by Alisha Basso
I was such a sucker for earth scents.
If I was smart, I would leave now and find a hole to crawl into. Fae agents and illegal dust were a really good way to find myself very dead in very short order. And, unlike a vamp, I couldn’t come back from that.
I swallowed and he watched my throat work. My eyes dropped down to his mouth as the smile gently curved his lips up. Against my will, I remembered how soft they were, and I wondered if his provocative smell could be drawn deep into me and heal more than my bruised flesh.
I closed my eyes so I could concentrate enough to retrieve what I had lost to him. He was so tempting. And maybe it was a bit of ego on my part, but I thought he was having the same problem separating out his emotions about me. And maybe that was wishful thinking.
However, I might be stupid and do reckless things, but getting involved with an agent who was aggressively following illegal dust leads…leads which had to do with my partner and her said use of the dust in our recipes…could end up being suicide.
On the other hand, I had heard about what it was like to make love with a fae, and if even a fraction of it was true...well it might be worth dying for.
When I opened my eyes, I breathed a sigh of relief to discover he was out of sight. I turned, searching for him, and saw him rummaging in my kitchen.
Distracting and disarming bastard.
I glared at his two lackeys, and they just smiled like I’d been snookered but good.
He was just toying with me, I decided, as I stormed into the kitchen to find him rifling through my spell cupboard. With those long, elegant fingers, he pulled out my spell grimoire and set it on the counter.
“Don’t you know it’s extremely rude to touch a witch’s Book of Shadows without permission?”
“Yes, I do,” he said nonchalantly.
He glanced at me and even that look had me unraveling again.
“I couldn’t help but notice this clever spell the other day. Care to explain it to me? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I looked down at the spell he was referring to, although I already knew which one it was. “I-it’s a mirror spell. I use it to find lost objects,” I said walking over to the counter and trying to wrestle the book out of his hands, but he brushed me off.
“Like what?”
“A pair of crystal earrings. The ones I’m wearing.”
“They are a good choice,” he murmured, his eyes going over me in what felt like a physical caress. “They make your aura deepen into a rich, dark blue. Very captivating,” he said absently, like he was also contemplating things which were forbidden. My stomach jumped and twisted. My living tattoo changed into a vortex and then shifted into a blue water dragon. It took flight up to my shoulder and perched there.
His eyes followed it and he reached out and almost touched my skin. I trembled and shifted towards him. His eyes flicked up to mine and his hand dropped.
“How does it work?” he asked studying the words of my spell, his fingers tracing over the mirror I had drawn close to the binding.
“It shows me what happened, like a movie.”
He gave me a sidelong look and I could tell he was a bit startled.
“You manipulate time?”
“No. Not that. I just rewind it for a bit. The images degrade pretty quickly, too, until they are completely gone. Unless the mirrored image is in a place the sun never touches. Then it’ll stay in the surface forever and can be retrieved.”
His eyes fell on the big fridge, obviously as reflective as a mirror, and then his eyes traveled to the place where Olivia’s blood had seeped out around her. Then his expression went speculative.
Shit! Damn him and his intelligence. Why couldn’t he be dumb as a stick and not so gorgeous? Yeah, a dumb, gorgeous stick would be good. Damn, I was losing it.
“You are a very disturbing witch, Lily Starbuck,” he said. “And even after a thousand years of living, I find you unique. It is truly a shame that I have a job to do and you’re somehow involved in it.”
“I’m not involved, Agent Sunstrike. You are mistaken.”
“I don’t think so, but we’ll discover the truth in time.” He gently closed my grimoire. I tensed when he curled his fingers over the binding. He wasn’t going anywhere with my spells. That I would fight, tooth and nail. But in the end, he released the book and stepped around the counter. “Did you make me your special blend of coffee?”
I wanted to tell him no, but I glanced toward the pantry and he gave me his same winsome smile.
“Excellent.” Without even an apology for invading my privacy and looking at my spells—which witches tend to guard very ferociously, as I’m sure he fully realized—he slipped into the pantry and plucked out the bag. “How much do I owe you for this?”
I named an outrageous sum and his brows rose. Then he laughed, and the sound was like pure sunshine. I was transfixed for a moment and could only hope the sour look on my face remained in place.
“So mote it be,” he said wryly. He fished out his wallet, pulled some bills out of it and set them on the counter.
“Until next time, Lily.”
Not one to be one-upped, I took a deep breath and said, “Not unless I see you first, Agent Sunstrike.”
He chuckled, and walked out of my kitchen. When I heard the front door close, I consciously relaxed my tense body. Everything still hurt, except for the places he had touched.
I was in so much stupid danger. But Talon Sunstrike wasn’t someone I could trust. He had one agenda, to protect fae, and it was, I had to admit, a noble cause. Without fae there would be no dust, and without the dust, well, I didn’t want to contemplate that.
With an exasperated sigh, and one more sniff of the air which still held his scent, I headed to the shower to wash off the rest of the salt water matting my hair and making my skin itch.
After my shower, I took stock of my spell cupboard and cooking ingredients and decided I needed to make a quick trip to Magic13 on Talon Sunstrike’s dime.
