The Druid Witch

by J. D. Cavan

  A man walked in and everyone froze. “What’s going on?” he asked firmly.

  “She broke my nose,” Duke cried in anger. His nose was shattered and bleeding.

  “We didn’t mean no harm, Julian, but Stone walked in here and started causing trouble,” the supposedly nice bartender said.

  It was Julian, the new alpha Nick had told us about. He didn’t appear any bigger or better than the rest of them. He was shorter, actually, and walked with a slight limp. He was older and wore a trimmed beard. He had dark skin and very light eyes. He had a scar over one of them. I had to say, despite his rough appearance, he was an austere and an impressive looking figure.

  He gazed at me. His eyes were genuine but carried a heavy weight. “With all due respect, Detective Stone, what can we do to help you?” he asked politely. His voice was gravelly and harsh.

  “Is there a place where we can talk privately?” I noticed that my Lila personality was coming back, gaining more control.

  Julian furrowed his brows and then walked me outside. I caught a glimpse of Duke on my way out. I could tell by the nasty look pasted on his face that he wasn’t going to let this go.

  Julian and I stood on the street, alone. Now it was time for me to get to the point.

  “I have good reason to believe that there is a very dangerous gang of goblins hiding out in your establishment. They are harboring a fugitive named Blackeye. He’s a bank robber and terrorist.”

  Julian just stared at me, blinking. “I have no knowledge of this. But I don’t think breaking noses is the way to address it.”

  Julian was right: unnecessary violence was never the answer. I felt ready to apologize when my Akantha personality stepped back in and wouldn’t allow it. There was an internal fight between us now, and the Lila side was losing. I’d have to deal with what I’d done to Duke later in Dr. Edward’s office.

  “You should teach your pack how to behave, where they shouldn’t put their hands.” Julian didn’t say a word, but I could tell he was taking it all in. “I believe that you don’t know about Blackeye and the goblins, but I don’t think your pack is as clueless as you are.”

  I had put two and two together. Duke wasn’t just pissed that I’d shattered his nose in front of his boys. They were clearly extorting protection money from the goblins. Rumble had mentioned that the goblin gang was stealing money and stockpiling it, and here I was, blowing up Duke’s racket. I was sure that would be the only reason they’d harbor Blackeye. It was big money.

  “The Central Park Pack is very large; I can’t possibly monitor all of their activities. There are going to be some bad apples in the orchard,” Julian explained.

  I wasn’t sure I believed him entirely, but Nick seemed to trust him, and I trusted Nick with my life.

  “Understandable,” I conceded, “but that isn’t going to stop me. I’m going inside to the back rooms where I’m sure they are hiding Blackeye. Then I’m going to drag him out and lock him up.”

  Julian crossed his rather large tattooed arms. “I would request for you to allow me the opportunity to handle this internally, Ms. Stone,” Julian spoke eloquently. He wasn’t like the rest of his pack. My Lila side was deeply curious about him. What had gotten him the top-dog job of the CPP, for one thing?

  “With all due respect to your organization, I’m sure you know I can’t do that,” I replied.

  Julian stood firm. “Will you accept this offer? I will deliver to you the goblin that you speak of by the end of the business day, today. I assure you.”

  I understood Julian’s position. He had to maintain his respect among the pack as the alpha. But my obligation was straightforward. I had knowledge of a wanted criminal, for not just attempted robbery and possible terrorist charges, but for escape and destruction of a federal building. I weighed my options. Perhaps I would need Julian at some point...

  “A favor for a future favor,” I said. Julian nodded. “Not just Blackeye, but his crew as well. I want the ones that torched the supernatural holding unit and hurt the correction officers.”

  “Of course. By the end of the day.”

  We parted ways after that. I climbed back on Nick’s Harley and tore up the street.

  As I rode back to the SOJ, I thought about what I’d just put in Julian’s hands. He was one mysterious dude. I made a calculated guess that he’d come through with his promise. Duke, on the other hand, and the rest of the pack at Spikes, were a problem for me. They were trouble, the kind I didn’t have a lot of confidence in Julian to keep in check.

