Sam was silent as she considered the question. “Well, if the creature does rub off on you, in terms of habits, those usually last maybe a day or so. As far as being able to track the creature, you'll probably have about two weeks.”
“That should be plenty of time,” Knight said. He picked up his glass of nasty libation and regarded me with a smile. I grasped mine and watched Sam take Trey's hand, hesitation in her eyes. Trey was eyeing the wretched juice as if he wanted some.
“Cheers!” Knight said and downed his. I was quick to follow. Then I plastered my hand into Sam's and Trey's. At first nothing happened. But then, I thought I was going to explode.
Searing pain shot through me, like someone was shredding my insides. Unable to continue standing up, I started to collapse to the floor but Sam and Trey fought to keep me upright. My blurry eyes found Knight's face. His eyes were shut tight against the pain as he leaned against the wall.
I wailed out against the agony as tears streamed down my face. Trying to tear my hands from Trey and Sam's tight grasp was next to impossible and finally, when I knew I couldn't handle anymore, it stopped.
I caved into the floor as soon as Trey and Sam released me.
Sam hovered over me, her expression pinched. “Well, now we know who can hold their potions.”
I looked at Knight who seemed to regard me with amusement—a raised brow and broad grin. There didn't seem to be any sign of the creature in him. Just the same cocky bastard he always was. As for me, I couldn't say I felt any creature stirring within me either.
“Why didn't you tell me it would feel like that?” I demanded.
Sam held out her hand and helped me to my feet. “Because you never would have agreed to take it.”
I frowned. “So, how does this spell work anyway? I don't feel any different.”
Sam shook her head. “You and Knight need to focus on wanting to track the creature. You have to awaken the spell for it to work.”
“So, what will we see?” I insisted.
Sam smirked. “Why don't you try it?”
“Okay, what do we do?”
“It helps if you’re close together. Now focus on one another's eyes. Then inside your mind, call to the creature, make it to show you where it is.”
Knight stood before me, a slight smile playing with his lips. I faced him and gazed into his eyes, trying to call the creature, but the only image in my mind was how hard Knight had been when laying on me in the woods. I closed my eyes, hoping the darkness of my eyelids would dispatch memories of Knight and his erection.
Luckily, I saw the creature. And it wasn't the redhead at all. It was hideous in its natural state—oafish and bulky with red body hair that covered its entirety. Its face was flat, two huge, yellow and round eyes peered from its head. It didn't appear to have a nose, but its mouth was full of teeth that looked like they belonged to a tiger shark. It was hunched over, its back making a perfect half circle. It dug its teeth into the carcass of what looked like a rodent, macerating the small animal in the same way it must have done to Fabian, Tad and Guy. I was suddenly ill.
Victoria's Secret catwalk? Ha, not on your life.
“Where is it, Dulce?” Knight whispered.
I pulled my attention from the creature and noticed its surroundings. High ceilings and broken windows, cement floors with puddles of Hades only knew what. The whole place was dark and drafty. “The abandoned warehouse on Magnolia,” I whispered, opening my eyes. “Let’s go after it.”
I started for the door, but Knight grabbed my arms, chuckling as he did so.
“It will be morning soon, Dulce, and shapeshifters are like vampires—they don't operate in the day. Its master isn't going to call it tonight. From here on out, we track it every evening.”
I nodded, silently pleased I wouldn't have to do any more detective work tonight. Hey, I was tired.
Knight faced Sam. “Thank you, Sam, you are some witch.” She beamed. “I hope you understand I'll have to swear you to secrecy, Relations Office orders.”
I rolled my eyes. Goddamn, Knight and his Relations Office orders.
“I understand,” Sam said simply.
“One more thing,” Knight started before glancing at Trey, who’d returned to watching TV. “He can't remember what went on today.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I insisted, thinking Knight was putting a hit out on Trey or something.
Sam smiled. “It means he wants me to give Trey a forgetting potion.”
