whirled and darted for her purse with the taser. As her hands gripped it, she heard a wet plopping sound.

And a much deeper growl.

She turned to face the bathroom more slowly, jaw-dropping at the sight of Smudge and Fudge, only they were about a zillion times bigger than usual.

But they weren't why she froze in shock.

That would be the octopus-like creature that gripped the edge of the doorway and heaved itself into view!