She steps into the living room, into my line of sight. My body is on the verge of releasing my pent-up tension, but the look on her face keeps me from relaxing just yet.
She’s still wearing her nightgown, though she left my place fifteen minutes ago. Her expression is a careful mask with an underlying tension of fear, her body is rigid. I can taste the terror under her sweet scent. It’s dark and tangy.
Big brown eyes plead with me. She wants me to get out of here.
The click of a gun being cocked comes from behind her before Eddie’s white snakeskin boots step into the room. He takes up a stance behind her and points his gun at me.
“You shouldn’t have come,” Eddie says. He’s wearing all black again, but his tie is loose, his skin appears pale and clammy, and his eyes are bloodshot. Something about him is completely unhinged and a buzzing sensation vibrates off him.
It’s Goldie’s power. Like a cloud of angry bees, it surrounds him.
I don’t know why Goldie didn’t teleport back to my place, but I wish she had. My being this close might prevent her from doing so now, but I can't walk away. I won’t leave her, I’d never leave her.
“Goldie, are you okay?” I ask in a calm, measured voice.
She nods mutely. Terrified for sure, but as far as I can tell she’s unharmed.
“If you touch her—” I growl at Eddie even as he trains his gun on me.
“You’ll what?” Eddie interrupts. His mean beady eyes seem a little unfocused, and I wonder if he isn’t on something.
“I’ll rip your head clean off your body,” I promise, meaning every word.
“Goldie doesn’t want you, she wants me,” Eddie yells at me, his eyes wild. “She needs me as much as I need her.” To prove his point, he flails his gun between us. Goldie winces as if expecting it to go off.
Eddie is manic, driven mad by her magic. Eddie looks like he hasn’t slept or eaten in a while, judging by the dark shadows on his face and sallow complexion. As if all he could think of was Goldie.
“How did you get in, Eddie?” I ask in a low measured voice.
A smug smile tugs at his wide set lips as he stares at me with superiority and menace. “Man in my position, it pays to always have some black-market magic items on hand.” He pulls a necklace out from under his shirt, on the end is a polished piece of black obsidian. “It gets through some of the toughest wards, and really opens doors if you know what I mean.”
My eyes narrow. I knew it. He’s the stalker. He’s the one who’s been sneaking into Goldie’s place, trying to get to her. I suspected it was my fault, getting involved with her until she was in the crossfire, but now I know for sure.
I’ve got to find a way to get in or lure them closer so one of them might knock aside a warding crystal.
Eddie slips the obsidian charm back under his shirt, his attention going back to Goldie. A shaking hand reaches out to pet her hair. “You’re my girl, aren’t you Goldie?”
She winces as he touches her but bites on her lip and nods.
“Say it,” he screams at her.
Her voice trembles almost violently, tearing my guts out. “I’m your girl.”
“I’m your girl, Eddie,” he prods.
After a shaky breath she manages to say, “I’m your girl, Eddie.”
He buries his head in her neck, kissing her there. Goldie shuts her eyes tight while I slam at the invisible barrier, my muscles expanding, begging to give into the rage and shift, but it won’t get me inside. I have to stay in control if I want to save Goldie before Eddie does something rash.
“So you aren’t here to collect on Eli’s debt?” I ask, trying to draw Eddie’s attention.
Confusion clouds Eddie’s beady eyes. “What? Why would I care about that? Not when the only treasure is right here.” He goes back to nuzzling her neck and Goldie tries to shrink into herself.
I need to bait him, get him to move over here or give Goldie some space. I need a distraction. “Did you know she’s my girlfriend, Eddie?” I ask.
Eddie’s head snaps up, to regard me with a gaze full of fire and rage that goes beyond reasons. I understand, I’m feeling the exact same fucking things.
Eddie snarls, tightening his grip on Goldie. She whimpers in response.
