AIR Series Box Set

by Amanda Booloodian

  "You didn't know."

  "And I'm pretty sure your partner doesn't think much of me now."

  "Like I said, you didn't know. Logan will get over it."

  "I'd like to know more," Ethan said. “Maybe then I’ll know when I’ve asked too much.”

  "You may want to think that through," I said. "We haven't been seeing each other that long."

  "I thought it through last night."

  I shook my head. "There are things you're not going to like. You've only caught a glimpse."

  Ethan chuckled. "I'm sure there are things about me that you're not going to like. Look, I'm not saying that we have to learn everything there is to know about each other overnight, but I'm hoping that we can continue to learn more about each other. Say, tomorrow night? Dinner?"

  He looked sincere. Would it be nicer of me to let him go now?

  No, that's what Vincent had done. Turned me away without listening. Without giving us a shot. I wouldn't do that to Ethan.

  "What time do you want to pick me up?" I asked.

  He smiled. "Anytime you'll let me."

  "Six-thirty?"

  "I'll be here."

  "While you're here, do you want some breakfast?"

  "I should probably go. I didn't want to intrude, but I wanted to catch you before you went to work. I think your grandmother might be expecting someone."

  "What makes you say that?"

  "I hadn't even rang the doorbell yet and she let me in."

  "You've never been properly introduced to my grandmother, have you?"

  "I introduced myself this mornin'," Gran said, sweeping back into the room. "But a proper introduction to the man who's courtin' my granddaughter would be appreciated."

  "Ethan, this is my grandmother, Margaret." I smiled when he stood to be introduced. He really was a great guy. "Gran, this is Ethan."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ethan. Let me freshen your coffee," Gran said.

  "I don't want to put you to any trouble," Ethan said.

  "It's no trouble at all. I'd get you breakfast, but you'll be called away before you can enjoy it. I'll fix you up some toast. Cassie, do you want to get Logan's coffee?"

  Ethan sat back down looking mildly confused. I winked at him and got up to get coffee, adding liberal amounts of chocolate syrup and sugar.

  When I reached the table, I leaned over to whisper to Ethan. "I'm not the only one in the family with a unique set of skills."

  I sat the cup down across from Ethan and Logan walked in through the back door. Ethan sat up a little straighter and I grinned, but hid it by drinking more coffee.

  "Howdy," Logan said with his usual drawl. He sat down across from Ethan.

  "Mornin'," Gran responded, "I've got sugar cookies for the kids. Susan will be by later to pick them up."

  Gran set a stack of toast down in front of Ethan. I got out butter and jelly.

  "Thank you, Margaret,” Ethan said. “You really didn't need to do that."

  "It's my pleasure. Eat up while you can," Gran said.

  "I'm surprised to see you this morning, Ethan," Logan said.

  "I owed Cassie an apology for yesterday. You, too, for that matter." Ethan looked at me. "And I'm sorry I didn't understand."

  Logan nodded. "How did things go yesterday after we left?"

  At hearing the question, Ethan looked tired. "We got the site cleaned. The construction company is trying to get us to open things up, but we can hold it for a while longer to see if we can find anything else of use on site."

  Ethan's phone rang and he looked at the readout. "Will you excuse me for a minute, I need to take this."

  "No problem," I said.

  "How are you doing today, partner?" Logan asked as Ethan left the room.

  "With a bit more caffeine and a shower, I'll make it through the day. Thanks for getting me home yesterday," I said.

  "We should probably discuss what exactly happened yesterday."

  I glanced nervously into the living room. “Now?”

  "It can hold till later. What do we have on the agenda for the day?" Logan asked.

  "I haven't checked yet, but I imagine it involves paperwork for yesterday."

  Gran was filling a to-go tumbler of coffee. I stood and stretched.

  Ethan walked in frowning. "I'm sorry, I need to go."

  "What’s going on?" I asked.

  His smile was strained. "Another day on the job."

  "Here you go, young man," Gran said, giving Ethan the coffee.

  "Thank you, Margaret," he said. "You really didn't have to do that."

