Intoxicating Magic (15 page)

It felt foreign to have my hand in his. Yesterday, before I’d gone home to Eureka, his touch had been welcome. Now my instinct was to pull away. I didn’t, though. I didn’t want to have to explain the change in my behavior. Especially since I didn’t fully understand it myself.

Chapter 14

Thankfully David got a phone call just as we pulled up to The Fated Cupcake and stayed in the car while I went inside.

It was dusk, just before closing, and the place was packed with humans and vampires alike. Tami, my assistant, was behind the counter by herself, zooming around the shop, moving almost faster than humanly possible. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was hopped up on the street drug Candy Apple. It caused a surge in energy but was also highly addictive and dangerous for humans.

I pushed my way through the crowd and jumped behind the counter, noting the dark circles beneath her eyes. How long had she been by herself? I couldn’t just grab my supplies and leave. Not with how ragged she appeared.

“Willow!” she gasped and cast me a grateful look.

“Where is everyone?” I asked as I started filling orders.

She scowled, leaned over to me, and whispered, “Out making a delivery. For the Cryrique.”

“Both of them?” What the hell? Had Allcot started ordering my employees around now?

She nodded. “Two different locations. I’ll fill you in after the crowd dies down.”

I glanced at the growing line and nearly blew a blood vessel. That bastard had gone too far. Our shop only made deliveries in the mornings and even then only to qualified accounts. I’d never approved the Cryrique. But I couldn’t expect Tami to turn him down. No one said no to Allcot. No one but me, apparently.

Ten minutes later, we had the line worked down to just a few more people when David poked his head into the shop. He caught my eye and raised an eyebrow, no doubt wondering why I was working behind the counter. I shook my head, indicating he’d have to wait.

He stepped up to the counter and said, “Wil, we have to get back.”

“I know.” I slammed the front case closed. “Maybe if Allcot hadn’t poached my employees, Tami wouldn’t have been by herself and swamped.”

“It’s okay, Willow. I’ve got it from here.” Tami passed a bag of Happy cookies to the cute couple giggling at each other. “Really. I’m sure one of the girls will be back soon.”

I placed a hand on her forearm. “Thanks, Tami. I wouldn’t leave you if it wasn’t really important.”

“I know.” She gave me a tired smile while she rearranged the rest of the day’s stock in the front case.

David followed me into my lab where I kept my supplies. I bristled and wanted to demand he leave, go back outside, but that wasn’t fair. He hadn’t been the one to order my employees around. And it was likely he didn’t even know what his father was up to, considering he’d been flying all day.

In less than five minutes, I had a canvas bag full of the ingredients Tal had asked for as well as my new Hibiscus Healing bars, a bag of dried hibiscus seeds, and cocoa beans. I used them in my Mocha in Motion drink. They might be of some use if Tal managed to awaken his patients.

“Ready?” David held a hand out to me.

I shook my head and bypassed him. “I need something out of my office.”

His hand fell to his side as he followed me. He stood statuesquely in the doorway while I rummaged through my desk. Everything was exactly where I’d left it except for the crystal pendant Tal had given me. “That crystal was here. I swear,” I mumbled.

With mounting concern, I searched each and every drawer, coming up empty. Frustrated, I flopped down into my chair and pulled the middle drawer all the way open and leaned down, eyeing the very back of the drawer. Nothing but a tin of breath mints.

“It’s not there?” David asked.

I turned to find his brows pinched in concern.

“You’re sure you left it in your desk?”

I nodded. “Positive. I just had it a few days ago. I put it in the middle drawer because… well, that doesn’t matter. I distinctly remember putting it right here.” I poked the open drawer. Then I slammed it shut and stood.

“Maybe you should ask Tami if she’s seen it.”

I bit my bottom lip, eyeing the top of my desk. Not one thing was out of place. I highly doubted Tami had seen the crystal. My office was my private sanctuary, and she was relentless about keeping everyone out of it. She had her own desk in the office next to my lab. Still, it didn’t hurt to ask.

After handing the tote bag to David, I brushed past him and headed back into the front of the shop. Tami was busy cleaning the Mocha in Motion machine. All the customers had gone and she’d flipped the Closed sign on the front door. The shop was messier than I’d ever seen it. My fingers itched to drop everything and help her clean up.

“Tami?”

“Yeah?” She blew a lock of curly hair out of her eyes as she glanced up at me.

“Sorry.” I grimaced. “I wish I had time to help you out.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She went back to scrubbing the metal steamers. “I’ll have this place whipped into shape in no time.”

I knew she would. She was the best damn assistant any owner could ask for. I made a mental note to add a bonus to her next check. Just because I was tangled in vampire and Void politics, that didn’t mean my shop and my employees didn’t mean the world to me. “I’m sure you will,” I said. “No one closes faster or more meticulously than you do.”

That got a smile out of her. “Thanks.”

I paused, not wanting to sound like I was accusing her of anything. “Hey. I know you don’t usually go into my office, but I was looking for that crystal Tal gave me. I thought I left it in my desk drawer, but I guess not because I can’t find it. You haven’t seen it lying around anywhere, have you?”

A blush crawled up her tan face and she bit her lip.

“Tami?” I frowned.

