Chapter 3 #2
“Vander was there?” Cilla asked. “I wouldn’t have expected that, but maybe I should have, given your history.”
I could do little more than grumble. “Yes, well, perhaps you are correct. Regardless, I had not anticipated his presence and it was most unwelcome.”
“It probably wasn’t unwelcome to Erasmus,” Cilla infuriatingly pointed out.
Only mentions of Vander Kines would make the next topic of discussion seem palatable. “Cilla, has anything odd happened around the shop within the past few months?”
Cilla’s head tilted to the side, shifting the messy bun her brown waves were bound within. “You’ll have to be more specific. We get odd requests all the time.” Cilla shrugged. “What’s odd to some is normal for others.”
“Very true,” Hikaru agreed from the sidelines.
I didn’t bother sparing him a glance. “I phrased that wrong. Has anything happened—any complaints or alarming requests that might pique the interest of the Warlock Council? Additionally, has anyone identifying themselves as being from the council stopped in?”
Cilla immediately went from curious to alarmed. “No. Not that I…” Her voice trailed off and her gaze went a little distant.
“Cilla?” I prompted.
Fingers tapping along her bottom lip, Cilla’s eyes still held a far-off look when she finally answered.
“I’m not sure if this has to do with anything, but about two, maybe three weeks ago, there was a warlock in the store.
We get them now and again. I like to think they’re sizing up the competition or just trying to see what all the fuss is about.
” Cilla waved a hand in my general direction.
“You’re just a little bit famous, you know. ”
I felt Hikaru sidle up next to me, his tails brushing against my back and neck. “Oh, Niki’s very famous,” Hikaru purred as my face heated. Once more, Cilla’s eyes blew wide, and her mouth slipped open in surprise.
“Ignore him,” I gritted out. “I know it’s difficult, but do your best.”
“I…yeah, ignoring him isn’t happening.” Inhaling deeply, Cilla briefly closed her eyes before continuing.
“The thing that stuck out to me was how old this warlock seemed. You know, most of the warlocks walking through our doors are younger and trying to make a name for themselves. This one barely had any black left in his hair and his fingers were completely black—down to his hands.”
I stared down at my own black tipped fingers. The dark color came down past my first knuckle, halfway to the second. Cilla was correct. Completely black fingers indicated a very aged warlock.
“What did he want?” I asked.
Cilla shrugged. “I’m not really sure. He walked around examining the charms for sale. He did that for maybe twenty minutes and I finally asked if there was anything I could help him with. I was just trying to be polite.”
“It is one of your finer qualities,” I sincerely answered. Cilla’s warmth was needed to offset my gruff charm.
Cilla blushed. “Thank you. I’m not sure this warlock thought much of my politeness. He asked if we’d had any complaints recently, which I thought was strange.”
“Complaints? Such as?”
“I’m not sure. I told him there were none that I knew of.
Nothing serious at least.” Cilla rolled her eyes.
“You know, we get the usual. Some folks just either don’t know exactly what they want or they don’t understand the limitations of a magical charm.
Nothing serious and nothing harmful or untruthful.
All your charms do exactly what they claim and to the degree that is claimed.
” I appreciated the surety of those words.
Cilla had no doubt to their truthfulness.
“And what happened then?” I asked.
Cilla shrugged. “Nothing. The warlock clasped his hands behind his back and walked out the door. That was the last I saw of him.”
“Did you get a name?”
“No, I’m sorry, but I didn’t.” Cilla shook her head with disappointment. “I’m sorry, Nikodemus. I should have thought of that.”
My hand looked ginormous when I laid it on Cilla’s petite shoulder. “No reason you should have. Do not berate yourself.”
“Are you certain? I—”
“Quite certain,” I reassured.
“What’s going on?” Cilla questioned. “Are you in danger?”
Hikaru’s laughter tickled my ear. “Oh, my dear, I sincerely doubt it is Niki who is the one in jeopardy. Isn’t that right, Niki?” Warm breath skittered along my neck.
I didn’t bother trying to push Hikaru away.
In a strange way, I was becoming accustomed to his overly familiar affections.
“Hikaru is correct, Cilla. You have nothing to worry about, however, we should probably discuss a few things just in case there are concerns in the near future. Let us find a more comfortable place to sit and converse.”
Hikaru and I followed Cilla to a small sitting area while I quickly wove a spell that flipped our open sign to closed.
A few minutes of privacy were all we needed.
I only wished those few minutes would reset my temper and calm my growing fury.
I’d worked too damn hard and sacrificed too much to allow anyone to threaten me.
If the Warlock Council wanted to play games, they’d soon learn they’d challenged the wrong warlock. Nikodemus Holland did not lose. Period.