by Vera Sparks
Not yet.
He wept, huddled against his desk like a cowering dog, disbelieving the news we’d just delivered. It broke my heart seeing him like this.
After a few minutes had passed, he drew in shallow, shaky breaths to calm himself.
“Do you know who did it?” his red-rimmed eyes focused on us as he wiped at the wet streaks down his face and sniffled.
“No, we don’t. We hoped you may have some insight on that,” Danny said carefully.
“No, no one would hurt Alena. Why would they?” Jeremy sniffled as he shakily climbed back to his feet. He took the step to his chair and collapsed back into it.
“We don’t know,” I murmured. I dabbed at the few streaks that had caught me off guard, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“There’s no one who would’ve wanted to hurt her? Or… you?” Danny hesitated before he added the last part on.
“No,” Jeremy frowned. “But… someone could’ve done this because of me?” his voice broke at the thought. “No, God no.”
“We don’t know anything for sure. Alex wants to try to figure this out before going to the Council. The Council will automatically suspect you two and Alex himself,” I flicked my eyes between the two men.
“Right, the Council. They’d want to cover this up and be done with it as quick as possible,” Jeremy nodded as his voice wavered.
“Alex said you can come see her, a witch will deal with changing the way she died for her family’s benefit,” Danny said.
“Right. Her family,” Jeremy’s lost and distant expression was heart-breaking. “I can’t go to her funeral either. They don’t know what I am; they’ll do a day funeral. I’ll miss it. They’ll think I’m an uncaring bastard,” he growled as his eyes welled up again.
“I’m so sorry,” was all I could say.
“Where is she?” he asked as he drew in a shaky breath.
“The office, I found her there,” Danny’s voice dropped as he looked down at his hands.
“Thank you for letting me know, I’d like to see her. To say… goodbye,” he stood up slowly, as if the movements themselves were painful.
“We’ll drive you,” Danny offered, and Jeremy just nodded as he came with us.
“Would you like me to let Ally know?” I asked gently as we headed out of the office.
“Thank you, that’d be good,” he sniffled.
I hurried over to the bar, needing the moment away from him to regain my composure as well. I hated this.
“Is Jeremy okay?” Ally asked as she watched her boss with a concerned look.
“No, not really. He’ll have to head out for a few hours, can you manage to cover for him?” I asked.
“Yeah, of course. Anything else I can do?” she said, her jaw clenching in worry as Jeremy exited the bar.
“No, that’s all, I think,” I sighed.
“Please take care of him, he doesn’t look too good,” Ally said.
“Of course.”
The drive back to the office was awkward and unsettling to say the least. I took the backseat in the polished black Chrysler sedan that Danny owned. No words were spoken for the entire trip, and when we arrived, Jeremy flitted out and inside before I’d even climbed out.
“I’ll head inside, you don’t have to if you don’t feel up to it,” Danny said as he locked the car.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I leaned against the trunk of the car while Danny headed in.
“Hey, Alex called me a while ago. I got here as soon as I could.”
I turned to spy Catherine slinking out of the shadows, instantly reminding me of her cobra shifter side.
“Yeah.” I looked down at my hands.
“I can’t believe anyone would hurt her,” Catherine murmured as she joined me. Her high heels clicked as she crossed the parking lot. She didn’t start work until after Danny and Janet as she ran most of the office errands before coming to the office.
Janet wasn’t working tonight, as Danny and she rotated their work days.
“I know.”
“I’ll miss her. I loved her cheeriness, the way she was always so polite and friendly. She knew what I was and never acted off around me. A lot of people do, they don’t trust snake shifters. I don’t know why, I mean, what’s wrong with snakes?” Catherine gave me a concerned look.
I wonder why. Maybe it had something to do with their terrifying speed, lack of legs, scaliness and venom. No, definitely not that.
“She just had her anniversary too,” I sighed, not even bothering to try to come up with an answer to Catherine’s question.
