Chapter 3
Three
Nikodemus
I needed to speak with Cilla. I could have called her but did not think I’d be able to contain the fury in my voice.
I needed time to collect myself. That time was best spent on the road.
My kitsune shadow road shotgun. I hadn’t bothered arguing and he hadn’t asked permission, not that I expected him to.
At this point, I don’t even know what I would have said if he had asked.
Obviously, I wasn’t thinking straight if I’d promised the little menace he could wreak havoc on the Warlock Council.
Then again, the idea certainly had merit.
It was past time someone put those pompous assholes in their place.
And yes, I realized I was a pot and they were the kettle.
The only difference was I recognized my own arrogance and knew when to place it aside.
I doubt that would be true if it were not for my son and his human mother.
If Lydia had ever found me intimidating, she did an excellent job hiding it.
She was one of the few humans I respected.
She was a shining example of what humanity could be and yet continually fell short of.
Perhaps Lydia Boone had simply set the bar too high.
I wasn’t certain what Hikaru was currently ruminating on. Whatever it was seemed to keep his attention and I was grateful. His presence wasn’t as annoying as I’d imagined, but right now, I needed quiet. I needed to think. Surprisingly, Hikaru’s humming and foot tapping soothed instead of riled me.
What in Gaia’s name was the Warlock Council thinking?
And what did they believe they had on me?
I’d poked a little too vigorously and been a little too vocal regarding my criticisms. Not that those criticisms weren’t justified.
However, I should have expected some sort of retribution.
I simply hadn’t considered they would go so far as to threaten binding my powers.
That thought might have struck fear into lesser warlocks.
Fear wasn’t what I felt. Righteous fury was more like it.
I would tear the council apart before I would allow such a thing.
I drove back toward San Diego. My shop was on the outskirts and thankfully not downtown.
When I was younger, I spent most of my days in the shop.
The last few years I’d taken to leaving the running of the business to Cilla.
She would take requested commissions and pass them on to me.
Most days, there was no reason for me to be on site.
There were still instances where my presence was needed, when someone had an unusual or questionable request. Cilla had proven very capable when it came to weeding out my schedule.
I’d opened my shop in a quiet neighborhood.
The downtown was dotted with boutique stores that had grown up around my business.
The placard hanging above the entrance was simple enough and read, “Warlock Nikodemus Holland.” It was direct and to the point.
I’d made my reputation on my name and needed no further gimmicks.
Pulling around to the back of the business, I placed the vehicle in park and cut the engine.
My mind was calm enough now that I hoped I wouldn’t frighten Cilla.
I wasn’t so certain regarding her reaction to Hikaru.
Shifting in my seat, I stared at my kitsune passenger.
There were a few ground rules I hoped he’d abide by, for Cilla’s sake.
“We need to have a discussion before walking through that door.” I pointed toward the back entrance of the shop.
“Hmm, what if I don’t want to walk through the door?” Hikaru wiggled two of his fingers mimicking a walking gesture. “I could simply translocate.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You are intentionally missing the point.”
“True,” Hikaru happily agreed.
This must be what insanity feels like. Inhaling deeply, I attempted to find my waning center of calm. “Cilla is a valued employee. She’s also a squirrel shifter.” Hikaru’s tufted ears perked and his eyes widened. “Now see, that right there is what I’m talking about. Cilla is not prey.”
Hikaru huffed and flopped back into this seat, arms crossed. “She’s a squirrel.”
“Shifter,” I pressed. “She’s an intelligent, sentient being, and I will not have her intimidated or scared. Do you understand?”
Uncrossing his arms, Hikaru studied his clawed fingertips. “You’re telling me I can’t play with her.”
I nearly choked on a laugh of disbelief. “I hardly think I can tell you anything. What I’m asking is that you respect Cilla enough not to cause her fear.”
Hikaru’s head tilted to the side; his green-gold eyes wide with a hint of innocent curiosity. “I will attempt to be on my best behavior.” His tails twitched.
I considered his words and decided they’d have to do.
I had a disturbing feeling that Hikaru’s version of his best behavior and mine were completely different.
Regardless, asking him to remain in the vehicle would be pointless.
Hikaru did as he pleased. My job was trying to anticipate his actions and work with or around them. It was no simple task.
