Deciding this might be more interesting than sitting where I was, I slid off my stool and sauntered to Niki’s side. My clawed toes lightly clacked against the tiled floor. His lack of response to my close proximity indicated how engrossed he was with the missive.
“It’s very fancy.” I tapped the wax seal with a clawed finger. “Seems a little antiquated, but who am I to judge.” That was laughable. Judging others was a favorite pastime of mine.
“The whole damn council is antiquated,” Niki gruffed before unceremoniously ripping into the envelope, destroying the immaculate swirls and swans embossed within the black paper. As the seconds ticked by, Niki’s muscles tightened. The magic swirled around him, agitated and unsettled.
“What is it? What does it say?” Short as I was, I had to go up on tiptoe to see over Niki’s shoulder. My eyes widened as I read the words. “You’re being investigated?” I read further and my mouth slipped open in shock. “Oh, Niki, you must have been a very naughty warlock.”
“I’ve been no such thing.” Niki shoved the letter back inside the envelope and launched it as far away from his as possible. Hands gripping the counter, Niki’s biceps bulged as the magic sparked around him. “This is complete and utter bullshit.”
Leaning against the counter, I ran one of my tails up and down Niki’s arm. I wasn’t sure why, but I had an intense need to soothe him. “Can they really bind your powers?” That wasthe punchline waiting at the bottom of the letter—the threatened punishment if Niki was found lacking at the end of their investigation.
“They can try.” Niki’s hands fisted, hiding their blackened tips and blanching around his knuckles. “In fact, I’d like to see them try.”
A slow, feral grin tilted my lips as I shifted closer to Niki, now rubbing most of my tails along his body. “Can I play too?” I could barely contain the anticipatory excitement bubbling through me. “Please say yes.”
Niki momentarily paused before he answered. “Yes, Hikaru. Allow me to investigate the situation further, and then I promise, you can play with them all you want.”
Something akin to a purr rumpled through my chest. “You do know how to sweet-talk a kitsune.” Truer words and all that.
Three
Nikodemus
I needed to speak with Cilla. I could have called her but did not think I’d be able to contain the fury in my voice. I needed time to collect myself. That time was best spent on the road. My kitsune shadow road shotgun. I hadn’t bothered arguing and he hadn’t asked permission, not that I expected him to. At this point, I don’t even know what I would have said if he had asked. Obviously, I wasn’t thinking straight if I’d promised the little menace he could wreak havoc on the Warlock Council.
Then again, the idea certainly had merit. It was past time someone put those pompous assholes in their place. And yes, I realized I was a pot and they were the kettle. The only difference was I recognized my own arrogance and knew when to place it aside. I doubt that would be true if it were not for my son and his human mother. If Lydia had ever found me intimidating, she did an excellent job hiding it. She was one of the few humans I respected. She was a shining example of what humanity could be and yet continually fell short of. Perhaps Lydia Boone had simply set the bar too high.
I wasn’t certain what Hikaru was currently ruminating on. Whatever it was seemed to keep his attention and I was grateful.His presence wasn’t as annoying as I’d imagined, but right now, I needed quiet. I needed to think. Surprisingly, Hikaru’s humming and foot tapping soothed instead of riled me.
What in Gaia’s name was the Warlock Council thinking? And what did they believe they had on me? I’d poked a little too vigorously and been a little too vocal regarding my criticisms. Not that those criticisms weren’t justified. However, I should have expected some sort of retribution. I simply hadn’t considered they would go so far as to threaten binding my powers. That thought might have struck fear into lesser warlocks. Fear wasn’t what I felt. Righteous fury was more like it. I would tear the council apart before I would allow such a thing.
I drove back toward San Diego. My shop was on the outskirts and thankfully not downtown. When I was younger, I spent most of my days in the shop. The last few years I’d taken to leaving the running of the business to Cilla. She would take requested commissions and pass them on to me. Most days, there was no reason for me to be on site. There were still instances where my presence was needed, when someone had an unusual or questionable request. Cilla had proven very capable when it came to weeding out my schedule.
I’d opened my shop in a quiet neighborhood. The downtown was dotted with boutique stores that had grown up around my business. The placard hanging above the entrance was simple enough and read, “Warlock Nikodemus Holland.” It was direct and to the point. I’d made my reputation on my name and needed no further gimmicks.
Pulling around to the back of the business, I placed the vehicle in park and cut the engine. My mind was calm enough now that I hoped I wouldn’t frighten Cilla. I wasn’t so certain regarding her reaction to Hikaru. Shifting in my seat, I staredat my kitsune passenger. There were a few ground rules I hoped he’d abide by, for Cilla’s sake.
“We need to have a discussion before walking through that door.” I pointed toward the back entrance of the shop.
“Hmm, what if I don’t want towalkthrough the door?” Hikaru wiggled two of his fingers mimicking a walking gesture. “I could simply translocate.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You are intentionally missing the point.”
“True,” Hikaru happily agreed.
This must be what insanity feels like.Inhaling deeply, I attempted to find my waning center of calm. “Cilla is a valued employee. She’s also a squirrel shifter.” Hikaru’s tufted ears perked and his eyes widened. “Now see, that right there is what I’m talking about. Cilla is not prey.”
Hikaru huffed and flopped back into this seat, arms crossed. “She’s a squirrel.”
“Shifter,” I pressed. “She’s an intelligent, sentient being, and I will not have her intimidated or scared. Do you understand?”
Uncrossing his arms, Hikaru studied his clawed fingertips. “You’re telling me I can’t play with her.”
I nearly choked on a laugh of disbelief. “I hardly think I cantellyou anything. What I’m asking is that you respect Cilla enough not to cause her fear.”
Hikaru’s head tilted to the side; his green-gold eyes wide with a hint of innocent curiosity. “I will attempt to be on my best behavior.” His tails twitched.
I considered his words and decided they’d have to do. I had a disturbing feeling that Hikaru’s version of his best behavior and mine were completely different. Regardless, asking him to remain in the vehicle would be pointless. Hikaru did as he pleased. My job was trying to anticipate his actions and work with or around them. It was no simple task.
