Owed A Night (An Obscure Magic Book 12) Read online

  Day-ek wrote up his observations at the scene, and then, they got back into the SUV for driving around until their next call. It was near eleven when they pulled up near Dem-rah’s taco stand. His slow grin tipped his team off that something was afoot.

  Jennor got out of the vehicle, and he grinned. “Helloo, honey.”

  Day-ek glared at him, but he was already full height and striding toward the fae and her nephew. “Shit.”

  Reymark chuckled. “Don’t worry. I think she has this handled.”

  They waited while Jennor spoke with Jennel, and she smiled politely at him before turning toward Day-ek and nodding.

  Dem-rah was sitting with Jennel and Corit, and that was wild in itself. He could count on one finger the women that he would leave the stand for, and Benny was one of them.

  As if summoned, another XIA vehicle pulled up, and Benny and her crew stepped out. Jennel got up and hugged Benny, and they laughed and tapped foreheads.

  Day-ek’s evening just got a whole lot more interesting. He cautiously moved toward the truck. Damned if he was going to miss out on dinner.

  Chapter Four

  Jennel looked at Corit and sighed. “Nothing happened. No worries. The deal has been struck, and after the criteria are met, you will be able to apply for one of the clans.”

  Corit glared. “So, was the speaker a complete creep?”

  They shuffled to the front of the line, and she ordered from the goblin side of the menu with a bright smile. She paid, and they stepped to the side. Dem-rah looked at the order, and then, he smiled, turning toward her and ordering one of his crew to the grill.

  “Jennel! My daughter!” He rushed out and hugged her, lifting her high in the air. The folks in line stared, but she took the four-armed hug, and Corit grinned.

  “Hey, Dem-rah. You look smaller now.”

  The goblin put her down and looked at Corit. “She has been feeding you. I told her not to.” He hugged Corit and lifted him off the ground.

  He collected their order and shooed other customers from a table. He sat down with them and grinned. “What brings you to town?”

  Jennel smiled. “We are settling down. Corit is nearly eighteen, and we are looking for a clan for him.”

  He frowned and looked around. “You have moved to Redbird? Have you registered with the mayor’s office?”

  Jennel chuckled. “I have met the mayor and his assistant. I have contacted the speaker for the clans and struck a deal.”

  Dem-rah smiled slyly. “Did you now? I hear he’s a hardass.”

  The knowing look appeared in his goblin features—the yellow eyes, grey skin, and random shocks of hair. His vision flicked behind her. She heard a vehicle parking and doors opening.

  The power signature that got out of the car was now very familiar to her. “Oh, fuck. He’s here.”

  Corit looked and frowned. “It’s Day-ek. Wait. He’s the speaker?”

  She blushed furiously. It had only been two hours, but she was suddenly as hot as she had been while facing him. Thudding footfalls approached her, and she turned to see the minotaur that had been part of his team. “Good evening.”

  He inclined his head. “Good evening, miss. I believe you are acquainted with one of my teammates?”

  She turned and nodded to Day-ek. “He’s my neighbour.”

  “Yeah, he mentioned that. He also mentioned that he had a meeting with you this evening.”

  She looked at his huge brown eyes, and she smiled. “We did. I believe we came to an agreement.”

  “I’ll say. I could smell the honey in the air and followed you to the parking lot.”

  Corit snarled and was about to get to his feet when another XIA vehicle rolled up, and a small figure came out and sprinted over to their table. Jennel got to her feet and pressed her forehead to Benny’s. “Hey, Benny.”

  “Oh, my god, Jennel. I haven’t seen you in forever, cuz.”

  The minotaur stepped back as two of Benny’s team arrived. Jennel chuckled, and another table was pulled up. The newcomers ordered their food, and Day-ek arrived, sitting next to Jennel and passing her the hot sauce.

  Corit stared at him. “You are the speaker?”

  Day-ek nodded and mumbled around the taco. “I am. For three clans. No speaker was born to two of them, so they rent me.”

