Page 26 of Evil Eyed
She frowned, tapping her fingers on the counter. “Not exactly. I want to say fleur-de-lis but that’s not right.”
“I vaguely remember wings, like an insect. A butterfly. No, a dragonfly! I wish—”
A hand clamped over my lips from behind. “Are you sure about that, love?” Warwick whispered in my ear.
I leaned back against him, shaking my head as he lifted his fingers. “Oops. Thanks for catching me before I wasted one of my wishes on something stupid.”
“No wish you ever have is stupid, but your wishes carry great power.” He touched the crumbled plant matter and it reformed into a green leaf. “That’s not wildflowers, either.”
“A shamrock,” I breathed out. “What about the string?”
“You used to wear the rock like a necklace on the string,” Vivi replied. “And I think you’re right about the dragonfly. Do you think the coat was a gift from your real mother?”
I’d told her about Étain-slash-Vanta being my mother, though neither of us could quite wrap our heads around how that was possible. “Maybe. I don’t know if I found it somewhere, or if it was a gift. I’ll ask her next time I see her.”
:Heads up,:Aidan bit off sharply in my head.:A cop car just pulled up in front of the house.:
My eyes flared with surprise.:A cop? Why?:
“What’s wrong?” Vivi asked.
“Aidan said there’s a cop car outside. Shit. All those weapons the guys have been loading into the garage…”
“What weapons?” Warwick said smugly as he snapped his fingers. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, officer.”
Keane huffed out a laugh. “Sure way to piss off Aidan.”
Indeed, usually Doran sounded like the deep rumble of thunder but this time it was Aidan’s fury rolling through my mind. Evidently the Slaughterer didn’t like it when his swords disappeared.
:They want to talk to you,:Doran said.:They’re asking for you by name.:
“Me?” I squeaked. “What’d I do?”
:We can make them disappear,:Aidan growled.:That lake isn’t just picturesque.:
I shook my head.:Two cops can’t disappear after they’ve been here. There’ll be logs of their visit. Records. It’d cause more problems than anything.:
Warwick coughed politely. “Did I neglect to mention that in addition to a leprechaun delivery service, I’m fully capable of handling clean-up jobs? Even messy ones involving human police.”
I had to admit, it was tempting. If he could snap his fingers and make these guys go away… But my curiosity was piqued. What did they want with me? I was the most boring person I knew. “Can we at least hear them out? I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone who’s innocent.”
:So says the woman who’s been banging five guys including a leprechaun and a gargoyle.:Aidan snorted in disbelief.:I guarantee they’re far from innocent but you’re right. We should at least find out what their angle is. It might help us pinpoint where Evil Eye is holed up.:
Confused, I asked him,:What does Balor have to do with the police?:
:Evil Eye has a finger in everything. Government, banking, businesses, military. Of course he’s got plenty of contacts in the police, especially here. They may even be changelings for all we know.:
A little shaky, I started to climb down off the barstool. Warwick took my arm, supporting me until I got my feet under me.:How will we know if they’re changelings?:
Grimly, Aidan remained silent, but I caught an image from him. Two men lying on the ground bleeding. Their heads chopped off. Shuddering, I leaned against Warwick for a moment. My legs didn’t want to work.
Aidan’s growl softened to a silky whisper of menace.:If they get back up, they be fae. If not, well, too late.:
16
Keane went ahead of us toward the front door. Vivi grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry, Ri. I’ve got Boss Man on speed dial. Even the chief of police would hesitate before taking him on.”
I’d never in a million years thought I’d need to hire Vivi’s boss, the defense attorney she swore was the best in the state. What on earth could cops want with me?
