by Erin Johnson
I crinkled my nose at his black eye and fat lip. “What happened to you guys?”
Neo sniffed and ran a ringed hand through his slicked back black hair, the sides shaved. “Got into it with some pirates.”
“Yah!” Victor, who clutched a bottle of glowing green liquor, sneered, revealing several gold teeth… and a few missing ones. “Ya should seen da odder guys!”
I stifled a smirk and caught Will’s sardonic eye for the briefest of moments. Right. I was so sure.
These three were in here every other week. Neo was captain of our little neck of the Darkmoon Night Market, the seediest part of Bijou Mer… aside from the docks, which they seemed to drift over to quite often. Almost as though they were looking for trouble. I frowned at Victor, who took a swig from the half-empty bottle, green potion dribbling down his stubbly chin.
Will huffed and threw his gloved hands up. “You squid sucking—erg! Stay still!”
“What’d you call me?!” Victor whirled on my friend, the ugly gash on his cheek gaping, bottle raised as a weapon.
Neo leaped forward to intervene, but Will just shot Victor a flat look. My friend was an enormous bear of a man (who did actually happen to be a bear shifter) and wasn’t easily intimidated.
He sneered at the wiry thug. “I’d love to see you try.”
“Wha’ever.” Victor scoffed and spun back to face me before taking another swig.
Will rolled his shoulders and pressed his lips together. “May I continue?”
Victor snorted.
“Oh, a grunt, very civilized. I suppose that’s a yes.” My friend went back to fixing the guy’s cut-up face.
I watched Will’s enormous hands fly. It never ceased to amaze me how such thick fingers could do such delicate work. Will had been one of, if not the, top surgeon in Bijou Mer, the capital of the Water Kingdom, before his temper got the best of him at a dinner party with the island’s elite.
He’d shifted into bear form, and it’d killed his career. Depressed, he’d quickly lost his home—everything—and had to go to the shifter mob boss, Ludolf Caterwaul, for a favor.
Ludolf had set Will up with this clinic in exchange for a monthly protection fee (which just kept Neo and his goons from vandalizing the place) and for patching up his people when they got hurt. Which was often with these idiots.
I leaned against the wall and sighed. Will now used his skills to heal pets and familiars and shifters—since normal magical folk were so prejudiced against our kind. But he was so talented—he deserved so much better than this hole in the wall down a dark alley.
I, on the other hand, had done everything in my power to fly under the sonar with Luldof Caterwaul. I wanted nothing to do with him or his “favors.” I shuddered at the thought of owing anything to a man like that.
Neo, also leaning against the wall, slid closer to me, his strong cologne masking the exam room’s scent of lemon cleaner, blood, and booze. I raised a hand to my face and sneezed.
“So…, Jolene….”
I tried hard not to roll my eyes. If he tried to ask me out after drawing a wand on me and acting like I couldn’t speak for myself, I’d kick him in the shin. I admired the shiny new boots I’d bought with the bonus Peter had given me for going above and beyond on the case we’d worked together. It’d be a shame to scuff the toe over a guy like Neo.
He glanced over at me—or rather my chest—and I resisted the urge to hike my T-shirt up higher. “I heard a rumor about you.”
Oh, boy. Here it came. I glanced up into his chiseled face and gave him a simpering smile. “That I punch people who spread rumors about me?”
He glared at me. “That you’re hanging around with cops now?”
Will choked, and we both looked over at him. He snatched the glowing green bottle from Victor, threw his head back, and took a swig. He slammed the bottle on the metal table and shot me a heavy look that reeked of “I told you so.”
I rolled my eyes. Will had been warning me for the last week, ever since I worked with Peter, that Ludolf was bound to find out and that there’d be dire consequences. Blah blah blah. Which, though annoying, had given me time to come up with an excuse for an occasion just such as this.
I waved a hand and turned back to Neo. “Me? Nah.”
He lifted a brow with a scar running through it.
I shrugged. “I witnessed that murder last week—you know the one where the lady flew out of the window?”
He just shrugged.
Yeah. It was tough to keep track of all the murders in the Darkmoon District.
