No Rest for the Wicca (15 page)

Claude made a low bow. “Would you like me to bring the wine now, sir?”

“Yes.” Cole’s gaze darted to me. “Unless the lady would like something else?”

I waved my hand. “Wine will be fine.”

“Very good.” Claude withdrew. Cole took another sip of water. “You’re prompt. Good. I hate to be kept waiting, particularly when I’m hungry.”

“A man after my own heart.” I glanced around. “This place certainly lives up to its reputation. Very classy.”

He seemed surprised. “You’ve never been here?”

I fingered the velvet-covered menu. “Paranormal investigators make slightly less than you Special Forces dudes. I couldn’t afford a glass of seltzer water in here.”

“You exaggerate, surely.”

“Not by much.” I cocked my head. “You on the other hand, must be kind of a regular here.”

He looked amused. “What makes you say that?”

I took a sip of icewater. Damn. It had to be the bottled stuff, else the tapwater here was the best ever. “For one thing, the maitre’d there recognized your name right off. For another, he looked me up and down like I’m not the first
lady
you’d had to dinner here. Or should I say
for
dinner?”

He chuckled. “Your powers of deduction are excellent, Morgan, as is your rapier wit.”

Claude reappeared, bearing a tray on which sat an uncorked bottle of wine the color of fresh wheat and two crystal flutes.

“I brought the fifty-three, sir,” he addressed Cole. “I hope it’s to your liking.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Claude uncorked the bottle with a loud pop! He poured the liquid into the glasses. “Would you care to order now, sir?”

I started to open my mouth, but Cole beat me to it. “We’ll have the garlic shrimp for appetizer, and the Chateaubriand for two, medium rare. You can bring the shrimp straightaway, but take your time with the filet.”

“Very good sir.”

Claude withdrew, and I gave him a measured look.

“Well, I guess hanging out with an Inheritor has some pluses. Your knowing my favorite dishes saved me the trouble of ordering.”

“We aim to please.” Cole tapped his flute against mine, smiling as the crystal sang out. “Cheers. Here’s to a successful mission.”

I took a sip. Damn, excellent wine. Xia would have called it primo. I glanced up and saw him regarding me over the rim of his glass.

“You like?”

I nodded. “It’s good.” I gave a short, nervous laugh. “I don’t usually drink wine.”

“I know.” He took a sip, rolled the liquid around on his tongue. “You prefer a nice cold bottle of Bud or Miller, right?”

“Cans do me fine too,” I said, setting the flute back on the table.

“Nothing wrong with that,” He laughed. “Hell, no. I like a good beer myself. But—“ he made a circular motion with his hand, “this is not a beer kind of place, although they do serve it.”

A woman, fairly young and curvy, in a simple black suit, appeared, set down a silver tureen, lifted the cover. The aroma of the garlic shrimp had me salivating. Cole nodded and the woman withdrew, but not before she’d given him a thorough once-over. “It must be tough,” I remarked, as he spooned some shrimp onto a white china plate.

“What must be?” he passed the plate heaped with fragrant shrimp to me. I took it, picked up my fork, stabbed a shrimp, and savored its taste in my mouth before I answered.

“Having all that sex appeal. The waitress could barely keep her tongue in her mouth. She looked as if she’d like to have you for the main course.”

He shook his head. “I happen to know Marie. She’s an Inheritor, as well. Possibly you were on the receiving end of her look.” He smiled. “That suit looks well on you. The color is most becoming. Shows off those cat eyes of yours.” His hand reached out, lightly grazed my shoulder. “Shows off other attributes, too.  I didn’t notice what a lovely column of neck you have.”

My hand went self-consciously to my throat, rubbed. “Thanks. I think. But don’t get any ideas. I left my cross at home.”

“My dear, it just shows how little you know about my kind. Inheritors only need blood on occasion. And for the record, crosses have no effect on us, nor does garlic.”

“But I bet you enjoy a good stake, eh?”

“Very funny. If you really want to get me, wear silver.” He took another sip of wine. “So, how did you like your first day as a student. Learn anything.”

“Actually, yes. I never knew the herb Rosemary’s name comes from the Latin, ros marinus, which means “dew of the sea”, or that it flourishes on seaside cliffs. Ancient Greeks used it to practice the magical Art of Memory. And here I thought Magical Spice class would be a total waste.”

He frowned. “I meant regarding the case.”

“Ah, yes. The case.” I leaned forward. “Graft had a discussion with one of the girls in the class after his lecture, about replacing his
and Morrow’s
current assistant.”

Cole’s brow rose. “So fast? The girl’s not even missing a week.”

I spread my hands.  “What can I say?  The guy doesn’t like to waste time.”
I took another shrimp. “He offered me her job.”

Cole set the glass down. “What?”

“Yep. Right in front of Florrie’s friend. Said it paid nine bucks an hour, and he thought I could use the cash.”

His gaze flicked over me. “For what? A new wardrobe?”

“Gee, thanks, Cole. First Graft, now you. I’m gonna get a complex.”

He chuckled. “You have to admit, your wardrobe doesn’t always show off your best assets.”

“My line of work doesn’t require much asset-showing,” I shot back. “Seeing as I’m not a movie star or some executive’s personal assistant.”

“It doesn’t require wearing battered pants or spikes all the time, either.”

“What did I ever do before you came along as my self-appointed fashion consultant?”

“Everyone knows Inheritors have an advanced sense of style. You should be flattered I take the time to try and help you improve your look.”

“Golly, Cole. How do you do it? You always know just what to say to make a girl feel all tingly.”

He looked me up and down. “I try,” he said slowly. “But some girls are harder to please than others.”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, so to cover I let my napkin slide to the floor. Cole and I both bent to retrieve it at the same time. As his hand brushed against mine, I felt an electric shock run through me at his touch.