  Corit blinked and was disappointed.

  Jennel murmured, “He is looking for a mentor.”

  The dark man sat near her, and Dem-rah was grinning. “It seems my daughter is making friends.”

  Jennel growled. “Knock it off, godfather.”

  Day-ek paused. “Dem-rah is your godfather?”

  “To me and a dozen other kids. My parents were here for work when I was born, and my mom was obsessed with Dem-rah’s stand. I was actually born in this parking lot.”

  Dem-rah beamed. “I caught her and wrapped her in a fresh apron.”

  Jennel took a bite. “And then my mom finished her taco.”

  The goblin cackled.

  Day-ek cleared his throat. “Um, Jennel, this is Reymark, and this is Jennor. Guys. This is my neighbour, and this is her nephew, Corit.”

  Corit looked at Jennor and growled.

  Day-ek asked, “Jennor’s a little blunt, but he means well. What did he say?”

  Corit’s back straightened, and he said, “He said he could follow the scent of her honey all the way to the parking lot.”

  Jennor ducked his head and flicked his ears. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Day-ek was about to speak, but Jennel looked at her nephew. “He wasn’t wrong. I was leaving a scent trail a mile wide.”

  She shrugged. “I have tried to instill in you that there is no shame in it. It just gets juvenile when you mock others for their own responses. That is when it’s an asshole move.”

  She looked to Jennor. “So, if that was your intent, I invite you to spar with Corit if you have a day off. I am sure he would enjoy it. He rarely gets to fight with someone taller than he is.”

  Day-ek snickered. “Yeah, Jennor. Do you want to fight a seventeen-year-old?”

  Corit was scowling at him.

  “I suppose I put my hoof into it, so I need to deal with it. Yes, Corit, I will spar with you.”

  Corit grinned then paused. “Where?”

  Jennel smiled. “XIA gym?”

  The three agents stared at her. Day-ek asked, “You have access?”

  “Yeah. I am a seer under contract. The gym was one of the perks used to lure me in.”

  Dem-rah chuckled, and Benny and her guys snickered.

  Day-ek asked Benny, “You are cousins?”

  “Sort of. About four times removed but definitely share some weird blood in the grand scheme of things.” Benny chuckled. “I would like to sit next to my cousin, but that doesn’t seem to be happening today.”

  Day-ek shrugged. “Too slow.”

  Benny spluttered a laugh.

  Jennel smiled, and she enjoyed the feel of the orc’s thigh against her own. Her heartbeat stuttered in her chest, and she finished her food. She was going to take the remains to the trash troll, but Corit grabbed her tray from her and took off with them.

  Benny stared. “Is that Corit? Oh, my god. He’s grown.”

  Corit heard and said, “Hey, Aunt Beneficia.”

  “Wow. You are going to break hearts.”

  Jennel grinned. “And skulls, spines. Whatever he can reach. Well, I guess we need to get out of here and leave you to your break. He has school tomorrow, and this is enough of a disruption, but we just had to come by. Dem-rah, gentlemen, Benny, it was nice to meet you and see you. I will be in touch with Lenore and Harcourt.”

  Benny nodded and deep-throated a taco to the amazement of the men at the table. Well, all but Day-ek. He was looking at Jennel with dark eyes and a slight smile. “See you soon, Jennel.”

  Her heart thudded in her chest as she got up and moved away from his warmth.
Her body ached as she left him, and she shook herself on the way back to the car. She waved to Dem-rah and got into her truck, waiting for the rock and tip of Corit getting in the vehicle.

  She started her truck and buckled up. When Corit was buckled up, she drove toward home.

  “So, Aunt. You and Day-ek.”

  Jennel twisted her lips. “Yes?”

  “It isn’t just the speaker thing. I noticed it this morning when he came over to help unload the truck.” He exhaled. “You like him.”

  “Well, for a lady like me, he is very pretty.”

  “But, you want him... as a boyfriend.”

