Chapter 5
Five
Nikodemus
Unsurprisingly, my call to Erasmus went to voicemail.
I’d stayed up most of the night debating what to do.
After the hell Erasmus and Franklin had been through, I was loath to introduce fresh cause for concern into their honeymoon.
However, should the Warlock Council choose to do something immensely foolish, I did not want my son to be caught off guard.
Should something happen because Erasmus was not informed of the danger beforehand, I would never be able to forgive myself.
My unwelcome houseguest was still blissfully asleep. I’d been half surprised he hadn’t attempted to crawl into bed with me last night instead of remaining in the guest room.
Coffee in hand, I sat on my back porch watching the darkened sky lighten into shades of pink.
Sunsets were spectacular looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
Sunrises were a quieter, less splashy affair but no less beautiful.
I sent a silent prayer to Gaia, thanking her for all her blessings.
I was never certain if she heard me or not.
Perhaps it didn’t matter. Perhaps it was the belief that she heard, that I had her blessing, that gave me the added confidence and strength that allowed me to do what needed done.
I’d never been much of a philosopher. Most species left that kind of thing up to the humans.
They seemed to like wasting what little time they had on the planet by pondering such things.
If I cared to understand humans more, I’d most likely ask Lydia to explain it to me. But I didn’t care so I’d never asked.
My fingertips danced along the edge of my coffee mug, warming my skin.
I’d had a lot to think over last night. Unfortunately, the sunrise didn’t bring answers dancing along its rays.
What it did do was make my concerns a little more palatable and not so overwhelming.
I’d spent most of the night pondering what the Warlock Council’s objective was.
They could be coming after me because I was pushing to help Erasmus find other necromancers.
What I’d told Hikaru yesterday was true enough.
But was that it? I had a nagging feeling it wasn’t.
My pestering could be an excuse, and it might have lit the match, but I doubted it had built the bonfire.
I wasn’t the only one who’d challenged the council lately. My jaw ached from clenching so hard. Against my better judgment, I’d requested Vander’s assistance. Such a lapse in judgment was proof what lengths I would go to for my son.
I stared at my phone. I’d brought Vander’s contact information up countless times, finger hovering over the send button.
I’d wiped the screen clear just as many times.
Given the time difference, it was well into late morning on the East Coast. Most likely Vander would be up, not that I truly cared if I woke him.
There was a chance he was off filming with his one and only, Parsnip.
If that were the case, then Vander could be anywhere in the world at any given time of day or night.
I needed to make a decision soon, before Hikaru woke and began causing mischief. I didn’t relish the idea of the kitsune listening in on my conversation with Vander.
Coffee cool and nearly gone, I finished the remainder, pulled up Vander’s number again and hit the send button before I could reconsider—again.
The phone rang long enough that my heart settled and I began thinking my call would go to voicemail. I was so convinced that I wasn’t prepared for Vander’s sleepy voice to answer a muffled, “’Ello?”
I checked my watch. It should be well after eleven a.m. in Virginia. Perhaps Vander and Parsnip were on location filming another episode of Interspecies Habitat.
When I didn’t say anything, Vander grumbled, “I’m hangin’ up.”
“That would be unwise, Kines.” There was no true threat behind the statement. I simply found it unwise for anyone to hang up on me.
“Shit. Holland, is that you?” Vander groaned. “It’s too damn early in the morning for this.”
A lighter voice in the background said, “It’s after eleven for goddess sake.”
“But I was up late working on—”
“Get up before Byx comes in and zaps you.” Louder, the voice I now recognized as Parsnip spoke into the phone. “Give him a few seconds, Nikodemus. Vander really was up late working on a commission.”
“I will take that into consideration, Parsnip.” Gaia knew I often kept odd hours when I worked on a project.
I heard a decidedly loud yawn before Vander came back on the phone. “What can I do for you?” Vander’s greeting was better than mine would have been. I’d have simply asked what he wanted.
I hedged, wondering if I was making the correct decision. My silence lasted long enough that Vander evidently thought the call had dropped. “Damn phones. Pay a mint for their service and then they—”
“I’m still here.”
“Oh. It was kind of silent for a bit. I’m assuming this isn’t a social call.” A touch of humor laced those words.
“You assume correctly.” Deciding to bite the proverbial bullet, I laid my cards on the table. “Have you heard from the Warlock Council recently?”
“The council? No. I’m happy to say I haven’t heard squat from those douchebags. Why do you ask?” Genuine curiosity whispered through Vander’s voice. “What have those asshats done now?”
Vander’s colorful descriptors aside, he wasn’t wrong. “It seems they’ve decided my recent actions bear investigation.”
“Your recent…what the hell have you been up to?” Vander sounded fully awake now.
“Nothing nefarious and nothing you are unaware of.” I didn’t exactly bristle at the accusation, but I wasn’t unaffected either.
“Okay.” Vander sounded as confused as I felt. “What are they threatening?”
“What makes you assume a threat is involved?”
Vander huffed. “It’s the fucking Warlock Council. Of course there’s a threat.”
Again, Vander wasn’t wrong. “If I am found guilty of their presumed concerns, then binding my abilities has already been referenced.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear as a litany of curse words spilled from Vander’s mouth. He finally settled on, “I’d like to see them try and pull that shit with you.”
I smirked. “That is what I said as well.”
“Good. Honest to Gaia, what are they thinking? Is this about pushing them for the names of necromancers’ mothers? Seems pretty extreme if that’s the case. And if so, why are they singling you out? Maybe my letter just got lost in the mail.” Before I had time to answer, Vander yelled, “Byx!”