When I left my apartment, I saw them. They were all on those sleek, black bikes, to give them more maneuverability, I was sure. Let them tail me. There was nothing for them to discover.
Magic13 was located in downtown St. Paul. As I entered the shop, the gorgeous, amorous fae twins behind the counter turned to look towards the door. They ran the business for magic mogul Avoloch, who went by just the one name. He owned stores just about everywhere in the United States and overseas. He held the monopoly and jealously guarded the manufacturing and distribution of his products. He was an enigma, even to most people who knew him, and the media was always spinning stories about him and his newest squeeze, but I rarely paid attention to that stuff. He was secretive and reclusive and lived in one of the big mansions over in Haven’s End.
To me he seemed akin to a mafia lord, and I had no interest in getting on the bad side of a mafia lord. Just saying.
Every time I visited the store, the twins assured me if I was ever interested in fae sex, I should just let them know. They smiled in unison. “Lily! It’s good to see you. Nasty business about Olivia. We are so distressed.”
They had all the attributes of fae men, both with stark white hair and cobalt blue eyes with a ring of green just outside the iris. But unlike Talon Sunstrike, they were harmless flirts.
After I walked around and collected all the stuff I needed, I joined them at the counter. “So, Lily,” one of the brothers said, “have you given any thought to a threesome? It’s fae all the way.”
I would have to say at one time I might have been tempted, but after experiencing Talon Sunstrike? “Sorry boys, three’s a crowd.”
“Awww, then take us one at a time,” one of the twins elbowed the other. I laughed at their antics and paid for my purchases. “See you guys next time.”
“Lily, you are such a tease,” they pouted.
As I came out of the shop, I ran into the OS witch. Her distinctive red hair glinted in the sunlight. “Hello,” I said, ready to as
k how the investigation was going. The witch looked at me and smiled, casually saying hi as she walked past. But there was absolutely no recognition in her eyes.
Chapter Eight
For a moment I just stood there and watched while she shopped. I guess the impersonation theory was out the window. Someone had tampered with two OS agents in the performance of their duty. Going back to the OS wasn’t an option anymore.
Why I still had my memory when they didn’t was curious, and the realization brought with it a little bit of panic. I’d already lost my memory once, and even though the last week had been terrible and demanding, I guarded my memories with zeal. To lose them would be like losing me all over again. I wouldn’t be able to bear it. I couldn’t help feeling as though I was being manipulated, but it didn’t change anything. I couldn’t stand by and allow Olivia’s death to go unavenged.
I should probably have walked away. Just let it go. She betrayed me, took everything we had built together and turned her back on it. Cleaned me out and left me high and dry. But I couldn’t forget those moments when I had watched the two of us as I replayed that last day using the mirror spell. I couldn’t ignore the love she had obviously felt for me or the clear regret on her face.
Something had driven her to do what she had done. It wasn’t really important to me who or what it had been, only that Olivia would have justice.
And, I, at this point, was the only one left who was willing to get her that justice.
I turned away from the OS witch. She couldn’t help me anymore. Outside, Talon sat astride his powerful bike only steps from my car. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, his legs planted on either side of the bike, his heavy thigh muscles delineated as though he was posing for some racy magazine. His red hair looked like living flames in the sun.
He was wearing sleek sunglasses, so I couldn’t see his eyes, but I knew he watched my progress, and I took great pleasure in sauntering to my car as though I didn’t have a care in the world.
It wasn’t going to be easy to ditch him. Dust hounds never relented in their pursuit once on the scent. But I was determined to find out who killed Olivia, and nothing was going to stop me.
I slipped into my T-Bird and started the engine, heard the rumble of the bikes coming to life. Just as I was turning out of the parking lot, Nock materialized in the seat next to me. Well, his smile materialized first. I almost crossed into the other lane in my surprise. The grinning mouth then seemed to fill out while he solidified.
“Break take it! One of these days, I swear, you’re going to get me killed doing that.”
He waved his hand. “Oh, you’re exaggerating. My Aunt Tilly wants you to visit.”
“Now? I’m kind of busy, Nock.”
“She says it’s important. Oh, and she wants you to bring your recipe grimoire.” He studied me for a moment and his eyes narrowed. “Something happened. What? Aunt Tilly felt it, too. She was very insistent. Wouldn’t let me leave until I promised to bring you.”
“Hmmm. Let me see,” I said. “Could it be the fact that Talon Sunstrike is interested in my mirror spell? That he is trying to get information out of me and almost succeeding? That now they’re constantly on my trail and generally annoying me? That, if given half the chance, or any type of opening at all, I’d probably fall into bed with him because I’m extremely attracted? That I just saw our OS witch and she doesn’t remember me at all? Or could it be that I’ve decided that I’m going to investigate Olivia’s death myself ,since it’s obvious the OS is deliberately being taken out of the equation for some unknown nefarious purpose or purposes? We’re still flat broke, I owe my employees money, and we’re going to be evicted! Any of that sound remotely dangerous or upsetting?” My voice started low but grew as I spoke until I was yelling at the end.
