"I have a few ideas, but unless you have bodies, I'm not canceling the first date-like event I've had in months." Seriously, why now? If he'd called yesterday I wouldn't have cared.
"I need something else to try. Carls isn't happy and we still have six trolls out there."
"Have you found any of the people who organized the blast?"
"Several officers are investigating potential leads. Michelle, we're only barely holding jurisdiction on this one. We need something."
"What am I, a magic eight ball? I did what I could. I've read books, asked people for advice, and nothing I've found would be helpful."
"Nothing? You just said you had a few ideas."
"I don't think you can do any of the spells I've considered. I'll call you back tomorrow, and with something resembling a plan."
"Fine, enjoy your date, but I expect something brilliant."
I just hung up. A good day spoiled by work that wasn't even my job. I set an alarm on my phone to remind me about the date, and moved into the work room. I had to find a way to fix their problem.
How the police hadn't tracked down the rest of this ring, or who made the explosives, was beyond me. Then there were the trolls; the trolls that shouldn't have been this hard to find. They weren't known for being smart. Generally they were considered to be rather stupid, but somehow these stupid creatures hadn't been found wandering around the county. No, they'd stayed hidden and been fed for a week without any sign of them.
Not only were people hiding them, but they were feeding them too. That was something the police could look for. The troll who'd killed his handler had been in town. With the fiasco at the chicken farm, I would have moved the trolls to contained, controlled environments. The police could look for areas where the trolls could be safely contained and avoid detection.
I couldn't figure out why they hadn't used the werewolves or other shifters to track the trolls, but even if they couldn't pick up the scent near where the map displayed trolls, I could probably make a spell to help them out. It was worth a shot. Not only that, but you'd think something supernatural would have noticed something. It might be worth canvassing the areas the map highlighted.
My alarm rang, reminding me to eat dinner before I headed to Ellijay for coffee.
Chapter Ten
Michelle
I braced myself before going into the dining room, but Elron wasn't there. Giddy with hope that he'd been passing though, I settled into a chair with a plate of lasagna.
"I am Tinver. Who are you, lass?" The dwarf asked from across the table.
"I'm Michelle, the resident witch. Are you staying for a few nights or moving in?" He was a nice looking dwarf, with thick red hair, no beard, and well-kept clothes. Tinver could have been forty or four hundred.
"I'm staying for a few days. I'm on vacation."
"Where are you from?" I asked.
"Montana. I wanted to vacation somewhere warm for a change. I'll be spending a week down here before I return home."
"Mining?"
"Yes. It's a good honest trade for a dwarf, and in our blood. What do you do, lass?"
"I help the police with problems that require magic to solve."
"That's a fine thing to do. Not traditional, but a fine job."
"Thank you."
We lapsed into silence, listening to the quiet conversation of Trent and Blenda. Tironious, the satyr, was still here, and flirting with Priscele as his voice rose.
"I can do things you've never imagined," Tironious said.
"Like what?"
"That would be telling, but I could come back to your room and show you. A nymph such as yourself deserves a complete answer."
"Really?" Priscele leaned against him.
Tironious brushed a hand down her arm. "Women are special. Women like you are rare and need special treatment."
"You make me feel special."
After several minutes of ridiculous flirtation, Priscele whispered something in his ear before leaving the dining room. The brownies quietly finished their meal and followed her out.
I'd never figured out if these flirtations went past the dining room, but Priscele was never happier than when she was flirting. I returned my attention to my food, trying not to think about how the satyr would look unclothed. It wasn't a pretty picture.
"Girl, um, Michelle. Why don't you slide down here?"
I blinked at Tironious. I hadn't paid much attention when he called girl, but hearing my name was different. "No." I returned to my food.
"I've got something I want to tell a pretty girl like you." He leaned closer.
"Not interested." I messed with the food on my plate, but I didn't think this was over.
I heard his chair scrape as he pushed away from the table, and the quiet clomp of his hooves as he walked. He stopped, leaning over me. "Why won't a pretty girl like you talk to me?"
"I just want to eat . . . alone."
"I'll be glad to help you eat." He reached for my fork.
"No," I knocked his hand back. "I'm fine, leave me alone."
"I just want to help." He smiled a creepy, strange smile.
"If I wanted help I'd ask for it, now leave before you spend the rest of your days as a newt."
He stepped back. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to help a pretty lady."
"Then help me by leaving . . . or risk being something small and slimy for a very long time." I bared my teeth at him.
"Alright, no need to be mean. I'll leave." He backed up, giving my chair a wide berth as he left.
"Lass," Tinver caught my attention. "I'd be careful of that one. He really likes women."
"I will. I haven't seen him like this before. I ate with him several days ago, right after he arrived, but I'm surprised he's still here. I was under the impression that he was leaving after only a day or two."
"That one likes to stay where women are available. He'll stay longer just to see you and that nymph."
"Landa takes care of her own."
"Aye, lass, she does, but I'll keep an eye on him anyway."
Dwarves weren't known for lending a helping hand. I accepted his generous offer, and the implied compliment. "Thank you Tinver, that's very generous and appreciated."