  "I'll see you out," I said.

  In the living room, Ethan glanced back at the kitchen then whispered. "Why do I get the feeling I'm a step behind Margaret?"

  I laughed. "That's because you are. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

  He smiled and took my hand as we reached the door. "Does that mean you'll let me hang around long enough to get used to it?"

  My heart thudded with the warmth of his hand. Pixies and butterflies started wrestling in my stomach.

  "We'll have to wait and see how tomorrow night goes," I said, teasing.

  "I'll be on my best behavior."

  I opened the door and stepped out into the dawning of a new day.

  "It was nice to meet your grandmother. It was good to see Rider and Logan again, and to meet your, uh, other partner, Vincent?"

  "I really didn't mean to throw all that on you yesterday. I thought we could help," I said.

  Ethan nodded. "I'm glad I got to see you in action. Until tomorrow night then?"

  "I'll be here," I said.

  Ethan looked awkward, but the moment only lasted a few seconds. Then he kissed me. My stomach tightened and my mind went blank of everything except for his warm lips on mine.

  When he drew away it felt reluctant, but that may only have been a projection of my own feelings.

  "I'll see you tomorrow."

  I watched him leave. Once he got into the car, I could tell that his thoughts were already on work. Still, he paused and took a moment to wave before driving off.

  Chapter 4

  It felt like I was walking on air when I went back to the kitchen.

  "He seems like a very nice young man," Gran said.

  "He's a good cop, too," Logan said. "Nice of him to stop by and check on you."

  "It was," I agreed, unable to keep the smile from my face.

  "Oh dear," Gran said. She stared at nothing and frowned.

  "What's up, Gran?" I asked.

  "You better get cleaned up," Gran said.

  "Work?" I asked.

  "Your mother," Gran said.

  I groaned. "It's a Thursday. I'm surprised she'd bother missing work."

  My mother and I didn't see eye to eye on anything. Okay, somewhere in the back of my mind I knew we might agree on something; the sky is blue, for instance. But to the forefront of my thoughts, there was nothing.

  "That's my cue to get out of Dodge," Logan said.

  He had met my mother over Christmas. Although he smiled and said all the right things, my mom still disapproved.

  My mother disapproved of everything to do with my job.

  "Tell Anala I say howdy," Logan said. "I'm going to head out to the Sanctuary this morning. Want me to swing by and pick you up?"

  It was a tricky choice. Meet with my mother or deal with a thousand pounds of horse ready to throw me off.

  "I think pick me up after the Sanctuary." I asked. "I'll catch up on our reports this morning."

  "Will do." Logan tipped an imaginary hat and left through the back door.

  I think Logan had assumed my mother would be a bit more like Gran. Gran rescued a cat, gave a fairy a home in the backyard, and made sure he and his kids never went long without sugar.

  My mother was the opposite. The cat would probably be pedigree, she would pretend not to see the fairy because such things don't exist, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't know any of her neighbors. She also suppresses
her psychic gifts.

  After trudging upstairs, I took a shower and got ready for the day. I was looking longingly at my bed and thinking about taking a nap when the doorbell rang. Mom lived an hour away, so she must have started out early. She only worked about thirty minutes away, so hopefully it would be a short visit.

  Gran was ushering Mom into the kitchen when I went downstairs.

  "Morning, Mom." I poured myself more coffee and sat down at the table with her.

  "I'm sorry to stop in unannounced," Mom said.

  "Don't you go worryin' about it," Gran said. She handed her daughter a cup of coffee and joined us at the table.

  We sat quietly for a few moments before I broke the silence. "How's work?"

  "Work is going well," Mom said. "The firm is hiring a few new accountants if you're interested. It's entry-level work, but you've been out of the game for a while. I'm sure you could move your way up in no time."

  Shoving down the string of passive-aggressive, and some overtly aggressive, comments was difficult, but I managed. "Thank you, but my job is going well."

  "Hmm, yes. Well, let me know if you change your mind. It's a shame to see that degree go to waste."

