Page 4 of Goblins Don't Count
“Unless she gets caught up in a spell and stays all night. Do covens really drain their weaker members to support the spells of the strong? How clever of you to avoid that. But you ended up getting drained by a goblin instead.”
He took a small paper packet out of his coat, took a pinch of powder from it, added it to the glass, then put it back.
“What was that?” I demanded.
He took the packet back out and tossed it to me. I barely caught it, and then sniffed it and made a face at him. “Why do you have this? It’s specifically given to witches who devote their life force to the greater good.”
“That’s what they call it? The greater good? How noble. It’s also used for disguising the effects of poison until it’s too late for the victim.” He grabbed the tea pot and poured water over the other ingredients and started stirring with his dangerous knife.
I stared at him, appalled that our regular sushi customer would be a despicable assassin.
He glanced at me with a slight smile. “You’re shocked? But I’m not a banker, ergo, I must be an assassin.”
“Are you telling me that in case I want somebody killed? You must be low on work just now.”
He flashed a smile with all those sharp teeth. “You couldn’t afford me. And I am never low on work.” He finished stirring and then handed me the glass. “Drink this. Hopefully it helps.”
I squinted at it, then at him. “Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that I trust you. Why would you want to help me instead of poisoning me? Some random old goblin lady sucks out my energy, but what does that have to do with you?”
His eyes glimmered gold. “How long have I been coming here for sushi?”
I frowned, trying to concentrate, but I needed to go to bed. “Almost ten years?”
“And never once did you think of poisoning me.”
I snorted. “Poison you? My mother would kill me. You’re one of our best customers.”
He smiled, showing sharp teeth. “And I intend to remain so. Also, if I was going to kill you, you wouldn’t think of being suspicious, you’d just be dead. I assure you that you have nothing to worry about.”
“Because I’d be dead before I thought to worry? That’s very reassuring.” It wasn’t, not remotely, but I drank anyway. It tasted like garlic, ginger, and exotic herbs that were almost bitter, but not quite. Instead of charging me up, it made the exhaustion hit double hard. I slumped over the table, barely able to keep open my heavy eyelids.
He smiled slightly as he took the glass out of my limp fingers. “Now, do I leave you here in that uncomfortable position, or do I break into your apartment and tuck you into bed?”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled. “I’ll just rest here for a second and then…”
He picked me up, smooth and easy, like he was used to hauling around limp bodies all the time.
I squinted up at him as he carried me through the kitchen and to the back stairs. “What are you doing?”
“Tucking you into bed, like your mother.”
“My mother isn’t a goblin,” I pointed out, but then let my head drop against his shoulder heavily because it was impossible to hold up. He shifted me so my forehead was against his neck. He smelled like the fresh woods after a rain.
“No? You really are as limp as a dead fish. Good thing it’s a goblin carrying you and not your mother, or she’d have to drag you by the ankles, and then your head would hit every step on the way up. You’d get a concussion for certain.”
“Mm.” I closed my eyes, and the world drifted around me. I vaguely noticed my weight shifting as I settled against my mattress, and then my sheet being tucked beneath my chin, and then nothing.
ChapterTwo
Iwoke up with a lurch, my phone buzzing with blaring insistence. Oh. It was my work phone. I didn’t have work today, but Brannigan needed something. If it was about my paperwork, I’d kill him.
I finally found it under my bed, along with my bag. Did I put it there? I dumped my bag out on the floor, grabbed my phone and answered before it went to voice mail.
“Hello?” I croaked, sounding like I’d just woken up. I grabbed a bottle of water from my side table and gulped it down.
Lieutenant Joss’s crisp voice brought me completely awake. “Sato, we need you to come in. I know you’re not due until Monday, but there’s been a murder. I need some fresh eyes on the case.”
I sputtered and rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my head. “Sure thing, boss. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
