Chapter 17
Seventeen
Nikodemus
I helped Cilla carry in the boxes filled with charms—my babies. Charms weren’t large and the entirety of the store fit into four medium sized boxes.
“That last one has the charms that were in storage,” Cilla said while pointing a finger at the box tucked under my left arm. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted those too. I think the chances of this sketchy warlock getting ahold of them is small, but I thought better safe than sorry.”
“Your logic is sound.” I was grateful for Cilla’s thoroughness.
“I kept the ones in storage together. That way, if you’re running out of time or magical juice, you can save them until the end.”
Again, Cilla’s logical reasoning was most welcome.
“Good evening, Cilla,” Hikaru greeted while holding the door open. He had one hip propped against the door frame, arms crossed, and tails lazily shifting behind him. Hikaru’s gold-green eyes damn near glowed as the outdoor lights hit them.
“I see you’re still here,” Cilla answered casually. Only her tightening muscles betrayed her unease.
“Ha!” Hikaru threw his head back and laughed. “I like your spunk, little squirrel shifter. As long as you don’t touch what is mine, we’ll get along fine.”
I pushed past Cilla, ignoring her wide eyes and parted mouth. “I don’t remember agreeing to be owned,” I huffed as I set two boxes down on the kitchen countertop. “Honestly, do you not realize how incredibly rude that is?” I opened the first box as a way of distracting myself.
“You’re so cute when you get all riled up like that.
” Hikaru was suddenly behind me, his breath ghosting across my neck and making my skin heat.
Before I could swat him away, Hikaru merrily danced away, snagging the final piece of garlic bread and shoving it in his mouth.
I was beginning to believe Keir might be onto something and that Hikaru had a beast living in his stomach, stealing his food.
Then again, Erasmus could put away a lot of food and he was also slight.
With what I imagined was a herculean effort, Cilla ignored Hikaru’s antics.
Sliding her boxes next to mine, she reached across the counter to grasp my hand but must have thought better of her actions and pulled back before contact could be made.
When I chanced a glance Hikaru’s direction, I noticed his attention was firmly affixed to that near touch.
The look on his face radiated his displeasure loud and clear.
“How are you doing, Nikodemus?” Cilla asked, sincere concern softening her voice.
“I am fine,” I partially lied. I was physically well enough. That didn’t take into account the emotional turmoil roiling inside my gut or the constant anger I fought back.
“I’m sure you aren’t,” Cilla answered with a shake of her head. “I hope you’re calling him out on his bullshit, Hikaru.”
“Oh, I am.” The displeasured look of earlier vanished into one of pleased satisfaction. “It’s kind of you to think of me, Cilla.”
“As if you’d allow me to forget your presence,” Cilla countered while beginning to remove the charms.
“So true.”
“You’re both talking about me as if I’ve vanished from the room.” I should have been more irritated than I was. It was possible my anger and worry had taken up too much headspace, not allowing for other emotions to gain purchase.
Continuing to ignore me, Hikaru shifted closer. His claw-tipped fingers gently lifted the nearest charm. He held on to it, twisting it in the light. The opalescent nature of the stone changed color as the light hit it at different angles. “What does this one do? It’s so pretty.”
Holding out my hand, Hikaru placed the charm in my palm.
It warmed with recognition of its maker.
“It is a protective charm. It can create a temporary shield. Nothing and no one can get through.” I’d first conceived of the charm to aid my son.
This one wasn’t a big seller, but we’d seen interest grow recently—mostly from human women.
It was a sad statement regarding the world we shared and lived in.
Eyes slipping closed, I concentrated on the charm in my hand, looking for any foreign manipulation. Finding none, I set the charm aside and confidently stated, “This one is clean.”
“You know that quickly? How can you tell?” Hikaru asked.
I wasn’t entirely certain how to answer. All I knew was that I was right. This charm hadn’t been tampered with. “I just know.”
Hikaru’s eyebrows tipped upward for half a second before a look of utter satisfaction came over his face. “That’s my Niki,” Hikaru practically purred before leaning in and giving my cheek a chaste peck.
“Menace.”
“Your menace,” Hikaru whispered into my ear, making my cheeks flame.
I thought Cilla might be uncomfortable sitting there while Hikaru was being…well, Hikaru. Instead, when I caught her gaze, her deep brown eyes were alight, and a grin crinkled their edges. “Well, well. Yours indeed.”
