9. NINE

nineHours later, I was sweaty, tired and sore.

A rip had appeared on the knee of my jeans. It had gradually spread, leaving me worried my jeans were soon to be one-legged shorts. The new boots I’d found in my closet were smeared with matter I didn’t want to think too closely about. Mud was splashed half way up both legs. Specks of it dotted my shirt.

Beside me, Connor was immaculate. Not a hair was out of place after the activities of the night. Somehow, he’d also managed to avoid every bit of mud during our trek around the lake. He still looked like a model who’d stepped out of the pages of a magazine.

Lucky bastard.

“I did warn you there was a hole there,” he said, keeping pace with my limping progress.

So, he had.

I hadn’t listened, too distracted with trying not to tear off my own skin to pay attention.

I must have twisted my ankle pretty bad when I stepped into that pit because it still twinged. Another hour and it would be fine.

Go vampire healing abilities.

“At least the naiads paid us,” I grumbled.

It was the sole bright spot of the night. We were a thousand dollars richer. Not bad for two hours of work.

Up ahead, I could see the path that would lead us the rest of the way back to the car. A fact I was thankful for.

Forests and I had a complicated history. Mostly because I usually had to run for my life at some point while in them.

Hoover Reservoir Park couldn’t be considered a true forest, since it was more on the scale of a nature park, but that was no reason not to be cautious. I’d been fooled in the past.

With the way the shadows gathered under the trees, their depths deeper and more ominous than normal, I was already a little on edge. Tree branches creaked over head as we walked beneath them, having a conversation of their own.

We weren’t far from High Banks, a local metro park and the location of the Fae burrow. While I didn’t think I’d run into any Fae, there were no guarantees.

I could see some of the more water reliant Fae being attracted to the reservoir, which acted as one of the major water sources for Columbus. The acres of forested landscape around it were perfect for hiking and fishing. Not to mention the many ways spooks might use it.

The reservoir had already drawn a clan of naiads due to its clean water. At least in comparison to the rest of Ohio’s lakes and rivers.

“Why is it that I’m the one who always gets injured?” I asked Connor as we reached the path.

“Perhaps because you are rash and jump into situations before thinking?”

I stopped to glare at him.

He ducked his head, but not before I saw the way his lips twitched in amusement.

“What’s next?” Connor asked, changing the subject.

My ringtone cut off my response. I held up a finger to tell him to wait as I fished the cellphone of my back pocket.

“This is Traver’s Agency. Aileen speaking. What service may I provide tonight?”

A startled pause greeted me.

“Hello?”

A woman started cackling.

“Is that how you answer your phone?” she gasped, breaking into guffaws every other second. “You sound like an escort service.”

The rest of her words cut off as she dissolved into laughter again.

I tilted the phone to check the caller’s name. The words “Demon Wolfy” shone up at me. Caroline. Of course. Who else but a best friend would give me this much shit?

“And that name! It’s so awful.”

“It’s called branding,” I said sourly, wondering if she could hear me over her laughter.

She was right about the name though. It was generic—and awful. I hadn’t been able to figure out anything better to call myself and until I did The Traver’s Agency it was.

“It’s something,” she said as her laughter eased.

“Why are you calling me?”

A snort left her. “Did you forget what day it is?”

The faint note of accusation made me fall silent.

“Oh shit. Girl’s night.”

How had I forgotten? I’d been looking forward to it for over a week.

Feeling panicked, I checked the time on my phone. 10:45 p.m. I was supposed to meet Caroline and the others an hour ago.

“I knew it. You did forget,” Caroline said, sounding smug. To someone else, “Pay up. I was right. She forgot.”

There were several boos.

“You disappoint me, Aileen,” someone on the other side yelled.

Their words were muffled enough that it was difficult to guess their identity.

Caroline ignored them. “You’re on the way now, right?”

“About that—”

How did I tell Caroline that girl’s night might need to be canceled?

With Dominick and hunters in town, it was probably best to avoid being out in public. I needed to be lying low. Not drinking it up with all my friends.

The only reason I’d risked doing this job was because I’d already accepted it and I didn’t want to lose my reputation. The fact it was in an isolated section of the city was a bonus.

