I felt Hikaru sidle up next to me, his tails brushing against my back and neck. “Oh, Niki’s very famous,” Hikaru purred as my face heated. Once more, Cilla’s eyes blew wide, and her mouth slipped open in surprise.
“Ignore him,” I gritted out. “I know it’s difficult, but do your best.”
“I…yeah, ignoring him isn’t happening.” Inhaling deeply, Cilla briefly closed her eyes before continuing. “The thing that stuck out to me was how old this warlock seemed. You know, most of the warlocks walking through our doors are younger and trying to make a name for themselves. This one barely had any black left in his hair and his fingers were completely black—down to his hands.”
I stared down at my own black tipped fingers. The dark color came down past my first knuckle, halfway to the second.Cilla was correct. Completely black fingers indicated a very aged warlock.
“What did he want?” I asked.
Cilla shrugged. “I’m not really sure. He walked around examining the charms for sale. He did that for maybe twenty minutes and I finally asked if there was anything I could help him with. I was just trying to be polite.”
“It is one of your finer qualities,” I sincerely answered. Cilla’s warmth was needed to offset my gruffcharm.
Cilla blushed. “Thank you. I’m not sure this warlock thought much of my politeness. He asked if we’d had any complaints recently, which I thought was strange.”
“Complaints? Such as?”
“I’m not sure. I told him there were none that I knew of. Nothing serious at least.” Cilla rolled her eyes. “You know, we get the usual. Some folks just either don’t know exactly what they want or they don’t understand the limitations of a magical charm. Nothing serious and nothing harmful or untruthful. All your charms do exactly what they claim and to the degree that is claimed.” I appreciated the surety of those words. Cilla had no doubt to their truthfulness.
“And what happened then?” I asked.
Cilla shrugged. “Nothing. The warlock clasped his hands behind his back and walked out the door. That was the last I saw of him.”
“Did you get a name?”
“No, I’m sorry, but I didn’t.” Cilla shook her head with disappointment. “I’m sorry, Nikodemus. I should have thought of that.”
My hand looked ginormous when I laid it on Cilla’s petite shoulder. “No reason you should have. Do not berate yourself.”
“Are you certain? I?—”
“Quite certain,” I reassured.
“What’s going on?” Cilla questioned. “Are you in danger?”
Hikaru’s laughter tickled my ear. “Oh, my dear, I sincerely doubt it is Niki who is the one in jeopardy. Isn’t that right, Niki?” Warm breath skittered along my neck.
I didn’t bother trying to push Hikaru away. In a strange way, I was becoming accustomed to his overly familiar affections. “Hikaru is correct, Cilla. You have nothing to worry about, however, we should probably discuss a few things just in case there are concerns in the near future. Let us find a more comfortable place to sit and converse.”
Hikaru and I followed Cilla to a small sitting area while I quickly wove a spell that flipped our open sign to closed. A few minutes of privacy were all we needed. I only wished those few minutes would reset my temper and calm my growing fury. I’d worked too damn hard and sacrificed too much to allow anyone to threaten me. If the Warlock Council wanted to play games, they’d soon learn they’d challenged the wrong warlock. Nikodemus Holland did not lose. Period.
Four
Hikaru
It shouldn’t have been surprising that I found Niki so interesting. I’d always had a thing for powerfully arrogant male figures. My feelings for Tenzen hadn’t been the same as what I experienced around Niki, but my admiration was similar. Tenzen had found me when I was little more than a kit with only a single tail to my name. Vulnerable and far too weak to defend myself against others, Tenzen had taken me in. He’d kept me hidden and safe until I was old enough to fend for myself.
I’d thought Tenzen’s protection was done out of affection. Recent experience told a different story. I was little more than a magical food source. Tenzen Huxley had kept me safe and well fed, fattening me up, growing tails packed with magic to be harvested when needed. I’d been a crop, little more than chattel. As humans said, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Niki and Tenzen held similar qualities, not that I’d ever tell Niki that. They were both arrogant to the point of foolishness. Their abilities were far different and yet they were masters of their individual gifts. Crossing either of them was dangerous. But that was where the similarities ended.
How did I know that? I needed to look no farther than Niki’s son, Erasmus. That was Niki’s saving grace. Had Erasmus been born a warlock, I doubted Niki would have the same compassion that tempered his arrogance. That was something Tenzen lacked—something he could never understand or grasp. It was his Achilles heel. It was the reason Tenzen Huxley was buried so deep and so dark none would ever find him again.
I sat there, leaning against Niki’s side as he informed his employee of the letter he’d received. Cilla was predictably incensed. While I didn’t like her familiarity with Niki, I did appreciate her loyalty. Cilla and I would get along fine as long as she kept her curious little squirrel fingers off what was mine.
“They must be mad,” Cilla stated with utmost confidence. “That is the only explanation.”
“I believe you are correct,” Niki said. “Only, I believe your usage of the word, ‘mad’ is different from theirs. I believe the Warlock Council is still in possession of its mental faculties. However, I believe they are quite?—”