  Chapter 13

  DEAN WAS HAPPY as hell to see me alive.

  He had left Nick and Liam downtown at the holding unit to finish getting clearances for the cells. There were a ton of violations and getting the place up to code was going to take some serious work.

  “Mission accomplished?” he asked.

  “Kind of,” I replied. I poured myself a frosty tap beer, a double IPA from Evil Twin brewery. I decided to go with them this fall as my tap beer for the SOJ.

  “Do I want to ask?”

  “I met Julian, the CPP’s new alpha. I trusted him to clean up this goblin mess for me.”

  “Do you think he will?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think he’s got control over his pack. They are running criminal operations with the goblins and I don’t think they are going to stop.”

  “While we’re on the topic, what about the NYC Vampires?” Dean asked.

  “We’ve got nothing on them and that makes me very nervous.”

  Dean listened. “I know you’re not going to like this suggestion, but why not put Nessa on this? Have her do some work undercover. See if she can get inside the vampire ring?”

  My immediate thought was no way, just as I’d told Liam. I didn’t know Nessa from a hole in the wall, and I thought she was up to a bunch of sneaky stuff anyway. Maybe I was jaded, but I didn’t buy the whole ‘coming to New York to heal with Liam’ story. But after considering it, I thought Dean might be right. I could push her loyalty and test her out.

  “Not a bad idea,” I said. “I’ll consider it.”

  Dean smiled. “If you want a bad idea, ask someone else.”

  “Did Liam put you up to this? I know he’d like Nessa to work for us.”

  “I did talk to Liam about it, but I can think for myself,” Dean said, getting snippy with me. “You know, we’ve been best friends for years so I can tell you anything. You’re getting a little big for your britches lately.”

  “I run the SOJ, Dean,” I replied. The Society of Justice was my responsibility. If something went south, it wasn’t going to be Dean or Liam who the media and newspapers bashed. It would be me.

  “We are well aware of who’s in charge of the SOJ.”

  “We?” I asked accusatorily. I felt a twinge of paranoia that they were talking about me behind my back.

  “If you’d let me finish… everyone here is well aware that you run the SOJ. It’s how you run it that matters.”

  “Maybe someone else should be in charge, see how they do.” I knew I was being defensive, a bad sign. “Okay. Let’s bring Nessa in on the case of the NYC Vampires. Tell Liam. But get Rumble to track her.”

  “Aye aye, Captain.” I could tell Dean was upset with me. But I trusted Dean and knew he would be loyal no matter what.

  Dean started to walk away but then stopped. A pained look came to his face. “I dread telling you this, but—you have the mayor’s ball tonight at the Gracie Mansion.” He cringed.

  “I thought I might have one night to myself!”

  “Reminder. You have to make a speech also. You’re introducing Terry.”

  “On what, how great Terry is?” I wanted to barf at the thought of it.

  “I’m not going to write your speech for you, but say something nice about the city. Something unifying.” I knew what Dean was getting at. The tension between the city and the supernaturals had been mounting, particularly between the NYPD and the goblins.

  Dean went
back to work and I sat at the bar and sipped my double IPA. I had a quick minute to take a journaling break. Besides trying to capture my personality splits, I found it a useful way to slow down and reflect.

  I noted something about my interaction at Spikes. Even though when I was in my Akantha personality and clearly didn’t have control of breaking Duke’s nose, I was able to slow Akantha down when I was in the safety of Julian’s company. Maybe it was the power of a strong male alpha? I honestly didn’t know.

  My Akantha personality would likely get stronger, so any clues I could find that might help me control and integrate this shadow side was going to be hugely important. Perhaps the amulet was causing an increase in her powers. That was another point to bring up with Dr. Edwards.

  I reflected on the multiple balls I had flying in the air now. I had a Duke and CPP problem, I had risked using Nessa to investigate the NYC Vampires, I had two murders without a suspect, and a goblin problem that I was relying on Julian to help me with. And of course, I had the major problem of myself to deal with. Who the hell I was becoming?

