Page 3 of Fallen
Before I can throw back my own retort, my magic suddenly glitches. One second, I’m standing there; the next, I’m half-faded, my skin mimicking the gravel under my feet. Amand’s hand tightens on my shoulder, snapping me back to visibility. If they grab me fast enough, I can usually stay present. The problem is actually catching me as it happens. “Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing a hand down my face. “This Chameleon shit is gonna be the death of me.”
Rowan chuckles as he drags me into his side and presses a kiss to my temple. “It’s cute. Like you’re playing hide-and-seek with the world.”
“Cute?” I scoff, but leave it alone, leaning farther into his side so I don’t accidentally disappear again. Things are fucked up enough right now that I don’t need to explain that to the cops.
Amand’s about to say something, that wicked grin on his face telling me it would be something dirty as fuck but he doesn’t get the chance to.
Two black SUVs swerve into the parking lot. One of them is branded with the police department’s insignia, the other from the medical examiner’s office, suspiciously branded with Essence PI’s logo. I usually would call my own people but this is a little too public.
However, I now have more questions. I twist around to meet Gerard’s gaze, wondering how the fuck he got his logo on the city’s car. He mouths ‘connections’, which just means he's got a contact somewhere on city payroll.
I’m not sure I want to know the how.
Two officers spill out of one vehicle, the other car unloading a cleanup crew that’s all business. I recognize the medical examiner but not the others.
A woman with a clipboard approaches, her eyes narrowing at me.
“Leviathan Dubois?” she asks, her tone clipped. “This your vehicle?”
“Unfortunately. I didn’t order the corpse, though. Can you guys, like, expedite this?”
Maybe that’s insensitive but I kind of want to dig into this killer unicorn business and I can’t really do that with the shifter in my car.
She doesn’t smile, just jots something down. “We’ll handle it. Stay out of the way. Once the medical examiner grabs what he needs and the police clear the scene, we’ll be able to clean up the car.”
The crew gets to work, taking several pictures before they extract the body as I step back a little further, mildly aware of the police officers approaching Gerard first. That’s when it hits me—where that earthy scent came from.Silas.My ex from college, the panther shifter who charmed his way into my life and then broke my heart
It doesn’t make sense that he’d be involved with something like this. Silas was a manipulative asshole, but a murderer? “Lev?” Rowan’s voice pulls me back, and I open my eyes to find him watching me, concern etched into his features. “You’re doing that fading thing again.”
I glance down, cursing when I see my hands blending into my jacket. I focus and will myself solid. It works, mostly. “Sorry,” I mutter.
Gerard nods to us, the officers moving toward the vehicle and subsequently me. It’s just my luck that they’re ones I know. After Vince’s betrayal, we haven’t spoken and I’ve made every effort not to step into the precinct.
Deep growls erupt on either side of me, Rowan stepping in front of me as if he’s going to protect me from them. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. As hot as protective Basilisks are, they’re also annoying.
I push Rowan out of the way and manage a smile when the petite Fae officer meets my gaze. She’s always been a little skittish but she’s never been wary of me. I’m not sure when that started. I nod toward the car. “Found it like this. Not sure what’s going on.” I leave off the part where I know the shifter because it’ll only be a matter of time before someone thinks putting me in protective custody is the best answer.
Her obnoxious partner who is 100% a bastard, fuckingDetective Chad, struts over, his chest puffed out as if he’s going to make some revelation about this case in the next few seconds. “Dubois,” he sneers. “Why am I not surprised you’re mixed up in this?”
“Because you’re predictable?” I quip, and Rowan lets out a low growl, stepping closer to Chad. The detective flinches, and I have to bite back a grin. It was a little stupid before how possessive they were but I’ll enjoy it if they can make Chad freak the fuck out. He deserves to be brought down a peg or two.
Avery shoots Chad a look, then turns back to me. “We need a statement, Lev. And we’re gonna have to impound the truck.”
“Impound?” I groan, throwing my head back. “Come on, Avery, this thing’s barely roadworthy.” I don’t have any sentimental attachment to the rickety thing but it has been mine for so long, it’ll be sad to see it go. Not that I’d ever be able to drive it again. Not after seeing that shifter in the front seat. I’d never be able to clean it well enough without still catching the shifter’s faint magical signature and remembering what happened.
Avery just nods as Gerard finally approaches us. I’m sensing that there’s a certain transfer of power happening beneath our noses. Gerard clears his throat and manages a small bow to Chad and Avery that seems out of place. “I’ve spoken with the chief of police and he’s allowed us to take this case. Because it is of the supernatural variety, Essence PI will be taking the lead and then involving the police as needed.”
I had absolutely no idea Gerard had that kind of power.
Avery raises an eyebrow but nods again. “Fine. But we still need his statement.”
“Tomorrow,” Gerald states, no room for argument in his tone. “He’s had a long night.”
Chad mutters something under his breath, but Avery just sighs and gestures for him to back off. “We’ll be in touch, Lev.”
Once again, I’m not really sure what to say to fill the space, the medical examiner and cleanup crew still working on my truck. Gerard just waves and walks toward his car, leaving me with my men. We walk back to the condo in silence, a million questions running through my head.
Is the unicorn after me? Is he just trying to make a point? How the fuck does Gerard have that much pull?
