Page 25 of Goddess of Storms

“Agents Starkel and Thornton here have a few questions about Harper,” Nicks states, “Seems a couple of her college friends are in trouble and they named her as an accomplice.”

I laugh at that, “You two haven’t met Harper then, she is the most down to earth person I know. For gods’ sakes, she locks herself in the supply closet just to get away from her co-workers. There is no way she’s been an accomplice to anything.”

“See, ladies, I told you that our Harper was on the straight and narrow. I believe you are chasing bad leads, and I don’t appreciate you trying to soil her good name,” Nicks says as he faces the agents.

The one with long blonde hair shoves a card in my face. “If you see Harper, please give her this, we would still like to question her.”

I take it as she and the other agent head towards the front doors, four more follow behind like drones.

“Between you and me, those 'agents',” Nicks says with finger quotes, “aren’t real ones. I don’t know what they want with Harper but it’s not what they are stating it is.”

“I got that vibe, too, Boss. She is sick as a dog, I’ve never seen her green like she was. I dropped her at home and told her to rest. Also, I plan to stop by after work, just to check up on her.”

“You’re a good friend, Stone. Keep it up, Harper is one of the best agents in this department, I want her rested and ready for work on Monday.” He pats my desk before heading back to his office.

Waiting impatiently for the clock to tick to five, I’ve completed all my busy work, so I’m just tapping my thumbs on my desk. Reid and Riley stride up with smirks on their faces.

Reid has her pocket knife out and is picking her nails with it, “So, where’s Harper?”

“I’m sure you heard, she is sick,” I reply.

Riley, the quiet one, speaks up, “Harper has never taken a sick day since I’ve been here, what is really going on?”

“Must have been a bad MRE, I mean if you want to check on her and hold her hair up as she yaks, be my guest.” I shrug.

“Hard pass for me,” Reid says, “unless there’s blood?”

“You are one freaky chick,” I remark as I punch out on the computer, “Well, I’ve had all the fun I can stand. See you two Monday morning.”

With quick steps, I head to the back of the building and to my car, not glancing around until I am safely tucked behind the steering wheel of my locked car.

After a fast scan of the area, I turn the key and my baby roars to life. I type in the coordinates that Nile gave me before he ran off and make my way back to my heart.

I send a quick prayer to the gods that my journey is swift back to her and that she will be waiting for me with open arms.

Harper

A little refreshed from my nap, I smile when my Jeep pulls up to the familiar cabin. Oh, if the walls could talk, Phoenix wouldn’t set a foot inside.

“There’s that smile I love,” Nile states.

“Stop sucking up, you’re still in hot water for not listening to my mother. What if you led the cult to me? My powers were bound, and I would’ve been at their mercy,” I tell him.

“Ouch,” Phoenix remarks from the back seat.

Once Nile parks, we all hop out and unload the groceries from the trunk.

“Did you leave anything at the store?” Nile complains after his third trip.

“I remember how much you eat, I don’t think we got enough food.” I huff, taking two arms full of bags to his two bags.

“You’re not wrong,” he says, trailing after me. “I’m going to make sure the fridge is plugged in and cold. Do you remember where the pantry and cleaning supplies are?”

I nod and start sorting the groceries and point Phoenix to the pantry. “Can you make sure there are no critters in there?”

“Critters?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Mice, spiders, anything that crawls,” I reply with a shiver.

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