“What?” I heard the young brownie spat back. “You’re so damn loud.”
“Have we gotten anything in the mail from the Warlock Council?”
Byx’s voice got a little louder. “Like what?”
“Not sure. Probably some fancy, over the top card or letter.” Again, Vander wasn’t wrong.
“Nope. Nothing like that. You want me to light it on fire if I do see it?” Byx sounded all too ready to do so.
“Maybe after I get a chance to read it.”
“Promise?” I was beginning to hope Byx and Hikaru stayed far away from each other.
“Promise.”
“Need anything else?”
“Nope. Thanks, kid.”
If Byx responded, I didn’t hear it. “Looks like I’m not in their crosshairs, or they’re coming after you first.” Vander hesitated before asking, “Is there anything we need to worry about?”
I found it interesting that he included himself in my current dilemma. “No. As you said, I doubt the council can make good on their threat even if they do deem my earlier actions questionable.”
“They’d need more than that to validate binding. That’s a harsh sentence. There has to be more.”
“Agreed. I did make inquires regarding Tenzen Huxley but considering he has been dealt with, I find it difficult to believe that is still a motive.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I can’t say that I understand much that goes through their heads.
Gotta say, I’m not disappointed by that fact either.
” It was an incredibly Vander-like thing to say.
“You know, I did a lot of questionable shit before I met Byx’s mother, Georgiana.
That brownie helped me straighten out my magical abilities.
Without her…let’s just say I had a lot of juice but not much control.
Most of my charms caused more harm than good.
I had a lot of pissed off customers. Some of them had to have gone to the council but I never heard jack shit from them.
I kind of relegated the Warlock Council to a bunch of old dumbasses who couldn’t care less. ”
“If only that were completely accurate.” I could agree with the old and dumbass aspect of Vander’s perceptions. Regrettably, they seemed to care about something. What that something was, was the key.
Vander blew out a loud breath. “I’m not sure I was terribly helpful here.
Listen, I know we like to razz each other, but if you need something…
if I can help, all you have to do is ask.
I know you’ve probably got this shit all locked down, but if there’s something I can do, I don’t mind stirring the pot. ”
Of that, I had little doubt. “Thank you. Gaia willing, that will not be needed.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, let me know. Interspecies Habitat is on break for the next two months, so I’ll be more available than usual.” Vander’s low chuckle rattle through the phone. “Byx is thrilled to have me back.”
“In your dreams!” I heard Byx holler in the background.
“It’s so nice being surrounded by those that love and appreciate you.
” Vander’s words were sarcastic, but they were also filled with humor.
While I didn’t understand the antagonistic relationship Vander had with his ward, Byx, there was never any doubt that their sniping at each other was their odd love language.
“Goodbye, Vander.” I’d learned what I needed, and any more time on the phone was bound to give me a headache.
“See ya, Holland. Take care and give the council hell.” Vander ended the call. My aching head told me I’d already been speaking with Kines too long. Reaching into my pocket, I activated a pain charm, releasing a sigh as the headache dissipated.
“You’ve got a cushy home, Niki.” Hikaru’s words grew stronger as his body coalesced into something solid. Unfortunately, that body found it necessary to settle on my lap. “A kitsune could get used to this. It’s so much better than frigid Minnesota.” Hikaru dramatically shivered for effect.
The main compound for the Magical Usage Council was in Minnesota. I had no idea why they’d settled on that location. Now that I knew Tenzen Huxley was the one who’d formed the council, I could only imagine it was his choice.
“There are other chairs available and suitable for sitting in.” While I didn’t typically have company, Erasmus and Lydia had visited enough that I had seating for all of us.
“Yes, but they don’t have a warm and cushy warlock in them,” Hikaru purred.
I swear he sounded more feline than canine in nature.
Wiggling, Hikaru flared his tails out, allowing his pert rump access to my groin.
“Hmm…I think you like me sitting here, Niki.” Hikaru’s laughter lit the air as his body dissipated into a fine, green mist. I had no idea how the little shit anticipated when I wanted to do bodily harm.
Solidifying in the nearest lounge chair, Hikaru stretched out, his tails languidly lazing over the side of the chair and dusting the patio pavers.
Casually scratching his abdomen, Hikaru’s eyes slipped to half-mast as he raked those green-gold orbs over me.
“Tell me, what have you been up to this morning, Niki?” Hikaru smirked as his gaze focused on my groin.
Caught between embarrassment and irritation, I growled, “I do not see how my actions are any of your concern.”
“Oh, feisty this morning.” Hikaru licked his lips, his expression smug. “I’ve always had a thing for the feisty ones.” Hikaru made a hissing sound while scraping the air with his claws.
“You are ridiculous.”
Hikaru only shrugged. “I’m a lot of things. Ridiculous is just one.” Honestly, the kitsune seemed unflappable. “So, what are you making me for breakfast?” Hikaru’s stomach rumbled. “I’m starving over here.”
“I sincerely doubt that.” Regardless, I got up and headed for the kitchen. “I am making myself an omelet.”
“I loooove omelets,” Hikaru crooned. “Make sure to put extra meat in mine. I’m a growing kitsune after all.”
Grumbling, I made my way to the kitchen and pulled out a carton of eggs, cheese, and ham. On second thought, I pulled out a package of bacon as well, noting there wasn’t enough ham to make two omelets.