“We need a name.” Ros slammed a fist down on the kitchen counter. “I can’t tell you anything until I know the name. This house is warded. You can speak the name here.”
Marcus choked on his growl of rage. “Really? Is that why that motherfucker spoke to me in the bathroom mirror last night? Wards? There’s nowhere free from that monster. And as long as I’m here, none of you are out of harm’s way.”
Ros stood up. Fire danced in his eyes as he looked at Marcus then his wife. She reached a hand out to him but he moved away from her. “No, Mari. If you touch me I’ll lose my focus. Marcus, it wasn’t real. It was your imagination running away with you.”
Donal spoke up then. “It wasn’t his imagination. I was there. Last night when he saw the Demonae. He was enthralled somehow. I saw it as well.”
“What?” Mari and Marcus gasped as one. Mari continued.
“Donal, that’s bad. Ros, how did a Demonae get past our wards?” She had stood up to pace. Marcus realized they both had to move when they were upset. Mari stopped suddenly, pointing at him.
“Ros is right. We need a name so we can know who and what we’re up against. Marc, are you sure Donal saw the same Demonae as the one who kept you captive? Donal, tell us what you saw.” Her voice didn’t leave any room for refusal. Marcus listened as Donal described the face of his worst nightmare.
“It had horns. The teeth were huge, but almost needle-thin.”
Ros guided his description. “What did the horns look like? Curved? Straight? Small? Big? What color was his skin? Eyes?”
Donal kept up well. Marcus was impressed by all he’d observed in that small window of time. “Large curved horns, like a ram maybe. Um, skin was a reddish brown. Eyes? “
Marcus wrapped an arm around Donal as they both shuddered briefly. Marcus leaned into Donal, enjoying the feeling of him pressing back. Donal picked up his description again. “I don’t ever want to see anything like those eyes again. They were a brilliant green with narrow pupils rimmed with purple.”
“Shit. Purple? Are you sure?” Ros leaned so he was mere inches from Donal. “Were they shaped like my eyes?”
Drawing back, Donal put up a hand. “A little personal space would be nice. No, they weren’t shaped like yours. They were more slitted…more narrow.”
“He has snake eyes,” Marcus spoke up, adding his two cents to Donal’s description. He’d seen those eyes every day for seven years, he wasn’t likely to forget them, or anything else about the Demonae. Donal had done a good job of describing him even though his glimpse had to have been a fleeting one. The guy definitely had an eye for detail and a flair for description.
“Mari, we need to find out if your father did leave anything for your brother. We need to do that now. What Donal and Marcus just described is a Pathosae. They feed off emotion. Some choose the good stuff like love, joy, happiness. Those make good partners for the Hedonae. Others though…they’re soul-eaters, they want the pain and suffering. Marcus, I need his name.”
Ros put a hand on Marcus’ arm. “Look. I know your fear. I had a run-in with one years ago. Miserable bastard. I understand the power of the name. Can you write it down?”
“I can, but not here. I want to be in a circle first. I want all of you protected in case that bastard gets through somehow. Besides, it doesn’t really matter what he looked like in the mirror because he can change his shape. He frequently took on my form but he couldn’t change his height. He’s tall, must be nearly six eight or so, but he can look just like me. It amused him to take my form before he used his claws on me.”
“That does it. We most definitely need to know if your father left anything here for Marcus. Let’s get in touch with that damn lawyer, see if there was any mention of something for him in Augustus’ will.”
Mari nodded, not taking her eyes off her brother. “Marc, we’re not going to let him have you again. I just got you back, I’m not losing you again.”
The siblings rounded the counter to hug each other as Donal stared at his hands while Ros stood quietly behind them. When they separated, Marc glanced at Donal. That connection flared to life between them again.
Donal knew then that Marcus would do everything in his power to defeat the Demonae, including sacrifice himself. However, he didn’t plan to let anything happen to the other man. Like Mari, he’d just found him, he wasn’t losing him this soon.