  "What brings you by today?" Gran asked before I could reply.

  "Well, Bob and I were thinking about going out of town. It's very last minute. We'd be leaving tomorrow morning. I told him that I shouldn't be taking off work on that short of notice, but he thinks it would be good for us to get away."

  Mom was twisting the wedding ring on her finger in an absent-minded way.

  Warning bells clanged around in my head. "Is everything alright?" I asked.

  "Of course," Mom said. "It's only a little vacation. I think he's getting a bit overworked, to be honest."

  I didn't even think my mother knew it was possible to be overworked.

  "I thought I'd see if Cassie would be free to watch the house over the weekend," Mom said.

  "Cassie has a date tomorrow night, but I could come over and watch the house," Gran said.

  "A date?" Mom perked up over the word.

  "Yes," I said, unable to stop the smile that crept up.

  "Who is the lucky guy?" Mom asked.

  "His name is Ethan. We've only been seeing each other for a little while," I said.

  "He is a very pleasant young man," Gran added.

  "I'm so glad to see you dating again, Cassie," Mom said. "After that horrible man, Zander, I've been worried about you. Tell me about Ethan.”

  “Uh…” This left me nearly speechless. It took me mind a moment to soak in that my mother approved of something I was doing. “He’s a nice guy. He used to live here when he was a kid. He moved while he was in elementary school.”

  “What does Ethan do now?” Mom asked.

  “He’s a Lieutenant on the local police force,” I said.

  Mom’s lips pursed. "Are you two getting serious?" she asked.

  This was an issue I had with Mom. No matter how old I was, I didn't know if she meant serious as in, 'are wedding bells sounding' or ‘are you sleeping with him.' The fact that the answer to the first was no and the second was yes made it difficult to answer.

  "We've only been seeing each other a month or so," I said, keeping it safe.

  "No reason to rush these things," Mom said.

  I could tell she didn’t approve, but for her to keep silent on the issue was something I never expected from her.

  Shocked, I looked at Gran, who had also raised her eyebrows. This new, milder Mom was starting to freak me out.

  Gran cupped a hand over her daughter’s hand. "I can come over and stay as long as you'd like."

  "Thanks, Mom," Mom said. "Can I pick you up tonight?"

  "I'll be ready," Gran said.

  "Well, I need to get to work. I need to get ahead of my work so I’m not behind when I get back.” Turning to me she added, “Shouldn't you be off to work soon?"

  "I'm working from home this morning," I said.

  "Hmm,” Mom said. “Let me know if you want more information about our openings.”

  I gritted my teeth. "Thanks, Mom."

  Gran walked her daughter out while I gathered my phone and tablet, ready to start my day. While the tablet made a connection to the office, I listened to my messages. Ethan had left two yesterday, and one this morning letting me know he was going to stop by. Vincent had also called, but didn't leave a message.

  My fingers drummed a beat against the table as I contemplated if I should call him back or not.

  "Do you think your mother and Bob are fighting?" Gran asked when she returned to the kitchen.

  "Maybe Or maybe he really needs a break. I know if I had worked insurance for as long as him, I'd be stir crazy."

  "Hmm, maybe. They've been married for what, ten years now?"

  My dad passed away when I was around four. I don't remember much, only that one day he was there, and the next he was gone. I had been almost sixteen when Mom remarried. Bob and I got along for the most part.

  "A little longer," I said.

  "Time flies, I guess. I'm gonna go pack for the weekend."

  "Need any help?"

  "No, I'm fine. You make your call and do your work."

  I waited till Gran was in her room before calling Vincent.

  "Hey," I said, "I'm returning your call. What are you all up to today?"

  "It's good that you called. Rider said you didn't look well when you left yesterday."

  I attached the keyboard to my tablet and started opening up work forms. "I'm fine. Tired, but that’s all."

  "We should talk about what happened."

  "Hmm, which part?"

  That seemed to catch him off guard. It took him some time to answer. "You had a worse response than normal. Even after I left."

  "What happened had nothing to do with you. You shouldn't have left."

