Would it truly be that bad? Giving in to whatever Hikaru was asking for. The certainty I’d once held had eroded over the past few days. There were a million and one reasons why I should want Hikaru gone, and yet none of those reasons seemed to matter much when faced with the simple fact that I enjoyed being around him.
No, not enjoyed. That seemed too simplistic of a word. It was difficult to describe, to quantify. No particular word or words seemed to come to mind. It was a feeling I couldn’t lock down. Hikaru unsettled my normal routine while at the same time, settling something deep in my soul. It was so contrary that I hardly knew what to do with those thoughts or emotions. My son would tell me to simply go with it, to allow things to proceed as they would. Lydia would most likely agree. But that was easier said than done.
I was a warlock. My very nature was made not to accept things as they were. We manipulated magic to alter our worlds and those who had enough funds to purchase our wares. We did not idly sit by andgo with the flow. Life wasn’t perfect, but I could craft a charm, weave a spell, or alter reality to make it more perfect.
None of that applied to Hikaru. A wisp of wonder began forming—just a hint of a barely formed question—one I’d nevertruly allowed myself to believe in before. Could Hikaru truly be my one and?—
“I tried to remember where I saw that warlock?—”
“Bailor,” Hikaru supplied. Both Cilla and Hikaru’s voices dragging me from my mental musings.
“Yes, thank you.” Cilla offered Hikaru a warm and grateful smile before her lips thinned and her eyes pinched. “If only I’d known what he was doing, I would have thrown his ass out before he had a chance to tamper with things.”
“There was no way you could have known.” I wasn’t even attempting to falsely placate Cilla. “What Valmont Bailor did is anathema in warlock culture. It is the deepest violation one can do to another.” The truth was, I would not have suspected Bailor either. Had I been present, I would have most likely detected his magical disruption and would have investigated further. But I hadn’t been there, and I would not beat myself up over the fact. I’d been exactly where I was supposed to be, at my son’s side when he was in need.
Cilla chewed on her bottom lip, eyes downcast. “I know you’re right. I just…” She blew out a deep breath. “I was there, Nikodemus. He did that right under my nose. I’m supposed to look after the store—after your hard work and wares, and I failed you.”
“Hardly.” I was uncomfortable. Reassuring others wasn’t my strong suit. Hikaru didn’t seem to have the same trouble.
Slipping from behind me, Hikaru rematerialized next to Cilla. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled Cilla into a side embrace. “There, there. What are you talking about? You paid enough attention to realize something wasn’t right. You know what that fucker, Danzig said?” When Cilla shook her head, Hikaru said, “He was disappointed that Bailoronlygot to alter four of the charms. Trust me, he wanted to do a lot more damage, but your nosiness stopped him.”
Cilla let loose a choked laugh. “Mynosiness?”
Hikaru tapped Cilla on the nose. “That’s right. This nose knew something was off.”
Pulling away, Cilla scrubbed the wetness from her eyes and cheeks. I hadn’t even realized she was crying.
“Don’t just stand there, Niki. The lady needs a tissue.”
“Oh, I…” I twisted but all I could find was a paper towel. I tore it off and ignored Hikaru’s disbelieving expression. “What?” I grew defensive. “I don’t get ill and I cannot remember the last time tears filled my eyes.” I hadn’t even cried when Erasmus was gravely injured or when I learned Lydia had been kidnapped. I did not hold it against those who cried. I did not see it as a sign of weakness or any other ridiculous belief. It was simply something I rarely did.
“Here, blow,” Hikaru ordered. I flinched at the sound of Cilla blowing her nose and balked when Hikaru handed the dirty paper towel to me.
With a dramatic eyeroll, Hikaru waved the paper towel at me, much as a matador would a bull. “Just throw it away. It’s not going to hurt you. Honestly, Niki. You’re so dramatic.”
“That’s rich coming from you.” I snatched the snotty thing and quickly disposed of it.
I should be used to Hikaru ignoring me by now. “Feel better?” He asked Cilla.
“You know, I do.” She gave him a watery smile.
“Sometimes a good cry is all you need.” Hikaru patted Cilla on the cheeks before releasing her and finding his own stool to cling to. “Okay. Now that that’s out of the way, it’s time to get down to business.” Hikaru waved at the charms laid out on the counter. “Time to do your thing,” he said with a little wiggle of his fingers. When I just stood there, Hikaru’s mischievous eyes innocently widened. “What? It’s not like I can tell.”
I was beginning to suspect that wasn’t entirely true. “Can’t you?” I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter. I’d had my suspicions regarding Hikaru’s abilities. The kitsune had a remarkable sense of magic. He could work his way around any protective charm I made and had been able to get inside the Warlock Council as if it weren’t warded to the gills.
Eyes briefly widening, Hikaru’s green-gold irises shimmered. Looking off to the side, Hikaru picked at his clawed fingers. “I don’t know what you mean, Niki.”
“Sure you don’t.”
When Hikaru remained stubbornly silent, Cilla asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing,” Hikaru immediately answered. He was no longer staring off to the side. Instead, his gaze was fixed on me. I’d seen a lot of expressions cross Hikaru’s face over the past few weeks. I’d never seen him pleading. That begging look made me uncomfortable. I didn’t like it one bit.
“Oh, for the love of Gaia.” I pushed off the counter and reached for the closest charm. “Everyone get comfortable. This will take a while.”
It was wellafter midnight by the time I evaluated the final charm. All but one had passed muster. The one that hadn’t was a pain charm. The name was deceiving as it was not meant to inflict pain, but negate it. Once activated, this one would do the opposite. The individual on the receiving end would be sent into agony.
I stared at the obsidian surface. There was nothing visually telling, but it was so tainted I could hardly stand to be in the same room with it.
