Page 10 of Pike

The thing growled and she nearly peed. She needed to get a handle on the situation. Quick.

“There you go. You like that, don’t you? It smells delicious. Why don’t you go on the other side of the room and play? Hmm?”

A tingle of something shot up her spine. Whether fear, hope, or a combination of the two, Lavinia wasn’t sure, and there was no time to think about it.

With Pike watching from the corner, she kept her body rigid and still and waited for her new little friend to release his stranglehold on her neck.

“There you go,” Pike called. “Keep talking.”

“I don’t know the last time you ate, and I’m sure you’re hungry. I might even have a piece of candy in my other pocket.” Lavinia gripped the waist of her pants and studied the hairy leg of the karakondzula. It was impossible to still her heart from beating right out of her chest. Her brain only told her to run. Run as far and as fast as her feet could carry her.

Enough. She had to try to be positive. Otherwise, there was no way she could improve. Certainly no way she could defend herself once Pike left her.

Her visions were clear in that respect. Pike was definitely leaving her. She’d seen it last night right before bed. A clear black and white image solidifying into color. He was already gone. There was no question about it.

“Here you go, buddy. You have the gum,” she fished around with her free hand and clamped down on a peppermint candy, “and here’s a little something sweet! What a good boy.”

The karakondzula seized the candy, popping the entire piece in his mouth with a happy snarl. The second it released the back of her neck, Lavinia tossed it down to the floor, scuttling in the opposite direction. She didn’t wait for Pike to say anything. She grabbed a wastebasket and slapped it down on top of the goblin, now happily chewing, gum clenched in its fist.

To keep him in place, she sat down on the wastebasket and crossed her legs. Then she twisted to face Pike. Something unspoken clouded his eyes. “How did I do?” she asked.

He stared at her for a moment then dropped his gaze to the floor. Refused to meet her eyes. “Well enough. You need a lot of work. A lot of practice.”

Lavinia sighed. “Yeah, I know. You scared the crap out of me when you flung him.”

Pike chuckled softly. “That was the point. You get anything?”

He meant a vision of the future. “No, not a thing. I’m glad it’s over.” She peered closer at him. “It is over for today, isn’t it?” When he hesitated, she threw her arms up in the air. “Oh my gosh, I should have known. You probably have a list in your pocket with creative ways to torture me until I can keep up with you. Am I right? I’m right.” She dropped to her knees with a groan. Then shrieked and lunged around when the wastebasket began to vibrate.

“I have something else planned.” Pike glanced down at his watch. “Tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

She watched him shrug into his jacket. “Where are you going?”

“Out. I have things to do.”

“You can’t just run off and leave me to deal with this thing,” Lavinia said. She tightened her hold on the basket when the karakondzula scratched at the sides of his prison.

“Can and will, love. Sorry to rush out. I have an appointment.”

“An appointment. Okay, Mr. Vague, sure thing.”

“Meet me at 546 Trent Avenue. And wear something…sexy.”

She spared a glance down at her jeans and sweater. “This is sexy. Come on.”

“Something at least six inches above your knee.” His brow rose as though he doubted her ability to dress in an appropriate manner.

“It’s freezing outside.”

“Meet me at midnight. Okay?”

“What do you want me to do with this thing?” she called after him.

**

---