Oh, well that was better than killing him. Sam rummaged through her bag. “Dulce, do you have any chocolate syrup or anything?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I think Knight got some maple syrup but that's all we have.”
Sam glanced at Trey and then nodded. “Yeah, he'll like that.”
I grabbed the maple syrup and handed it to her. She fished inside her satchel and produced a vial of what looked like tea. “What's that?” I asked.
“Forget tea. It'll wash his short term memories right out of his head.”
“And you just carry that around with you?” I asked with a smirk.
“I came prepared.” She laughed. “Can you boil some water?”
I grabbed a saucer. Filling it with water, I threw it on the stove and turned on the flame.
“Pour a little syrup in it. The tea can be tart.”
I nodded and squeezed the syrup over the saucer until the liquid turned a caramel brown. Once it started boiling, Sam put the tea into a metal sifter and plopped it into the syrup water. After a few seconds, she removed it with a spoon. Grabbing a mug, she poured the tea and handed it to me.
I carried it into the living room and presented it to Trey. “Drink this.”
He willingly accepted it, blowing on it wetly before he brought it to his lips. “Mmm, takes like syrup.”
I just smiled as I walked back to Sam, who was packing all her things into the grocery bag.
“Well, looks like my job here is done.”
“Thanks, Sam.” I said.
She started for the door, Knight and I right behind her. Her gaze drifted to Trey, who was sipping the tea like I'd told him. “He'll sleep like a baby tonight,” she said with a little grin.
I shut and locked the door behind her. Then, crossing my arms against my chest, I thought about how tired I was. I sure as hell didn’t need Knight’s half naked body next to mine. I’d never be able to sleep. “Trey,” I said as he glanced at me. “You're sleeping in my room tonight.” Then I addressed the unimpressed Knight. “You get the couch.”
SEVENTEEN
Knight was asleep on the couch, and Trey was at work. I was also working—on my Bram novel and getting closer to finishing it day by day. This Relations-Office-imposed hiatus was great for writing my novel, even if it was a bummer to no longer be on the team. And I missed Quillan, so what? I was disappointed he hadn't stopped over or called since discovering Knight was living with me.
I pushed thoughts of Quillan out of my mind. It wasn't my fault he was too proud or too whatever to continue our friendship. It was out of my control, and things out of your control should be left alone cause there isn't a damned thing you can do about them.
I finished chapter twelve with a smile and stretched my limbs, eyeing my outline. I had four more chapters to write, then I'd be finished.
The sound of Knight shifting on the sofa captured my attention, and I glanced over just as he threw a pen at me. It landed at my feet, with a tiny thud.
“Do you have to type so loud?” he muttered and crossed his arms behind his head. The blanket covering him shifted until it was only concealing his bottom half. A brown nipple appeared to be winking at me.
I threw the pen back, and it landed just beside his head. I wished I had better aim. “If you don't like it, go back to your hotel.”
“You should be happy I’m forfeiting a comfortable hotel room to sleep on your uncomfortable couch to make sure you’re safe,” he said and shook his head. Sitting up, he threw me
an unamused frown. The blanket dropped from around him, revealing his hunter-green boxers. With a groan, he hoisted himself to his feet and headed for my bedroom.
“I'm sleeping in here,” he mumbled. “I don't care if you don't like it.”
Actually, I did like it. Let him box himself up in my bedroom so I could actually get more work done. It was a hell of a lot better than having to feign disinterest in his half-clothed body.
I sighed, thinking I should be asleep, also, but I wasn't tired. Last night was the third night we'd spent camped outside the abandoned warehouse on Magnolia Street, or snooping outside Dagan's club—wherever the creature went, we went. But, unfortunately, in those three nights, the creature hadn't been summoned by its master even once. And the spell’s expiration date of two weeks loomed over us like a tornado.
