“See, nicknames are important.” I stretched my arms again as Niki started the vehicle and pulled back out on the road. “Are we heading home?”
“We are going back tomyhome.”
“Excellent. Heading home it is.” I ignored Niki’s insistence that his home was his alone. While I’d only gotten a small glimpse of the place, I found it more than acceptable. The décor was a bit too pristine and sterile, but it wouldn’t take long for me to rearrange a few things to make it comfy. I’m sure Niki will find the disorganization preferable to his perfect placement.
Settling in, my eyes slipped closed as I imagined all the creature comforts I planned on adding toourhome. The sound of Niki’s phone ringing barely registered along with all the other background noise.
“I don’t recognize the number,” Niki groused. “Could be someone from the council.” He accepted the call, his deep voice answering, “Holland,” while his knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. Obviously, Niki was gearing up for a verbal fight.
“Warlock Holland, forgive the intrusion.”
I groaned. Niki was right. It was the council calling, just the wrong one. I kind of wish Niki hadn’t been responsible and privately answered his phone instead of sending it through his vehicle system.
Niki threw me a questioning glance before he bluntly asked, “Who is this?”
“Ah, yes…introductions are proper. This is?—”
“Martin,” I butted in. “Why are you bothering Niki?” I didn’t attempt to keep the whine out of my voice.
“You know this individual?” Niki asked.
I blew out an irritated breath. “Unfortunately. Martin is Keir’s secretary.”
“Keir? Who is?—”
“I prefer the term assistant.” Martin sounded huffy.
“And I would prefer not calling you anything at all, but unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want.” I glared at the tips of my claws, sliding their sharp points against each other and making a clicking sound that would soon irritate Niki.
A loud huff came through the speaker. “So sorry for bothering you, Hikaru. It’s not like we’re?—”
“You’re not bothering me. You’re bothering Niki.” I offered Niki what I considered my most innocently infectious smile. Niki’s lips didn’t so much as twitch.
“I wouldn’t bebotheringNiki if?—”
“Nikodemus,” Niki damn near growled. “Warlock Holland would work as well.”
I inwardly beamed. It looked like only I got to call Niki, Niki. “Awe, you really do like me,” I damn near purred.
“Hardly.” Niki batted my tails away. “I simply know when to save my breath. Telling you not to call me that absurd name is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.”
I thought about being offended, but Niki wasn’t wrong. “True enough.”
“Apologies, Warlock Holland.” I rolled my eyes at Martin’s stiff tone. “As I was saying before, I wouldn’t have to bother Warlock Holland if you’d carry a damn phone, Hikaru.”
“Electronic devices do not survive transportation.” I’d told Martin that hundreds of times.
“And that wouldn’t be an issue if you hadn’t up and transported halfway across the country when we need you the most.”
“Oh please. Keir’s got everything under control.” Cupping my mouth, I leaned toward Niki and whispered, “He’s a gryphon.Stuffy creatures all around. Boring to the point of growing mold due to stagnancy.”
“Keir is not boring!”
Niki and I both cringed. “A matter of opinion I suppose.” Martin was a dryad. A mighty oak if memory served. Martin appreciated stability. No wonder he liked Keir’s company.
“Sweet Gaia, you are so frustrating to talk to.” Martin already sounded exhausted. It wasn’t a record for me, but the short time frame was admirable.
“See, you should be thanking me for not keeping one of those detestable modern phones on me at all times. I’m doing you a favor, Martin. I do not wish to speak with you, and you do not wish to speak with me. I do not see the problem.”