The next day Marc looked up as Mari came into the study. They’d spent an entire day looking through the magickal items their father had left, trying to find some clue as to what he might have remained for Marcus. The search had been fruitless but they weren’t giving up. None of them. He’d been reading through some of his father’s old journals.
The look on her face was one he remembered well. She had something important to tell him. Before she opened her mouth Ros came into the room with Donal right behind him. Pleasure flared up in Marcus at the sight of Donal. He had to admit that he had it bad for this man.
Despite the fact that Donal had his own business to run he’d elected to stay to help them. He’d called in a few favors to convince some friends to take care of his shop. He and Mari had had a great time discussing his place. Turned out that Mari had been in there a few times.
Now she set a small black velvet pouch in the middle of the otherwise empty desk. “This is it. Dad did leave something for you. Of course, your keys aren’t as obscure as mine were. But if I remember correctly you always were his favorite.”
The teasing note was there, but somehow the joke fell flat as neither of them had really had an opportunity to discover if either of them was their father’s favorite. Marcus untied the bag, turned it upside down, watching as the contents fell onto the desktop.
A small silver ankh charm, a pendant with a dragon on it, and a pale-green uncut stone tumbled onto the dark surface. Running his hand over them, Marcus could feel something—a tingle that seemed to reach out to him, especially from the stone. At first he thought it was a peridot but a sharp intake of breath from Donal had him looking up.
“Is that a chrysoberyl? I’ve never seen one that big.”
“A what?”
“Chrysoberyl. It’s a gemstone used for protection against possession.” Donal leaned closer. “I think it is! Usually they’re cut and polished. I’ve never seen one uncut. It’s beautiful!”
“Look at this—it looks like your tattoo!” Marcus picked up the pendant and held it out to Donal before he remembered where that tattoo was. A flush stole over Donal’s face and an answering heat in his own face had him clearing his throat. Still, the similarity between the dragon on the pendant and Donal’s tattoo couldn’t be denied. It was almost as though whoever had crafted the pendant had used the tattoo as a model, or vice versa.
The ankh charm was about half the size of his thumb. When Marcus picked it up he felt a definite jolt of energy. Instinct guiding him now, he picked up the stone, placing it in the same fist that already had the other two charms. He closed his fist tightly around the three items.
Another jolt of energy combined with a burning sensation in his hand had him opening his fingers. The uncut stone was gone. In its place a perfectly cut cat’s eye winked back at him. That new piece sat in the middle of the oval in the Ankh. The dragon pendant was now wound about the ankh as if it were guarding a treasure. Marcus dropped the combined charm as he shoved away from the desk. The other three people in the room just stared until Ros spoke.
“Always did have a flare for the dramatic, your father. All that’s lacking is a chain and I think I know exactly where to find one.” The sarcasm in Ros’ tone was tempered by something almost like affection.
Marcus asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Fairly obvious, mate. That’s the key to unlocking your power. Just as Mari-girl found her keys and came into her own, as soon as you put that on you’ll be swimming in hereditary power. Fair warning, though, it might knock you on your ass at first. Let me get that chain.” With that, Ros left the room. Mari nodded as she looked at her brother.
“He’s right. Dad left these random pieces together until you came along to wake them up. There’s no way anyone else could have ever put those pieces together like that. It was meant especially for you.”
Ros came back into the room then with a thin silver chain. The links were so fine as to almost be invisible. Ros let it flow in his hands, catching the light. He dropped the chain on the desk then motioned Marcus toward it.
“Go on, then. Put the pendant on the chain then put it around your neck. You might want to sit down first, though, just in case.” This time there was no hint of humor.
Sharing a quick, nervous glance with Donal, Marcus shrugged then did as he’d been told. Gingerly picking up the cool silver chain, he slid one end of it through the top of the pendant. He nearly dropped the whole thing again when he thought he saw the dragon wink at him. Sitting down, he took a deep breath, then with shaking hands he fastened it around his neck.
The first impression he got was warmth. Despite the fact that both the chain and the pendant had felt cool to the touch, as soon as he put the necklace on it heated against his skin. And it just got hotter. Reaching up with one hand, he grabbed the pendant to lift it away from his chest. As soon as he did the lights went out.
