Page 15 of Witch

“Not a thing,” Ember replied with a heavy sigh. “In fact, the only evidence a warlock was ever around at any point was the imp. If we don’t find some sort of evidence soon, the extra teams are going to stand down and return home, which I would guess is the warlock’s plan. Our numbers right now are probably too much for him, so he’s hiding until then.”

“And probably laughing as we run around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to find him,” Kana said, his voice dry with disgust. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to help with the magic side of things on Monday.”

Ember nodded and grinned at Kana. “I forgot to tell you, Johanna grabbed me yesterday when I went over for my shift to ask me how you were doing. I know she was probably genuinely worried about you, but I think they’re also missing having your power at their disposal.”

That was both flattering and worrying. Kana liked what he did for the hunters’ association, and he particularly liked using his magic and learning new magical techniques, but there had to be a line between him doing a job and the hunters taking advantage of him. Johanna was good about it, but Kana could see that becoming a problem in the future. He could also understand why Diana and other witches hadn’t worked together with the hunters before this.

Kana wanted to help, with this imp issue and to combat other magical creatures and people who were harming humans. He supported what the hunters did to protect people, and the best way he could provide support was to use his magic on their behalf—presuming they didn’t take advantage of him because of that, of course.

“As long as they understand my power is only at their disposal for as long as I continue to work for them,” Kana replied, his voice firm. “I’m not their trained puppet, but at the same time, I enjoy what I do for them.”

Ember shrugged. “If it becomes a problem and you need to quit, you and I can move to the rural pack house for a while. Although, not to put any pressure on you, but I’m hoping when you’re healed and back at work, you’ll be able to come up with something that will help.”

Kana laughed. “I’m hoping that too. I’ll definitely be back to work on Monday, and then we’ll see.”

Kana relaxed into the arm Ember slid over his shoulders, cuddling as close as the mess hall chairs allowed without actually climbing into Ember’s lap. They stayed like that for a few stolen moments, Kana enjoying the warmth and strength of Ember’s body as their scents mingled in a form of marking that told every werewolf Kana encountered that he was paired with Ember.

Quite a few minutes passed like that before Ember stirred and looked over at the door. George stood there, looking apologetic, but when he saw he had Ember’s attention, he waved.

“Back to work,” Ember said with a sigh. “I’ll try to come say goodnight before I head over to the hunters for my shift.”

Kana nodded and smiled at Ember. “I’m sure as soon as you’re gone someone will approach me to ask about some problem. I’ll be too busy to notice you’re gone,” he finished with a cheeky grin.

Ember laughed as he pulled away and stood up. “Don’t pretend you’re not enjoying it.” He bent down and Kana arched his neck upward, and their lips met in a brief peck.

Then Ember was gone, striding across the room to meet up with George before both of them headed deeper into the pack house. Kana sighed and returned to his cooling tea.

Soon, Kana reminded himself. If he used his magic now, he would only reinjure his magic channels. No matter how much he wanted to follow after Ember and help to find the warlock, he had to be fully healed or he would continue to be a liability. Still, he would be healed on Monday and would hit the ground running, which was at least some consolation. Until then, he would support Ember in other ways, including by helping the young woman shyly approaching him, her hands clasped in front of her as if Kana was the answer to her prayer.

Kana smiled and waved her over, happy to help, though he would be even happier on Monday.

Chapter Eight

“KANA, YOU’RE HERE!” Johanna called the second Kana stepped through the front doors of the hunter building.

Ember had escorted Kana as far as the front gates, and Kana had walked up the driveway with only Mika and Sora for company. Johanna was holding a clipboard, and it looked like she had simply been passing through rather than waiting for him, but she stopped next to a bowl on a stand to wait for Kana to reach her.

“You just have to touch the water,” Johanna added.

Kana reached out and trailed his fingers in the water in the bowl. Mika grumbled, but reached down from where he was lying across Kana’s shoulders to dip in a paw.

Do I have to? Sora whined, but when Kana bent and picked him up, Sora obediently dipped his own paw in the water.

“Looks like you’re demon-free,” Johanna said with a smile. “I’m headed to Stan’s new office to drop off some paperwork. I’ll see you downstairs?”

“Sounds good. I’m sure I have a lot to catch up on,” Kana replied with his own smile.

Johanna headed off. Sora apparently didn’t want to walk on a wet paw and curled up in Kana’s bent elbow, with Mika still lying across Kana’s shoulders, as Kana went in the other direction to go to the stairs that led down to his office.

“Wait a minute!”

Kana stopped walking and turned his head to see who had yelled. The hunter who had confronted Kana on the lawn last week was standing near the bowl, scowling at Kana.

“You’ve proven you’re not the warlock, since you could touch the holy water, but I still say you’re a fraud!”

“Erich!” Johanna snapped, but Ary walked up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Kana, Erich is concerned you’re a fraud,” Ary said, his glance at Kana pointed.

---