“You think there’s something more to this fire?” Tetiana pushed her blonde hair—which was more of a golden color from the orange light cast by the fire—up into a ponytail. “Maybe a magical aspect?”
“I don’t know enough about the fire to know for certain,” I said honestly. “The fact that the blaze didn’t subside until the wizards helped with less water and manpower than the fire department has is… odd. Regardless, we’ll need to write a report up on what we witnessed, and Sarge will want us to look into it using all our available resources.”
“Excellent! So, I should test for poison!” Grove declared.
“No,” I said. “You need to see if you can sense any other kind of magic, too.”
Grove made a face. “Can’t you do that?”
“I’m not good enough,” I said plainly. “My senses are more homed in on vampires. You’re a better choice.”
Grove pressed his lips together, then nodded. “You’ll come with me?”
“Yes,” I said. “Tetiana, I want you with April so we’re all in pairs despite being scattered.”
Brody frowned. “Why? You think someone might attack us?”
“No.” I shifted uncomfortably. “It’s just a standard operation within my family.”
I thought this revelation would make Tetiana grimace or make everyone uncomfortable, but my teammates just nodded.
“We’re off,” Binx announced before she sauntered towards the edge of the parking lot, probably planning to walk the perimeter.
“Hey, Binx, wait up!” Brody called as he hurried after her.
“I’ll hang with April and scare those House Tellier wizards if any of them say anything to her.” Tetiana smiled extra wide, flashing her pointed fang teeth.
Grove looked up at me. “You’re not worried she’ll pick a fight?”
I’d turned away from the shrinking fire—I’d intended to lead Grove behind the library to begin our search back there—but I paused and looked back at the blaze.
The House Tellier wizards were still laughing cheesily as they pumped water onto the fire.
“No, I don’t think there will be any problems,” I said. “House Tellier is too occupied with their own bravery.”
“Accurate.” Grove said. “So, are you gonna try and sense magic, too?”
“Yes.” We made it around the edge of the building, which took us out of reach of the heat from the fire and left me so cold my teeth almost chattered. “After I radio Sarge.”
“Understood, Ma’am!”
I staredat Connor’s door, and debated whether I should try texting him instead of knocking.
It’s good practice for approaching the neighbors. Here I go!
I gave a business-like rap on the door, which made my knuckles smart, then took a step back and waited.
I couldn’t hear anything from within the apartment and enough time passed that I wondered if it was possible to knock in a friendly manner, and if that was a skill I should pursue in my spare time.
The door opened, and I stood straighter locking my arms behind my back. “Connor, Hi. You’re here.”
Connor ran a hand through his dark hair and raised an eyebrow. “Why would you knock at a door and not expect an answer?”
“I kind of assumed you’d be gone,” I said. “But on the chance you were here, I was hoping to invite you over for coffee or tea.”
Connor braced his forearm against the door frame and looked back. “Unfortunately, I have a few things I need to take care of…” He trailed off, and his face was expressionless for a moment, until a decadent smile twitched on his lips. “How aboutyoubring your coffee or what have you over tomyapartment?”
Why did he use such weird inflection?