Marcus? My boy. It’s about time. I’ve been so worried about you. Here, Son, open your eyes.
It had to be a dream, right? His father sat across the desk from him. White hair wild around his head, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, a smile on his face.
It’s no dream, Son. Well, maybe it is some sort of dream. Let’s hope it’s not a nightmare.
Dad? Is that really you? How is this possible?
Oh, Son. Anything is possible. Even someone like me coming back from the dead, though just for a short time. And we only have a short time. I knew that pendant would come in handy. It’s been infused with some of my essence, something to help guide you in your fight. After a brief pause Augustus spoke again.
I knew you were being held by a Demonae, but even with Ros’ help and his sister’s spying I couldn’t find out who it was or where you were. Don’t get me wrong, boy. Ros didn’t know what I was looking for or that you were being held against your will. He just knew I was gathering information on the Demonae. All I could do, since we couldn’t find you, was try to prepare for your return.
Your sister unlocked her keys, now it’s time for you to do the same. Use the power in the pendant to do that. I know this is hard for you to believe, Son, but you have to trust me now. I’ve done all I can to help you. The pendant will keep you safe to a point. You’ll need help to get your soul back but you can do it. You can find happiness here, Son. Don’t go back out West. Stay here, near Mari. The two of you together are more powerful than any Demonae. And with those who care for you at your sides there’s no way you can fail. Use caution, Son. Make sure the area you’re in is well warded before you do anything.
Dad, what can you tell me about the ritual, the Blazing Star?
I can tell you that you’re a fool to try that again without unlocking your own power. Don’t let anyone talk you into… Is that what happened? Someone talked you into doing that?
Your old student, James LaPierre. He tried to trade me for the Demonae and got me caught instead. Marcus felt anger rising again at the thought of everything James had been responsible for.
Damn him to the lowest level of hell! I knew he was up to no good, that’s why I refused to work with him any longer. I know your sister stripped him of his power but I also know he’s been doing some dark spells to get some of it back. Be careful of that ritual, Son. Make sure you cast every spell carefully. I know you have a book that will help. Follow the directions exactly, no substitutions, no changes. Use the sacred circle here in the house. Have Ros strengthen the wards before you do anything else. Know that I love you, you and your sister, that I always have and always will. I have to go now, Marcus Aurelius. You weren’t named in vain, Son. That name has power too. Now remember this, if you want me to last longer, I must die.
“He’s coming around.”
Marcus took a deep breath, opened his eyes to see Donal leaning over him. He was lying on the floor with his head in Donal’s lap. Ros and Marielle knelt on either side of him. “I talked to Dad.”
“He must have hit his head on the way down.” Donal frowned as he brushed a hand over Marcus’ forehead. Ros was shaking his own head even as Marcus started to protest.
“No, I’m sure if he says he talked to his father he did. The old man was sneaky when it came to hiding power in objects. Obviously that pendant was more than it appeared to be.” Ros stood up.
Marcus shook his head. “It’s my key. I’m supposed to use it to help unlock my power before we cast a circle here and attempt the Blazing Star ritual. However, he didn’t tell me how to unlock my power. Mari, how did you unlock yours?”
Ros seemed to be having some sort of coughing fit as Mari got quickly to her feet, rubbing her hands on her thighs, her face turning a bright red. “That’s a story for a different time. Well, I’m sure we can figure yours out. Who’s hungry?”
With that she left the room, her husband right on her heels. Marcus and Donal shared a puzzled look then Donal helped him sit up. Marcus shook his head.
“It was so real, Donal, as though he was sitting right across the room from me, talking to me. The way I hoped he would when I came looking for him. He said my name had power too. I hope he’s right.”
“You’re going about this all wrong.”
Zepar vibrated with fury. “Who are you to tell me I am wrong? I could crush you with one thought. I could shred you in the most painful ways and never let you die. All you would know would be pain and fear. You tell me I’m wrong?”
