This time, Keir’s sigh was long and deep. “I don’t suppose you know how Warlock Danzig will go about it.”
“Apologies, but I do not. I believe it is reasonable to assume that he is attempting to get dissenting warlocks—namely me—out of the picture prior to making his move. He is aware that I would not support such a venture. I will hardly be the only one he will go after. I don’t mean this as a boast, but Danzig is fully aware that my opinion carries weight and that I have the ability to back up any threat thrown my direction. I may not be the oldest warlock, but I am arguably the most powerful, especially on the West Coast.” Typically, thoughts of Vander Kines made me scowl. This time was different. “I am unsure if Danzig is aware, but he will have equal trouble on the East Coast.” When I considered Vander’s circle of friends and acquaintances, I reconsidered my statement. “Actually, he will have more trouble there. Perhaps he is aware and that’s why he started with me instead of Kines. I am uncertain.”
“It’s always difficult getting into the mind of those who think contrary to your own mental workings. Believe me, I know. I’ve been trying to figure out all the shady little plots Tenzen had his clawed toes dipped in. I’m nauseous on a daily basis because of it.”
I did not envy Keir’s task. Hikaru’s back foot jolted before pulling back. I wasn’t certain if he was dreaming or not. Maybe he just had a cramp or twitch. Either way, he settled and snuffled his nose deeper into his tails. I didn’t even try and stop the fond smile lifting my lips.
“I will speak with Martin and the others, those of us that are left.” Keir sounded like he’d aged a century since answering his phone. “We’ll put our brains together and see what we can come up with.”
“If you desire my presence, I would be happy to phone conference in. I am uncertain what more I can offer at this point, but I can answer questions if needed.”
“I appreciate that. Is it too much to assume that I can count on you to let me know if anything new comes to light?”
“I will not hesitate to reach out.”
“That is a comforting thought in a time where such niceties are difficult to come by.” Keir cleared his throat. “Speaking of comforts, how is Hikaru? I was very worried about him after he retrieved the bodies of our fallen brethren. The condition he found them in was…it was unfair to ask him to bring them home. If I’d had a better option, I would have taken it.”
I stared at the peacefully sleeping kitsune, remembering the condition he’d returned after retrieving the bodies of his friends. My fingers dug a little deeper, scratching along Hikaru’s neck and shoulders. For an emotionally charged creature, Hikaru kept his true pain carefully concealed.
“He is well enough.” My answer sounded harsh. “We’ve been busy dealing with this Warlock Council idiocy. Hikaru’s attention is focused on the present, not the past. Perhaps that is a good thing.” Not that I’d be sending Danzig a thank you card anytime soon.
“I’m not sure I’d call that a good thing, but perhaps a bit ofgoodcan be found in this mess. Could you please let himknow that Alethia’s spirit is now at rest? Tabitha was present when Alethia’s body was given its final rites of passage. Hikaru’s actions allowed Alethia to rest in peace. That is no small thing.”
“No, it is not.” My necromancer son had taught me that lesson long ago. Tabitha was a medium, not a necromancer. She spoke with the lingering spirits of those who’d been unable to pass on. While her abilities differed from Erasmus’s, they both dealt with the dead.
“Alethia and Hikaru had a special relationship. She truly loved the kitsune and, if I’m not missing my mark, Hikaru loved Alethia too. Alethia took to Hikaru right away, loving him like a son.” Keir softly chuckled. “As a wind elemental, I think Alethia understood Hikaru in a way none of the rest of us could. Alethia would always say that just as the wind could not be tamed, neither could a curious kitsune.”
My chest ached softly. I was grateful Hikaru had had such an individual in his life and equally saddened that individual had been taken from him. I dearly wished I’d been able to meet Alethia.
Keir and I were both quiet, the peaceful sound far from awkward. Finally, he spoke. “Unfortunately, I have other catastrophes that require my attention. Thank you for the call and for your concern. Also, thank you for caring for Hikaru.”
“Your thanks are unnecessary, on all counts.”
Keir chuckled. “Regardless, you have them. Be well, Warlock Holland.”
“And you.”
The call ended, leaving me staring at my phone. Hikaru slept peacefully in my lap, his chest rising and falling with consistent ease. I doubted Hikaru shared this more vulnerable form with others. The fact he trusted me so implicitly made me feel ten thousand feet tall.
With that feeling warming my insides, I decided to try contacting the last two individuals on our list—the two we’d so far been unable to reach. The first call went to voicemail again. My eye twitched. I wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed or concerned. If the individual simply wasn’t answering their phone due to laziness, then I was annoyed. If it was because they’d activated a dangerous charm, then I was concerned. Not knowing which played havoc with my nerves. If we knew where they lived, I’d ask Hikaru to drop in and check on them. As it was, all I had was a phone number. Perhaps I could ask one of Franklin’s coworkers to find more information. I believe there was a human female he worked with that had a penchant for tracking information via computer. I had no such skills, nor did I wish to attain them.
I left yet another voice mail indicating the urgency of the situation, not that I’d gotten very far with that tactic yet and ended the call. I brought up the next individual, a human woman named Martha Phillips. I dialed her number and waited, all the while, the fingers of my free hand wove through Hikaru’s soft fur.
The phone rang four times. After the fifth, a hesitant woman answered, “H-hello.”
I instantly perked up. “Is this Martha Phillips?”
“No. I’m her sister, Belle. Who is this?” Belle’s voice went from watery to wary in less than a heartbeat.
“My name is Nikodemus Holland. Why are you answering your sister’s phone?” Warning bells sounded inside my head, increasing my heartrate and making the hand tangled within Hikaru’s fur grip a little too tight. Hikaru raised his head, his sleepy eyes blinking before rapidly focusing on my concern.
“The warlock?” Belle sounded confused. That confusion turned to swift anger. “This is all your fault! What did you do to my sister?”
I pulled the phone away from my ear as Belle’s raised voice turned into a screech. “What has happened?”
“I don’t know.” She continued yelling. “You tell me. Martha had another migraine. She saved up forever to get one of your charms. They’re supposed to be the best. What a load of bullshit.”
I asked again, “What happened?”
