Chapter Twenty-One
Working with Braxen nearby had its complications. I was comfortable with him but also aroused, and he distracted me. He, however, was focused on my protection, watching everyone who entered the gallery. Which proved to be an issue. Several people cringed under his harsh stare and quickly left. Then there were my employees, who were both terrified and fascinated by him. Mostly fascinated.
Only Simon and Elaine were in, but I caught Elaine texting Jenny about my new boyfriend. So, they all knew I had “moved on” from Rune. But they didn't know anything, did they? I couldn't wait until Rune showed up and blew their minds.
As I was leaving my office, I saw another potential customer walk out. I spun about, crossed my arms, and stared Braxen down. “Braxen, please. You're going to chase away all my customers.”
Braxen, who had been right on my heels, stopped short and frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You're glaring at people. Tone it down. And I need to talk to customers without you hovering.”
“Lora, do you understand that this spirit could possess you?”
“But he could do that from anywhere, couldn't he?”
He grimaced.
“And that would be foolish of him because if he were inside me, you could catch him.”
“He could also hurt you before he leaves.”
“How?”
“He possessed the Portland Cerberus's mate and threatened to erase her mind.”
I blinked. “He can do that?”
Braxen sighed. “We don't know, but I'm not willing to take the risk. He's not like other souls, so it's possible that he could hurt his host permanently.”
I thought about this. “Well, you said he left one body and flew away. So he could fly to me across a great distance and there would be nothing you could do about it.”
“You are making an argument for staying locked in the house.”
“Why?”
“Because spirits can't get through our ward. So, by your reasoning, the only place you're safe is in our home.” He took my hand. “Maybe the others were right, and I should—”
“No!” I shifted into a pleading look. “Please, Brax. I can't be cooped up in a house all day, no matter how large it is. I can't. It may become my home someday, and—”
He leaned in to growl, “It will be your home, Lomasi.”
“Stop it,” I chided, already accustomed to his bark. “Nothing is certain yet.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I said, stop, Braxen!”
“No.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Someone cleared their throat.
I turned to see Kaleo Chang standing in my doorway. “Mr. Chang!”
“Oh, it's Mr . Chang now, is it?” Kaleo grinned and then slid that smile toward Braxen. “I get it. Hi, I'm Kaleo.” He held out his hand.
Braxen glared at the hand, then the man it was attached to.
“Braxen!” I hissed.
“Hello,” Braxen said as he shook Kaleo's hand.
Kaleo suddenly frowned, staring harder at Braxen. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
“No!” I hurried to say. “No, you haven't. This is Braxen. He's my . . . uh, how may I help you, Kaleo? Is there something wrong with the mask?”
“No, not at all.” He refocused on me. “The mask is beautiful. I showed it to a friend who lives here, and when he heard how much I paid for it, he was shocked.”
“My prices are extremely fair,” I said.
“No, I know!” He held up his hands and frowned again at Brax when he started to growl. “That's what my friend said. That it was a really good price for that type of mask, especially with the current relevance.”
“Oh.” I elbowed Braxen. “Good. I'm glad you're happy with your purchase.”
Brax stopped growling.
“I am happy,” Kaleo said. “So happy that I wanted to see if you had gotten any new inventory before I leave.”
“You're going home?”
“Tomorrow night.” He nodded. “The red eye to Honolulu.” He winked at Braxen. “So, no worries, bradah. I'm not here to steal your girl.”
Braxen just grunted.
“I do have some new pieces,” I said. “I haven't even unpacked them yet. I've been, uh.” I glanced at Brax. “Busy.”
“No, kidding.” Kaleo widened his eyes at me.
I smiled at him. It was nice of him not to mention our date, even if he was teasing Braxen a little too much for my comfort. For his comfort too if he wasn't careful.
“This way,” I said.
“Yup. I remember the way,” Kaleo said.
I groaned as I heard Braxen make another predatory and distinctly unhappy sound.
“He's touchy, huh?” Kaleo whispered to me.
“New relationship,” I whispered back.
“Yeah, I mean, I figured.”