“Don’t you dare bail on me,” Caroline warned. “You’re not getting out of this that easy.”

From the chorus of protests on the other side of the phone, it sounded like the rest agreed.

“Something came up.”

Caroline wasn’t going to like this. I had a history of blowing things off. Usually for good reasons, but that was little comfort to the people around me.

“That’s a shame,” Caroline drawled, much calmer than usual. “Your sister is going to miss you.”

“Jenna’s there?”

“That she is.”

“How did that happen?” I asked, not hiding the edge in my tone.

“She called me earlier tonight because you forgot to send her the time and place for our get together and weren’t answering your phone.”

Probably because I was comatose from the sun.

“Helpful friend that I am, I sent her directions to the Blue Pepper. Aren’t I so nice?”

“The bestest friend of a sister ever!” Jenna yelled from the background.

I fought the urge to bang my head against the nearest tree and started walking faster. Connor floated over the trail, his passage silent as we headed for the car.

“Is she drunk?” I asked.

“She’s had a few, but I wouldn’t say she’s drunk.”

Gwyneth appeared up ahead.

“This is low, Caro,” I growled. “Holding my sister hostage to guarantee my attendance.”

“A friend does what is needed to make sure their bestie doesn’t forget she has a life outside of work.” Her voice lowered. “And that other thing I won’t speak of.”

“Are you talking about her illness?” Jenna asked. “I already know about it.”

“Do you now?” Caroline asked, sounding amused.

I heard Jenna’s agreement as I reached the car.

Caroline came back on the phone. “How very honest of you, Lena. I’m so proud.”

I got in the car, Connor doing the same on the other side.

“You know I couldn’t tell her the truth,” I snarled.

“I do.” Caroline sobered. “I’m happy you’re trying to bridge the distance. I know how hard it is given your situation.”

Some of my irritation faded.

“She shouldn’t be there. It’s dangerous.”

“She’s safe. I promise,” Caroline said, sounding serious. “Dahlia assures me her customers will behave, and I’m keeping an eye on her.”

I relaxed a little bit.

If Dahlia said that, I believed it. No one who frequented the Blue Pepper was stupid enough to get on a Djinn’s bad side. She had the power to back up her promises. Along with the magic to hide any incidents that might burst a human’s fragile illusion that they’re the most evolved species on the planet.

Accidents happened though. Particularly around the supernaturally inclined.

Caroline was a glaring example of that.

The sound of something breaking came. It was followed by cheers and a sigh from Caroline.

“I suggest you hurry,” Caroline ordered. “You know what happens when the harpies get bored. They may decide to hang your sister from the ceiling by her feet.”

A click came as Caroline hung up.

I moved the phone away from my ear, staring at it as I breathed carefully in through my nose and out again. As tempting as killing my oldest and dearest friend, it wasn’t an appropriate response to frustration.

Besides, she’d survive any damage I dealt her. A perk of being a demon tainted werewolf.

Refraining from violence was easier when you knew there were no real consequences to it.

I threw the phone into my cup holder and shoved the car into drive. “Change of plans—I’ll drop you at home before heading out.”

Connor leaned his head against the seat and closed his eyes. “No need. I’m going with you.”

“Which part of Girl’s Night do you not understand?” I asked.

It was there in the title. An exclusive night for only girls.

Then again, maybe the concept hadn’t existed the last time Connor was part of the normal world.

“The more you argue, the later you will be.” Connor didn’t open his eyes, the matter already settled in his mind.

His confidence was impressive.

Even more so because he was right. I didn’t have the energy to pursue this with him. Nor did I really care.

Caroline had known what she was doing when she gave Jenna the details. She’d probably anticipated my forgetfulness and this was her response. As a result, she could deal with Connor’s attendance.

“Are you going dressed like that?” Connor asked, finally opening his eyes to look me over.

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

A few months ago, I’d gotten slimed by a Tsuchigumo, basically a shapeshifting giant spider, and shown up to Girl’s Night covered in its webbing. Caroline and the others had found it hysterical.

“Your state may give your sister cause for concern,” Connor pointed out in a neutral tone.