“Yeah, God, she showed all of us sooooo many pictures,” Catherine chuckled. I felt bad. I didn’t normally converse a whole lot with Catherine. She was right; I couldn’t help but be unsettled by her. Something with the way she moved, and how when she had troubles with something at work she’d hiss. The sound sent chills through me every time.
“Yeah. Poor Jeremy,” I added.
“Yeah, poor thing. I can only imagine what he’s going through. He must be devastated,” Catherine rubbed her arms at the chilly night air. Not that I could feel it. The temperature never bothered me anymore, I couldn’t feel it. I couldn’t feel cool breezes anymore, even though I knew it was there. It was like I was layered in bubble wrap, unable to feel changes in temperature. I could probably go to the arctic in a bikini and not feel a thing.
Why had James’ death not affected me this much? Maybe it was because he was an asshole, but I got over his death with ease. Even when I disposed of the body after Alex had killed him. Accidentally, apparently. It had been self defense though.
I’d spent odd hours mulling over the vampire, Benji, I’d set alight, how I watched him burn when he was attacking Alex a month ago. That was when I’d discovered I was not just human. I was some kind of Elemental, capable of wielding fire. I’d gotten over his death with ease, considering he was trying to kill us all. And then Deon’s death, at the hands of the ‘wolf pack. He’d definitely deserved that death.
Alena was a friend though, someone I knew so much about.
Now she was just gone.
“Don’t you have a witch friend? A psychic one? Why doesn’t she try to summon Alena?” Catherine suggested.
I hadn’t thought of that. Alex hadn’t. Was it worth it? Maria’s words floated through my head and my shoulders slumped.
“No. She can’t. Many psychics won’t summon the dead if they died a traumatic and/or painful death. Pulling them back through the veil is hard, and if they don’t want to relive that, they can fight it and weaken the witch. It’s an unwritten rule of conversing with the dead. No murder victims or traumatic deaths. That’s why it’s mostly old people she speaks to.”
“Damn, that’s some shitty rules,” Catherine deflated.
“It’s the way it is,” I sighed. “It was a good idea though.”
“Thanks. I’m sure Alex will get to the bottom of this.”
“Yeah, I know he will.”
Alex sent everyone home soon after. He was getting Alena’s body picked up by the coroner. Her cause of death was a sudden heart attack caused by a rare blood clot. That was a better cause of death than the truth. The witch was apparently quite skilled with her magic, and I wondered how many murders her type of witch had covered up over the years.
I headed home, intent to finish up some delicious slice I’d picked up at a new bakery a few blocks over.
My phone buzzed and, I pulled over. Gene, the pack leader of Percy’s pack.
“Hey, what’s up?” I answered. I was hoping he’d sorted something out with the Fae, a magical race who may be able to provide answers on my strange not quite living state.
“Hey Ivy, I wasn’t sure if you were working tonight,” Gene’s voice was calm and collected.
“Nah, not tonight,” I said, although I didn’t think I needed to fill him in on the details of why no one was working in the office tonight.
“Great, I’ve managed to organize a meeting with th
e Fae later on tonight, well, early morning. I thought you’d like to come out early anyway, I’m sure Percy would love to see you.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
Percy had stayed with me for a few weeks after everything went down while a house got sorted for him. Now he lived back with his pack, but he still stayed over some days, and I stayed with him more often thanks to my special teleportation abilities. It was a strange relationship, with me never sleeping, but at least we both currently worked night shifts so we’d see each other after work hours and spend the morning together before he’d head home or to bed.
“Sure, I could use the company,” I said, trying to add some pep to my voice. I could use the distraction from the death of my friend. And Axle, my dog, would manage the rest of the night alone; he’d probably sleep through most of it.
“Great, Percy will be headed to Scottie’s Bar, he’s finishing his shift early tonight as he’s starting construction work next week instead. I’ll come grab you later on from the bar when it’s closer to the meeting,” Gene said.
“Great, I’ll head over there now. See you later.”