“I think you need to cut back on the caffeine.”
“I am going to throttle you.”
“You have to catch me first, so that’s not happening. Pick another goal.”
I glared at him, feeling close to tears.
“For Tweek’s sake, you have been busy. I’ve only been gone for three hours.”
“Yeah, I clearly have a gift getting myself ass-deep into danger.”
“That fae can’t be trusted.”
I sighed with exasperation. “Don’t you think I know that?! I can’t seem to help it.”
“He’s enrapping you.”
I shook my head as we crossed back over the river into Minneapolis. “No. I know when he’s enrapping me. It’s all purely him. The trouble is I think he’s attracted to me, too.”
“He’s probably not above seducing you, Lily, to get the information he wants.”
“I also know that, Nock. I might stumble into danger, but I’m not an idiot.”
“Okay, so don’t act like one.”
I gripped the wheel hard. My living tattoo morphed into an orange, black, and red Koi and swam slowly from one wrist to the other.
“I’m going to need your help.”
“Of course you are,” he grumbled. “You know I’m just a simple gnome.”
“I know you’re a gnome, but there isn’t anything simple about you, Nock.”
He flicked a finger at the Koi. “That’s the best one yet.”
I looked down and was astounded at the beauty of the living ink as it moved sinuously across my skin. “I’m partial to the waterfalls. You’re changing the subject.”
“I’ll help you, but you have to promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“Don’t get dead.”
I laughed, the sound bordering on maniacal. “I’ll try my damnedest.”
“There is no try. There is only do.”
“What? You’re channeling Yoda now?”
He gave me a wry sidelong glance and I laughed again.
Once home, I put away my purchases and looked longingly at my spell pot. I missed cooking, but there was no time for that. Aunt Tilly was waiting.
“So, are we going by the dirt elevator again?”
Nock chuckled and looked up at me. “Dirt elevator? I like that.” He walked over and looked out the window. “Your dust hounds are still out there.”
“Yeah, too bad they can’t brew my special blend to help them stay awake.”
“You made Sunstrike your special blend? You do have the hots for him.”
“I made him pay through the nose for it,” I said defensively.
“Well, that’s at least something. Let’s go. She’s waiting.”
I took his hand, and this time the sensation of sinking into the earth wasn’t obscured by the distraction of bleeding to death. Not only was that a plus, but I experienced the full impact of Nock’s power while he moved through sand and dirt like it was air or water. I could smell the loam, a rich, musty, sweet smell clinging to me and soaking into my mind, calming me to my bones. It was the source of my spells, the fuel from which I drew my energy, and having it all around me was like merging with one’s god. Living within perfection.
As we moved deeper, I could smell damp earth, then water in its relentless journey, seeping into cracks in bedrock, filling clear, exquisite pools in the cavernous deeps of the earth.
And the smell of water and earth mingling was life itself, nurturing and fueling growing things, our bounty to take and use and sustain.
An Earth witch’s power.
As we traveled, my stress evaporated, the harmony and warmth of my connection with the earth filling me as if I was an empty well. I wanted to reach out and touch it.
I raised my arm and Nock looked at me and nodded. I splayed my fingers and felt the flow of the earth stream past my hand and fingers, like a child who is fascinated by the push and pull of the wind when they stick their hand out an open car window. The earth flowed past me with a soft caress, as if it knew me and approved.
Too soon it was over and I stood in Aunt Tilly’s kitchen. I goggled like an idiot at the gleaming stainless steel appliances and modern conveniences, rather
like Alice in Wonderland might have gazed at Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
“Close your mouth, Lily. Do you think we live like barbarians? Sears delivers. Even here.”
Aunt Tilly was pacing and wringing her hands, and I felt immediate guilt for making her wait even a moment. When she saw us, she darted across the kitchen. “Ah, there you are. I’m so happy to see you again, Lily. Kept me waiting long enough,” she added with a grumble so like Nock’s I had to laugh.
“This is amusing to her?” Aunt Tilly said looking at Nock.
He shrugged and my grin stretched wider.
“Sit. Let me look at your arm.” She carefully unwrapped the bandages and inspected the neat stitches. I noticed how the little chair adjusted to accommodate me in perfect comfort. “Healing very nicely and the stitches are beginning to dissolve. Very good,” she mumbled.
I so wanted to pat her little head, but thought better of it. I didn’t want to show her any disrespect, but it sure was tempting.
“Nock, you’re excused, young man, but do not forget about Sunday dinner. Mrs. Roundhill’s niece Rena will be here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said softly, giving me a glare that challenged me to say a word. I only grinned some more. So Aunt Tilly was matchmaking and Nock wasn’t happy about it. It made me feel a little better about my own situation.
He snorted and disappeared.
She rewrapped bandages which hadn’t shown any wear or tear since she bound my arm. They hadn’t gotten wet in the shower and seemed immune to even the touch of the earth.
Before I could say a word, she slapped a trowel in my hand. I looked at it, then at her.
“Come on, don’t dawdle. We’ve got some digging to do.”
“Digging? But, Aunt Tilly, I thought we were going to have tea.”