Jed stood up slowly from his spot on the other side of the desk.
“Yeah, well you look like you can’t separate your whites from your colors.” The words were out of my mouth before my brain caught up.
His nostrils flared, and he sneered, then zeroed in on Cash. “Thank you for bringing the bitch down, Mr Samson. I can take it from here.”
Cash’s arm twitched around me then he dropped it and ushered me behind him. I clutched at what little loose fabric I could find on his shirt, not because I was scared, but because I needed to stop myself from wailing on the Inquisitor’s flabby face. Okay, maybe I was a little scared. The last time we’d met, I barely escaped with my life. Cash’s back muscles twitched beneath my hand and I counted squares on the linoleum floor. 1, 2, 3 ... argh, his buzzing energy was like an annoying fly, trying to reach around Cash and land its filth on my skin.
“Sorry to disappoint Mr—” Cash paused.
“Mr. Donohue,” the Inquisitor said.
“Right, well, there must be some confusion. I’m pulling rank and taking Miss. Urser with me.” Cash held out his free hand to Jed. “Are those papers ready?”
“Um...” Jed shifted his stance. “Well you see—”
“What this sniveling simper head is trying to say is that I have jurisdiction here, not you. She needs to be questioned and submit to a trial before anyone takes her. That’s the law. So you can take your uppity Yank nose and piss off.”
He tapped his thumb and forefinger again. Yuck. He’d always carried a lighter when he questioned me before, it was kind of a mental torture. He itched to light a pyre and watch me burn—he wanted me to know that.
I let go of Cash and cracked my knuckles.
“There’s nobody here with higher clearance than me.” Cash took a deep breath and rubbed his forehead. “Turn on the news, maybe that will help with your comprehension. In the meantime, fuck the papers, we’re getting out of here.” He turned to me. “I’m not waiting for your things, let’s go.”
“But the girl,” I said. “She’s not a witch.”
Cash glanced at the red-eyed girl, took a step forward and sniffed the air. “She’s right,” he said to Jed. “The girl’s not possessed.”
“Boss?” Overweight Oscar poked his head into Jed’s office. Huh, he wasn’t overweight at all, but rather tall and well built. His graying hair and spotty face indicated he was reaching retirement. Perhaps his age was why his aura felt sluggish.
“Yes, Warren,” Jed said and moved into the hallway. The Inquisitor joined him.
“You need to see this.” Warren opened the lid on a laptop he carried. It showed a news channel breaking the story of the USA government signing a peace treaty with witches; a new amendment to the Geneva Conventions with protocols soon to follow. The American President and other important internationals, shook hands with a woman who I suspected was a witch representative.
The Inquisitor’s fat chin started to wobble and his skin flushed to a bright crimson. “That doesn’t change a thing in this country,” he said, fists clenched to tight balls. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you removed her cuffs. She could have you under her spell.”
Cash handed me his jacket-package and spoke through a clenched jaw. “Have you got a hearing problem? We. Are. Leaving. There is nothing you can do about it.” He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, not caring that blood smeared his forearm.
The Inquisitor drew his gun and pointed it at Cash, then at me, then at Cash again. “Over my dead body.”
“Now, now fellas. I’m sure we can sort this out in an orderly fashion.” Jed’s eyes widened as he waved down the staff who popped their heads over their partition screens.
“That’s right, Mr. Samson, you can leave now with your dignity intact, or you can leave in a body bag. It’s your choice.” The breathless Inquisitor squared his Glock in Cash’s face.
Cash burst into motion, swiped the gun from the Inquisitor and pointed it back at him before anyone could blink. “Sir, thank you kindly for the use of your weapon. I do believe I left mine at home.”
“Don’t do it, Mr. Donohue,” Jed said.
The Inquisitor trembled in fury. “You can’t seriously be entertaining the idea of letting this cowboy take your accused, can you? Preposterous.”