I grimaced at the specks of mud dotting the upper legs of my pants and my top. He had a point. Much as I hated to admit it.

“Fine, I’ll get changed,” I grumbled, knowing it was the best answer.

Guess we were heading home after all.

I hit my signal as we approached a stop sign and made a right-hand turn.

“Is now a good time to discuss the house?” Connor asked after a few minutes had passed.

I sent him a startled look. “What about it?”

“It would make a good base of operations. I think we should consider staying.”

I was already shaking my head before he finished speaking. “Absolutely not.”

“The pixies are also fans,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken.

“The answer is still no,” I said in a near whine.

The termites should have warned me. You didn’t worry about something like that unless you were thinking about staying.

But until now, Connor had stubbornly resisted allowing Thomas any influence on our lives. It had made me lower my defenses. If anything, I thought Inara and Lowen would be the ones to suggest making the move permanent.

“It has the space we need to grow as a family and is isolated enough to offer privacy,” Connor pointed out. “We won’t have to worry about our human neighbors being too nosy.”

If there is a deity out there, please save me from a vampire’s family growth plan. I beg of you.

“It’s Thomas’s house,” I said. “We’re not staying.”

I didn’t have many expectations for my next home, but a big one was not living under Thomas’s roof. Call me crazy, but I didn’t want that vampire to have any more of a hold over me than he already did.

“Technically, it’s your name on the deed,” Connor corrected.

“Maybe so, but do you really want to give Thomas a chance to throw this in our face the next time we go against his wishes?”

Because I sure didn’t.

“There is an easy solution for that,” Connor said. “We buy it from him.”

“Is that all?”

Why didn’t Connor ask for the moon and the stars while he was at it? Because that’s what it would take.

“I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have that kind of money,” I said.

In this market, with its location, lot size, and square footage, that house had to be close to a million dollars. That was before you took into account its interior or the rather sizable external garage located behind it.

Even with my bonus from the new ruler of Noctessa, I couldn’t afford it. Nor would a bank authorize a loan to someone whose income was as unstable as mine.

I’d be lucky if they didn’t accuse me of money laundering, given the source of some of my customer’s payments. When you didn’t exist under human law, it necessitated creative banking.

“No problem. I can.”

I shot Connor an incredulous look. “Since when do you have money?”

He’d been a stag for centuries. It wasn’t exactly a position that came with an investment plan.

“I’m Thomas’s child,” he said as if that was a reasonable explanation.

“So?”

“He set aside a small inheritance for me after my mother’s death. That, coupled with my own personal holdings before my disappearance has accumulated over the years,” he admitted. “My fortune has grown quite nicely under Thomas’s diligent management.”

I processed the fact that my vampire brother was a probable multi-millionaire in silence.

Undeterred, Connor gave me a tiny smile. “That means, dear sister of mine, we can afford whatever house we desire.”

After Connor’s unexpected announcement, we made a quick stop at the house for a change of clothes.

When I checked on Deborah, I found her occupied with a movie on TV. I let her know one of Thomas’s people would drop off a car later that night for her use before Connor and I headed out again.

Twenty minutes later, I was pulling off the highway to make my way through the neighborhoods bordering the Blue Pepper. Located in the no man’s land that existed between the bigger and more popular neighborhoods of Clintonville and Worthington, the Blue Pepper was a staple. Once considered run down, the area had undergone a renaissance over the last few years, drawing in a lot of new businesses and residents.

It meant more traffic, but it still wasn’t as bad as the University District to our south.

Spotting the bar, I pulled into the tiny parking lot to find it full. The only spot left was located at the back of lot between a dumpster and a truck that made me glad Gwyneth wasn’t an SUV. She’d never have fit otherwise.

After I parked, we climbed out of the car. I slowed as the feeling of being watched intruded. Connor continued a few steps toward the bar as I scanned our surroundings.

He stopped to look back at me in curiosity. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head in puzzlement. “I don’t know.”

There was nothing out there that I could find. Despite that, I couldn’t shake the sensation that there we were being watched. It was disturbingly similar to what had happened last night with my stalker.

Connor must have thought the same as he rejoined me, his gaze alert as he searched the shadows around us.