James LaPierre took a step back from the Demonae’s fury. Even though he was on the other side of the mirror it didn’t pay to be foolish. He’d learned that lesson well. “Now, now, I’m not saying you are wrong. I’m saying your approach is wrong. You’re trying to get at the Greenlea bastard inside his sister’s home. You have to get him out of his safety zone.”
And you have to do it before he unlocks his power. He kept that thought to himself as he continued smoothly. “I know the man he’s with. He’s a magick user but he doesn’t have his support base, his coven, anymore. They had an unfortunate run-in with an Aello Demonae. She didn’t take being summoned very well.”
That was an understatement. The fool high priest had mispronounced the name LaPierre had given him. Instead of the easily trapped imp he expected, they had gotten a full-blown female warrior Demonae who had killed first without asking questions later. He didn’t expect asking questions was even on her agenda. Donal and one other had been the ones to shove her back so they could close the circle. A lesser man might even point out that James owed them his life. He wasn’t that man.
“So, human,” the Demonae sneered the word as though he was tasting shit. “What do you suggest? And how will you get me across?”
“That is going to be tricky. The getting you across. You see, I’m not the fool you think I am. I know you, Zepar.”
The Demonae’s growl of fury sent a crack rippling across the mirror face. James did take a step forward then. He held up one finger.
“Break this device and you’ll waste valuable time finding me again. Yes, I know your name. I’m a skilled demonologist. I will make a deal with you but we will swear it in the way of your kind.”
Zepar turned away from the mirror for a moment. James assumed the Demonae was gaining control of the surge of temper. When he turned back, the expression on his face was a very misleading one. He looked calm but James knew better.
“Human, you will tell me what you want to swear first. I will only agree to this if I am to have Marcus Greenlea. I want him alive.”
James nodded. “Understood. Here are my conditions. I want his sister. I want her stripped of her powers. You can have any of the others but the Greenlea bitch is mine.”
Once they’d worked out the details, James felt a thrill he hadn’t felt since before Marielle Greenlea had ripped his powers away from him. He would get them back and take hers as well. Then he’d show her. As Zepar spoke the binding words he locked his reptilian eyes on James, who couldn’t tamp down the fear that sent sweat rolling down his neck.
“You do well to fear this binding, human. If it goes wrong you are the price that will be paid in place of Marcus Greenlea. Speak your part now if you dare.” The Demonae’s voice rumbled with menace.
Once it was done James spared no time to worry about losing. That wasn’t going to happen. He knew exactly what to do this time. “First, I think it’s time you traveled with me.”
He flipped open a small mirror. The Demonae nodded as he disappeared from the wall mirror. James felt the small compact grow ice-cold. He glanced down to assure himself that Zepar was still linked.
“Now what, human?” The voice of the Demonae rang out from his hand.
James LaPierre checked his reflection in the mirror but he had to glance around the figure glaring at him. As he smoothed his hair into place, he smiled.
“Now we go shopping, Demonae.”
Marcus cursed. This was getting them nowhere. He’d been in his father’s library all day looking for clues. When he’d asked why this couldn’t be any easier, Ros had had another choking fit. This time Marcus had realized the Demonae was smothering laughter.
“What?” When Mari, Ros and Donal all stared at him Marcus toned it down. “What are you laughing at? Is this funny to you? We could all die!”
The book he held didn’t yield against his tightening grip. He wanted to throw it against the wall but the bibliophile in him couldn’t. Even if it hadn’t given him any answers.
“Marcus.” Donal stepped over to lay a hand on his arm. He eased the book away from his fists. “Why don’t we take a break? We can grab a bite to eat. Maybe go over what your father told you again. We must be missing a clue.”
Ros did laugh at that. With Mari shushing him, he spoke over her. “Missing a clue? Your father loved puzzles. Nothing gave him greater joy than to hide things in riddles.”
Marcus looked at the Demonae whom he had to accept as his brother-in-law. “What did you say?”
“That your father loved puzzles?”
“No, the other part about the riddles. He loved them. More importantly he also loved obscure cultural references. Mari, do you remember the one about cotton that hangs high?”
