Chapter 8 Rafferty
EIGHT
RAFFERTY
Manny was standing in the kitchen when I walked into the house. It was all I could do not to shout at him about how careless he was being with his safety. Who knew how many people had his address by now, and he wasn't even locking his front door?
But then I registered his sickly, overused magic and the dark circles under his eyes, and I shut my mouth.
“I'm back. Come get some food.” Why the fuck wasn't he sitting down and resting?
“Thanks. Let me get the dishwasher started and I’ll be right there.” He blinked at the bags I’d set on the kitchen table. “How much food did you buy?”
I shrugged. “I was planning to take Elton out for dinner, but I figured we'd just eat here.” He opened his mouth like he was going to object, so I kept talking. “We’ll go to the movies or something if we want to later.”
“Huh.” He opened a cabinet and took down three tall glasses. “You want some ice water? It’s all I've got to offer right now.”
“Sounds great, and I'm sure Elton will be ready for some when he's done with the lawn.”
Manny glowered. “I can't believe he's mowing my lawn.” He waved an arm at the table. “And you bought dinner. You guys don't even know me!”
“I guess Elton and I are the kind of people who like to help out.” I moved past him into the kitchen. “Where do you keep your plates?” He pointed at an upper cabinet, and I took three plates out and carried them back to the table.
Manny and I were starting to divide up the food when Elton came through the back door. “All done. Can I borrow your sink to wash up?”
“Of course. Thanks for doing that. I... wasn't sure how I was going to manage, and I can't afford a lawn service.”
“It was no problem at all. I put the lawn mower under the carport, but let me know if you want it somewhere else.” He walked past us into the kitchen to use the sink. I wished I could’ve touched him as he went by.
Manny shook his head. “No, that’s fine, thanks. I have a glass of ice water here for you on the table. I'm sorry I don’t have anything else to drink until the groceries get here.”
“Water sounds great.” Elton washed his hands and then joined us at the table.
I waited until Manny had finished half of his burger before I started with my questions. “Do you have dizzy spells a lot?”
He grimaced. “No, I wasn't thinking. I know better than to do physical stuff without eating first.”
I let him get another few bites in. “How long does it take for your magic to fully recharge?”
Manny dropped his eyes to his food, then he made a show of taking a sip of his water. Elton frowned at him. “Would a better question be, when was the last time you actually were fully recharged?”
The guilty expression on Manny’s face was answer enough.
I breathed in and out slowly, trying to keep my temper. “Is there anyone who helps you out?”
This time he answered. “What do you mean? What kind of help?”
I sighed. That was a no. “Who makes sure you eat regularly? Are you getting enough sleep?” The guilty face showed up again, and Manny stuffed some French fries into his mouth to avoid answering.
Elton sighed. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you live here all alone, with no security system. And an unknown number of people have heard of your healing abilities and they have your address. Does that sound right?”
He glared at both of us. “I’m fine. I appreciate the food, and the help with the yard, but I don’t need anyone butting into my life.”
I pointed out the window next to where we were sitting. “Collapsing in the backyard is a big sign you do.” Manny stared down at his food again but didn't make a move to pick it up. “Manny, I'm alpha of a pack, which means if somebody needs something, I’m hardwired to help.”
Elton muttered something under his breath that sounded like “I'll say,” but I ignored him.
“So you can either take help from me, or we can call the local District Monitors.” Geographic areas had magic carriers who acted as sort of sheriffs-slash-social workers, mostly to help the local Wonders who couldn’t pass for human, but they’d step in for magic carriers as well.
The Houston area actually had two District Monitors, a mated pair.
I knew one of them was named Shane something or other, but I'd never met either of them. Wolf packs were self-sufficient.
At my statement, Manny looked up, alarm written all over his face and in the stiff way he held his body. “No, there's no need to bring them into this.” He glanced uneasily around the room, as if the District Monitors might be hiding in a corner.
“Okay. In that case, you have two options. One, my pack owns an apartment complex near the Medical Center. You can move into one of the empty apartments there. It's gated and you'd be surrounded by wolves to keep you safe.”
He'd started shaking his head before I finished speaking. “I'm not losing my privacy, and I'm already paying rent on this place, so I can't afford to move.”
“I have a bunch of apartments sitting empty. I won’t charge you rent. However, you have another option”—I held up one finger—“at least for the time being until we get any indication that you're not safe here. Give me your phone.”
This garnered me another eye roll, but he handed it over. I put my number in, and then I gave it to Elton to enter his number.
Elton passed it back to Manny, whose mouth dropped open. “Your name is Elton Johnson?” He chortled. “I'd like to meet your parents.”
I froze. How had I not known something as basic as Elton’s last name? Wait, wasn’t his brother named after some musician too?
Elton smiled fondly. “They’re definitely unique. They retired a few years ago and they’re traveling around in an RV. I think they’re in Oregon right now.”
“Good for them.” Manny turned to me. “I have your numbers now. I'll call you if I need anything. Happy?”
I smirked. “That's just the beginning. My people will be checking on you at least once a day, twice when we can manage it.”
He stared at me incredulously. “What the fuck? Why? I'll be at work a lot of the time, or asleep. What are they gonna do, drive by? What use will that be?”
“One of my pack members runs a security firm. You'll give me your work schedule, so we know when you're supposed to be home versus not. We will do drive-bys, yes. But we’ll also require at least one text or voice check-in per day.”
“No. I won't agree to that.”
“Alright. In that case I’ll park someone out in front of your house twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and they’ll follow you to work or wherever you go.”
He exploded out of his chair, forcing it to scrape across the worn wooden floor. “I don't understand you. That'll cost so much money. What would you even get out of it?”
I took a sip of my water and leaned back in my chair.
“Wonders, including wolf shifters, have been kidnapped and trafficked for decades.
Someone like you, who can heal people, cure something like leukemia if the rumors are correct, is probably the most valuable person on this planet.
It's only a matter of time before the wrong types find out you exist. They'll try to kidnap you and use you for their own benefit. My pack members live together for community and friendship, yes. But we also live together for safety. I don't care how much it costs. The pack has been lucky enough with our investments that we can afford it. I won’t let you be another statistic.” I pointed my finger at him, staring into his eyes.
“But make no mistake. As soon as there is a verified threat against you, we're moving you into an apartment in the packhouse.”
Manny sank back into his chair, his expression bleak. Elton leaned forward. “This isn't news to you, Manny. You know it. If you came into your abilities at puberty like everyone else, I'm honestly shocked you're still able to live on your own. Why haven't you taken precautions before now?”
He shook his head. “I didn't come into my powers at puberty. It's a long story, but I didn’t have magic until last summer.”
My mouth dropped open. People didn't spontaneously gain powers as adults. “You were human?”
He put his hand on his stomach. “I don't want to talk about it. But I'll accept your help.” He slumped in his chair, looking defeated. “Thank you.”
We were back in the truck an hour later. Manny’s groceries were put away, and he'd promised to rest for the remainder of the day.
“Is there anything in particular you'd like to do now?” I waited to pull out onto the street until we’d decided on our destination.
Elton made a little humming noise as he considered. It was almost 8:00 p.m., but after such a busy day, I wouldn’t be surprised if he just wanted to say goodnight. He rubbed his face. “I'm not up for anything with a lot of people. Do you want to come back to my apartment for a drink?”
“Sounds great.” It’d give us some privacy. I had questions for Elton about his magic.