The warded security system recognized its maker and allowed me passage. By now I wasn’t surprised it allowed Hikaru in as well. Walking inside, the familiar scent of the store swept through my senses, easing the strain of the past few days. The aroma was difficult to describe. Erasmus simply said it smelled like me. He’d always said it with a fond smile, making me think it was a pleasant scent.
Hikaru’s nose lifted as he inhaled. Eyes slipping closed, a dopy grin tilted his lips. “Not fair, Niki. It’s you ramped up by a thousand. If I stay here much longer, I might get intoxicated, and trust me, you don’t want a drunk kitsune on your hands.”
I didn’t even want to imagine such a thing. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Not nearly as much as you think,” Hikaru murmured, nearly beyond my ability to hear. He glided past me, dancing along on the balls of his bare feet. His clawed toes didn’t so much as tap along the aged wooden floor.
Since I didn’t want to scare my employee half to death, I called out, “Cilla, are you here?” I knew she was. My inquiry was made for politeness sake.
“Nikodemus?” Cilla’s slightly high-pitched voice called out. “I didn’t know you planned on coming in today.” Warmth also suffused her words. Cilla had worked for me for well over twenty-five years.
Her footsteps grew louder until her dark brown eyes peeked around the corner, a smile immediately lighting up her face. That smile faltered as her inquisitive gaze clinically swept up and down my body. “Why do you look so tired? Was the flight that bad?” Cilla came closer, her head barely reaching my chest, making it necessary to uncomfortably tilt her neck. Cilla’s soft fingers grazed my cheek as her frown deepened. “Please tell me Erasmus is fine.”
“The necromancer is quite well,” Hikaru’s smooth voice sang too close to my ear. His misty green fog coalescing as the kitsune manifested himself. I had no idea when or why he’d decided to dissipate. Most likely it was for impish reasons. One of Hikaru’s tails slapped Cilla’s fingers away as his voice dropped an octave. “I would appreciate you not touching what is mine.”
Cilla jumped back, eyes wide and hand clutching her patterned blouse. I could practically see her heart trying to beat out of her chest.
With an eye roll, I attempted to smack Hikaru but he’d anticipated the move and had dissipated again. Unfortunately, my hand met nothing but misty air. “Stop doing that. And when did I becomeyours? I certainly don’t remember agreeing to such a ridiculous thing.”
“It’s amusing you believe agreement is required,” Hikaru playfully responded.
“Unbelievable,” I grumbled before attempting to ignore my foolish tag-a-long. “Apologies, Cilla. I should have called before walking in on you with…him.” My understanding was that kitsune could pick any gender they wished. Most chose a female countenance. Hikaru seemed more comfortable in a male body.
Eyes still wide and a little frantic, Cilla’s gaze flicked rapid fire between me and where Hikaru had finally solidified and taken shape. “Is that a…a…”
“Kitsune,” Hikaru happily answered. “I believe that’s the word you’re searching for.” Elbow resting on a nearby shelf, Hikaru’s tails lazily swished behind him as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Or more likely, as if he found the entirety of the situation entertaining. I knew Hikaru could be serious. It just seemed his natural default was curious amusement. Or, at least that’s the impression he gave. I didn’t know him well enough yet to know if that was simply a mask he wore or the real kitsune.
“This is Hikaru,” I offered up a name for Cilla. “I asked him to be good, but clearly Hikaru’s impression of that word is different than mine.”
“I’m being very good,” Hikaru protested. “I haven’t given chase once.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as Cilla took a quick inhale. “Dear Gaia help me.” With a heavy sigh, I looked to Cilla and said, “Hikaru’s harmless. Mostly. I think.” Waving a dismissive hand in the air, I attempted to move past the menacing kitsune. “I know it’s difficult, but try and ignore him. As to your earlier question, Hikaru is correct. Erasmus is well. Although tedious, the wedding went as expected.” A low grumble left my chest. “With the exception of a certain guest.”
Cilla’s eyes scrunched and Hikaru cleared up the confusion. “There was another warlock there that Niki apparently doesn’t like.”
“Niki?” Cilla’s eyes blew wide again, blinking at me like an owl.
Ignoring Cilla’s obvious surprise, Hikaru barreled on. “I believe his name was Kines.”
“Vander was there?” Cilla asked. “I wouldn’t have expected that, but maybe I should have, given your history.”
I could do little more than grumble. “Yes, well, perhaps you are correct. Regardless, I had not anticipated his presence and it was most unwelcome.”
“It probably wasn’t unwelcome to Erasmus,” Cilla infuriatingly pointed out.
Only mentions of Vander Kines would make the next topic of discussion seem palatable. “Cilla, has anything odd happened around the shop within the past few months?”
Cilla’s head tilted to the side, shifting the messy bun her brown waves were bound within. “You’ll have to be morespecific. We getoddrequests all the time.” Cilla shrugged. “What’s odd to some is normal for others.”
“Very true,” Hikaru agreed from the sidelines.
I didn’t bother sparing him a glance. “I phrased that wrong. Has anything happened—any complaints or alarming requests that might pique the interest of the Warlock Council? Additionally, has anyone identifying themselves as being from the council stopped in?”
Cilla immediately went from curious to alarmed. “No. Not that I…” Her voice trailed off and her gaze went a little distant.
“Cilla?” I prompted.
Fingers tapping along her bottom lip, Cilla’s eyes still held a far-off look when she finally answered. “I’m not sure if this has to do with anything, but about two, maybe three weeks ago, there was a warlock in the store. We get them now and again. I like to think they’re sizing up the competition or just trying to see what all the fuss is about.” Cilla waved a hand in my general direction. “You’re just a little bit famous, you know.”
