“You did the protection spell,” Gemma says. “If your aunt kept you safe with one, then surely you can keep this kid safe too. You’re like really powerful, Ace.”
“I know,” I say, not disagreeing with her. I am a powerful witch. But not an experienced one. I still lack confidence in my spell casting ability. “It’s hard not to take this all personally.”
“Well, it is personal,” she says, and I’m glad she’s not trying to convince me otherwise. “This demon killed your parents and this Mr. Trent has been watching you for years. I don’t think you can get much more personal than that.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “And I know you say not taking things personally or not getting involved or whatever is how you functioned so well as a cop, but you’re a witch now. Putting that emotion into it…it’s what fuels your powers.”
I flip my hand over and give hers a squeeze. “Thanks, Gem.”
“For what?”
“For being a good friend.”
* * *
I pauseoutside the entrance to the swanky hotel. I’ve never set foot inside this place before, and I immediately feel underdressed once I do. I’m wearing black pants with boots, and a tight gray T-shirt. My gun and badge are on my hip, and a purse full of magical weapons—in a sense.
It seems a little early to be going to a bar, and I’m surprised to see it as full as it is for the middle of the day. Though I suppose these rich businessmen sitting at the shiny wooden bar and sipping whiskey on the rocks don’t abide by the rules.
I sense him before I see him, and it’s just like Lyra said. The energy shifts, and the air feels like it does a split second before something bad happens. He’s looking down, flipping a brittle page in an old book. When he looks up, his brown eyes widen with just the slightest bit of shock at having not seen me first.
Then his lips curve into a smile and he stands, holding out his hand and beckoning me to come closer. Inhaling, I set my eyes on his face and make my way across the bar. Mr. Trent is in his late forties, if I had to guess, and has dark hair with just enough gray peppering it to give him that sophisticated look men unfairly get as they age. He’s a good three or four inches taller than me and looks fit underneath his pinstriped suit. Overall, he’s a good-looking man who fits right into this place full of asshole rich old dudes.
“Acelina,” he says. “Welcome.”
“You need to up your stalking game.” I flick my eyes around the bar before I pull out a chair and take a seat. “I go by Ace, not my full name.”
“My apologies.” He flashes a brilliant white smile. “And I thank you for meeting with me. Though I do wish you had responded in time.”
I cock an eyebrow. “I’m here now. So what do you want?”
He laughs. “Right to the point, I like that.” He flags down a waiter. “I’ll have another Old Fashioned, please.” He grabs his empty glass.
“And the lady?” the waiter asks, looking at me.
“She’ll have one too,” Mr. Trent replies.
“No,” I interject. “I won’t. I’ll have a glass of your most expensive red wine instead.”
The waiter smiles, nods, and walks away.
“You’re paying, by the way,” I tell Mr. Trent. “And you better tell me what you want or I’m leaving.”
“In a rush?” He leans back, smirking.
“Not necessarily, but I do have a work meeting after this. You know I’m a police officer, right? They’ll be expecting me.”
He has a good poker face, but I see the slight narrowing of his eyes. “Yes, I do know that, and you should know I have the utmost respect for officers of the law.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I think I should leave and come back after you’ve done a better job stalking me. Because your bullshit flattery is just annoying. It’s like you don’t know me at all.”
Mr. Trent presses his lips together, observing me for a moment. “I see no reason to beat around the bush. You have something I want, and I believe I have something you want.” He leans forward. “You know, Ace, we’re not that different.”
I hold his gaze. Is he trying to say he has powers too? “You’re going to have to elaborate.”
“I get the feeling you don’t like me—”
“What gave that away? The stalking? The creepy notes?”
“We could work together.”