“It’s probably nothing,” I admitted, knowing there was a good chance I was being paranoid.

Despite that, I dropped into my other sight. The night took on new depth as I glimpsed a layer of reality that was usually hidden. Traces of magic lingered all around me. The bar was covered in it, substantial and powerful enough to make a tiny pulse of pain pound at the base of my brain.

But that wasn’t all.

A tiny bit of magic existed in most things. The trees at the edge of the lot. The metal of the dumpster beside me. Even the concrete under my feet carried a trace.

It was much rarer to encounter something with no magic at all.

Dahlia’s wards hummed at the edge of my senses. Magic leaked from them, leeching into the surroundings and lighting up the night like a hot zone.

I knew if I concentrated, I could unravel those wards. Unmake them before rendering them inert.

It was why my kind were called magic breakers.

It was also why we were so hunted.

Already, the minuscule amount of attention I’d paid to the wards was enough for a few of the anchor points to loosen. Threads unfurled, drifting in my direction.

I soothed them back into place, taking my time to make sure they weren’t going anywhere.

Finished, I examined my surroundings to find a hint of something that didn’t belong at the base of one of the trees whose branches swept low.

It was more than just that the shadows were dense enough that I couldn’t see into their depths. The power crouched at their heart felt familiar in a way I couldn’t put into words. Deep and immense.

For a split second, I was reminded of my dream last night. I stepped forward, drawn to the shadows in spite of myself.

Connor caught my arm, pulling me behind him. “Come out of there while I’m still asking nicely.”

We stared at the base of the trees in expectation.

Connor’s body was rigid with tension, his vigilance no less than mine.

The longer we waited, the antsier I felt.

Until finally, a sharp bark put us out of our misery. My heart gave a startled thump as Alches bounded out of the shadows, sliding to a stop in front of me.

Or at least he tried to. His momentum was great enough that his hind quarters had to back pedal rapidly to keep from slipping out from under him.

He scrambled for purchase, his nails scratching against the concrete.

I buried my face in Connor’s shoulder, trying to stifle the laughter that was more a product of relief than amusement.

Though I had to admit the nonplussed look on Connor’s face was also funny.

“What is this?” Connor asked, staring at the shadow-hound in consternation.

“Connor—meet Alches. Alches—meet Connor.”

The two knew of each other, but this was the first time they were meeting in a formal capacity.

I waited as the shadow-hound drew himself up straight, an arrogant expression settling on his face despite the way he’d almost tumbled ass-over-head moments before.

Connor’s features were impassive as he and the hound studied each other.

“I’m sure I told you about him, didn’t I?” I asked, feeling a little nervous for some reason.

Connor made a humming sound of agreement as he turned to go. “I’ll wait inside. Don’t take too long.”

It was a little surprising that he was willing to leave me out here on my own given how clingy he’d been tonight. I guess that showed how much confidence he had in the realm guardian’s capabilities.

Though, from how often Alches came and went, I wasn’t sure that confidence was warranted.

I waited until Connor was inside before glowering at the shadow-hound. “What are you doing here?”

Not that I wasn’t happy Alches was the one who’d jumped out of those shadows. Of all the things that could have been waiting for me, he was the least scary.

You’d think after all this time I would be less likely to go running into danger. That I’d learn that discretion was sometimes the better part of valor.

But no.

Rather than answer me, Alches flopped onto his back. Tentacles unfurled from where they’d been hidden in his jowls, waving in the air as he gave me an upside-down doggie grin.

He wiggled, asking for pets.

I caved like the pushover I was, squatting to rub his belly. “When grandfather said the protector of his realm had adopted me, I thought there would be actual protecting going on.”

Instead, my protector was MIA more often than he was present. He also didn’t seem overly interested in any actual guarding.

Alches huffed, dislodging my hand as he flipped onto his feet to give me a repressive look.

I reached out to scratch behind his ear. “Are you trying to tell me you have your reasons?”

Alches’s eyelids slid closed as a tentacle wrapped around my wrist to give it a gentle squeeze that felt as reassuring as a hug.

Unable to resist, I dropped a kiss on his snout. “Alright, I’ll trust you.”

At least until he gave me reason not to.