The warded security system recognized its maker and allowed me passage.
By now I wasn’t surprised it allowed Hikaru in as well.
Walking inside, the familiar scent of the store swept through my senses, easing the strain of the past few days.
The aroma was difficult to describe. Erasmus simply said it smelled like me.
He’d always said it with a fond smile, making me think it was a pleasant scent.
Hikaru’s nose lifted as he inhaled. Eyes slipping closed, a dopy grin tilted his lips. “Not fair, Niki. It’s you ramped up by a thousand. If I stay here much longer, I might get intoxicated, and trust me, you don’t want a drunk kitsune on your hands.”
I didn’t even want to imagine such a thing. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Not nearly as much as you think,” Hikaru murmured, nearly beyond my ability to hear. He glided past me, dancing along on the balls of his bare feet. His clawed toes didn’t so much as tap along the aged wooden floor.
Since I didn’t want to scare my employee half to death, I called out, “Cilla, are you here?” I knew she was. My inquiry was made for politeness sake.
“Nikodemus?” Cilla’s slightly high-pitched voice called out. “I didn’t know you planned on coming in today.” Warmth also suffused her words. Cilla had worked for me for well over twenty-five years.
Her footsteps grew louder until her dark brown eyes peeked around the corner, a smile immediately lighting up her face.
That smile faltered as her inquisitive gaze clinically swept up and down my body.
“Why do you look so tired? Was the flight that bad?” Cilla came closer, her head barely reaching my chest, making it necessary to uncomfortably tilt her neck.
Cilla’s soft fingers grazed my cheek as her frown deepened. “Please tell me Erasmus is fine.”
“The necromancer is quite well,” Hikaru’s smooth voice sang too close to my ear.
His misty green fog coalescing as the kitsune manifested himself.
I had no idea when or why he’d decided to dissipate.
Most likely it was for impish reasons. One of Hikaru’s tails slapped Cilla’s fingers away as his voice dropped an octave.
“I would appreciate you not touching what is mine.”
Cilla jumped back, eyes wide and hand clutching her patterned blouse. I could practically see her heart trying to beat out of her chest.
With an eye roll, I attempted to smack Hikaru but he’d anticipated the move and had dissipated again. Unfortunately, my hand met nothing but misty air. “Stop doing that. And when did I become yours? I certainly don’t remember agreeing to such a ridiculous thing.”
“It’s amusing you believe agreement is required,” Hikaru playfully responded.
“Unbelievable,” I grumbled before attempting to ignore my foolish tag-a-long.
“Apologies, Cilla. I should have called before walking in on you with…him.” My understanding was that kitsune could pick any gender they wished.
Most chose a female countenance. Hikaru seemed more comfortable in a male body.
Eyes still wide and a little frantic, Cilla’s gaze flicked rapid fire between me and where Hikaru had finally solidified and taken shape. “Is that a…a…”
“Kitsune,” Hikaru happily answered. “I believe that’s the word you’re searching for.
” Elbow resting on a nearby shelf, Hikaru’s tails lazily swished behind him as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
Or more likely, as if he found the entirety of the situation entertaining.
I knew Hikaru could be serious. It just seemed his natural default was curious amusement.
Or, at least that’s the impression he gave.
I didn’t know him well enough yet to know if that was simply a mask he wore or the real kitsune.
“This is Hikaru,” I offered up a name for Cilla. “I asked him to be good, but clearly Hikaru’s impression of that word is different than mine.”
“I’m being very good,” Hikaru protested. “I haven’t given chase once.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as Cilla took a quick inhale.
“Dear Gaia help me.” With a heavy sigh, I looked to Cilla and said, “Hikaru’s harmless.
Mostly. I think.” Waving a dismissive hand in the air, I attempted to move past the menacing kitsune.
“I know it’s difficult, but try and ignore him.
As to your earlier question, Hikaru is correct.
Erasmus is well. Although tedious, the wedding went as expected.
” A low grumble left my chest. “With the exception of a certain guest.”
Cilla’s eyes scrunched and Hikaru cleared up the confusion. “There was another warlock there that Niki apparently doesn’t like.”
“Niki?” Cilla’s eyes blew wide again, blinking at me like an owl.
Ignoring Cilla’s obvious surprise, Hikaru barreled on. “I believe his name was Kines.”