Jed shrugged and slanted a look at me, his mouth twitched with the need to smile, or maybe I was projecting my own triumphant feelings. “I was told to give Mr. Samson free rein. He has diplomatic immunity, and he has personally attested that Miss. Urser is not a witch. His word is basically law where witches are concerned. If he believes this is in the best interest of public safety, then I’m inclined to agree with him. I’m sure the Prime Minister will be releasing a statement shortly and, based on the revised Geneva Conventions, I’m betting it will be the same as the US.”
Cash had vouched for me before he’d even interviewed me. No wonder they hadn’t worn HAZMAT suits. Hmm, so the little slicker had tricked me into believing I was in deep trouble. I guessed he knew it would be the only way I’d comply. I peered at the Inquisitor with contempt. As far as I could see, I still had no choice.
As if sensing my disdain, the Inquisitor snapped his head back to me and stomped his foot. Ripples moved in shock-waves through his sweaty facial fat. He sneered. “You’re all over the Internet. Everyone knows you’re in cahoots with the devil. They saw you heal with their own eyes. The witch called you her sister for Christ’s sake. I’d sleep with one eye open if I were you because it won’t be long before you smell the vapors of hell rising up to take you back.” He stepped to the side, unblocking our path to freedom.
Cash tucked the gun into the back of his waistband. “Don’t count on it Mr. Donohue. Hell is a fabrication invented by ignorant people to get others less intelligent to do as they’re told. We’re not concerned with what you think in the slightest.” He pulled a card from his pocket and reached around the Inquisitor, exposing his chest, to hand it to Jed. “Call me if you hear, or need anything. I’ll do the same.”
Jed took the card and nodded, something unseen passed between them that made me suspicious of their earlier argument—had it been all for show? Even so, I didn’t envy Jed’s task of sorting out the mess we left behind. I hoped he stood his ground and let the poor girl go but there was little else I could do about it now.
I followed Cash out of the precinct to the parking lot where he threw a set of keys at me as we neared an awesome black Range Rover. I caught them mid air with a face that probably appeared like I was in a high school math test, very confused. “I don’t understand,” I said.
“You drive.”
“But your car is super expensive.”
“I get those headaches remember? I’d rather not be driving with a passenger when another one hits. It’s not safe.”
“Oh.” I handed his jacket to him then eyed off the expensive car. “Wow. What exactly do you do?”
“I’m a highly paid, in-demand consultant.” He opened the rear passenger door, shook the glass from his jacket to the concrete floor, and crunched the fallen shards to dust with his foot. He meticulously folded his jacket and placed it on the rear beige, leather seat. Then he sat in front, pulled a protein bar from the glove box and replaced it with the gun.
“Here, you’re obviously undernourished, your stomach growled the whole time we were in there.”
I snatched the bar and tore it open with a mumbled, “Thanks,” then averted my gaze and moved to the driver’s side. I groaned in appreciation as I sank into the seat. The leather was soft and supple and smelled like a five-star everything. I put the protein bar between my teeth and started the push button engine.
“Oh my holy cheese on a stick,” I garbled and caressed the steering wheel. “Hello, lover.”
“You can’t make love to a car,” Cash said disparagingly. “Put your seat belt on and eat that bar before we start driving.”
I dropped the bar into my lap. “Jeez, I was just kidding. Okay, Dad.”
His eyes darkened, and he took the bar from my lap then waved it in my face. “I’m serious, turn off the engine if you want to eat this, it’s not safe.”
Wow, he was an A-grade Nazi when it came to safety.
“You don’t smile much do you?” I asked.
He glowered.
“Challenge accepted.” I flared my eyes at him. Nobody can be that grumpy all the time. I put on my best German accent. “Vait,” and sank in my chair slowly, glancing at him with a grin on my face. “Vait... I’m sinking.”
I got as low as I could and turned off the engine. His mouth opened and he looked at me like I’d grown two heads.
“Why are you doing that?” he finally said with a voice pitched higher than usual.
I rolled my eyes and sat back up. “Vait, I’m sinking, get it? Sounds like ‘Wait, I’m thinking’ in a German accent... and then I sank?” I snatched the bar back and frowned. “Dude, you need to lighten up if we are going to be partners on this witch hunt.”
