“I’m glad you called,” Erasmus answered without hesitation. “I know why you hesitated.” Erasmus blew out a frustrated breath. “Should Franklin and I cut our honeymoon short?”
“No. Absolutely not. If anything, the two of you may be safer there than here. I am not even certain if you are in danger at all, I just…if something had happened because you were ignorant of a possible threat…” I couldn’t finish that statement, the mere thought of anything happening to my son was enough to stop my heart.
I heard Erasmus murmuring to someone nearby before he said, “Franklin wants to talk to you.”
“Put him on.” While I found most humans irritating at best and heinous at worst, the homicide detective my son had fallen in love with and married was tolerable and had proven himself several times over. Like me, Franklin O’Hare would do anything and everything within his (admittedly) limited abilities to protect Erasmus.
“Hey, Holland. What’s going on?”
While it was tedious repeating myself, I did so. Franklin quietly listened, interjecting here or there with a question. Franklin’s mind worked differently than my son’s. Erasmus came at the problem from the perspective of a concerned son. Franklin tackled the issue with a detective’s mind.
When I’d finished and Franklin had no other questions, he handed the phone back to his husband. “Are you okay?” Erasmus asked.
“I am fine.” It was only a partial lie. “I am better having spoken with you.”
“Good. Like I said before, I’m glad you called.”
“I apologize if I ruined your honeymoon.”
“Nothing’s ruined at all. We signed up for a hike and tour of the local jungle. Franklin and I still plan on going. We’ll have a kick ass time. We’ll just be a bit more watchful and attentive while we’re enjoying ourselves.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.”
“And I’m happy to say it as many times as you need to hear it. I love you, Pops. I’ll say that as many times as needed too.”
I rubbed the fabric over my heart. My voice wasn’t as steady as I would have liked when I answered, “I love you too, son. Always.” Clearing my throat, I said, “Now, go have some fun. I want to hear all about your trip when you get back.”
“Everything?Really, Pops? It’s my honeymoon and?—”
“Brat. You know that’s not what I meant.”
Erasmus’s laughter lit me up from the inside. “Yeah, I get it. Gaia, you should see Franklin right now. His skin’s bright red with embarrassment. He also looks like he might vomit any second.”
I could sympathize. While I loved my son and enjoyed hearing about his life, those details did not need to extend to his sexual experiences. “Goodbye, Erasmus.”
“Bye, Pops.”
The call ended, leaving me alone in my solitude. The typical ease I found in my workroom was nowhere to be found. My brain was too muddled to work on anything. Even my momentary interest in Franklin’s skin concerns had flown from my mind. The magical connections that had seemed so clear mere moments ago were now little more than ghostly whisps of ideas.
Standing, my joints popped as I stretched and left my room. I expected Hikaru to be waiting outside somewhere but to my surprise, he was absent. Unfortunately, what wasn’t surprising was the now messy state of my living room. I sent out a search spell, but it found nothing. Although, to be honest, I wasn’tentirely confident my spell would be able to locate Hikaru if he was in his dissipated form. It was another frustration to heap on a growing pile.
Stepping out of my home, I headed for the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The crashing waves below mirrored my own inner turmoil, offering an odd type of comfort.
Hands stuffed into my pockets, I tilted my head toward the sky. The wind coming off the ocean ruffled my hair. Some didn’t care for the scent of the ocean. I was not such an individual. I found the salty scent soothing.
The crashing waves below were loud enough they nearly drowned out my ringing phone. Pulling it from my back pocket, my brow furrowed at the number. The area code was similar to one I’d seen earlier.
“Warlock Holland,” I answered as I walked away from the cliff edge and the pounding waves.
“Pardon the intrusion. This is Keir. I am looking for?—”
“Hikaru.” I’d heard Keir’s name before, when Hikaru had been speaking with Martin on our way back home. “If you are looking for Hikaru, then I am afraid I cannot help you.”
“He’s gone?” Keir asked with a level of concern I hadn’t expected. “Do you know where he is?”
“No.” I pushed down the irritation that knowledge brought. I didn’t know where Hikaru was and it…bothered me. “I am not the kitsune’s keeper,” I gruffly added.
“I doubt any could claim that position, nor would any desire to do so.” Keir sounded more frustrated than accusatory. “Listen, I realize you may not know this, but do you have any idea if Hikaru is coming back or if?—”