I just shook my head and reread the notes Bram had left me when we'd put Trey under his less-than-thrilled, but watchful eye. The notes were really three pages of anecdotes and stories from his life written in an impressive hand. I found myself admiring the curlicues and tendrils of what looked like calligraphy. Hmm, I wouldn't have thought Bram would have such nice writing. Then I remembered how ancient he was, and I found myself sorely wishing I could've learned eighteenth century graphology in grammar school.
The notes were so detailed, I didn’t need any more interviews which was great because it wasn’t like I had lots of free time with Knight and Trey living with me.
I glanced at the postscript:
Perhaps these notes will suffice for the remainder of your book. I am not interested in watching the hobgoblin again.
Yours,
Bram
I smiled as I reread the note—at least he was honest. And I couldn't say I blamed him. I was getting mighty sick of guarding Trey, too. And, you could throw Knight into that sentiment as well. I couldn't wait for my humble apartment to be mine again.
I shuffled through Bram's notes for at least the fifth time and thought about what a full life he'd led. Three hundred years…it seemed Bram had made good use of it, although I was convinced he'd exaggerated some of the accounts—the claim he was able to overcome two master vampires without suffering any injury to himself, being just one example. Oh, and there was also the amusing little account of his five-some at the Court of Queen Victoria with four of her ladies in waiting... But, other than those embellishments, I had to admit Bram was roguishly entertaining, and his liaisons would provide plenty of fodder for an interesting book. Well, at least I hoped they would.
“I can't sleep,” Knight complained as he reappeared in my living room, rubbing his eyes. Apparently, modesty wasn’t part of his vocabulary, and he strutted into my room practically naked.
“If you're looking for sympathy, you've come to the wrong person,” I said snidely. “I've had less sleep than you.”
He grimaced as he lumbered into the kitchen where he reached for a bag of ground Starbucks and poured some water into my Mr. Coffee—a cherished birthday present from Quillan. I decided to fight the urge to think of Quillan again and steered my attention back to Knight, who leaned against the counter, massaging the back of his neck as he waited for the coffee to run its course.
“And for Hades sake, put on some damned clothes.”
Knight chuckled as he performed isometrics on the edge of the counter until his muscles bulged, the show-off. “You appeared to enjoy rubbing your hands across my chest the other night.”
He was never going to let me live that night down. This was the sixth time he'd brought it up in the course of three nights and four days. “You talk about it so often, I think you’d like a replay.”
Knight grabbed a mug and poured his coffee. Not bothering with cream or sugar, he brought it to his lips and swallowed, the heat of the liquid apparently not bothering him. Hmm, another Loki trait? I felt like I should start keeping a log of all his abilities for future reference.
He nodded. “Just say when.”
I grumbled something unintelligible but was interrupted.
“You must’ve thought about what it would be like,” Knight continued and gave me a promising smile.
I laughed and shook my head, standing up. I suddenly found myself tremendously fatigued. In all truth, I was exhausted. Not only by my lack of sleep, but the constant banter with Knight was equally draining. I started for my bedroom, imagining myself in the arms of Morpheus, when it suddenly dawned on me why he was becoming so sexual.
I smirked and stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. “You do realize what's going on here?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “No.”
I laughed, pleased to be the one still left untouched by the creature’s blood. Apparently fairies were immune to Kragengen blood. But the same couldn’t be said for Lokis. I took my time before explaining, enjoying every second of the fact that there was finally something I could hold over his head. “The creature is still in your veins, its...interests haven't dissipated yet.”
“Its interests?” he repeated.
My smile expanded. “It's sexual appetite.”
He nodded and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Could be.” He shrugged. “I definitely don’t feel myself.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” I chortled.
“What about you?” he interrupted, eyeing me lasciviously.
I shrugged, delighted with the conversation. In fact, I had to admit it was the best conversation Knight and I had ever had. “I feel just fine,” I said with a confident grin.
“Oh, is that so?” he asked facetiously, apparently annoyed he was the only one feeling the sexual bug.
