“So, the killer is back,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. I nodded. We didn’t know for sure, but it seemed likely. But why now?
“You’ll catch him.” Asher spoke with confidence. I didn’t know what to say to it. I’d never given up trying to solve my parents’ murder, and the others. But it was a very cold case. Absolutely no leads. The victims seemed completely random.
“So, what’s the deal with your powers?” I needed a subject change, and I had never gotten the scoop on his powers. I had been too anxious to get away from him last time—I didn’t care how he changed me back, I just wanted out.
“Magic, not powers,” he corrected and drank some coffee. His eyes staying glued to mine from over the rim of the cup. They were challenging me somehow, I just couldn’t figure out why my body suddenly turned warm with his stare.
“Phillip said what we have is a gift from the Greek gods,” I retorted, and he grinned.
“I’m not like you guys. My magic comes from a different place. It’s wild magic, that stems from the energies all around us. Everything has an energy to it; my people are able to wield that energy. Mold it for our needs. Of course, there are some rules and stipulations. Magic for selfish gain is a no-no, can’t bring back the dead, that kind of thing. Your transformation was natural since you are a human who can change. I can’t turn a cat that is actually a cat into a human.” He laughed to himself, probably thinking about changing a cat to a human. Wild magic. So many interesting revelations today.
“So, you’re like a witch?” I was curious; this was something I hadn’t thought was real until now.
“I don’t like being call a witch, or even a warlock. But yeah, essentially what you most likely would associate us with are white witches. Most are nature freaks that want good for mankind, to keep the bloodlines going and be a nice little family.” He shrugged like it was no big deal, but his grin was gone. There was more to his words than he was letting on. But he didn’t push me, so I didn’t push him.
“What made a beautiful girl like you become a detective?” It was his turn to switch subjects on me, apparently. I felt a little flutter in my stomach, hearing him speak. That breakfast sandwich must be causing issues with my insides.
“I have natural protective instincts, thanks to all the animals in me, and wanted to help save people. Bring the wrongdoers to justice.” Which reminded me, I needed to hunt down those two men who took Janie and bring them in. They’d match her descriptions, of course, and she’d testify they were her kidnappers. Case closed.
“A warrior woman. I like it.” He was looking at me like he’d love nothing more than to lean across the table and give me a kiss. The vibes that were coming off him were absolutely magnetic.
“You feel it, too, don’t you?” he asked. The grin was back and lighting up his face.
“The urge to vomit when you look at me that way?”
“What way am I looking at you, exactly?” He was amused by my feigned indifference.
“Like you want to kiss me and expect me to kiss you back.” I gave him my best resting bitch face, showing him that I was not affected by that look.
“I see. You do understand that I can not only manipulate energy, but I can see it, as well, right? And your energy is digging my energy.”