As grateful as I was for the warning, I doubted anyone would risk Landa's wrath, or banishment from this place, just to have sex. Then again I wasn't a creature who'd been designed as a lusty party boy.
A vibration in my pocket reminded me that I had other plans for the rest of the evening. After thanking Tinver again, I excused myself from the table, heading to something closely resembling a date. It wasn't until I was in my car that I realized how reckless all of this was. When I'd answered the phone, with Clark's advice still in my ears, I'd hardly thought twice. Meeting in a public place, with several people around wasn't the craziest thing I'd done, but there were as many bad spells as there were good ones.
I reassured myself, knowing I'd left early enough to arrive before him, even if he wanted to be there early as well. If I had my snack and coffee before he arrived, it would be difficult for him to spell them, or me. I might not see a spell that was cast before I arrived, but I should be able to detect him casting a small spell in front of me.
Snickering, I realized how I sounded. I wasn't going to war or on some undercover job; I was going on a date with a guy who'd seen me perform several impressive spells. This was going to be fun, and relaxing. If I was lucky we might even set up a second date.
Coffee Times was a cozy shop in the town square. It featured whimsical lighting, and a mural of fairies resting in trees. It was known for organic teas and coffees, as well as the fresh pastries. The place was a favorite of mine because of the white chocolate and mint Frappuccino.
"Hi, what can I get you?" The waitress was a cheerful teen girl with a ponytail.
"I'd like a large Shamrock Frappuccino and a slice of gingerbread cake." I paid her and waited for my food. Looking around I didn't see Andrew. However, a table
for two, with really comfortable chairs, was open.
"Here you go." She handed me my order.
"Thank you." I set my food and purse down at the table before heading back to pick up a straw, fork, and napkin.
I was stuffing the straw in my drink when the bell chimed as the door opened. The wizard sauntered in, as handsome as before, but he was wearing jeans and a long sleeved sweater rather than a uniform. He paused, looked around before spotting me. A slow smile spread across his lips. He stopped in front of me, and held out a hand, clearly offering a traditional greeting. Once I was on my feet I set my hand in his, letting him raise my hand just enough for him to lean over and plant a soft kiss. I watched him, just as he watched me, even after releasing my hand.
"I'm Andrew Wright. I know we haven't been introduced. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
"As you know, I'm Michelle Oaks. If witches never greeted another without introduction, it would be nearly impossible to meet people. Please, get some food and sit. I don't hold with much formality."
His smile returned. "I'll be right back."
It had been a long time since I'd been formerly greeted by another witch. It wasn't common outside of courting and formal events. In this case it was a sign of respect; odd though, no one worried about formal introductions and greeting these days.
"What did you get?" I wanted this to be casual.
"A cranberry muffin and pumpkin tea." He slid into the chair.
"That's the biggest muffin I've ever seen." The thing was huge, softball sized.
"I know." He winked. "They're really tasty."
"How's the tea? I've never had pumpkin tea before."
"I don't know, I just thought it sounded good." He took a sip. "Hot, good, but it'll be better when I can drink it without burning myself. What did you get?"
"The Shamrock Frappuccino and gingerbread cake."
"What's the shamrock thing?"
"Oh, it's this amazing blend of white chocolate and mint in soy milk. It's my favorite drink."
"Sounds great. I'll trade you a sip of tea for Frappuccino." He picked a cranberry off his muffin, popping it into his mouth.
"No thanks, I'll get it next time I'm here." I didn't think he'd done anything to the food, but I wasn't willing to risk it.
"What clan are you from?" He sounded curious, but the question always worried me.
"I don't associate with any clans. Why?" He looked surprised, but not upset or whatever else I was looking for, not that I was sure what I was looking for.
"Just curious. If you care, I'm part of the Galinns." He watched to see my reaction.
"I don't know very much about the clans. You could be from the clan of the talking snail and I wouldn't care." I'd been more honest than I should have, and more blunt. If I was lucky, I'd still have a date after this.
He chuckled. "I've never heard of a talking snail clan. My clan isn't very traditional." The small smile he was wearing relieved me.
"Odd, since you gave me a traditional greeting." I had expected a bigger reaction to my clanless state. I'd tried very hard to avoid the topic in school, but it had caused problems. His lack of reaction was something I'd only seen a handful of times from the few witches I now counted as friends.
"I was taught to make a good first impression."
"Is that all?"
"No." He leaned forward. "I didn't want to chance offending you, and it cost me nothing to give a witch her due."
"Thank you." I ate a bit of gingerbread while deciding how to phrase my next question. "I wasn't expecting your call, and I find myself curious as to why you called a witch you'd hardly met."
"If you don't take a chance on people, risk hearing no, you can't gain anything. What you did to help that mermaid was impressive."
I didn't want compliments. "I can barely heal. I could never have kept her alive."
His brow furrowed, "So?"
"Magical walls, shielding, and levitation are nothing. I can make healing charms, and do a healing spell or two, but I could never have kept her water and salt levels balanced for an hour." I hated being praised for things that weren't that difficult, or impressive. I could never have healed Liso enough to keep her alive, and nothing else would have saved her when her tank exploded.
