Page 20 of Wolf Trap

I dragged my heavy feet into the living room and slumped in a chair. If only he knew…

7

SPIKE

Frowning, the mage obliged, eyeing us. “So, what, you both stink of shite… Been off on a jolly?” He spluttered a laugh. “Sorry, no, I can see you haven’t. So?”

“We were kidnapped, then taken to some godforsaken castle,” Lycaon bellowed to Austin. “Adara enchanted me with some awful spell that forced me to attack Elsa. Then a gargoyle, of all things, saved us and I just tasted the blood of an infected werewolf!”

Shaking his head, Austin rolled his eyes at me. “You know he’ll always be like this. Any excuse to get out of the washing up. Can you make me a coffee, dear?” Austin’s voice dropped as deep as he could manage, which was especially funny as his chin was on his chest, trying to mimic Lycaon. “No dear, I can’t make you a coffee, or put the rubbish out. Don’t you know, I’m the father of wolves!” He flinched, grinning inanely at Lycaon. “Alright mate, keep your fur on. Uncle Austin will make you a cup of coffee, then you can tell me all about it. We haven’t been idle, either, but gargoyles, you say? Seriously? Foul creatures…”

I interrupted their tête-à-tête, “Austin, I don’t suppose you can help find my phone? Adara took it, is there some way you can magic it back? Please?”

“Nope. But we’ll track it. But… the payment is a kiss!”

“What?”

Lycaon growled as Austin laughed. “Not from you. From him!”

Letting out a breath, Lycaon shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Mage, you can’t shock me. I’m too old.”

His shoulders bobbing up and down, Austin laughed. “Only kidding, wolfboy. Are you that IT illiterate, Elsa? I was just going to track it online. Geez, you two.”

“Thanks, Spike, but it’s in a portal.”

Huffing, Austin shrugged. “That’s a lot of work for a phone. Ok then. By the look of you both, you need an extra strong coffee. So, are we thinking it’s a two sugars day?”

“Heck, make it three.”

“Got a laptop, Elsa?”

“On the side table. I need a wash. Here.” I passed it to him.

Squinting he asked, “What, you don’t have a password, Elsa?”

“It’s usually just me, Austin. I have a hex on it anyhow, not that it would affect you.”

He pulled his hands back quickly. “You sure? You know, you could just set a password anyhow.”

He set about typing, looking up my phone details. I know I sound lazy, but I was absolutely and completely knackered. And I stank. I wanted a shower and then sleep. My broken window still needed to be fixed.

Austin closed his eyes, his fingers hovering over the keypad. A shimmer of silver radiated from his fingertips as he typed.

“Nope, sorry Elsa. I can find it, but in a portal, that would be tricky. I’ll try to find it later. You can have one of my sparephones for now. I’ll pop back home and pick you one up. I found some interesting information, or rather Anthony did, on Adara on the dark web. Looking at you two, you both smell rancid. How about I pick you up in a few hours? You get a wash,I’d appreciate that,and a bit of shuteye?”

“Austin, you’re a gem.”

His eyes sparkled. “I know, but thanks anyway. Alright, well that was short and sweet, you sure you’re both ok?”

I shrugged, Lycaon interjected. “I won’t be staying long Austin, I have some wolves to manage. But we’ll see each other soon. In fact, I’d appreciate a lift to Savernake if possible, please?”

“So, back into the role of father, eh? Sure, no problem.”

Worry tugged in his voice, Lycaon muttered, “Elsa, would you like me to leave? After what’s happened, I don’t want my presence to scare you.”

“Um, no. Stay. I already feel better being home. I know you were under their spell. I didn’t mean, I-”

Lycaon reached out, briefly touching my arm. “Are you sure? I won't get offended if you tell me the truth. Perhaps you’d rather Austin stayed instead? I mean, he can’t change into a wolf.”

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