“I, ah… crap.” She shoved her hand in her front pocket and produced the crystal, grimacing. “I went into your office to drop off a supply request and ended up taking a phone order. I was looking for a pen when I found it. I’m sorry. I wasn’t going through your stuff intentionally. I swear, I wasn’t.”

“I believe you. If there’s anyone here I trust, it’s you.”

Her shoulders relaxed as she slumped against the counter. “I know. I guess I’m feeling guilty for holding on to your crystal. I know Talisen gave it to you. It’s just that when I picked it up, all my aches were soothed and I had more energy than I’d had in weeks. It was enough to let me push through the day without going batshit on anyone. I’m sorry.”

I took the crystal, dropped it into my purse, and then pulled her into a hug. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’d let you keep it for the rest of the night if I could. But Tal needs it.”

She hugged me back and when she pulled away, she glanced over at David, who was waiting for me near the front door. “Tal’s here, then?”

I nodded.

Side-eyeing David, she gave me a conspiratorial grimace. “That must be…”

“Awkward?”

“Yeah.” She chuckled.

“Little bit.” I started to retreat. But then I stopped and smiled at her. “Don’t stay too late. And call a few of the part-timers to come in and help tomorrow. Even if everyone shows up, you need a break.”

She gave me a grateful smile and went back to cleaning the mocha machine. She worked harder than anyone I’d ever met before. Bonus. That girl definitely needed a bonus.

***

“Got everything you needed?” David opened the car door for me.

“Yes.” No. I was worried about my staff. I’d been out playing Void agent far too much and it was taking a toll on them, which worried me. Not in the way I was worried about Harrison, but they were important to me, too.

“Good. Let’s hope your friend is as good as everyone says he is.”

I ignored the comment. Talisen was a damn fine healer. If any fae could heal Harrison and the others, it was him. David knew it, too. Instead, I pulled the crystal out of my purse and palmed it, letting the faint traces of magic settle into my hand. There wasn’t much there at all, though I supposed since Tami was human, it felt like a lot to her.

It had been too long since Tal had charged it. I’d taken to carrying it with me while at work during the Void testing. I’d told myself it was for the healing properties. But that was mostly a lie. I’d just wanted to be close to Tal.

David reached over and caressed the base of my neck. “As soon as we drop off these things to the fae, I can take you home. Get you into your tree so you can recharge.”

I pulled back and scowled. “I’m not leaving until we see improvement with Harrison.”

He stared at me for a moment, then put the car in gear and took off down the crowded street. The tight expression on his face made me think he knew what I’d really meant: that I wouldn’t leave without Talisen.

Maybe it was stupid. Obviously Tal could take care of himself. I just hated the thought of him being stuck in the vampire mansion under the thumb of Allcot, who wouldn’t hesitate to blackmail him into various effed-up situations… using me as leverage.

David pulled to a stop in front of Allcot’s Victorian and killed the engine. Before I could get the door open, he said, “I should’ve known.”

Releasing the door handle, I looked at him. “Should’ve known what?”

His lips thinned and then he let out an exasperated laugh. “Jesus, Willow. Wake up.”

I opened my mouth but shut it. He was talking about Tal. I sighed, knowing I was caught between the two of them… again. I’d allowed David to believe there might be something between us. And hell, if Tal hadn’t come back into my life, I might have let it happen.

David shook his head and pushed the door open. I sat in the passenger’s seat and watched him stride into the house without looking back.

Chapter 15

Talisen met me outside the front door, his eyes troubled. “What happened?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. It just took a little longer than expected.”

His brows dipped. “I meant with Laveaux.”

I paused and looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

Tal slipped the tote bag from my hand and jabbed his head toward the house. “He’s pissed at you.”

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “He’ll get over it.” I tangled my arm through his. “How’s Harrison? And the others?”

“The same.” He pulled the door open for me. “But I’ve got a plan. Ready?”

I glanced around the entry hall of Allcot’s mansion. Unease crawled up my spine. Something inside me was telling me not to go in. To not get involved with whatever Allcot had going on. But I knew Talisen had work to do. And even if he weren’t obligated, he’d do it anyway. And so would I.

Blocking out that unspoken voice whirling through my subconscious, I nodded and followed Talisen down the rabbit hole one more time.

***

The first thing Tal asked for was the crystal. We were sitting at a stainless-steel table in the makeshift hospital ward. David was standing against the wall, his arms crossed, lording over us like some sort of mob boss. I glanced at him, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. An almost uncontrollable impulse to throw the water bottle sitting in front of me at his head overtook me.

But I didn’t. I gritted my teeth and focused. With the crystal in his left hand, Tal reached across the table and left his other hand palm up, silently asking me to take it.

I did without hesitation. The crystal had been mine for a long time. It had been originally tuned to me. It would take his magic better if it was mixed with mine.

His fingers tightened around mine, so familiar. And instantly a soothing calm came over me. Tal’s magic danced into my fingertips, stirring my own magic. I wanted to live with him in that moment forever. He just felt… right. Warmth spread through my limbs, bringing a spark of life to my fatigued body.

The crystal, lying in the palm of Tal’s hand, started to shimmer with soft silver light. Tal held the connection until the crystal became a beacon of light, and then he placed it carefully on the table but didn’t release my hand.

His healing energy had filled me up, and I tightened my grip as if I were holding on to a piece of him, unwilling to let go.

“Wil?” he said.