Page 23 of Wicked Deeds

“Should I call Mitch?” I asked.

“No.” The response was sharp. “Damon’s crew can’t go anywhere near the house until we know it’s safe. What’s the address?”

I gave it to her.

“Alright. Don’t move until I get there.”

Callum and I spent the next quarter of an hour sitting in the car, which was kind of awkward. I stared up at the second story, but with the blinds closed I couldn’t even see the glow from Lizzie’s witchlight. I gritted my teeth, telling myself no news was good news.

Just when I was deciding whether to disobey orders and go after Lizzie, she came around the side of the house. Relief stole my breath. I was remembering to breathe in when Lizzie reached us. “Anything?” I asked, lowering the window as Callum climbed out of his seat, the bag of salt in one hand and a bottle of water in the other.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “Callum was right. There’s a wall where there shouldn’t be one, but I can’t find a way in.”

“It might be mechanical rather than magical. Damon or Mitch could probably help with that,” I said.

“Not until it’s safe,” Lizzie said. “What did Cassandra say?” She took the salt and water Callum offered and rinsed her hands carefully.

“She’s on the way. Stay put until then.”

“Right,” Lizzie said. She shook her damp hands as though working off some nerves. “Callum, can you check me before I get in?”

“Of course,” he said. “Hold out your hands.” She did and he repeated what he’d done with me. “Nothing.”

Lizzie’s expression was as relieved as Callum’s tone. She climbed into the back seat, with a sigh.

Callum passed her backpack over. “Here. You should eat and drink. This is going to be a long night.”

He was right. Cassandra arrived with Radha and Ian, the other two members of the Cestis, hot on her heels. A few minutes later, Zee pulled up, too. Either his tournament was done, or he’d bailed. He made a beeline for Lizzie when she got out of the car to go talk to the others, gathering her in for a hug before inspecting her with serious dark eyes, reassuring himself she was all right.

They all conferred for a few minutes before Cassandra came over to the car and knocked on the window.

I wound it down.

“Maggie, you might as well go home,” she said. “I’ve let Mitch know the address and that you found something related to Ajax. He’s going to dig into who owns the house, see if that tells us anything, but there’s nothing more you can do here.”

I hesitated, not liking feeling useless. Part of me wanted to stay and help, and part of me wanted to run far away, but the choice was out of my hands, and arguing would only slow the rest of them down. “Mitch should check the gaming gear inside. They might get an ID off the system.”

Cassandra nodded. “I’ll see that he does.”

She didn’t say anything else. Clearly, I was dismissed. “Right. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“I take it Mitch called?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen. Damon was seated at the table, working away at something on his datapad. He still wore jeans and a somewhat wrinkled whiteshirt. Clearly he’d had no intention of going to bed before I got home.

“Yes.” He stood and met me halfway across the room, hands catching my shoulders. He looked me over with the same intensity that Zee had looked at Lizzie.

I smiled up at him as the familiar buzz of knowing I was the center of this man’s world stole through my veins like a slow shot of tequila. “I’m fine.” I put a hand on his cheek, and he leaned into the touch. “I’m fine,” I repeated, stepping back. He’d want a debrief and if I was going to talk, then I wanted snacks.

It was too late for coffee, but I wanted something hot and comforting to drink. I had some of Cassandra’s teas, including a soothing one that tasted less bad than a lot of her concoctions. Accompanied by a cookie or three, it might be just what I needed. Damon waited for me to fill a mug. I could feel the weight of his gaze as I moved around the kitchen, as though he was still making sure I was really okay. “Tea?” I asked, holding up the teapot.

“No. Are you going to tell me what happened?”

I explained what we’d found. He listened, shoulders set in a hard tense line, laser focused as I talked.

“Where’s this house again?” he asked, when I finished.

“Sea Cliff.” I carried my tea and cookies back to the table and Damon followed, taking the chair next to mine. “One of the rebuilt parts. Nothing special.”

He shook his head, mouth twisting. “Ajax didn’t live in Sea Cliff. He was close to Riley. We never found anything at his apartment relating to demonkind or magic.”

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