I faced my computer screen and clicked on the last of my Captain Slade query replies. Yep, this one was also a rejection. I deleted the email immediately and leaned back in my chair with a heart-felt sigh.
Maybe writing a paranormal book wasn’t such a bad idea? Course, I didn’t want to go through the agony of spilling my heart into something for months only to find that no one else liked it. But, Sam was convinced I was a good writer and I needed to believe in myself. And Bram seemed an interesting enough subject to carry a book. Hmm, maybe I’d arrange a little detour after our meeting with Dagan, so we could visit Bram. Then I could see what he thought about the book idea…
I laughed and shook my head. Who was I kidding? A narcissist like Bram would love it. That was the part about the whole thing I didn’t exactly like—the fact that I’d be stroking an ego that was already the size of Nick the ogre. But, sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. And, hey, I still needed to ask Dagan about his Chinese massage parlor thing, so I owed Bram a visit anyway.
But, what about Trey? I couldn’t just leave him. Then the figurative light bulb went off over my head. I’d leave him with Bram. That would allow Knight and me to question Dagan. And Quillan would never know any of it. Ah, perfect.
The sound of scratching interrupted my daydreaming. I stood up, cocking my head to the side. The apartment was completely silent. I padded over toward the kitchen in my bare feet when I heard the scratching again. It seemed to come from the kitchen door that led out into the yard. My heart pounded as if wanting to burst from my chest.
Then it dawned on me—the gremlins. I hadn’t fed them yet today. Bad me. My heart stopped freaking out, and I went to the back door, pulling it wide. The gremlins weren’t outside, but their bowls were overturned as if they’d been pawing at them. I reached down and grabbed both bowls and made my way back into the kitchen.
Pulling open the half-full bag of Alpo, I scooped two mug-fulls of the smelly stuff and filled each bowl. How the hell did dogs—or gremlins—eat this stuff? Shaking my head, I poured some hot water over the top of both bowls which made an even fouler smelling gravy. Then I plodded back outside and searched, in vain, for my gremlins. I thought about just leaving the bowls by the kitchen door, but I was paranoid about feeding the “dogs” and being caught by my neighbors. So, I slipped into my flip flops and, after making sure no neighbors were around, started for the woods.
The cold air hit me like an arresting officer, and I shivered. I bolstered myself against the frigid air and started forward, hoping the little bastards weren’t far. I didn’t have the patience or the interest, really, to chase after them.
Hey, I wasn’t the one who was hungry.
As soon as I hit the shelter of the trees, I shook the food in the metal bowl, hoping the sound would lure them out. Nothing. Wasn’t that the norm when calling a hungry dog? I shook the food again but they didn’t come out. Instead, a few drops of the gelatinous gravy sloshed over the side of one bowl and spilled over my hand. Ugh.
Four more steps, and then I was over it. Let the dumb things go hungry. The sound of something moving behind me stopped me. I dropped both bowls of food, and one landed upside-down on my foot, the gravy sliding between my toes. I pivoted, bracing myself for whatever was behind me.
Nothing.
No sign of the gremlins; no sign of anything. Just the shadows of pine trees against the blue-black of the night. A chilly breeze flowed through the pine boughs and lashed my face, as if trying to pull my attention away from whatever creature was lurking in the woods, waiting for me. The sudden still of the woods practically shouted it—something was stalking me. And I had a feeling that something happened to have fire-red hair.
With a deep breath, I launched myself in the direction of my open kitchen door. No sooner did I take two steps, when I felt myself go airborne, the cold night air freezing as I sailed through it. I smacked against the ground, bouncing once and landing on my back. My abrupt landing knocked the air from my lungs and left me feeling as flat as a Swedish pancake.
Bright flashes burst behind my eyes, pain radiating through the back of my head. I lay there, stunned for a moment before I realized I had to get up—fast. Whatever had sent me flying was big.
I forced myself to my feet, determined to ignore the dull ache in my head. Another swoosh of air rang out behind me. I spun around toward the trees, seeing nothing but their skeletal outlines. I heard panting, and it was close. The image of Sigourney Weaver with the alien breathing into her ear came to mind and I had to push it away.
If I tried to run, it would kill me. I leaned against the nearest tree and focused on the crude outline of the pines against the dark. I shook my palm until a mound of fairy dust appeared. Blowing the dust, I envisioned a duplicate image of myself. No sooner did the thought leave my mind than a projection of myself stood there—a me hologram.
I nodded toward the projection and thought the word “run”. Watching the clone me take off toward the east side of the apartment, I went west. The clone was maybe one hundred yards to my kitchen door. Hopefully whatever was in the forest had fallen for the bait.
I ran full bore for the kitchen when I heard a sound behind me—something running through a pile of dried twigs. I couldn’t help it—I glanced over my shoulder but saw nothing. Was the damned thing invisible?
“Dulcie!”
I whipped my face forward again, but it was too late. I ran headlong into Quillan. If he hadn’t been bracing himself for the impact, I would’ve doubled us both over.
He wrapped his arms around me. “What happened?”
I swallowed the lump of fear in my throat. “Some…something was in the woods, Quill. It was after me.”