“Something wrong?’ He asked as we straightened.

“I—I guess I’ll never reconcile a warm touch with a vampire,” I murmured. “Even an Inheritor.”

He smiled. “For such a young girl you can seem so terribly old-fashioned at times.”

“So?” My jaw thrust forward. “It’s not a crime, is it?”

“No—nor is open-mindedness.”

I swallowed. Now seemed an excellent time for a change of subject.

“Florrie’s friend Drucilla noticed you straightaway in the cafeteria,” I blurted. “You were with the Dean. She said you were a dreamboat.”

Something in those black eyes flickered. “Did she now? And what did you say?”

“Me?” I squeaked.

“Yes, you.”

“What do you care what I said?”

He laughed. “Who said I did?”

I threw up my hands. “You’re impossible. Do all Inheritors fish for compliments?  I agreed, of course, as I had no other choice.”

He toyed with one of the spoons and chuckled. “How stupid of me. I should know you’d not pay me a compliment unless it were in the line of duty, so to speak.”

“Glad you understand, pal. So, back to the business at hand. Have you ever heard of the term Odic Force?”

He shook his head. “Can’t say I have.”

“I did some research on it. It’s got roots in both Wiccan and Haitian Voodoo. The voodoo part, however, could involve some sort of human sacrifice.”

Cole rubbed at his chin. “Human sacrifice, eh? Now, there could be the reason behind our killer’s little collection of body parts—a ritual involving this Odic Force?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know, but I wouldn’t discount it. And here’s another interesting tidbit. Drucilla said she heard Florrie arguing with Graft over something to do with seven points. Same thing Mrs. Alban overheard her daughter discussing on the phone.”

“Interesting.” He moved his shoulders, fingers drumming against the collection of silverware in front of him. “So, seven points you say. But points of what?”

“I have no idea in Hades, but Xia told me the symbol for mystical energy is a seven pointed star.”

“You think mystical energy and odic force are the same?”

“I don’t know, but I think it’s an interesting coincidence, don’t you?”

His eyebrow went straight up.  “I thought you didn’t believe in coincidence,” he said dryly.

“I don’t, but I’m broad-minded enough to know there can be exceptions to every rule,”
I shot back, cupped my chin in my palm. “Lord, you can be so thick at times, Cole.” I gave him a sidelong glance, and my eyes narrowed. “Or are you playing with me?”

He laughed. “Who could resist? You get so—so fiery when you’re annoyed.”

“You know, you really are a pain in the rear.” I snatched up the wineglass, took a long sip. “If I get hired as Graft’s assistant, I just might find out some of these answers.”

He picked up his glass, twirled it so the liquid swirled around in the glass.  “Interesting you just mentioned Graft.  You’d be working for Morrow as well, you know.”

“Somehow Graft seems a tad more interesting at the moment than Morrow.  Morrow, as far as I can tell, is rather nondescript.  I haven’t seen Erdos yet, have you?”

“Not as yet.”
Cole pursed his lips.  “Yes, it would seem
Graft has
the lead in our suspect race—at least so far.
  But you know what they say—the obvious answer isn’t always the correct one.
”

“And, once again, there are exceptions to every rule.”
I took another sip of wine. “
Graft
said I’d learn a lot working with him. He help
s
people tap into their inner selves.”

His hand shot out, brushed a stray curl from my forehead. “Is that what you want, Morgan? To tap into your inner self?”

I glared at him. “What do you think?”

He laughed lightly. “I think getting close to people is something you’re not very good at.”

“Oh, really?” I reached for the wineglass, saw it was empty, picked up the water goblet instead. “You have your degree in psychology, do you?”

“I don’t need one to read you. You’re an open book.”

In the other room, the band started to play. My tongue darted out, licked over my lips. “God, they have live music? This place is classy.”

His hand shot out, covered mine. “They have dancing too. Want to dance?”

I hung back. “I—I’m not very good at it.”

He pulled me up. “You don’t have to be. I’ll lead, not to worry.”

I allowed him to lead me onto the tiny dance floor just left of our alcove. The strains of a familiar classic reached my ears, and I involuntarily pressed closer to him
.

Cole’s breath, hot in my ear. “See—when someone gets close to pinning down your emotions, you shut down and start with the wisecracks. Don’t get me wrong, getting close to Graft is important, but I hadn’t bargained on his hiring you on when we started this. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I looked up at him. “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”

His finger rubbed absently against my knuckle. “I know how difficult dealing with voodoo is for you. Being Graft’s assistant may well put you right in the thick of things. I need you to be sure.”

“Someone very wise said to me once you fall off a horse, it’s best to get right back on. Maybe I’ve been in hiding from the truth for too long.” I swallowed. “Yes, Cole, I’m sure.”

Those voices again, strong, scared.
You have to help us
.

I swayed slightly against him. “I have to go through with this.”

We stopped dead in the middle of the floor. Cole regarded me for a moment. “Be very sure, Morgan. After all, you’re under no obligation to Special Forces.”

Not, not to them
. “I realize that. I’m sure.”

I found myself pressed up against Cole’s chest, his arm tight around me. 
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against his chest. “
Commander Stone said she didn’t want me, and you championed for me,” I murmured against the soft silk of his shirt. I raised my gaze, viewed him through my veil of lashes. “Why, Cole? Why did you insist on me?”

He chuckled. “I could say I’m a sucker for hopeless cases—“

“Thanks a bunch!”

“But the truth is, I think you got yourself a raw deal. There’s a lot you have to offer, Morgan Hawkes. I imagine I wanted to give you the opportunity to find out.” His lips twisted into a smile and his arm around my waist tightened. “Who knows? Perhaps I have other, less noble motives. It’s hard to say at this point in time.”