20. Chapter 20
Bec
I woke up to the smell of cooking. Despite being tired, I tossed and turned all night, barely falling asleep around three in the morning. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jim, Gale, and even my parents. I was worrying about everyone, so I might as well throw them into the mix.
The smell of bacon and coffee was irresistible.
I staggered out of bed and stumbled down the stairs. After I ate breakfast, I’d change out of my pajama shorts and shirt. It was probably wiser to wait to dress after I had coffee, otherwise bad choices might be made. I’d hate to confront someone while wearing polka dots.
Polka dots didn’t seem like the type of thing a film noir private investigator would wear.
That thought made me chuckle as I hit the first floor. I turned the corner, expecting to find Danzig in the kitchen, only to be confronted with a stranger in my condo.
A tall, lean woman had her back to me as she cooked something on the stove. She had one long, dark brown braid reaching all the way to her waist. She was humming something as she cooked, swaying slightly and making her braid move hypnotically. She stopped humming but didn’t stop swaying.
“Good morning, Bec. I sent Danzig to get some eggs, and Marduk is walking Hugo,” she said without turning around. “Help yourself to coffee.”
I remained where I was, trying to figure out how to react. This woman knew our names and felt comfortable enough to order the guys around.
There was really only one person she could possibly be. This had to be Danzig and Marduk’s mother. I went with the more likely option.
“Good morning, Amara,” I said.
She turned to face me with a fork in one hand and a brilliant smile on her face. I’d thought my mom was tall, but this woman had her beat by inches. It only made sense considering her sons were giants.
“Very good, child,” she said. “I knew the void would pick a clever mate for my boys.”
“Uh, thanks,” I said.
Tilting her head, she ran her eyes up and down my smaller frame. “You’re so tiny,” she murmured.
My goodwill disappeared. “Hey!”
She chuckled. “It’s an observation, not an insult. Pixies tend to be tiny, and they’re some of the toughest creatures I know. Hobgoblins are half your size but more powerful than me. Size doesn't indicate anything but the numbers on your clothing tags.”
I grinned. “Well said. I think I like you.”
She gave me a grin and turned back to the stove. She forked the bacon onto a paper towel covered plate. When she opened the oven to put the plate inside to keep the bacon warm, I saw other plates full of food waiting, including one piled high with biscuits.
“You made biscuits. Are you going to make gravy too?” I asked, my mouth watering. Mila used to make biscuits and gravy all the time back home, but I hadn’t had it in years.
“I’m about to,” she said. “I had to fry the bacon first.”
“Amara, I think I love you.” I wasn’t joking.
“That’s good, because you’ll be seeing more of me,” she said. “Don’t worry, I’m not one of those mothers that hover. I do like to visit, and I sold my company when I heard about you. I’m free for a while so we can get to know each other.”
“What was the company?” I asked, unbelievably curious about this powerful and commanding woman.
“Medical research,” she said. “They’re working on developing a malaria preventative. It’s years from being fully developed, but I made sure they had enough funding and a board of directors that understood the importance of the project.”
“That’s very different from racing planes,” I said.
“I’m surprised they told you about that,” she said with a laugh. “They didn’t approve at the time. But that was a long time ago, I've had a lot of companies since those days. This was my first medical company. I enjoyed it. I think I’ll do it again someday.”
“Tell me all about yourself,” I demanded. “I want to know everything!”
“That's a long story,” she said with a chuckle. “Where do you want me to start?”
“Wherever you want to,” I said.
Before she could say anything, the front door opened. I looked over to see Marduk walking in with Hugo trotting next to him. When our gazes met, his eyes went wide, and he quickly unclipped Hugo’s leash, then rushed over to me. He grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me so my back was to his mom.
“Are you okay? Do you need to leave? I can take you anywhere you want.”
I blinked, confused for a moment. When I understood he was worried that Amara had upset or scared me, I put my hands over his.
“Everything is fine,” I murmured, going up on my toes and tipping my face up.
He lowered his head so I could press my lips to his. The door banged open again, and we both turned to see Danzig walking in, his arms full of items.
“I know I was only supposed to get eggs, but the fruit looked good. I’m not sure Bec has been getting enough fruit lately.”
When he saw me standing there, his expression was as worried as Marduk’s had been.
“Bec, you’re awake,” he said, eyes bouncing between me and Amara. “And you're talking to Mom!”
I giggled. “Don’t panic. I like your mom.”
“She has good taste,” Amara said from behind me. “Danzig, bring all those groceries over here. Marduk, set the table. Bec, get yourself some coffee.”
We all had our orders, and we jumped to obey.
It wasn’t long until we were all sitting, the small table covered in plates of the food Amara made.
“Tell me why all of you have a bit of casket druid magic on you,” Amara said after we’d all shoved food in our mouths as if we’d never see another meal again.
Marduk launched into an explanation about Gale, Hugo, the spell turning people into dust, and all the rest. Danzig and I interjected details here and there, but mostly let Marduk talk so we could keep eating.
Marduk finished the story with our plans for the morning. “After breakfast we’re going to try and find Gale.”
Amara sat back, holding her coffee mug in both hands. “While you investigate, I’m going to open up the Mission Bay house. When all of you have time, I’d like you to visit me there.”
“Uh, does that mean you’re staying in San Diego?” Danzig asked.
I covered my mouth with a napkin to cover my laugh. Amara cast me an amused glance before answering her son.
“For a while, yes,” she answered. “At least until the mating bite happens.”
Suddenly it was my turn to be uncomfortable. “It might be a while. I won’t be pressured or anything.”
I expected Amara’s smile to disappear, and maybe to see a hint of aggravation that I wasn’t accepting her sons right away. Instead, she gave me an approving nod.
“Good,” she declared. “Everything has come too easy for my boys. They could use a challenge.”
She leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “If either of them misbehaves, you call me. I’ll set them straight.”
They both protested at the same time.
“Mom! Not okay!”
“Why would you say that?”
I wasn't sure who said what, but we both ignored the men.
“Thanks, Amara,” I said. “I think we’re going to become good friends.”
Her eyes misted over a little. “I’d like that.”
“I don’t think you need to give Bec any ideas, Mom!” Marduk said.
“Time to go!” Danzig said, jumping up from the table. “We’ve got a lot of investigating to do today, right brother?”
Marduk gave a comically rapid nod. “Yes, a lot of questions to ask. Houses to look at.”
“Wait, we need to clean up,” I protested. “We can’t leave it for Amara. She cooked, and I want her to cook again. That means we do the dishes and everything.”
Marduk pushed his chair away and stood also. “Mom, don’t pick up a single fork. We’ll do that when we get back later.”
“We’re going to be gone for a long time,” Danzig said. “Probably all day. You’ll want to head home while we’re gone. It would be boring to wait for us here.”
“Love you, Mom,” Marduk said.
“Can’t wait to see you later,” Danzig said.
Each brother grabbed an arm and lifted me up and over the back of the chair. My feet didn’t touch the floor as they walked toward the front door.
“I need to get dressed first!” I said, trying hard to hold back my laughter.
“Fine,” Danzig said, and they changed direction to walk up the stairs, still carrying me.
“Love all of you too,” she called after us. I heard her laughing even as they shoved me in my room.
“Get dressed,” Marduk said as Danzig shut the door.
I grinned as I pulled out clothes for the day. It was fun to have a new friend, especially if she made the guys nervous.