He focused on the woods. “Let’s get you inside. I’ll tell Trey to make you some coffee.”
Coffee?! “Did you hear what I said?”
“Yeah, come on, Dulce.”
He opened the back door, and I wasted no time in taking shelter in my house. I collapsed against the table, watching Quillan shut and lock the door behind him. As if a lock would keep whatever was out there…out.
“What the hell, you don’t believe me?” I insisted.
“I believe you,” he said. “I just didn’t want to make a scene out there. No reason for the neighbors to get concerned.”
Was he freaking serious? “Yeah, no reason for them to get concerned when whatever is out there could eat them!”
Quillan shook his head and took a seat next to me. “We’ve discovered the creature was called from the Netherworld. Whoever called it has complete control over it. It will only go after whoever they tell it to.”
“So, someone told it to go after me?”
“Probably so. Well, if that was the creature who killed Fabian.”
So, now he even doubted it was the creature? WTF? “What else could it have been?” I scoffed. “And great job your little gremlins did protecting me, by the way.”
Quillan dropped his eyes. “We found them dead right outside your back door.”
I nearly choked. “They weren’t dead five minutes ago. I went out to feed them and thought they were screwing around in the woods. That thing killed them?” I dropped my forehead into the palm of my hand.
“Trey is taking care of them now.”
The sound of the door opening grabbed my attention, and Trey walked in, wiping Hades-only-knew-what on his thighs. And he was sleeping on my couch?
“Hi Dulce, you okay?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” But, I wasn’t fine. Far from it.
“Trey, will you put on some coffee?” Quillan asked.
“I don’t want any coffee,” I snapped.
“Okay, nix the coffee,” Quillan said.
Trey took a seat next to both of us. “So, what was out there?”
I shook my head. “Quillan doesn’t seem to think it was much of anything even though it killed the gremlins.”
“That’s not true. We hav
en’t figured out exactly what it is yet, and I don’t want to make any decisions until we do.”
I held my tongue—I really wanted to tell him I knew what it was—that it was a Kragengen shapeshifter, and I knew what it looked like in human form but Knight had sworn me to secrecy and did I really want to go against a big wig from the Netherworld? In short: no.
“Well, maybe I should stay with you both tonight?” Quillan said.
Talk about screwing up my Dagan and Bram plans. “No,” I said too quickly, then smiled as if to make up for it. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Dulce, something killed both gremlins and tried to kill you,” Quillan said like I was a slow kid.
“We don’t know that,” I started, thinking it ridiculous that Quillan and I had basically changed places—me feigning nonchalance and him making a big deal out of it. Irony anyone?
He frowned. “It wasn’t stopping by for a social call.”
I swallowed. There wasn’t any other way. “I have a…” What the hell had Knight said he was? I remember him using the name Todd but that was about it. “I have a…friend coming over to stay with me.”
Quillan’s expression was entirely too curious. “A friend?”
Yeah, Knight had said he was my friend, right? “Um, a friend from before I moved here…named Todd.”
It was Trey’s turn to frown, and his bottom lip puffed out as if to emphasize his confusion. I tried to give him the look of death, but he was too concerned with whether or not Knight was really my friend to notice. Have I mentioned hobgoblins aren’t particularly smart?
“Wasn’t he your cousin?” Einstein asked.
Big goddammit. “No, he’s an old friend.”
Trey shook his head, the pain in the ass. “I thought he said he was your cousin…yeah, I’m pretty sure he’s your cousin.”
“I think I’d know my own cousin,” I snapped. “Anyway, you were completely out of it, Trey, maybe that’s what you thought you heard.” The doorbell chimed, and I bolted from the chair, relieved to break free from the both of them. “That’s probably him now.”
I pulled open the door, and Knight gave me a slow smile.
“Dulce.”
“Hi, Todd,” I said, hoping he’d get the clue that I had company. He straightened and nodded. Thank Hades, someone had some sense.
“You remember Trey?” I said as Knight walked into the house. He smiled at Trey.
Quillan stood at the sight of Knight and lumbered over, extending his hand. “Dulcie tells me you’re old friends. Pleased to meet you, I’m Quillan, her boss.”
Knight didn’t hesitate, but took Quillan’s hand and shook it. Neither one let go. I was just waiting for them to sniff each other’s asses.
“Hiya, Todd,” Trey called from the table. His voice interrupted the handshake, and both men retreated to opposite sides of the kitchen.
“Trey, good to see you feeling better,” Todd, my friendly cousin said.
Quillan faced me, an angry set to his features. “Was Todd here when Trey was…sick?”
I gulped, knowing he’d be pissed that someone he thought wasn’t law enforcement was now privy to information he shouldn’t be. But, no use in lying on this count. The cat was already miles away from the bag.
“Um, yeah, he happened to stop by, and he’s good with magic so he helped Sam out a bit.” I cringed. Ergh, I really wasn’t good at this lying stuff.
Quillan held his tongue but I could tell he was pissed by the tightness of his jaw and the fact that his eyes looked as fierce as Drew Barrymore’s in Firestarter.