“This isn’t—”
“Yes, it is,” Hikaru swiftly interrupted my denials. Snuggled up beside me, one of his arms thrown over my shoulders and his tails caressing my back, it was difficult to argue. Besides, I was beginning to question just how much I wanted to argue.
Would it truly be that bad? Giving in to whatever Hikaru was asking for.
The certainty I’d once held had eroded over the past few days.
There were a million and one reasons why I should want Hikaru gone, and yet none of those reasons seemed to matter much when faced with the simple fact that I enjoyed being around him.
No, not enjoyed. That seemed too simplistic of a word.
It was difficult to describe, to quantify.
No particular word or words seemed to come to mind.
It was a feeling I couldn’t lock down. Hikaru unsettled my normal routine while at the same time, settling something deep in my soul.
It was so contrary that I hardly knew what to do with those thoughts or emotions.
My son would tell me to simply go with it, to allow things to proceed as they would.
Lydia would most likely agree. But that was easier said than done.
I was a warlock. My very nature was made not to accept things as they were.
We manipulated magic to alter our worlds and those who had enough funds to purchase our wares.
We did not idly sit by and go with the flow.
Life wasn’t perfect, but I could craft a charm, weave a spell, or alter reality to make it more perfect.
None of that applied to Hikaru. A wisp of wonder began forming—just a hint of a barely formed question—one I’d never truly allowed myself to believe in before. Could Hikaru truly be my one and—
“I tried to remember where I saw that warlock—”
“Bailor,” Hikaru supplied. Both Cilla and Hikaru’s voices dragging me from my mental musings.
“Yes, thank you.” Cilla offered Hikaru a warm and grateful smile before her lips thinned and her eyes pinched. “If only I’d known what he was doing, I would have thrown his ass out before he had a chance to tamper with things.”
“There was no way you could have known.” I wasn’t even attempting to falsely placate Cilla.
“What Valmont Bailor did is anathema in warlock culture. It is the deepest violation one can do to another.” The truth was, I would not have suspected Bailor either.
Had I been present, I would have most likely detected his magical disruption and would have investigated further.
But I hadn’t been there, and I would not beat myself up over the fact.
I’d been exactly where I was supposed to be, at my son’s side when he was in need.
Cilla chewed on her bottom lip, eyes downcast. “I know you’re right. I just…” She blew out a deep breath. “I was there, Nikodemus. He did that right under my nose. I’m supposed to look after the store—after your hard work and wares, and I failed you.”
“Hardly.” I was uncomfortable. Reassuring others wasn’t my strong suit. Hikaru didn’t seem to have the same trouble.
Slipping from behind me, Hikaru rematerialized next to Cilla.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled Cilla into a side embrace.
“There, there. What are you talking about? You paid enough attention to realize something wasn’t right.
You know what that fucker, Danzig said?” When Cilla shook her head, Hikaru said, “He was disappointed that Bailor only got to alter four of the charms. Trust me, he wanted to do a lot more damage, but your nosiness stopped him.”
Cilla let loose a choked laugh. “My nosiness?”
Hikaru tapped Cilla on the nose. “That’s right. This nose knew something was off.”
Pulling away, Cilla scrubbed the wetness from her eyes and cheeks. I hadn’t even realized she was crying.
“Don’t just stand there, Niki. The lady needs a tissue.”
“Oh, I…” I twisted but all I could find was a paper towel.
I tore it off and ignored Hikaru’s disbelieving expression.
“What?” I grew defensive. “I don’t get ill and I cannot remember the last time tears filled my eyes.
” I hadn’t even cried when Erasmus was gravely injured or when I learned Lydia had been kidnapped.
I did not hold it against those who cried.
I did not see it as a sign of weakness or any other ridiculous belief. It was simply something I rarely did.
“Here, blow,” Hikaru ordered. I flinched at the sound of Cilla blowing her nose and balked when Hikaru handed the dirty paper towel to me.
With a dramatic eyeroll, Hikaru waved the paper towel at me, much as a matador would a bull. “Just throw it away. It’s not going to hurt you. Honestly, Niki. You’re so dramatic.”
“That’s rich coming from you.” I snatched the snotty thing and quickly disposed of it.
I should be used to Hikaru ignoring me by now. “Feel better?” He asked Cilla.
“You know, I do.” She gave him a watery smile.