She nodded. “Of course. That was that Bugtong joke about clouds.”
Marcus laughed. “That old fart! The last thing he said to me was, ‘If you want me to last longer, I must die.’ I thought it was just some random thing. It’s not. Mari, does he still have that book on Filipino riddles?”
With Donal and Ros looking confused, he and his sister went straight to the same section of their father’s bookshelf. It held some of his favorite books. Marcus remembered sitting in the chair while Mari lay on the floor as their father had teased them. Eagerly pulling one volume out, they searched the book, heads together.
“It’s a candle, Marc. A candle has to be blown out so it can burn again.” She looked at him triumphantly. “Your first clue is a candle.”
Ros stood up. “He kept those in the pantry.”
Pantry was a misnomer. More like curio-cabinet-pantry-pharmacy-traveling-snake-oil-salesman storage place. Marcus eyed the jars labeled in his father’s precise handwriting, his sister’s familiar neat print and what must be Ros’ scrawl. The shelves held journals as well. Resisting the urge to yank one down to read, he looked for candles.
“Here they are.” Donal had moved to the back of the huge space. “I love this place. They’re even color coded.” He pointed to a red candle in the shape of a dragon. “Something tells me this is the one. I can’t pick it up.”
He then put a reddened fingertip into his mouth. Marcus’ cock leaped in acknowledgment. That finger was where he wanted to be. He surreptitiously smoothed his cock down with a promise of later. He would definitely feel that man’s mouth around his cock later. He jerked back to the task at hand when Mari yelped.
“Ouch, dammit!” She snatched her hand back and joined Donal with her own finger in her mouth.
“Mari-girl, I thought we agreed that was not a safe word.” Ros laughed as he grabbed for the candle. His try landed him on his butt. “Fuck me. That thing has wards.”
“Ya think?” Mari’s dry response made Marcus laugh.
“Okay. So I think we’ve identified the candle. Let me try.” Marcus reached for the candle gingerly. It felt warm but nothing happened when he touched it. In fact it almost felt as if the candle nudged his fingers as if it were a cat.
“So now what?”
Mari rolled her eyes. “Light it and let’s see what happens.”
“Not in here!” Donal and Ros spoke as one. Marcus wasn’t thrilled by the look of amusement they shared. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about having a Demonae in the family. Then he laughed at himself. Guess there are more like one and half Demonaes in our family.
“Yeah okay. Too many flammables. In the kitchen.” He grabbed a lighter on the way out. Setting the dragon on the counter, he held the flame to the wick. It didn’t even blacken much less light. He looked at the other three but they all held their hands up as they backed away. Fine. He was on his own on this one.
Contemplating the riddle, he held his pendant in his hand. That feeling of being nudged returned. He opened his palm to catch a glimpse of what looked like his pendant reforming as if it had been moving. He rubbed his eyes with his other hand. Believing in magic and seeing special effects happen in your own hand were two completely different beasts.
“Marcus?” Donal asked, a weird note in his voice. “How do you put a candle out?”
“You blow on it.” Marcus looked at Donal. “Oh! You blow on it!”
He leaned forward to blow on the wick. A spark flickered but went out. He blew harder with the same results. Another try had him so lightheaded he had to hold on to the counter.
“Dammit. What is wrong?” When no answer came from the three observers Marcus grabbed his pendant and blew out an exasperated breath.
The wick caught fire. The dragon’s head seemed to shift up as a curl of smoke rose from its nostril. In the smoke Marcus saw a lamp.
“Did you see that?” From the open-jawed amazement of Donal to the knowing looks of his sister and her husband, he gathered that they had. The four of them stood for a moment grinning at one another then they headed for the stairs and Marcus’ old room.
On the way to his bedroom Marcus heard a buzzing noise. He realized what it was when Donal put his phone to his ear. “Yes, Melissa? Is everything okay?”
From the sounds of it Donal had something going on at the shop. Marcus hugged him, telling him to be careful. Donal rattled off his number to Mari, making Marcus note that he would have to get a cell phone again, not to mention more clothes and shoes.
