Page 41 of Fangs and Family
‘I’ll be on my way then. Please let me know when I can come and pick up Nina,’ I said, hearing the lady in question grumbling in the background as she drank her fully loaded coffee.
‘I’m not some package to pick up and drop off as you wish,’ she grumbled, but I heard the amusement in her voice, so, taking a chance, I approached her.
With slow, deliberate movements, I reached over, cupping Nina’s cheek, and leaned down till my lips hovered millimetres above hers. She exhaled slowly, and a shy smile ghosted her lips. I counted the seconds, and on the count of five, hearing no protest or denial, I closed the distance and kissed her with tender care. Nina tasted divine, and I wanted to prolong the moment forever, but I was walking on thin ice and feared to break this delicate truce between us. I stepped back and gave her a cheeky smile while bowing slightly with a medieval courtier’s gallantry.
‘You are no package, my lady. You are a treasure, and I intend to cherish you till you shine for all to see. Call me when you are ready, my princess.’
‘Aww, such grand words from my knight in shining armour,’ she teased, shaking her head with a soft chuckle. ‘You are impossible, cute, but absolutely impossible.’ However, her lips parted, inviting me back into her embrace, but I was already turning toward Leszek.
‘I will be working throughout the night, so call me if you need anything,’ I said, wishing I could wipe the smug look from my boss’s face. He knew exactly what I was doing and took great pleasure in observing my efforts.
‘Of course,’ he replied, but before I left, I saw Nina pouring an unhealthy amount of Michal’s moonshine into her cup.
‘I need more of this, so much more, if I’m going to stay sane,’ she muttered.
The walk to the car was filled with visions of my kiss with Nina, ones I never wanted to forget, the taste of her lips still lingering on my tongue. By the time I was sitting at the wheel, my determination to prove myself to her had me dialling the clinic’s security team, resolving to do whatever was needed to find Pawel and keep him safe.
‘Adam Lisowczyk here. Verification code three-zero-alpha-kilo-eight. Send all the footage from the last week to my address via the encrypted VPN,’ I commanded as soon as they answered my phone, disconnecting as soon as I heard confirmation.
My next stops were the Syndicate warehouse and Nina’s apartment. I needed to secure her home, and while I knew there was no way to stop a determined thief, especially one that walked in the shadows as I did, I could make damn sure they didn’t escape undetected.
The warehouse manager didn’t question me, only raising his eyebrows when I asked for enough equipment to safeguard the national reserve. I picked up several large motion-sensing military-grade cameras, twice as many covert cameras with infrared capability. I added enough arcane detection devices as backup, including those capable of identifying the passive magical fields of the Elder Races.
After wiring up the outside of Nina’s apartment, I hesitated. I knew I should ask permission before going inside, but with Nina now living with me, I didn’t think it would infringe too much on her privacy. Just to be sure, though, I sent her a brief text.
I need to enter your home to install some sensors.
After a few minutes, I received a reply.
Sure thing, Sparkles, just don’t steal my knickers.
I snorted at the exchange and the nickname she gave me. With a woman like this, I would never be bored. I slipped into the shadows, being careful to search for magical traps as I entered the apartment. I remembered this place so well that I had no issue finding my way around, but after Sara’s seemingly casual comment earlier, I was seeing her home with fresh eyes. When I was staying with Nina, I was so focused on her that I’d never paid attention to the furnishings, but now, something that seemed so insignificant in the past meant the world to me. I wanted to know more about the woman I planned to spend my eternity with.
Nina’s apartment was filled with colour and gaudy clutter, mostly handcrafted items that looked like they’d come from a flea market’s bins. I couldn’t deny the items seemed to have some charm, and it was clear the artists had a passion for their work, but the pieces in Nina’s home were flawed in ways that made me wonder why she would buy them. One thing was obvious, though: Nina clearly loved them, imperfect as they might be, as each was clear of dust and placed with care in prominent positions.
I focused on the soft furnishings, taking in their loud, bright and often clashing colours, their plush, deep cushioning and the surprising amount of almost neon fur. How I’d missed seeing these things, I don’t know, but I did remember the soft, welcoming feel of relaxing in their soft embrace with Nina in my arms.
Two things that didn’t match the rest of the decor were a punching bag and a knife. The knife especially caught my attention, giving me an idea for later.
When I finished installing all the security equipment, I closed my eyes, memorising my surroundings before returning home.
It wasn’t easy to find local craftsmen who would deliver colourful quilted blankets and cashmere throws after being disturbed in the middle of the night, but after offering outrageous amounts of money and continued patronage, their attitudes changed, and deliveries were arranged for the next day.
There was one thing no amount of wealth could provide. Something that I needed for Nina because the only way to earn her trust was to show her how much I believed in her. For that, I needed to swallow my pride and ask for help.
‘Veronica? Good evening, Coven Mistress,’ I said politely when she picked up the phone.
‘What now?’ she answered curtly. I closed my eyes, counting slowly, holding back the vicious retort I wanted to use.
‘I’m calling to formally ask a favour. I need an obsidian knife.’ I could almost hear the gears turning in her mind, wondering what I was planning, but Veronica surprised me by simply asking.
‘You need an Athame? Why would you need a blade of earth and fire if you can’t perform spells? Wait… you’re not planning on ending your life, are you? I want no trouble with the Leshy if he learns I gave you the knife plunged into your rotten heart.’
‘It’s not for me. Nina was attacked, and I need something she can use to defend herself, so no, I don’t need an Athame. A plain obsidian knife will do, but if you are willing to bespell it, I would be more than grateful.’
‘Adam, I can’t give an Athame to a human. Not even your human.’ She said.
‘Sara wanted Nina to have it.’ I lied flawlessly, knowing it would work.