It probably helped that he had adopted the form of a canine. I’d always wanted a dog but had never been able to have one with my lifestyle. My apartment had been too small and my hours too odd to be a responsible pet owner.

Unless I’d gotten a cat.

“You’re cute. I’ll give you that.”

Terrifying in an adorable sort of way.

Alches chuffed in agreement.

I laughed, rubbing his head. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with you.”

He leaned into my touch, his expression saying “Keep me. What else?”

I gave him one last pat and rose.

Alches mouth closed, his expression alert as his ears tilted forward.

“Aileeeeennn,” someone crooned from behind me. “Little baby vampire. Precious infant bloodsucker.”

They were gone by the time I whirled to confront them. A feather drifted down, giving me a clue as to where they went.

I twisted to look up at the bar’s roof, unsurprised to find a quintet of harpies perched on it. They grinned down at me as their sister landed beside them.

“You’re late, baby vampire,” the woman in the middle sang.

“So people keep telling me.”

Alches’s claws clicked over the concrete as we moved closer, stopping a short distance from where they sat.

A harpy tilted her head at the sight of him, the movement birdlike. “What is that?”

The woman on her right squinted. “It looks like a dog.”

She leaned forward to an impossible degree, somehow managing to keep her balance and not tumble off.

“Not possible. Dogs hate us.”

“It’s not barking. Why isn’t it barking? They always bark.”

There was an innocent expression on Alches’s face as he peered up at me. His tail wagged slightly before stopping.

“This is Alches,” I said by way of introduction. “My dog.”

Disbelief reflected in their faces.

“Are you sure that’s a dog?”

My smile was stiff. “I think I would know.”

Because he definitely wasn’t a dog.

“Dahlia won’t be happy if you chase away her customers,” I observed, changing the subject. “She’ll be even less pleased if you steal from them.”

The flock was a group of talented pick-pockets. Usually, they targeted drunk and belligerent humans on a different side of town. I was worried if they tried that here Dahlia would pluck their wing feathers and use them as stuffing for a pillow.

“She said it’s fine as long as our mark agrees,” the woman in the middle explained.

“Have any agreed?”

“Not yet.” Her smile showed her sharp teeth. “Would you care to be the first?”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

I started toward the door, knowing if I took her up on that offer, I’d lose my wallet. Maybe my keys or cell phone depending on their mood.

No thanks.

“You should leave your dog here,” a harpy suggested. “We’ll be happy to watch him for you.”

The menacing giggles that followed that statement made me roll my eyes. I had no doubt their “watching” held an entirely different meaning than my own.

Funny—I hadn’t realized harpies viewed human pets as food.

Alches stopped, looking up at me in silent question.

I shrugged, knowing he was asking for permission. “Your choice.”

The harpies’ faces brightened, anticipation showing as I ducked my head to hide my smile.

They thought they were going to get a treat, when really, they were about to be taught a lesson.

The harpies were still giggling as Alches sprung forward. He raced at the wall, reaching it in two quick bounds and using it as a spring board to jump straight up.

The harpies screeched and yanked their feet back onto the roof. Alches’s teeth closed on air. Feathers flew as they scrambled away from the edge, their mouths wide in horror.

Alches twisted in midair to get his feet under him before landing a second later.

“Still want me to leave him with you?” I asked the harpies as they huddled together in terror.

“No, that’s okay. We’re good,” one answered.

Her voice trembled, cracking at the end.

Alches’ tongue lolled out of his mouth as he trotted toward me, looking proud of himself.

I patted him on the head. “Good boy.”

From now on I was betting those harpies would think twice about playing with dogs.

I started toward the bar’s entrance and then paused. “You should probably wait out here.”

Dahlia had an affinity for shadows and what waited inside them. As powerful as Alches was, I wasn’t sure his glamor would hold up against her scrutiny.

While it wasn’t the end of the world for his true nature to be discovered, it also wasn’t something I wanted being bandied about among spooks. What someone else didn’t know couldn’t be used against you.

For now, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Alches dropped his butt to the ground with a disgruntled chuff as I opened the door, allowing sound and light to spill outside.

“I’ll be back soon. Don’t eat the harpies.”