  Jennel bit her lip. “That is one way of putting it.” She exhaled at the thought of all the places she wanted to put Day-ek, and she realized that none of them were appropriate for discussion with a minor. Fifty-four more days, and they could have slightly more frank discussions, but for now, she just sighed. “I do have a crush on him.”

  “That is a first. I haven’t known you to have a romantic interest in anyone.”

  She put on her blinker to turn into their neighbourhood. It was eleven fifteen when they got home, and she parked in their new driveway. “Ready for school tomorrow?”

  He chuckled. “It will basically be endless tours for me and then dropped into a class. I’ve got this, Aunt Jen.”

  “Do you want me there?”

  He paused and then nodded. “Yes, please.”

  They were inside, and the door was locked as they headed for bed. It was about to be another busy day.

  After he ate several pounds of breakfast, she got Corit into the truck in his teenager coma and drove him the two blocks to school. She parked and prodded him out of the truck and down the walkway with a smirk. She saw his tiny grin and the gleam in his eyes as he created the image of the orc born bullied by the tiny elf. It would take weeks for their situation to be explained, and by then, he would be near graduating.

  They entered through wards and walked to the office. She had done this a few times, so she knew the drill.

  The receptionist looked at the name on the transcripts, and she beamed. “Of course. The young man Speaker Tell called about.”

  “Speaker Tell... Day-ek?”

  The receptionist smiled. “Yes. He called yesterday afternoon and left a message of recommendation for Mr. Aurictempest. Even late in the season, he is to be invited to try out for the sports teams.”

  Corit perked up. “Aunt Jen, can I?”

  “Sure. Just bring whatever slips I need to sign home today.”

  The receptionist cleared her throat and handed over a clipboard. “Right. Here we go.”

  She signed one page after the next, filled in all Corit’s details, and left his clan designation blank.

  When she was done, she just had enough time to hand over the clipboard and kiss her boy on the cheek before one of the administrators took him over for the tour and the introduction to his first class.

  She sighed and looked at the receptionist. “Anything else?”

  The brownie grinned and extended her hand with a folded sheet of paper. “The speaker asked me to give you his number. He said you didn’t have it yet.”

  Jen blushed. “Right. He’s... uh... my neighbour.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “It isn’t like that.” Yet.

  Her phone chimed, and she inclined her head. “You have my number. Call me if any issues arise. I have to get to my own orientation.”

  The receptionist grinned and nodded. “Good luck.”

  Jen was glad she had worn sweats to the high school, but if she was dressed for her orientation, she wouldn’t have to barrel her truck home before slamming it into park as she ran into the house. She sprinted up to her bedroom and flipped her sweats off, picked up her suit, and wiggled into it. The soft blouse wrapped over her breasts, and she enjoyed the feeling for a moment before the blazer went over it all. She jacked herself up on four-inch heels and grabbed her purse before she headed back to the still-running truck.

  She was near the headquarters before she remembered the naked orc poster on her wall, and then, she realized that she hadn’t bought drapes. After nearly causing an accident, she pulled into the visitor’s lot and thumped her forehead against the steering wheel. She sat up and peeked inside her blouse and sighed in relief when she saw the pretty lace. If she was going to flash the next-door neighbour, she was glad that she was wearing a cute set of underwear. She quickly patted her hips and sighed in relief. Yeah. Panties were in place.

  She got out of the truck and headed for the admin desk. It was time for her to settle in.

  Chapter Five

  Captain Matheson was frowning. “The Mage Guild has been in contact, and they want you working with them.”

  She smiled brightly. “Tough. I am orc, dark fae, and human. The human part was just a research mage who went to the wrong mixer.”

  He nodded. “Excellent. Glad you are sure.”

  “Also, with the majority of my surviving family being orcs, I don’t have time for the snide racism.”

  “Right. Well, how do you feel about being on call?”

  She smiled. “I am fine with it. My nephew is nearly an adult, so my leaving at odd hours won’t interfere with his life or studies. No need for a babysitter.”

  The captain blinked. “Right. Well, good. We just have to run a test with some cold cases and give you your credentials and gym key.”

