Double Magick in the Falls

Chapter 27

Kheda’s phone rings, interrupting my swirling thoughts. His silence speaks volumes, his face flushed a moment ago from kissing, drains away to a grayish color. In silence he hangs up, dragging a shaking hand through his hair. He looks at us with wide, shocked eyes. Shaking his head, he collects himself before telling us what the officer on the other end of the phone had told him.

“The werewolf had braces inserted in his legs to keep him standing. The female vampire had a wooden stake inside her with the end sticking out. The end was in the male vampire’s mouth.” Rubbing his face vigorously as if to wipe away the knowledge he had just received, Kheda looks at our shocked faces and shudders.

“When the male vampire was moved, he disintegrated. We have got to find the bitch who killed them,” he growls as anger rumbles up inside him, changing his face into a savage expression. “I’ll go get my stuff, and meet you all back at your house.” Grabbing Jasmine, he gives her a fierce kiss before stalking off.

“I’ll walk you out of the park, and then I’ll go and get my stuff.”

“No, get your stuff, there are two of us, so we’ll be the safest out of all of us,” I object.

With a stiff nod of acceptance, Victor kisses me then flits away.

“Why didn’t he fly off?”

“I don’t know, but I think we should hurry up and get home,” Jasmine replies giving me a gentle shove out of the trees.

In silent agreement, we instinctively take the long way around to try and avoid anyone who might be lurking about. Twenty minutes later, we exit the park and head to West Bridge and cross it. We hurry past the college campus and diner we ate in yesterday. Was it really only yesterday we rescued George and my grandmother’s demon impersonator? Blimey, time is either going slowly, or I needed a holiday! “I need a holiday,” I decide.

“Yeah, me, too,” Jasmine agrees with a disheartened sigh. “Or a drink. Actually, I’d settle for a drink right now until this mess is over, and then we can go on a sun holiday.”

On that thought, we stop at the supermarket, buy a bottle of whisky, a bottle of rum, a two-liter bottle of cola, a six-pack of lager, three pizzas, and a bag of chips. With our arms loaded, we get in line to wait our turn to pay.

“I’m serious, they were allowed into the cave,” a woman whispers loudly to the checkout assistant as she eyes us. “Why do you think that was, hmm?”

“I think you should stop your gossiping, Susan, is what I think,” the checkout assistant hisses back. With a huff, Susan pays for her shopping and storms off, but not before sending us another pointed glance.

With a shake of her head, the till operative serves the next couple of customers as quickly as she can, and finally it’s our turn.

“Don’t mind Susan. She don’t mean no harm, but she is a terrible gossip,” Mary the till operative informs us as she puts our shopping through. “Just be careful, and try not to go out alone. You protected my aunt the other night in The Witches’ Brew, which is why I’m giving you a heads-up.”

“Thank you.” I pay for our shopping and a couple of bags, pack, and hurry home. Thankfully, we don’t meet anyone else. But the feeling of being watched is unmistakable.

Twenty minutes later, with a sense of relief I unlock the door, and we put away the shopping and bags.

Feeling contaminated from the twisted killings at the cave, as if some of their horror has seeped into me, I head upstairs to scrub myself clean. Once finished I switch off the shower, dry myself, and wrap the towel around me sarong style before exiting the bathroom.

I quickly dress, grab the airbed out of the cupboard, and go to my office where I already have a single bed made up for unexpected guests to sleep. I plug it in and collect my dirty clothes while it’s blowing up.

With a grimace, I bring my washing downstairs. Remembering to empty my pockets, I put the washing machine on a long wash. Collecting my wallet, phone, keys, and camera I put my keys away in the drawer in the hallway, go back upstairs, and load the photos onto my laptop. Once done I save them and head to my room. I do not want to look at those pictures tonight.

I make room on my dressing table so I have space for my laptop and printer. Once this is done, I collect them from my office and set them up. I quickly make the airbed. Once finished I slowly go downstairs and straight into the sitting room. Feeling exhausted, I sit down on the sofa and curl my legs up beneath me. A minute later, Jasmine, looking tired but refreshed after her shower, enters carrying two glasses of rum and soda. With a moan of satisfaction, I gratefully accept one from her, and take a large slurp from mine.

“Thank you so much,” I exclaim gratefully. “You’re welcome. Shouldn’t they have arrived by now?” she anxiously asks. “I mean, it’s been almost two hours since we last saw them.” Nervously she stared out the window, tension straining every muscle in her body.

I get up and pad over to stand by her. Fishing out my phone, I check to see if I have any missed calls or messages, but no one has tried to contact me. As we stare out the window, we see a car coming up the drive. The tension leaves our bodies when we recognize Kheda’s car, which he parks beside mine.

A further feeling of relief washes over me as I notice Victor in the passenger seat. By the time they climb out of the car, we have the front door open. The guys quickly grab their stuff from the boot, and Kheda locks it behind him. A minute later I close and lock the front door behind them. We are all safe. The house seems to let out a pent-up breath as if it had been worried about us, too, startling Victor and Kheda.

With a smile of greeting, I inquire if they would like a drink first or to see the room they will be staying in.

“If it’s okay with you, I would like to put my things away, then I’ll happily accept the offer of a drink.” Kheda offers me a grateful smile.

With the decision made, I lead them upstairs to my office. As we pass the bathroom, I point it out, so Kheda will know where it is. I take them straight to my office and apologize that they have to share. I might have slept with Victor once, but I’m not jumping to any sort of conclusions. Anyway, how do you ask in front of others, do you want to sleep with me? If Victor ends up sleeping with me, the sleeping arrangements will change accordingly.

“I’ll leave you guys to unpack. I have to go and sort out my washing.”

I scamper downstairs, and put my washing into the dryer, and let Jasmine know the washing machine is free. Personally, I’m beginning to get hungry so I put the oven on. Turning around, I smack into Victor’s powerful chest with a little squeal of surprise.

“Bloody hell, Victor, make some noise in future. You frightened the shit out of me!” I growl, my poor heart pounding in fright, and maybe, a bit of lust as well to be honest.

“So you want me to sleep with Kheda?” Victor looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, umm, I’m not quite sure how to answer that, to be honest,” I stammer flushing red in embarrassment. “You see, personally, I would prefer to be sleeping

in your room, with you!” Victor smiles as he gently massages my shoulders.

“You would? I didn’t want to presume. You still can, if you like?” I shyly answer as I reach up to pull his head down to mine. Before our lips meet, I remember I’d forgotten to pay for my lunch.

“Oh my God, I haven’t paid for my lunch,” I blurt out in mortification. “I’m so sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. We all got rather distracted by a murder,” soothes Victor. “Anyway, lunch was on me, so you wouldn’t have been paying. Now, where were we before you interrupted us, hmm?” Victor gently grasps my chin to hold me still, so he can slant his mouth across mine, in a gentle but sensual kiss.