  "You're right, I shouldn't have. Rider said you had trouble even with him there doing... whatever it is he does."

  "It all worked out in the end," I said, trying to steer away from too serious of a discussion. That probably wouldn't lead to good places.

  "I think we should start meditation again," Vincent said.

  "It was only one time," I hesitated, "but, well, do you think it would help?"

  "We need to do something. At the very least it may give you more control."

  My soul had sucked up pieces of other souls that had been stolen from the Lost. "It would help if the soul shards from the Lost were out of my system. If you could—"

  "No. It's too risky."

  "Riskier than me losing my grip, going into a rage, and hurting someone?" The memory of a Lost tied to a fragment inside me could spring forward and take over, which made me unpredictable. I had to encourage my partners to carry around tranquilizer darts in case a minotaur, or something worse, decided it wanted to rage out of control.

  "Yes." His tone was even, but I sensed the intensity behind the words.

  "Fine," I said, exacerbated. "Control. We can work on that."

  He was a Walker with the power to take souls. To me, it seemed like an obvious fix to my issues.

  "Rider and I are in Lynn County today," Vincent said. "I'm not sure when we'll be back."

  "We can play it by ear. Tell Rider hi from me."

  "Be safe."

  He hung up before I could respond.

  The paperwork didn't take as long as I expected. It never did when I actually got started. As I was wrapping up and considering a nap, Gran called me into her room.

  The second I walked in, her cat hissed at me and ran into the hallway.

  "One of these days he'll get used to you," Gran said.

  "He likes Vincent and Logan and loves Rider. But it's me he can't stand."

  "Maybe you feeding him for the next few days will help."

  "Maybe. Need help packing?"

  "Not with the packing, no, but I do need something done while I'm gone. Dee Dee was going to take me tonight, but I don't think I'll
get the chance."

  "Sure," I said, "what do you need?"

  "There's somethin' I was supposed to deliver this evenin’," Gran said, handing me a small red box with a black ribbon tied around it. "Here's the address. Make sure you get there before dark."

  "Sure, I'll drop it off today."

  "Before dark," Gran emphasized.

  "Before dark," I repeated.

  "Thank you," Gran said. "Logan's going to be here any minute."

  "Anything for us?" I asked.

  Gran stared into space for a few moments. "Nothin' clear. You take care of yourself while I'm gone. And don't forget, before dark." She eyed the package and nodded to herself.

  "You've got it, Gran. Take care. Call me if you need anything."

  I packed my bag for work. Computer, phone, stun gun, real gun, pepper spray, cuffs, and any other odds and ends that I could throw in. When Logan arrived, I was ready to go.

  "That didn't take you as long as I thought," I said, hauling myself into the truck. The large SWAT-style truck was conspicuous, but ideal for relocating Lost.

  "We got a call," Logan said. "Someone broke into the Palmer's house this morning. We're going to take a look."

  "Was anyone hurt?" I asked.

  "No one was home. Mr. Palmer returned for an early lunch, and found the place wrecked up."

  "What happens with something like this? Do we handle the breaking and entering, or did they call the police?"

  "They pass for humans, so they called the cops. We're only there to provide support and see what we can see. Are you up for this?"

  It was a loaded question. "Yeah, I'm tired after yesterday, but I’ll live."

  Logan nodded. "You wanna tell me what you saw?"

  I frowned. "I told you yesterday."

  "You told me about a gray trail that turned black, but you ain't fooling me, partner. I saw the look in your eyes. For a few minutes, I wasn't even sure it was you we were dealing with."

  "It was the Path. All those colors shifting around and reaching out. It was beautiful. But yeah, I almost lost control at the end."

  "We need to come up with a better plan than me carrying around a dart dosed to knock you out."

  "Vincent thinks we should start meditating again."

  "Do you think that’ll help keep things under control? I'd hate to have to dart you in front of your fella."

  "Hopefully, it won't come to that. Still, better that than I hurt someone. It would be easier if Vincent would just take the soul fragments out of me."