I raised a nonchalant brow. “The cops just came by for a statement, that’s all.”
“Mm-hmm.” Neo’s eyes searched my face, then he turned to face the other guys and spoke loudly. “I told everyone it was just a rumor.” He lifted his brows. “I knew that would be ludicrous, seeing as cops are mortal enemies to us shifters.” He shot me a pointed look. “But it’s good to hear you deny it from your own lips.”
I raised my brows. “Which you can stop staring at.”
His throat bobbed, and his eyes grew wide for just a flash.
Three knocks sounded from behind me, ringing against the metal door to the alley.
“Hi! Is Jolene there?”
My stomach tightened. Peter—the cop—was here. Now. Not good.
Will’s enormous eyes got even bigger, the whites showing all around as he flashed me a wild look. He pressed his pale lips together behind his scruffy beard, a vein popping in his temple. I felt tempted to remind him that if he popped a blood vessel, he was the surgeon and no one else would be able to help him.
Neo’s expression grew grim. “Who’s that?”
Sacha, the boulder of man to my left, reached for his wand.
Will curled his lip at me in a snarl. “Yes, Jolene.” His words came out taut. “Who is it?”
Heidi popped her head through the swinging door, her black braids dangling over her shoulders. “Sorry to interrupt.” She scrunched her nose up in a big smile. “Jolene, you have a, uh—someone wants to see you.”
“Who is it? He looking for us or—” Neo reached for his wand and leaned to the side to see past me.
“I believe he asked after me.” I winked at him. “And none of your business.” I twiddled my fingers at Will. “See ya later.”
He flashed me a bright smile, though his eyes blazed. “No, you won’t, because you’re never welcome back.”
I squeezed Heidi’s shoulder as I squeezed past her. She shot her arms out and blocked the entryway, preventing Neo from following me. I mentally thanked her, and knew that eventually, Will would stop fuming and forgive me.
In spite of knowing how deadly dangerous a confrontation between Peter and Neo’s goons could be, I couldn’t help the butterflies in my stomach as I strode out the metal door to the alley. Peter was here to see me. I mentally rolled my eyes at myself—keep it in your pants, joke me.
The case
I grinned when I saw him. I couldn’t help it. The pale fluorescent light from the lobby spilled into the dingy alley and lit up Peter’s handsome face. He stood, facing me, beside some crates and a metal trash bin.
With his clean-shaven face, tidy police uniform with its gleaming gold buttons, and boyish good looks, he seemed completely out of place in the seedy Darkmoon District.
Peter’s lips pulled to the side in a bashful smile. “Hey.”
I winked. “Hey.”
Metal crashed behind me, and Neo’s deep voice growled, “Who’s there?”
I skipped into the alley and yanked the metal door shut behind me as Peter leaned over to look around me, his brow pinched. “Everything okay in there?”
I nodded. “Just peachy.”
A low growl sounded to my left, and I jumped.
Liar.
“Daisy,” Peter chastised.
Of course. How could I forget Peter’s loyal, bad-tempered canine partner? I squinted in the near total darkness and made out a shadowy outline—topped by a c
ouple of pointy ears. Guess her attitude toward me hadn’t improved since the last time I’d seen her.
I had a few choice words for her myself, but since I could speak with animals and wasn’t actually telepathic, I’d have to save it for a time when Peter wouldn’t overhear.
Another crash sounded from inside the clinic, and I grabbed Peter’s arm and dragged him forward. “Let’s skedaddle.”
He hesitated a moment, glancing back at the door, before he let me lead him down the alley. Daisy fell into step on his other side.
“So….” I hustled forward, dragging Peter with me. I mean, I needed to get him away from Neo and his thugs, but it didn’t hurt that I got to fondle his beefy biceps a little. Fondle? I released his arm. Don’t be a creep, Jolene.
I glanced up at him, barely able to make out his features in the darkness. Metal fire escapes dangled overhead, silhouetted against the cloudy night sky, and the pale moonlight cast just enough light to make out Peter’s jaw. A flock of bats winged by far overhead, squeaking.
