A Little Street Magic (12 page)

“Yes.” Logan had his back to the showers, and his eyes on the door. “She’ll be happy to help, if she can.”

I slipped out and began to dress. “You know, I thought it might be weird, hanging out with her. I mean, since you two were involved. But it’s not.”

“She’s a hard person to feel uncomfortable around. Good skill for a shaman.”

I sat down to put my socks on. “Can I ask you something, since I’m being all mature and adult right now?”

“That’s an interesting lead up. Sure.”

“Were you in love with her?”

“It’s a tricky question to answer, too.”

“You don’t have to, because it’s really not my business. Also, the past is the past.”

“I loved her. Still do.”

I had an instant need to be fully dressed, but fought it. I picked up my jeans. “Oh.”

“Moira was my first, and most serious, past relationship, and she’s still a good friend and of course, clan. Part of the reason we didn’t work out may have been not being enough in love with her. Not deeply enough for it to last.”

I paused before removing the towel from my hair. “I think I get it.”

“Good, and I’m glad it doesn’t cause a problem between you two. She’s a good person to have as a friend.” His tone turned teasing. “But if you ever do feel a little jealous, feel free to make it clear that it’s you and me now.”

I considered throwing the wet towel at his head. “Oh, really?”

“Sure. You know, tiger queens can be pretty possessive when it comes to their men.”

“Uh-huh, and just how do they show it?” I pulled on the tee and sat back down to don my boots. They were mid-calf with side zippers.

“Let’s just say, they don’t have a problem marking their territory.”

Did he mean biting? I knew he was teasing me. On the other hand, taking a bite out of him for it sounded like a great idea. Then again, I hadn’t noticed any of the clan’s men sporting teeth marks—not anywhere visible.

Of course, shifters healed fast. But maybe he meant something else. Puzzling it over, I rose and walked to him. Logan turned around, displaying a devilish grin. “That set your brain on fire.”

“You’re in trouble. I’m not sure how much yet.” My face didn’t want to cooperate with my stern tone, and I cracked a smile. “But I think it’s a lot.”

“I accept any punishment my queen deems fit.”

“You never wear pink. Maybe I’ll buy you a pink shirt.”

He cocked his head. “You can do better than that. Also, not scared of pink. That’s a human male issue.”

Maybe I should bite his ass. Ooh, I didn’t mean his ass, ass but maybe on the neck? Was my face turning red? If it was, could he tell through the layer of blistering? “I’ll think of something appropriately dire.”

“Quaking in my boots.” His grin widened. “Really, I am.”

“Oh, shut up.” I gave up, and went for serious. “Maybe you haven’t you noticed, but I can get a little insecure at times.”

Logan immediately sobered. “I will never purposefully give you a reason for jealousy. I won’t even tease you about it again.”

“I don’t mind being teased about anything. I’m just saying that I’ll have my dumb moments. Okay?”

“Okay. I’ll have mine too. Just tell me. I don’t want a communication breakdown between us.”

“I don’t either, so I’ll do my best,” I promised, feeling all grown up. Actually, it was getting easier to feel like a real adult, especially with him.

“I promise the same.”

We hugged, and I leaned back. “Want to talk about Terra now?”

He winced. “Not yet.”

“Okay. Here when you’re ready.”

Logan kissed me. “Still think I love you.”

“Awesome.” He must, kissing me while I was covered with gross, little blisters. “We’d better get back upstairs.

“G
ood lord, Jones. You look like a human-shaped, mushroom pizza.” Schumacher tilted his chair back, crossing his hands on his belly. “You ever consider retiring?”

“And forego all this glamorous stuff? Nah.” I plopped down in the chair by the side of his desk. “You missed all the fun.”

“Heard about it. You made one of the rookies toss his cookies.” He waggled his eyebrows and grinned, pleased with his rhyme.

“Well, he was there for a show.”

Schumacher boomed out a belly laugh. “They all got more than they bargained for.”

“I aim to please. What’s up now?”

“Got the run down from the D Squad.” He paused, waiting for my reaction.

I grinned. “Better not let them hear you call them that, and don’t include me on it.”

He chuckled, dropping the front legs of his chair back to the ground. “Now, we’re going to have a little chat, see if we can make some more sense of what you saw.”

“Sure thing.” God, I practically chirped my response. Why was I in such a fantastic mood? Because my “Do Better” resolution was going well, or was it my unintentional soul unburdening to Logan the night before?

Didn’t know, and honestly, it didn’t really matter. It was awesome to feel so good, mentally and emotionally.

“You saw a store.” Schumacher scooped a clipboard off his desk. “Can you remember any distinct details?”

I closed my eyes to bring up the memory, and froze the scene. “Okay, there’s a guy in an orange vest who looks like he’s helping a customer.”

“Good job. I know which home improvement chain that is. Now, can you describe what happened after the,” I heard paper rustling. He was checking the clipboard. “The trunk part.”

“Sure.” I fast-forwarded the memory, slowing it down for the part between the trunk and when my scalp had begun bleeding. Then I replayed it, and again a third time. Opening my eyes, I said, “We’re definitely looking for someone with either more than one psychic ability, or more than one person with them. I think at least three.”

Schumacher didn’t object to my not following his script. “You’re determining that from the voices?”

“Yes. Also, I don’t think they touched anything at the crime scenes. Not even Mr. Pettigrew. The vision I got from touching his keys, he didn’t see them. Wait a sec.” I pulled up that memory, and realized I’d missed something. “He did see the rope. He was focused on the door, but I can see the tip of it at the top of his view of the room.”

“You’re doing great. You’re our expert, so put it all together for me, Jones.”