“Well, I guess I can get going then,” he said in an icy voice, his face a facade of reserve. “Dulce, want to walk me to the door?”
Great, he wanted to yell at me in pseudo privacy. “Sure,” I said sheepishly.
Trey started a conversation with Knight, who took a seat at the table across from him. When Quillan and I reached the front door, he pushed it open and inclined his head toward the front stoop. Apparently, it wasn’t private enough inside.
“Why the hell is your boyfriend here, Dulcie?” he asked when I’d closed the door behind us.
Hades be damned, how many times was someone going to accuse Knight of being my boyfriend? I gritted my teeth. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Your friend, whatever. What’s he doing here?”
“I thought it’d be good to have extra protection.”
Quillan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what the gremlins are for. That’s why Trey is staying with you and that’s why I come by every day after work.”
My personal life was none of his business. “The gremlins are dead, I’m more protecting Trey than he is me and you stopping by after work is all fine and good, but it doesn’t amount to much.”
“Instead of coming to me, you call Mr. Bodybuilder shit-for-brains?”
“Don’t talk about him like that. He’s not dumb.”
“He shouldn’t be involved in police business. None of this concerns him.”
If only he knew exactly how involved Knight was and that he’d basically called his boss’ boss a shit-for-brains.
“He doesn’t know anything about it.”
“Other than the fact that Trey was put under by something and now needs to stay with you. That’s more than enough for him to know, Dulcie.” He paused. “You really botched this one up.”
“Is that it?” I asked impatiently, coming close to botching the frown off his face.
He sighed and leaned against the wrought iron railing. “No, I want you to tell him to go home. I can stay with you and Trey.”
“Not gonna happen. Todd’s not staying with me and neither are you. Trey and I are fine. Now, why don’t you go home, and do whatever it was you were planning on doing this evening.”
He crossed his arms against his chest and stared down the length of his nose like I was all of three feet tall. “Is all of this because I kissed you?”
“What?” I shot out. “What does that have to do…”
“I thought things were fine between us, Dulce.”
“Things are fine. Now, before you make yourself sound any stupider, why don’t you be on your way?” I pushed at his lower back, but he didn’t budge.
“Alright but we need to talk, you and I.”
“Fine. Good. Wonderful. Now go.”
He turned and started for his truck. I walked back inside and slammed the door shut behind me.
“Everything okay?” Knight asked.
“Yeah, fine. Uh, Todd, can I chat with you for a second, please?”
He nodded and Trey stood up.
“I’ll just watch the tube,” Trey said and collapsed into the sofa, grabbing the remote from the valley between the cushions. Then he faced us again. “No mushy stuff when I’m in the same room.”
“We’ll take it into Dulcie’s bedroom,” Knight said and I felt like slapping him. “Lead the way.”
Not having much choice, I headed for my room, Knight on my tail. I closed the door behind us, propping my hands on my hips. “That was totally uncalled for.”
“Have to keep up appearances, right? And, by the way, I thought I was your cousin?”
I scowled. “I forgot how you said you knew me.” I shook my head as Knight took a seat on my bed. “None of that matters right now.”
He smiled up at me. “And what does matter, Dulce?”
“Stop flirting with me.”
He chuckled. “Go on.”
“Both the gremlins that were watching me are dead.”
He wore his surprise. “What killed them?”
“I think it was the Kragengen. It came after me when I was in the woods earlier.”
He nodded and was quiet for a second. “Someone ordered it to come after you.”
“That’s what Quillan said.” He pulled his attention to me at the mention of Quillan.
“Did you tell him anything about…”
I shook my head and paced the room. “No, I didn’t tell him anything.
He thinks you’re an old boyfriend of mine.”
Knight smiled, nodding. “Okay, good. Dinner and we head to Dagan’s?”
“Yeah, but what about Trey?”
Knight shook his head. “He can’t come with us. Relations Office orders that no one else is to be involved. It’s bad enough Sam got involved.”
“I can’t leave Trey here alone. Not after what the creature did to the gremlins and tried to do to me. He comes with us.”
His lips were tight. “No.”
My lips were tighter. “Yes.”
“I can pull rank on you, Dulce.”
“Don’t call me Dulce. My name is Dulcie and I don’t care what you pull on me. I’m not leaving Trey alone here.”
“Then he can stay in the car.”
Okay, we were getting somewhere. “I have a better idea.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Which is?”
“I have some business with Bram. We go there first, leave Trey with Bram then go to Dagan’s and question him about the shape-shifter. After Dagan’s, you and Trey can have a drink while I take care of my business with Bram.”
“What’s the nature of this business with the vampire?”
“It’s personal.”
Knight narrowed his eyes. “Are you dating him too?”
“That’s none of your or anybody’s business.”
“Fine.” His eyes narrowed. “I’m staying with you and Trey until all this boils over.”
My mouth dropped open. “To hell you are.”
“You aren’t safe now. The creature has clearly made it known it’s after you. I’m making it my responsibility to see that you’re okay.”
“I don’t have room for you. The couch is taken in case you didn’t notice the hobgoblin in my living room.”
He smiled, long and languid. “Then I guess I’ll be in here with you.”
TWELVE