“Drive safe.”
I smiled as the ‘wolf hung up. I wouldn’t be driving, but he knew that, it was just automatic to say. He was a sweet, caring man. A great pack leader.
I glanced down at my hurriedly thrown on jeans, grey tee, and black cardigan. I’d fit in at the werewolf bar at least. But I would go back to the office. It was closer than my apartment, and I sure as hell was not going to drive all the way to Cottage Grove. I’d dump my car in the parking lot and jump. Teleporting through the ghost realm. I’d be there in minutes rather than hours.
2
Scottie’s Bar was roughly what I’d expected after what Percy had told me. An old wooden building on the edge of town with a dirt parking lot filled with motorbikes and an assortment of old trucks.
The laughter and whoops from inside made me relax for some odd reason as I strolled over.
Before I even reached the door Percy was holding it open.
“How’d you know?” I asked.
“Werewolf remember, super senses,” Percy smirked as he leaned in for a quick kiss as I moved past him.
Inside, the red leather booths and rustic style were welcoming, and the ‘wolf crowd paid me little heed as they continued their banter, drinking, and games of pool. A James Taylor song was playing from the jukebox in the corner, not quite what I expected but I shrugged it off.
“So, you’re off to see the Fae tonight?” Percy mused as he led me to a booth in the back, away from the majority of the bustling bar-goers.
“Yeah, seems that way,” I nodded, taking in the occasional cow skull hanging on the wall. It was…interesting. There were even some horns over the bar.
“By the way, I swear Gene said he called you not too long ago, how the hell did you get here so fast?” he gave me a bewildered look.
“Undead, jump through the realms, remember,” I gave him a cocky grin, the way he had with his ‘super senses’.
“Right,” he nodded as he remembered. I could still see the amazement clear on his face.
My grin faded quickly as I looked around the bar.
“Everything all right? You seem off,” Percy’s brow furrowed as he let me slide into the booth first. Instead of sitting across from me, he slipped in to squeeze beside me, and I took comfort in his closeness.
“Yeah… no,” I sighed, moving closer to lean against him.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I drew in his clean, musky scent. He’d obviously showered after work.
“Want to talk about it?” he murmured as he pulled me closer.
I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but the tears welled up. Shit.
I sniffled as I attempted to fight back the tears as he stroked my cheek tenderly.
“What’s wrong baby?” he asked softly.
“My friend died,” I managed to gasp between the soft sobs that had ensued. Goddamn it. Now I was being looked at by a number of ‘wolves around the place.
“Jesus, I’m so sorry,” Percy kissed my forehead as he pulled me against his chest.
I clutched his shirt as I tried to muffle my sobs into him, wishing desperately I could rein it in. But the image of Alena’s small frame, her glassy eyes and bloody neck, it all came rushing back instantly.
“Shh…” Percy rubbed my back with one hand and stroked my hair as he murmured words of reassurance.
I dragged in a few shaky breaths, forcing myself to calm down. Why had it hit me so badly right now? Surrounded by others?
“Hey, it’s all right. I’m here.” Percy wiped the tears from my face as I pulled back.
“Danny found her this evening, she’d been drained,” my voice broke as I said it, and I reached for the napkins on the table.
Percy’s face hardened as he stroked my hair. It was working, I’ll give him that. Calming me down, helping my breath come easier.
“Do you know why? And who?” he asked quietly.
“No, we have no idea. Her family doesn’t know she is… was,” I sighed, hating how I had to change my tense, “dating a vampire.”
“Did he do it?” Percy immediately asked.
“God no, the poor thing was crushed. He’s newly turned, only seven. He was on the floor crying. They’d just celebrated their four-year anniversary,” I shook my head, annoyed he’d even think that. But he didn’t know Jeremy, so I let it slide.
“Damn, they must have really been in love,” Percy sighed.
“She was so sweet, always offering to help out with anything. She helped me move into my new place even. She’d always bring these brownies in, they were her grandma’s famous recipe,” I smiled through the tears.
