Niki dug his cell phone out of his pants’ pocket. His fingers were shaking so badly that I took the phone from him and asked, “Who am I calling?”
“Franklin.”
My fingers hesitated. “Your son’s husband?”
Niki nodded. “I do not know Loretta Cicely’s number, but Franklin will. She is a talented witch with healing abilities. She is also Franklin’s police captain.”
I grinned, remembering her from the wedding. Finished asking questions, I pushed the send button hovering around Franklin’s name. Niki’s son-in-law answered on the second ring. “Holland? Is something wrong? I just spoke with Erasmus and he didn’t mention anything.” Franklin sounded a bit harried and a lot concerned.
“Hello Franklin,” I purred into the phone. “Congratulations on your nuptials.”
“I…who is this? Where’s Holland?”
Niki waved for me to hand over the phone, a distinct look of disapproval marring his features.
“What? I just wanted to say hello,” I defended as I handed the phone over.
“No, what you wanted to do was cause mischief.”
I beamed. “It’s what I do best and you love me for it.”
Niki’s lips fought a smile that eventually won before answering, “I’m well aware.” As I stared with stars in my eyes, Niki became more serious and said, “Franklin, I require a favor…”
Twenty-Seven
Nikodemus
Gaia, I was tired.Beyond tired. I could barely keep my eyes open as I sat in that uncomfortable hospital chair, waiting for Hikaru to return with Loretta Cicely. She’d been understandably confused by my request but accommodating all the same. I hadn’t had time to explain everything over the phone. No doubt Hikaru had regaled Loretta with all the unseemly details when he arrived at the precinct.
My eyes slipped closed as I leaned back in the chair. I would force myself to stand when Hikaru returned. I would not allow a witch to see me so depleted.
“I don’t know a lot about warlocks, but you don’t look so good.” Belle wasn’t wrong.
“I am merely tired.”
“Yah, I don’t think that’s the whole story.” She’d moved back to the opposite side of her sister’s bed. “I overheard what that…tailed thing said.”
“Hikaru,” I growled. Despite my exhausted form, I would not allow this human to reduce Hikaru to athing. “He is a kitsune.”
“I have no idea what that is.”
“But you do. You saw one but moments ago. They are rare, but just as sentient as you or I.”
“Sorry.” Belle didn’t sound particularly contrite. “Anyway, I overheard what…Hikaru said, and what you said too. You said you overextended yourself. What does that mean and why was he trying to give you one of his tails?”
I managed enough strength to pinch the bridge of my nose. I did not have the patience for this. “Dismantling the tampering that was done to your sister’s charm expended more energy on my part and used more magic than was strictly ideal. As for why Hikaru offered one of his tails, that is none of your business.”
Belle stared for a few moments before shrugging. “Fair enough.” She quieted before asking, “It really took that much out of you? Fixing the charm?”
I heavily sighed. “It did and I would do it again.”
“I don’t understand. Why was there a problem with it to begin with? You seem like a capable warlock and Martha told me you were the best. She researched the hell out of those charms, saving enough to get what she thought might actually be a cure. What the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story, one that you are probably better off knowing little about.” Would Danzig come after Belle if she knew the whole story? I didn’t know, but thought the human safer thinking it was my incompetence rather than the machinations of a morally bankrupt warlock.
Belle stiffened. “Are you trying to protect me?”
I barked out a laugh. “Attempting, yes. Fair warning, I have no idea if my efforts will be effective.”