“So, what brings you to my neck of the—ow!” I doubled over and clutched at my shin. I’d just banged it against a crate and bit my lip to hold back the string of obscenities I longed to utter. “Mother of pearl…,” I ground out, keeping the more colorful language to myself. Peter was such a Boy Scout—I didn’t want to make him blush. Well… I mean, I did a little but for other reasons.
A light burst into being, bright and blinding. I squinted as I fought to balance on one leg.
Peter cupped my elbow, helping me stay upright, and held his glowing wand aloft. “Are you alright?” His eyes searched my face, full of concern.
Warmth flooded my stomach at that look of his. All that worry for little ol’ me? I rubbed my shin and put my foot back down, standing upright.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I waved it off, though my lower leg still ached. That was going to leave a bruise.
Peter’s brows pinched together as he searched my face. “You sure?” He shook his head. “Should’ve lit my wand earlier, but I forgot in the rush.” He scratched the back of his neck and looked disgusted with himself.
I grinned. “Don’t worry about it.” My face fell though as we continued on, the bright lights of the street ahead bouncing off muddy puddles. The curse that had taken away my powers had also stripped me of my ability to shift into an owl.
My shoulders slumped, and that familiar weight of angst settled on my chest. Even in human form, I’d always had great night vision thanks to my shifter powers—but even that was gone now.
“So, uh—the reason I came looking for you….”
Peter, Daisy, and I stepped out of the alley onto Urchin Street. It wasn’t the main drag of the Darkmoon Night Market but sat a couple of streets off it, so it still saw a decent amount of traffic. We headed in the direction of my home and pet psychic shop.
I looked up at Peter and hurried along to keep up with his clipped pace and long strides. “Right—so what’s the rush?”
The officer nodded as we strode past a few food carts, steam rising from a giant wok and wafting the delicious smell of “fried” toward us. “I’ve got a case I’d like to hire your help on.”
I grinned up at him and gave him a mock salute. “Jolene Hartgrave, on the case.”
He chuckled, which made his blue eyes sparkle. The flashing purples and reds of the neon signs overhead cast shifting lights over his face and square shoulders. “Don’t you want to know what it is, first?”
I shrugged. “Nah. I’m in.”
Daisy, prowling on his other side, growled. Just so you know, I’m not happy to see you. I’ll be watching you.
As we passed by the bar below my home, the thumping bass beat of the blaring music gave me a little cover. I let out a few quiet yelps and growls, my eyes on the German shepherd. Just so you know, you’re a dog, so… enough said.
She narrowed her dark eyes at me and snarled. A dog with big teeth.
I rolled my eyes and whined. The better to bite me with? Way to be a cliché.
Peter shot me a puzzled look, and I plastered on my best innocent smile. Nothing to see here… just a woman and dog exchanging insults.
The pulsing music faded as we gained some distance from the bar, our shoes scuffing along the wet, chipped cobblestones. The crooked buildings leaned in, crowding out the sky above the narrow street.
“Where are we headed?” I lifted my brows.
Peter gave a little nod. “Li Fan, a witch who owned a major sweatshop here in the Darkmoon District, was just found murdered in the factory. The foreman found her body.”
A blast of steam shot up from a sewer grate, and I leapt closer to Peter to avoid it.
“Just now?” I blinked up at Peter. “What time is it?”
He consulted his wrist watch with its black leather band. “The body was found just after the first shift started at three. It’s half past now.” He hid a yawn behind his big hand, and I grinned up at him. It was as if just talking about how late it was had made him tired.
I felt the urge and yawned, too. Dognabit, he was contagious.
I frowned, thinking over what he’d said. “Wait. The first shift starts at 3:00 a.m.?” I sniffed. “And I thought I had a lame schedule.” I mean, as an owl shifter, I’d always naturally been fairly nocturnal, but I’d usually be heading to bed in an hour or two. I couldn’t imagine starting work now.
Peter gave me a knowing look. “Apparently the factory only closes for a few hours each night. Li Fan appears to have been killed during that time.” He shook his head, gaze far away. “The hours and conditions give me almost as much concern as the murder victim.”