“I’m so sorry,” was all Percy could say.
“Now she’s gone, just like that,” I sagged against him, drained from my breakdown.
“You can’t… talk to her?” he questioned.
“No, she’s not around. And a psychic is too risky since it was a traumatic death,” I added, not wanting to be asked again. Not that I’d really even heard much from my best friend Maria, a psychic witch. She’d gone radio silent over the past few weeks.
“So, what now?”
“Alex is handling it. I don’t know what help I could be. We don’t even have any suspects.”
“Shouldn’t he be alerting the Council?”
“Yes, but considering she worked with two vampires and dated one, they’ll suspect them, which is bad for business and just wrong in general. They like to do things quick apparently,” I muttered.
“Yeah, they like to clean up quickly and easily without too much mess. They’d probably blame your colleagues or the boyfriend,” Percy agreed.
“Then what? Go to trial and have to deal with that crap? The Council sounds like it’s made up of idiots,” I huffed.
“They do their best, they have to govern all the races and deal with a myriad of issues. I’d suspect they’d try to charge one of the vamps in hopes that they got lucky and they’d plead guilty and confess. If not, then they’d investigate more. They do take these things seriously, but their way of going about it… well, it’s not the greatest. Old-fashioned and rather backwards,” Percy brushed my hair behind my ears. I hadn’t even realized so much of it had come loose from my high ponytail.
I closed my eyes as I focused on the sounds around me. How would Alex find Alena’s killer?
“Did you get a ‘wolf to check the scene out?” Percy suddenly asked.
“No, why?” I asked, but suddenly realized why.
“We’re incredibly good trackers. Being a vamp, Alex probably wouldn’t be too keen on it, but it’s worth a shot. Has the crime scene been messed with?” Percy offered.
“Um, I don’t know,” I mumbled as I pulled my phone out. I dialed Alex straight away, my heart beating slightly quicker, which probably meant it was beating at a normal rate.
“Ivy, everything okay?” Alex answered almost immedi
ately.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I guess. I was wondering who has been in Alena’s office since… you know,” I couldn’t bring myself to say it now.
“Just the witch, Danny, I, Catherine, you. And then the coroner of course. Why?”
“Percy said he could check it out, ‘wolves are good trackers.”
Silence, I could practically feel him seething. He was not fond of my current partner. For a few reasons, including the fact that he seemed to want to be the lucky man with me, and that it was none other than a werewolf.
“They are,” Alex finally admitted, but his voice was laced with annoyance.
“Well, maybe we should let him check it out,” I suggested, keeping my voice as soft and sweet as possible.
“Fine. I’ve locked it all and no one will be in again until tomorrow night. You’ve got your key,” he said gruffly. “And don’t let him anywhere near my office.”
The phone clicked off and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his childish behavior. I’d never understand the feud between werewolves and vampires.
“Well, we should wait until after you see the Fae,” Percy said, and I didn’t have to relay anything, he would’ve heard.
“It’s pretty important,” I stated. We should just head off now. The sooner the better. Someone had to pay for it.
“I know, but cancelling a meeting with the Fae… it’s not recommended,” Percy winced at the thought. “Besides, no one’s going in there anytime soon, Alex said so. We can go by right away afterwards. The scents aren’t going anywhere,” he reassured me.
“But the Fae meeting isn’t until later,” I pouted.
“Gene said it’ll be at two in the morning, it’s eleven now,” Percy tried to reason with me. “And it’s a two-hour drive back to Portland from here. And you can’t take living beings with you through the realms.”
Two hours. Damn, I kinda forgot he drove that far to see me. Not everyone could jump through the realms like me. I’d driven out here twice, but jumping was so much faster.
“Well, I just assumed that I can’t take living beings with me. I wouldn’t want to risk it anyway. Maria agreed it could be dangerous, even fatal for someone living,” I slumped back against the booth.