Chapter Nine #2
Desdemon smiles and stands, holding out a hand for his sister to take, and surprises me by holding out the other for me. If it weren’t so obvious that he and Danika are related, it’d look like Desdemon just scored himself a couple of hot chicks to take home.
On the way home, the niggling feeling in the back of my brain becomes more persistent.
It's been there all day, and at first I thought it had something to do with the raven, but she disappeared when we stepped off the ferry in Manhattan. The feeling did not. She’s back again now, though, as we exit the Uber in front of our shop, and the gentle tickle of the birthmark on my hip is back, right along with her.
The Mystic T sign is swathed in darkness, with only the twinkling string lights we stapled to the ceiling between the wind chimes and dream catchers a few years ago lighting up the inside.
The idea was for it to look like the night sky, and with all the wind chimes and dream catchers around the lights, it really does look stunning from the outside at night.
The two large windows either side of the front door hold shelving with our crystals, and they have a beautiful glow about them with the moonlight shining through the glass.
“That was wild.” Danika’s announcement throws me off guard as we make our way around the back of the building toward our personal entrance.
Were we even at the same bar?
“It was a fab evening, babe. A great day. And I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” I brace myself for an incoming Danika hug from behind, and she wraps her arms around me, nuzzling her face into my neck.
“You’re my best friend. But you’re not supposed to be…but I’m glad you are…but mother wouldn’t—”
“Come on, little sister. Time to rest.” Desdemon lifts Danika into his arms, and he’s not straining at all. I’d put it down to the whole instinct thing when someone you love is in some kind of trouble, but the bulk beneath his suit jacket tells me it’s all muscle.
Still not as muscular as him though…
Stop it, Sage!
Desdemon chuckles and just walks through the door with Danika.
“Do you have a key I don’t know about?” I didn’t even see him unlock it.
“I have Danika’s key, Petite Sorcière, do not panic.” Another chuckle. They’re getting annoying. It’s like he has a secret, and I don’t like those. I have a need to know all the things.
He heads up the stairs, but I hold back, waiting for him to get through the door at the top, because knowing my luck, he’d fall backward and somehow crush me.
This is why I never use the stairs at the same time as someone else, not to mention that crossing on the stairs is considered bad luck. I’m just covering all of my bases here.
“Sage!” Another voice I recognize…one that I am not the biggest fan of right now.
The door was so nearly closed behind me, I just wasn’t quick enough.
Turning around and opening the door back up, I paste on my friendliest smile. That’s a lie, it’s definitely not my friendliest. More of a grimace probably, but it’ll have to do.
“Professor Haught, it’s late. Is everything okay?” Maybe he needs some last minute candles? I don’t fucking know.
“No, it was, but now it’s not. And I saw that man going into your apartment with Danika. Do you need me to call the cops?”
What on Earth is he talking about? There was nothing about what just happened with the siblings that would suggest any wrong doings.
“Please don’t. Everything is fine, Professor. Do you need anything?” Why can’t I just say goodbye?
“Actually, I do. And you’re exactly what I need. Why don’t you stop playing coy with me. Come out with me? My truck is parked just over there.” He gestures behind him toward the large empty space, with the exception of his truck looming in the darkness.
The moonlight seems to be afraid of the area because nothing is lit up. It’s all shadows.
“No, thank you. Goodnight, Professor.” I refuse to explain myself because “No”, all by its little old self, is a full fucking sentence. I was being polite by adding the rest. The forwardness coming from him is uncalled for and unwanted.
It wasn’t the worst thing in the world when he was being a little flirty, but he’s taking it too far.
I still can’t fathom why this stalker is any worse than the other one, but that’s not a problem for today’s me to worry about.
Without another word, I ignore whatever he’s trying to say and close the door behind me after stepping inside.
I meticulously make sure it’s secured and locked, first the bolt, then the chain, and finishing with the key hanging by the door.
Then I check again, nodding to myself when I’m satisfied, and head upstairs.
I’ve barely made it halfway before the bell rings, and I check the video footage to see who it is. Obviously, I’m expecting the professor, and I’m absolutely not going to answer, but the screen is all black. Nothing. Nada.
To open the door or not open the door. That is my question to myself…
Most of me says don’t, but the curious part says do.
I guess the curious part wins.