I opened my eyes. “They mainly used telekinesis. It’s a versatile ability. It was used to break in, to open the safe, the boxes, and on Mr. Pettigrew.”

“Why did you end up pinned to the wall?” Dane asked, and I didn’t have an answer.

“Not really sure.”

Schumacher lifted his hand. “Speaking of, what in the hell is going on with you lately? Spontaneous bleeding, flying out of chairs, and let’s not forget you look like a mushroom pizza right now.” He put his forefinger and thumb a quarter of an inch apart. “Teensy, weensy mushrooms.”

“Physical manifestations of trauma?”

He let the clipboard drop to his desktop. “Plain English, kid.”

I fumbled for a better explanation, and hit on one. “I got it: psychic re-enactments, starring yours truly.”

The detective sighed. “Maybe you should consider retiring, because that’s got to be playing hell with your body.”

“Part of the Deluxe Psychic Package.”  I held my hands up and out, in a “Whatta ya going to do?” gesture. “Back to the point, I think they TKed the rope to snag Mr. Pettigrew. And that means they are pretty damn skilled, so I’m thinking we’re definitely looking for vampires.”

Schumacher made a “gimme” gesture, and I obliged him. “Only two species get saddled with psychic abilities: humans and vampires. We humans have only had ours for eight years. We haven’t had a lot of time to become proficient with them. On the other hand, there are a lot of vamps who have had that time.”

“Then it sounds as though a meeting with Lord Derrick is in order.”

I turned around in my chair, not having heard Stannett come in. He looked exhausted. “Hi.”

“Good to see you, Jones.” He greeted Dane and Logan with a quick nod. “Gentlemen.”

I checked the time on my phone. It was after one. “Do you want me to call him? He should be awake now.”

“Yes, and if you don’t mind, can you...what’s the word? That thing you did at the school?”

“Teleportation, and no problem. How many people?”

Stannett glanced around. “You four, Herde, Dodson, and me. Is that too many?”

“I can manage.” I watched him sit on the corner of Damian’s desk, and felt a sneaky vibe from him. He wanted the visit kept quiet. “I’ll call him right now.”

Derrick actually answered. Did he and Stone share a phone, or what? “Hello, Cordi. What can I do for you today?”

“Hi. First, I’m sorry I only call with questions.” That was me, Doing Better.

“You’re completely forgiven, if you’ll agree to come over tomorrow evening. I’m having a small party.” Taken aback, I hesitated, and Derrick smoothly added, “Do bring Logan with you.”

“Oh, sure. I mean, if work doesn’t prevent it.”

“Excellent. Semi-formal attire, and drinks will be served at seven.”

“Got it.” Partying with vampires. My, how things had changed in just a few short months.

“Now, the reason for your call?”

“We have a situation Chief Stannett would appreciate your input on.” I looked at the man, hoping my choice of words was acceptable, and Stannett nodded. Whew.

“I’d be happy to assist in any way possible. When would he like to meet?”

“Now, if that’s okay. I’ll be providing transportation.”

“Discord Airlines.” Derrick chuckled. “My library is at your disposal. Have you had lunch yet?”

His chef wasn’t the wizard that Thorandryll’s was, but still a good cook. Not like I’d pass up a free lunch, anyway. “No, we haven’t.”

“Then I’ll have a luncheon prepared. We’ll expect you in the next half-hour.”

“Great, we do need to round up a couple of people. There’ll be,” I silently counted, and half-smiled. “Seven of us.”

“Very well. We’ll see you shortly.”

“Bye.” I ended the call. “We’re having lunch with Lord Derrick in thirty minutes.”

“T
his ain’t a dining room.” Schumacher let go of my and Logan’s hands. He’d insisted on that spot in our circle, admitting that he was worried about getting “stuck in limbo, or whatever.”

“I usually pop in here when they know I’m coming. Front steps when they don’t.” I had to flex my fingers to encourage blood flow to resume. He’d squeezed too hard.

Dodson was already snooping around the shelves. “Vamps read paranormal romances?”

“I know, right? It’s funny.” I took a seat on one of the red couches. “I think shifters do too.”

“Dane does.” Logan sat beside me.

“Hah!” I pointed at our partner, who flushed bright red. “I knew it.”

“Shut up.” Dane made a face before retreating to the collection of Shakespeare.

“The Bard can’t save you now. I know your secret.” Man, I could get used to feeling so good. It was nice, even if I wasn’t certain of the reason for it.

Stannett wandered around, Damian in tow. Schumacher joined us on the couch. “This is a castle?”

“Pretty much. Not a huge one, but big enough that I wouldn’t want to have to clean it.”

He grunted. “Me neither. Damian mentioned gargoyles.”

“Not here. If you want to meet them, I can ask Petra if it’s okay.” Crap, I was supposed to visit Tase tomorrow night. I looked at Logan.

Appropriately enough, given our surroundings, he read me like a book. “We’ll go by after the party.”

“Okay.” Problem solved, just like that. Best boyfriend ever.

The library doors opened, turning everyone’s head. Stone bowed, straightened, and smiled. “Welcome. We’re honored to have you in our home. My master is awaiting us in the dining room, so if you’ll please follow me?”

I felt Schumacher shiver. Stone was an impressive sight, but Dodson was just as big. “Come on, folks. No one’s going to eat us for lunch.”

The dhampyr laughed. “Of course not.”

Upon reaching the dining room, I made the introductions while we were seated. The table was shorter than I remembered it being.

Derrick sat at the head, Stone at the foot. I was at the vampire lord’s left, Stannett his right. Logan sat beside me, and Schumacher’s survival instincts led to him sitting between Logan and Dane. There was an empty chair between Stone and Dodson on the other side of the table, thanks to the odd number of people present.