I took Kaleo to the storeroom as I cast a back-off look over my shoulder. Braxen just shook his head and followed. He did give us a little space, though, and went to lean against the wall. Kaleo shook his head with a grin, but then I laid some pieces out on the table, and he became utterly enrapt.
“Dang,” Kaleo said as he inspected a black totem pole.
“That's carved from argillite. Are you familiar with the Haida?”
“No.” He looked up at me. “I've never heard of either.”
“The Haida are an indigenous group up in Canada. Their art is a very important part of the Pacific Northwest indigenous art style. The thing they're known for is carving in argillite, which is a dense, black, carbonaceous shale. They call it kwawhlahl and it's found only at Slatechuck Creek on Graham Island. The Haida have exclusive rights to it.”
“So, what you're saying is the only way to have a piece of this stuff is to get it from them?”
“Yes, correct. And that piece, in particular, is special because it features a raven and an orca. The orca symbolizes family, romance, longevity, protection, and also travel. It's supposed to protect those who travel and lead them home safely. Orcas stay with their family pods for life and are very protective of their offspring.”
“Lead them home safely,” he murmured, his tone sounding strange. He lifted his stare to mine and added, “You just gave me chicken skin.”
“I'm sorry.” I gaped at him.
“Oh, it's a Hawaii thing. We say chicken skin instead of gooseflesh or goose pimples. You gave me the chills. Good kine.”
“Oh.” I laughed. “I see. Yes, chicken skin. I thought you might like it since you travel.”
“We don't get orcas in Hawaii, but we do get whales. Yeah, this is perfect. How much?”
“That piece is a lot more than your last one. Two thousand.”
Kaleo nodded and handed it to me carefully. “I think that's the one. I'll take it.”
When you think of a totem pole, you imagine something big. But most of the totem poles we got in the gallery were no more than two feet tall. This one was three, making it even more special, which I told Kaleo as I carried it out to the gallery.
“Thank you for giving me a first look,” Kaleo said.
“My pleasure.” I went to the gallery work desk, where Elaine was seated. “Elaine, could you box this carefully for Mr. Chang? It's going on a plane.”
“No problem.” Elaine took the totem reverently. “Wow. This is gorgeous.”
“Yeah, I think so too,” Kaleo said.
“Mr. Chang, I'd like to gift you another argillite piece.” I led him over to a jewelry case. “Please, pick a pendant. There are a few orcas.” I pointed them out. “That way you don't have to travel with a totem pole.”
“What? Naw, you don't have . . . to . . .” he trailed off as he stared at the black carvings enhanced with pieces of gleaming abalone shell. “Wow. I like that one.” He pointed at an orca head. “But I'm happy to purchase it.”
“Nonsense. This is your second purchase and you always make your selections so quickly. This is my way of thanking you for being such a great customer.” I leaned in to add, “And drawing you back on your next visit.”
Kaleo laughed. “I understand good business. All right. Then I'll just accept the aloha. Thank you.”
I unlocked the case and pulled out the pendant. “You're welcome, Kaleo.” I traded the pendant for the credit card he held out to me. “I'll just go take care of this. One moment.”
I went into the office, Braxen still with me, and sat down to type up the invoice and run Kaleo's card.
“Something's wrong,” Braxen said, frowning at Kaleo through the office window.
“Nothing's wrong,” I huffed. “He's a nice guy.”
“Yeah, a nice guy who wants you.”
“So what? He didn't try anything when we went out. You know that. Why are you worried about him now?”
“I don't know.” Brax frowned deeper. “Something's off about him.”
I sighed and ran the card, then printed up the paperwork. By the time I had everything finished, Elaine was back with a wooden crate, tied with rope that formed a handle. She gave it to Kaleo as I brought the clipboard over for him to sign the receipt. He signed, and I folded up his paperwork.
As I handed it over, he leaned forward with a grin and whispered something in direct opposition to his smile, “I'm so sorry, Lora. Please understand that they forced me to do this.”
“What are you talking—”
“Run!” he hissed as he dropped the leather bag he had slung over his shoulder.
I hadn't thought anything of the bag, but now it looked suspicious. Especially when the whir of something powering up came from it. Kaleo ran for the front door.
“Run!” I screamed. “Bomb! Everyone get out!”