"Why does that matter? I couldn't have done the wall spell without hours of prep work. You can't heal, but I've never shielded for more than a minute." His intent stare was intimidating, and I couldn't look away.
"What could be better than saving a life?"
"Kesha and I could have drained ourselves down to the dregs and not kept her alive until that truck came. I wasn't far from being drained when you arrived, and Kesha was nearly tapped out."
"Everyone has limits. I couldn't have saved her life."
"If you hadn't come, we couldn't have saved her either." He shrugged. "This is far too serious for the first time we're meeting. I think what you did was impressive, and I know witches twice your age that couldn't have done that. Anyway, I know you work with the Fannin police, but what exactly do you do?"
"I work with several police departments, helping them when they need a bit more magic than their on-staff hedge-practitioners can muster. I do a little bit of everything. I saw Liso today."
"How's she doing?"
"Good, she's at the aquarium. They're moving her back to the ocean tomorrow. They found her tribe and several of them will be waiting for her."
"Good. I'm glad she'll have a happy ending."
"Me too. How long have you been working for emergency services?" What I really wanted to ask was how old he was, but that was a rude question.
"I don't actually work for emergency services. Kesha called me out of the hospital when she realized the problem. I've worked with the hospital for five years. How long have you been working with the police?"
"Not long, less than two years. I worked a few different jobs after graduating, but they didn't fit."
"I had a similar problem. It took time for my clan to agree to my chosen profession."
"Huh?" His words registered. "Oh, I've heard that can be rough."
"It was worth it. I like helping people." Most of his muffin was gone and he was finally drinking his tea without wincing. "What's your favorite spell?"
I blushed. "It's a little bit embarrassing. When I'm in the shower I do a spell to project a field, surrounded by mountains, with a rainbow over it. The ends of the rainbow sit in pots of gold. I change the light when it hits the water so I shower in a rainbow of different colors." I slurped up every remaining bit of my drink.
"I've never done those spells. I would love to see them, it sounds breathtaking." His eyes were sparkling, and he sounded cheerfully serious. He wanted to see the show, not just me.
"You have to tell me your favorite spell." I was still blushing.
"Could I show you? I need your hand." I slid my hand across the table, watching him closely. "This is my favorite." His fingers brushed my palm as my hand warmed and tingled, sending a warm tingle rippling through me.
I peeled my eyes open, "That's your favorite?"
He gazed at his tea. "Yes, but I think I should have lied and said something else, like hurling illusions of baseballs at my younger bother to watch him duck. Granted, I had to throw an energy ball once in a while or he'd stop ducking."
"No," I said, while cradling my right hand to keep the last of the warmth from drifting away. "That was cool, even if it startled me. Did you really torment your little brother with fake baseballs?"
"Yes, but he was annoying and earned it."
Conversation felt easier, less strained, like we'd broken some invisible barrier keeping us on edge. Sometime later his watch beeped, drawing his gaze.
"I'm sorry; I didn't realize it was so late. I need to get going or I won't be able to get up for work."
Peeking at my watch, I noticed it was nine, and we'd spent two hours chatting. "You're right. I need to head out too."
Just outside the door he scoop
ed up my hand, planting kiss on my palm.
"I had a lovely time. Call me if you'd like to do this again."
"Your number?" His car door closed before he had a chance to answer. Disappointed, I slid into my car. He backed out, and paused before leaving the parking lot. Sparkling red numbers wrote themselves in the air, before fading. I heard his car pull away as I quickly added to my phone.
I didn't think much on the drive home. Humming along to music, I pictured those glowing numbers over and over. I'd never dated a guy with that much flair. I wouldn't call him tonight, or even tomorrow. I'd let him stew a bit; rehash every move, thinking he might have pushed too hard.
I was silly, a guy like that didn't think about his moves after he'd done them. He knew they worked; it was only a matter of time. He hadn't struck me as a player, just a nice guy who knew how to leave a girl asking for more, but I'd been fooled before. I'd call him back, agree to take it slow, and see what he was made of.
Elron
I strode through the woods, feeling the strength of the trees. Elves my age weren't supposed to go through so many changes, it wasn't good for us. At my age, any sensible elf would have settled down, had a child or two, and be in the midst of a very long happy life.
I'd left sensible behind long ago, and I was seriously considering doing everything elves my age shouldn't do. After all, I hadn't done any of the things I should've been doing. It was relaxing to leave the rules of the forest folk and start over.
I'd spent a long time grieving after Sylvia died. Now, I believed I'd spent too much time in mourning and not enough time doing things. With all the time on my hands, I hadn't accomplished much, other than dwelling on the unchangeable. Humans had a few things right. Keeping busy might be one of the ways to be happy. Mother earth knew I hadn't been happy for the many years I'd spent idle.
I didn't want to spend the rest of my long life wishing my time on this beloved place was over. I wanted to sing, dance, and feel the joy my people were known for. I wanted to remember the Elron who was known for his skill with a harp, not his sorrow over love lost.
"Elron, greetings brother," Salaron called out, interrupting my thoughts.
Witch for Hire Page 14