“Who said we’re partners? You work for me, not with me. Wasn’t I clear enough?”
Fine, so it’s like that. I basically inhaled the bar, put my seatbelt on and started the engine.
“Right, where to Jeeves?”
“My name is Cash.”
I closed my eyes and imagined myself banging my head on the steering wheel, but I’d probably ruin the leather. I had a newfound respect for Tommy putting up with his intolerable brother daily.
I cleared my throat. “Where to, Cash?”
“It’s programmed into the navigator,” he said and urged me down the road.
CHAPTER TEN
WE DROVE OUT down a country road, sheltered by trees on either side. I guessed we headed for Cash’s place.
He pulled a notebook and pen from the glove compartment. “Right, so what’s the situation with you and the Inquisitor?”
“Why? Are you going to write it down?”
“Of course. Jed told me your history, but I want to hear it from you.”
I shrugged and peered at the road.
“La Roux?”
“See this?” I pointed to my face. “This is my concentratey face. I’m being safe.”
“You don’t want to talk about your father? Tell me about your family. Why didn’t your aunt take your call?”
“What are you a psychologist?”
“Not right now, no.”
Meaning he was once? I cocked an eyebrow at his cryptic answer. “Boy, you get stuck into everything don’t you?”
“It’s my job.”
I sighed and gave him a brief overview of my relationship with my aunt and sister. Cash jotted down a few words, then pulled out his vibrating phone and sent a few messages. Who was he texting?
“I’m concerned your aunt has been compromised,” he said, fingers flying over the screen. “Your house was empty. How many staff are employed on the estate?”
“Well, none that actually live there. The cellar and vineyard are on the other side of the property so you might not have seen them. Aunt Lucy was probably at the store or something.”
“The cellar and vineyard were empty.”
“Do you have any Prince?” I asked, not wanting to get into the details of my home life.
“I don’t know what you mean, can you get back on topic?”
“Eighties music?”
He grimaced.
“Anything on MP3, or Wifi? Bluetooth?”
He curled his lip.
He really was a grumble bum. I pouted and switched on a local radio station I thought would play the latest pop music, but the news was on.
Cash started to speak, but I shooshed him as the news presenter was speaking about the peace treaty, and yes, America had led the way but Cash had been right, Australia was close behind. Then the presenter mentioned that despite the new treaty, tourist numbers were expected to be in the thousands for the food festival on the coming weekend. “The festival.” I groaned and slapped my forehead. Cash glared until I had both hands on the steering wheel. “I forgot I’d help Aunt Lucy with the catering, and with Leila gone I’m really leaving her in the lurch.”
“Aren’t you listening? She’s missing. What can you tell me about her recent behavior?”
“Aunt Lucy? I told you, she probably went to the store or something—it’s a very busy time of year. She might be angry at me, but she still needs help.”
I snuck a glance at Cash. Was he for real about my aunt? I mean, seriously, how much bad luck can follow one family?
“Watch the road!” Cash shouted.
I slammed on the brakes, the tires screeched and we lurched forward. The seatbelt burnt into my neck, but I gripped the wheel and looked forward. We’d stopped five meters short of three black crows in the middle of the road. The radio signal had dropped out and white noise filled the cabin. I turned it off.
“Are you okay?” Cash asked.
Considering a seatbelt just saved me from flying through the window, I felt a little sheepish about my earlier safety-Nazi thoughts. “Yeah, you?”
“Stay in the car.” He opened the door and stepped out.
Sure. Stay in the car, he says. By myself. Because that’s what all the girls in horror movies do. Stay in the car by themselves. I left the engine on and unlocked my belt to follow him out, rubbing my neck tenderly. The second the car door opened, I winced at the buzzing. It was everywhere.
Cash frowned at me from the other side of the car and shook his head. I stuck out my tongue but was showing restraint, at least I didn’t give him the finger. Anyway, it was just a bunch of dead crows, no life-force emanated from them. What could they do?