  She grinned. “Weirdest caveat for a contractor?”

  “No, we have one that we work with and who is a mage. She demands cans of flaked ham for her familiar. He’s a picky bastard, too. She does know how to handle a spectre, though.” He chuckled and got to his feet. “Come with me.”

  Jennel followed and felt the weight of the wasted evidence in the locker.

  “These cold cases can be examined and worked on as you like if you have down time or want to dodge the PTA.”

  She chuckled. “I might take you up on it.”

  The evidence controller brought out three boxes. Each was more than twenty years old.

  Jennel looked at the captain. “Just dive in?”

  “Please.”

  She flipped the top off the first box and pulled out bags with evidence seals. She reached into her purse and brought out a pen knife, cleaned it with an alcohol wipe, and slit the seal of the murder weapon. She grimaced. “This is a plant. You carved the turkey with it last Christmas, but your wife got it from a relative, and that is all it is good for.”

  The captain blushed. “Sorry. I had to check.”

  “I am telling your wife where it went at the first opportunity.”

  The evidence handler grinned and brought out the actual item. It was a boning knife with nicks in the blade and blood in the grooves. “The knife was taken from a drawer in a kitchen with cracked blue linoleum countertops. The weather was early autumn, and it was carried to the scene wrapped in newspaper.” She continued to give him the information, including the face reflected in the knife when it was drawn out of the drawer.

  She gave them every detail she could, and then, she put the knife back in the bag and sealed, dating and initialling the tape.

  The captain was stunned, and the evidence handler was writing frantically.

  Captain Matheson smiled. “You just solved this case.”

  “No, I just told the story of the knife from the moment it was decided that it would be a weapon until it ended up in the box. I can tell you that it has been examined four times in the last twenty years.”

  He smiled. “Your testimony has stood up to cross-examination?”

  “Of course. My seer skills have just about every certification that visions can get. I am excellent under cross-examination and am not susceptible to intimidation. I believe that if the evidence can speak for the deceased, it has an obligation to.”

  He nodded. “Is that how you will dress on a call?”

  She looked down at her
expensive suit and heels. “Problem?”

  “No, but we are going to have to lecture anyone who works with you to keep their hands to themselves.”

  She snorted. “That won’t be an issue.”

  “Our agents are predominantly males of differing species, and while they are lectured on self-control, you are a particularly attractive woman. The fae nature pulls folks in.”

  “I also have orc strength and combat training. If they try something, there will be a mark left behind.”

  “We have an orc agent.”

  “I am aware, Captain. He’s my next-door neighbour.”

  “Good to know. He will know where to find you if you are needed in a hurry.”

  “Um, I will be accessible by phone. You don’t need to bug the speaker.”

  “Multiple points of contact are always a good thing. Having an agent as a neighbour will both be a comfort and annoyance.” He smiled.

  She remembered the orc leaning naked in his window while she did her speed change. “Thanks for reminding me I need curtains or blinds. Maybe both.”

  He laughed. “Can you do another reading?”

  She gave him a sideways glance. “Am I on the clock?”

  “Of course.”

  “Pick the case, and I will see what I can see.” She smiled. “If we can set up a dark room, I can project what I see.”

  He perked up and made a note. “I will try and get you the use of an office with a recorder.”

  “Great. I am going to work strictly on an on-call basis, though. I do have another job.”

  He sighed. “Yeah, well, if you get writer's block, you can come here and clear your mind.”

  “The writing isn’t an issue?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I have read some of your work. I don’t see any correlation with your use of your seer abilities.”

  “Oh, you poor thing. Sorry, you had to go through that.”

  “No, it was fine, and now, my wife is one of your loyal readers.”

  She giggled. “Right. Well, the seer work pays better than the writing. So, I will wait for my first call for my crime scene skills or a cold case. I ran into issues when I showed up to scan the cold cases on my own. The department stopped caring. If the case hasn’t been selected, no one wants to pay me.”