  I glanced down at my phone. Time was ticking. I had the mayor’s ball in an hour. Not only did I not have a speech worked out, I wasn’t even sure which side of me was going to show up.

  Chapter 14

  TERRY SENT A car to pick me up. I reluctantly allowed it.

  I had needed Terry at one point in my life, both financially to get the Society of Justice started and in some ways psychologically. But now I was done with that. The only consequence was that I was just about broke. The SOJ was running deficits, and even with Dean’s creative accounting, we were in trouble.

  I carefully descended the stairs toward the front door. I was in a formal gown and tall high heels.

  “You look completely awesome!” Jess said as I reached the foyer. I could feel Dean and Vovk staring at me. Be a good role model, I could hear them saying.

  “You do look stunning,” Dean said as Vovk nodded.

  “Thank you.”

  Dean stood by the open front door. “Your car is waiting for you, Cinderella.” I walked out of the door, struggling a bit in my tight gown. “Be home by midnight. You don’t want to turn into a pumpkin.”

  * * *

  TERRY REALLY KNEW how to throw a party.

  The place was packed with more people than I expected. There were men in tuxedos, NYPD in dress uniforms, and women in evening gowns. I went right to the bar for some social lubricant and surprisingly ran smack dab into Julian. I almost didn’t recognize him. He had shaved and wore a perfectly fitted tuxedo.

  “Detective Stone.” He bowed his head slightly. “May I offer you a drink?”

  “Tequila with a twist, thank you.” I was myself for sure, not Akantha. Tequila over whisky was my differential diagnosis. “I appreciate your follow-through on the matters we discussed.” Julian had fulfilled his promise. He’d brought Blackeye and some of his gang down to the lock up.

  “I appreciated the chance to do so,” he replied.

  “I didn’t recognize you,” I said.

  “Nor I you.” He smiled. “You look lovely.” He raised his glass for a toast.

  “To how we can both clean up.” I lifted my tequila and touched his glass. I then took a sip.

  “You are likely wondering about me.” Julian drank his scotch. “What I’m doing here, for one thing.”

  I felt my face burn. He must have been reading my mind. I found Julian mysterious at Spikes, and now even more so. Attractive, mysterious men were definitely a blind spot for me.

  “I care about New York, so if why you are here has anything to do with keeping this city safe, then yes, I’m wondering about you.” I needed to keep this all business with Julian. He was an alpha and would seek control and dominance. I couldn’t allow that. At all times I had to try and maintain perspective and keep a certain amount of control over the supernatural gangs, Akantha or no Akantha.

  I still wanted information from Julian, however—like who he was, for one thing. He was about to continue when Terry unfortunately appeared from the crowd. She had no problem interrupting us. She had a knack for bad timing.

  “There you are,” Terry said to me before turning toward Julian. “Mr. Collins, thank you for coming.”

  Mr. Collins? I said to myself. Terry knew Julian?

  “My pleasure, Mayor. Congratulations again.” Julian kissed Terry’s hand.

  “You’re up, Lila. It’s time for your introduction. I hope you put some thought into this,” Terry said. My mind went blank before I realized she was talking about my speech. I was totally caught up in Julian and how he might know Terry. I assumed Terry had no idea he was the alpha of the Central Park Pack.

  “Detective Stone is addressing us tonight?” Julian asked. “What an honor.”

  I glanced at the podium. A group of police officials were waiting for me. My heart pounded. I hadn’t spent a moment on the darn thing. I finished my drink and excused myself. I’d have to wait to find out about Julian Collins.

  Before I left to make my speech, Terry pulled me aside.

  “Any news on the escort killer?” she asked in a whisper.

  “We’re working on it,” I replied. I wasn’t telling Terry anything. Not that I had anything to tell.

  “I hoped that you’d have good news for me. I’m sure some of these very successful men use escorts in this city, and I would like this issue to be over.” She waved her hand toward the crowd. I certainly didn’t give a crap about which rich donors were too afraid to use escorts now.