Still grimacing, he walked a few steps and tried to shoo the birds. He stopped a few feet away from them and darted a look back to me.
“They’re empty.” I shrugged. “No auras.”
Cash sniffed the air and waved his hands but the crows didn’t move. When I caught up to him, I sniffed too. It smelled like the forest on a warm spring day, with maybe a hint of sweetness, but that wasn’t unheard of around road kill.
I looked closer. Focused. A string of saliva dangled from one crow’s beak suggesting a recent death. They hadn’t been run over, they just stood there like the taxidermy crows at The Cauldron. I surveyed the road, looking for a reason the birds had suddenly turned into statues.
The sun must have moved behind a cloud because I suddenly felt cooler and hugged myself, rubbing my arms vigorously through the jumpsuit. Something bizarre was happening. My body felt it and I could hear it—the thrum of energy. A biting wind blew, and I looked up to see if rain clouds covered the sky, but found pure azure peeking through the leaves. Panic set root in my chest like a vine, tightening with each breath.
Cash jabbed a bird, and it toppled over—stiff.
“Get back to the car and lock the doors.” His voice was calm—creepy calm.
“Why?” They were just birds.
He kicked the crows into the shrubbery next to us. “Get back to the car!” he bellowed.
I jumped and squeaked. Leaves rustled as the wind picked up and, not wanting to take my eyes off the crows, I walked backwards to the car. I tried to concentrate on the dancing shadows left by moving leaves. But the sunlight dimmed, the road darkened, and I turned my attention back to Cash. Wait! Where was he? The breeze became a squall and whipped hair into my eyes. I shielded my face and kept backing up until my ass hit the hood of the car. I reached back to steady myself and felt fur.
Energy twisted and pulled in the icy cold air behind me, and a cloud of breath puffed over my shoulder. My adrenaline spiked, and I tore my hand away and ran. What the hell was it?
I opened my mouth to scream and got a mouth full of dust. I spluttered, coughed and covered my lips with my sleeve, squinting into the cloud roaring around me. I felt the aura of one… two… oh shit, at least three things behind me. I kept running towards where I’d seen Cash last and heard a shrill shriek—a cross between a whinny and a baby�
��s cry. The hairs on my body stood on end.
Someone grabbed my shoulder, and I turned to attack but found Cash with his finger to his lips, the wind tousling his short blonde hair.
The dust storm died in an instant, revealing everything in clear focus. I blinked.
We both turned, stunned. A horse stood in front of the car. It looked as though it had ridden straight from hell with eyes as black as its coat. Air puffed from its nostrils as it pawed the ground. A mangy red fox trotted toward the horse and stood on its right.
The feral fox glared at me with soulless, deep-set black eyes—witch’s eyes—and snarled, revealing a jaw full of rotting teeth. It lowered its head and lifted two ears like spikes. Then, in a very human gesture, the possessed horse nodded to the fox. The fox, following its command, sprang toward us. Cash pushed me behind him and went for his gun. It was still in the glove compartment.
As the creature bounded closer, the sweet scent of decay gusted ahead of it. The fox’s energy was off the charts—not at all like the minor buzz I expected from a small animal. The intensity of its life-force stung my eyes and tickled my tongue with a metallic taste. The black eyes darting between Cash and me seemed aware, sentient. Animosity boiled off its pelt, and I felt its energy coil, tense and get ready to snap. My blood turned to ice.
“Familiars,” Cash snarled, then launched forward as if on springs. The fox mirrored him, and the two collided. The animal locked its jaw on Cash’s forearm but Cash moved like a machine. His left hand circled the animal’s throat and squeezed. The fox went limp and Cash discarded it, throwing the body into the bush as if it weighed nothing. It crashed through the underbrush and landed. Only seconds passed, then black smoke curled from the carcass’s mouth and disappeared into the sky.
“Shit,” Cash said. “That was quick.”
The wild horse galloped towards us, the sound of its hoofs ricocheted off the surrounding forest. It wouldn’t be as easy to stop as the fox.
“Go around it, get to the car.” Cash moved to the left, and I ran to the right.
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