My eyes rested on his fingers tapping against the coffee mug. “Don't get any ideas. I saw what turns that fiend on, and I'm not into sadomasochism.”
He smirked and placed the mug on the counter, closing in on me until I was backed up against the living room wall. “You should keep an open mind,” he said in a subdued voice like he was telling me what the weather was like.
I tried to shake my head, but he kept coming. He stood less than an inch or so away—close enough to run his index finger down the center of my neck, dipping into the depression at the junction of my clavicle bones and down the center of my chest. I gripped his finger before it reached my breast.
“Trey is gone. It's just the two of us,” he whispered, as if those words were incentive enough to jump his bewitched bones.
“You're not in the right frame of mind, Knight,” I said with a counterfeit smile. “I'd be taking advantage of you.”
“I want you to take advantage of me. I’m thinking chains and blindfolds…”
I squared my palms against his chest and thrust him away from me. “Don't push me, Knight, or I'll report you to the Relations Office... possessed as you are or not.”
He frowned but his eyes continued to undress me, like he'd never seen a woman before. I glanced down at myself, trying to figure out what was so arresting, but couldn’t find the answer. I was wearing a black tank top and short pajama shorts. Damn it all, I'd have to start wearing my Winter jammies.
And Knight? He looked like a zombie determined to get my brains. But, instead of a brain-besotted zombie, I had a horned out of his mind Loki on my hands. Sometimes life throws little surprises at you and this was definitely one I was going to get miles out of.
“Knight, pull yourself together! If we’re going to work together, you’ve gotta snap out of it!”
###
Knight and I resumed our usual position of laying in wait on our stomachs, just outside the entrance the creature used to come and go through the warehouse. The cold bite in the air contrasted dramatically with the raw heat emanating from Knight's eyes.
It was midnight, and I'd had enough creature stalking to last me a lifetime. I hadn't slept well as I was afraid Knight was going to try to make a move on me again. Whatever he'd swallowed, his sexual appetite was getting more pronounced by the day, making him as fun to be around as a horny dog who refuses to let go of your leg. It was ironic
to think I much preferred the staid, cocky and controlling Knight I'd come to know so well.
The feel of his palm smacking my ass was the last straw. “For Hades sake, Knight, pay attention to the goddamned creature!”
“I can’t help it!” he groaned and rolled closer to me.
I pushed him away and when he ventured a hand near me again, I smacked it away.
“Hit me again please,” he whispered. “Harder.”
This was going to be a long night.
I wrenched my eyes from his lusty gaze back to the creature who was in its natural hairy state in the midst of devouring what appeared to be a road kill carcass. From the corner of my eye, I could see Knight still watching me, paying zero attention to the creature. I handed him the binoculars, hoping it would give him something to do.
He held them up and feigned interest in the creature before dropping them to the ground and returning his insistent gaze to me. “You're much nicer to look at,” he whispered.
Why the hell did I have to put up with this? “Watch the creature.”
“We have time, Dulce, it's not going anywhere,” he said, wrapping his arm around me. I pinched it hard and he moaned out. “Again, Dulce, do it again.”
Instead, I crawled away from him. “Knight, lay off me. You're going to be very humiliated when you come out of this.” I glanced at him with a smile. “And you can bet your ass I'm never going to let you forget it.”
I grabbed the binoculars, figuring one of us needed to pay attention to the creature. Refocusing on our subject, I suddenly noticed the creature wasn't in the warehouse.
“Goddamit!” I seethed. “The creature left. Get up, get up.”
I got to my feet and sped down the alley, Knight directly behind me. Turning the corner, I nearly lost my footing in some loose gravel and pushed myself against the wall of the warehouse to regain my balance, motioning Knight to do the same.
I peered around the corner and watched the creature, now in its feminine shape, stepping into a dark Ford Explorer. I spotted the Wrangler which was parked maybe forty feet up the street, hidden behind a dumpster.