  “Not my problem.” I tried to walk away, but she snatched my arm.

  “Dr. Blake assured me that we won’t have another escape. The monsters are locked up. I can’t have any more police hurt. The pressure between the supernatural criminals and the police is a potential problem for me. Bad blood I can’t have. Do you understand?”

  Terry was a ball of anxiety. I had my own garbage to take care of, so I didn’t want to get hers all over me. “Need I remind you, Terry? You’re not my boss.”

  “I’m everyone’s boss now, darling. Now go make your speech and make it a good one.”

  As I walked to the podium, I noticed that Terry had gotten under my skin so badly that Akantha was now knocking on my door. I fought her off, took a couple of deep breaths, and decided what I was going to say.

  Terry’s assistant mayor introduced me, and after around of applause, it got quiet.

  “I hope everyone is having a good time this evening. You should,” I paused, “because no one puts on a party like Terry Douglas. Thank you, Mayor Douglas!” Thunderous applause broke out. Terry beamed.

  After that I spewed a bunch of rah-rah stuff about Terry and then got ready to drop the mic.

  “I want to say something about this city, something you can’t say about any other city in the world. A city that’s rough and rotten, and if you aren’t at the top of your game, don’t even come and try and play here. There’s no thank you, or please, or excuse me. Not here. You might get shoved and pushed. That’s right. But I’ll tell you this. When we are in trouble, when the cards are on the table, when everything hits the fan, we are at our best.” Some cheering and clapping interrupted me. I paused and allowed it to go on.

  “But let’s recognize something. We are in a new world now, and it is different on a scale unimaginable.” I stopped again. You could hear a pin drop. I was addressing the hidden factor in the room, the pink elephant—the supernatural beings. I could feel the glares coming from Tasso and Silvio. Even some of the NYPD were looking on anxiously.

  “But I can’t think of a better city in the world to face this new challenge than New York City. New Yorkers don’t get frightened. We don’t act out of hate. We accept those among us who are different. We treat them just like every other New Yorker.” I held my tongue for a second. “Badly.” The crowd got the joke, and most of them broke out into laughter.

  When the laughter died down, I got serious again. “I love this city because I trust i
t. I trust that no matter how difficult things get, we won’t turn on each other, but we will fight for each other!” Loud cheers broke out, everyone from the business and political people to the NYPD. I even noticed Silvio nodding his head. Only Agent Tasso stood stoic, without expression.

  I introduced Terry and then walked off the stage. As I watched Terry stroll to the podium and start her speech, Tasso walked over. She silently stood next to me.

  “You’re on top now, but you know what they say?” Tasso whispered. I didn’t respond. “The higher they go, the harder they fall.”

  Tasso was jealous, that was obvious. She had always been. Especially when Dr. James Blake showed an interest in me and not her. But Tasso’s words stung in me in a way that I couldn’t shake. My speech had come from me, my Lila side, and it felt genuine. But there was something about her words that rang true, like a very bad omen.

  After Terry was finished, the first person to come through the crowd to congratulate me on my speech was Julian. I hid a dose of excitement. I had to admit that Julian intrigued me.

  “Nicely done,” he said. He offered me a drink from his hand. It was exactly what I had been drinking, a tequila. Julian had class.

  “Thank you,” I held my glass up, “and thank you.” We toasted.

  I fixed my gaze on him. “So tell me. Who are you?”

  The sides of his mouth raised and his eyes twinkled. He was about to speak when Dr. James Blake appeared from the crowd.

  “Very impressive, Lila.” He gave me a peck on my cheek. Julian watched us carefully. I introduced them, and some polite chitchat followed. But I could tell they were both waiting for the other to leave first.

  I was feeling a little overwhelmed, two stunning guys on either side of me, vying for my attention. I felt a bit shy and unsure of myself. Where was my Akantha personality when I needed her? Finally, and to my dismay, Julian broke away without me finding out more about him.

  “Terry sat us at the same table for dinner,” Dr. Blake said with a grin.