A couple of bleary-eyed men sauntered past, arm in arm, glowing red potion bottles in their hands. They slurred out a sea shanty.
They looked like they were having a great time—I was half-tempted to join them. I glanced up at Peter and arched a brow. “And you need me because…?”
He lightly touched the small of my back and tilted his head to the right. “It’s this way.”
I swallowed, my back still tingling where he’d touched me. Wow. I shook my head at myself. Guess I was desperate for some male attention if that was all it took.
I followed Peter down a covered mall, all the clothing and trinket shops bright with their doors open. Shoppers slowly drifted down the thoroughfare, gazing right and left at all the wares, while shop owners sat outside on stools or lunged into the crowd, trying to drag buyers into their shops.
Peter stayed close at my side, the crowd parting with wide-eyed looks for the cop and his enormous dog. Peter, a decent, honest man from what I knew of him, was the exception in the Darkmoon District. Most cops I’d encountered were dirty or just looking for someone to abuse their power over. Everyone in the Darkmoon knew to steer clear of them, which made our going easy.
“Li Fan had a giant spider for a familiar.” Peter leaned over, his face close to mine as he spoke. “And Li Fan had a puncture wound and discoloration suggesting a venomous bite.”
I blinked up at him. “You think the witch’s familiar killed her?”
He shrugged. “It’s what it looks like. The spider’s fading fast—I’m hoping you can…” He bit his lip. “Read its mind?”
I nodded, mulling this over as we threaded through the shoppers. Witches and their familiars shared a life force, which made them stronger together but susceptible to injury or death if the other was hurt. If the spider killed her witch, it’d be akin to suicide.
I shoved my hands in my jeans pockets. One finger went through the hole in the bottom. “Well… this’ll be interesting, at least.”
Peter grinned. “So you’re really in?”
I chuckled. “I mean… I’m here, aren’t I?”
He pressed his lips tight together, but his mouth still curled up at the sides. “Good.” His grin flattened, and he picked up the pace. “But we’d better hurry—I don’t think the spider’s got much time left.”
The Spider
Ano
ther cop opened the door to the factory for us, and I followed Peter and Daisy inside. I curled my lip as we stepped into the dark, loud space. If I’d thought outside was muggy….
Loose tendrils of hair clung, wet, to the nape of my neck. Guess they didn’t call it a sweatshop for nothing.
The air felt thick as we passed through tall hallways, crowded with spinning wheels and cutting stations. Women huddled over them, eyes down as we passed, their only light coming from tapered candles. The clacking of sewing machines, whiff of looms, and hammering of grommets echoed through the factory’s metal walls.
I sniffed. Cheery. Bet they got full benefits and 401K matching, too.
A middle aged woman in the navy uniform of Bijou Mer’s police force strode toward us and met us halfway down a dark hallway with corrugated metal walls.
“Good timing.” She nodded at Peter. “The thing looks like it’s about to croak.”
He glanced over his shoulder at me, then turned back to his fellow officer. “Lead the way.”
We picked up the pace, pushed through a set of double doors, and then the lady officer rapped three times on a metal door with a small window in the top.
“It’s me. Got Flint with me.” Her pale blue eyes flicked to my face. “And his consultant.”
Something in her tone made me think she perhaps doubted my psychic abilities. I sniffed. She wouldn’t be the first.
With a clang, someone on the inside unbolted the door, and the woman pulled it open for us. She stared at me, expressionless, as I passed by her. Friendly.
I froze once I stepped inside and caught sight of the spider. The thing took up nearly the entire room and had to be the size of a four-poster bed…not counting its hairy legs, which stretched out in all directions.
Daisy’s hackles rose, and she let out a low growl, dark eyes focused on the black, hairy monster.
Peter shot me a half grin. “Told ya it was big.”
I gave him a flat look. “Understatement.”
The creature shuddered, then let out a labored sigh. I grimaced. Since when did spiders sigh? I thought of the resident daddy long legs who lived above my door—was she just too tiny for me to hear hers? I huffed. Definitely didn’t want to find out—she was creepy enough as it was.