Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Elijah
W hen I came out of the bathroom this time fully dressed, Kainda had just finished a call. She didn’t look the least bit happy, a hard feat with warm donuts waiting for you. Tucking her phone back in her pocket, she pulled a knife from her boot, stabbing it into a large blister pack on the table. The sight a little jarring. The sound of the plastic ripping open eerily loud in the quiet room.
“That was Hida that called. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned her to you before. She used to work with Theron since before he was in charge of our hunting party. Anyway, she’s making some progress on getting us some backup. She just wanted to update me and let me know she was in the area recruiting some backup and found a place for us to set up a command center and camp.”
I opened the box and found two donuts and two breakfast sandwiches. “Okay, those sound like good things, so why are you fuming?”
“I don’t have a damned clue.” She paced across the room, leaving the blister pack half open on the table, flicking that wicked looking knife in her fingers. I’d seen her do it before in fast but smooth motions. These motions, jerky and quick, broadcasted her annoyance loud and clear.
Taking a seat at the table, I noticed the blister pack held a prepaid cell phone. I ate my breakfast while I finished opening the package, careful not to slice open my hands. Watching her pace back and forth, the sunlight coming in through the window glinting off the blade. Static crackled in the air and when she turned back facing me, her eyes no longer her normal beautiful hazel. They glowed gold; the color swirling as her magic seethed.
“So after we eat then we head out to get gear then road trip it to the command center to get set up. Do I have that right?” I attempted to distract her, hoping to help her settle.
Nodding as she spoke. “Yes. Need to make a list of what we need. I want to get in and get out. It’ll take the better part of today to get to the location. Hida said it was a couple miles back off the main road and up in the hills. It’s actually not far from my mother’s coven.”
“Okay, so eat your breakfast, and we’ll head out.” When she put the knife away and came over to the table, relief hit me.
Her reaction to her conversation with Hida told me Kainda lied just now, but until she calmed down some, I left it alone. Later I’d bring it up and try to get it out of her. She finished her food and grabbed her bags. I packed up the few things I had while she set up the phone. She refused to let me touch it. I think she just needed something to do.
Less than twenty minutes later, we sped down the road. She almost looked naked, not wearing her normal litany of weapons. I knew she had weapons on her person hidden from prying eyes, but not seeing her decked nearly head to toe like some petite, feminine Rambo was different. She caught me looking at her, giving me this look of confusion.
“Why are you looking at me like that for, E?” She gave me another quick look before turning back to the road. The GPS gave her another direction as she waited for my answer.
Once the GPS went silent again, I spoke. “I was just thinking it was strange not seeing you wear your entire arsenal on your person.”
She tossed her head back laughing for just a second before taking her eyes back to the cars in front of us. The sweet sound of her laughter continued, though. After another minute, she composed herself. “I can’t exactly walk around in broad daylight in public places looking like a weapons fanatic serial killer. Trust me, I have enough tools on me to keep your skinny ass safe.”
“It’s not like I choose to be this skinny. I nearly starved to death, got infected with demon venom that was slowly killing me, and suffering from the trauma of being held hostage by a demon, so yes I have lost some weight.” I gave her a mock glare, just messing with her. She’d dug me out of one nasty situation after another, so she was right.
Her smile fell off her face. “I’m sorry, E. I was out of line there. Wow, neither one of us is doing so hot with communicating with each other.”
“Yeah, maybe we should talk about something benign. Just out of curiosity, how many weapons are you packing right now?”
She went silent a moment, pondering. I could see the gears turning in her head as she mentally counted it up. “Knives in my right boot, left hip, and left arm. Um, a gun I almost never use behind my back, which is why it’s there. I use the knives, magic, and potions more than anything else. I’ve got potions in all my cargo pants pockets.”
“How are you not clinking and clanking that glass all around and killing yourself with spilled potion disasters?”
Kainda snapped open the large pocket high on her thigh like I was going to be able to see what held from the passenger seat of the car. “I cut out the pockets and sewed in elastic loops to hold them in place. Each loop always gets the same potion every time, so I never accidentally grab the wrong potion. And I have holy water in an old flask of Theron’s in my left boot. Wildlife grade mace on my belt and a taser in my back pocket. I’m fairly certain I’m missing something on that list, but you get the picture.”
“So the bag you carry is what like magic items, extra clips, and first aid supplies?” I waved to the messenger style bag tucked next to her.
Shaking her head, she said, “Something like that. Has anyone ever told you, you’re a nosey son of a bitch?”
“Only my entire life. You know that saying curiosity killed the cat? Well, curiosity— Uttu— almost killed this cat.” I said, poking myself in the chest. “I seem to make a habit out of sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.”
The GPS gave another direction as she said, “Maybe tone it down when we get to base camp. You’re going to be surrounded by all kinds of different supernaturals, all of whom can kick your ass into next week. Just don’t piss anyone off by asking prying questions.”
“I’ll try my best. Your turn, ask me something.”
She shook her head as the GPS announced we’d made it to our location. “Maybe later, right now we’ve got some shopping to do.”