He couldn’t wear the one pair of sweats and those flip-flops he’d gotten from Donal or the jeans and t-shirt he’d borrowed from Ros forever. He briefly wondered who had paid his bills and how much interest his checking account had accrued in his absence then let that mundane thought drop. His next clue was the lamp.
While Marcus searched for his lamp James LaPierre set his own plan into action. He grinned as he parked down the block from the magic shop he knew that pansy-ass Donal owned. He patted the small, round mirror in his jacket. “Now we will get some of our own back, demon.”
As he approached the entrance he pulled his own power in around him. The wards were meant to keep thieves out but he felt the tingle of them. He opened the door but a hand met him squarely in the chest. The stocky woman wore a flowing skirt along with a scowl meant for him.
“You can’t come in here.” The blonde woman held her foot against the door after pushing him out. LaPierre hadn’t resisted. “We have the right to refuse service to anyone and you’re that anyone.”
She snicked the lock into place then closed the blinds. LaPierre snarled at her but she moved away. When he saw her pick up the phone, satisfaction coursed through his veins. “He’ll be here soon. Then we can trap the Greenlea pair.”
The compact mirror in his jacket pocket hummed with intensity. All they had to do now was wait.
Ros had made an excuse to go get some work done. This left Mari and Marcus to enter Marc’s bedroom alone. Marcus watched her scan the room, saw her eyes light on the lamp before she picked it up as she came toward him. Moving to the bed, he smoothed out the rumpled covers. With the lamp in his hands he turned it over.
“I know this is what I saw in that candle but I don’t get it. It’s just the lamp that’s always been in here.”
Mari pointed to the base. When Marcus looked he saw a small, crude drawing of a dragon. “What is it with him and dragons?” Placing his thumb on the dragon, he expected the warmth that met his hand. The felt bottom gave way to an indentation. He pushed at it. The bottom slid open to reveal a note.
“What does it say?”
“Well done, Son.” Marcus felt hot tears prick at the corners of his eyes as his throat tightened up. “It says well done. Is that it, Mari? How will I know I have my powers?”
There was a strange sound to Mari’s voice. “Um Marcus? Look at the picture.”
He shifted on the bed. The picture was a sketch of Roman armor and weapons. He’d liked it because of his association of his own name, Marcus Aurelius, with the Roman Empire. What had been a black-and-white image now showed one piece of armor gleaming with color. As if in a dream he reached out to touch it.
“Whoa!” His shout of surprise as he shot back from the picture echoed in the room. Looking at his wrist, he whispered, “Mari, what the fuck?”
A cuff now decorated his arm. About three inches wide it looked to be brass or maybe copper. The piece had lettering on it. When he focused on it he saw his own name there in Roman lettering.
“Marcus Aurelius,” Mari echoed what he saw. “It’s your final piece if I’m right. I got my power first,” she held up her hand to show him their father’s tiger’s-eye ring, “but I had to unlock it by finding everything else. Where is your pendant?”
Marcus laughed. He knew where it was even as he put a hand to his throat to find it gone. He’d felt the tingle as it had moved from his neck to the cuff on his wrist. Flipping his arm over, he showed her that the cuff now sported two dragons holding a sword upright between them.
“Well, yours is a bit more dramatic than mine.” She leaned over to hug him. “Now let’s go practice. We need to be ready to kick some Demonae ass.”
Donal fumed as traffic made him go significantly slower than he wanted. If he’d had his way he’d be there by now. He was very happy that Melissa had locked the bastard out then called him. How dare that motherfucker come to his shop? He hadn’t mentioned to the others why he was leaving. He knew Marcus had to unlock whatever it was he needed to unlock. Donal could handle LaPierre. That wasn’t going to be a problem.
He saw the man immediately as he pulled into his driveway and shut off his car. Getting out of the car, and for the second time in less than a week, Donal stepped back then slammed the door harder than he normally did. “What the fuck are you doing here? You’ve got some nerve.”
“Donal, how nice to see you as well.” LaPierre wisely took a step backward. “I wanted to talk to you about a business venture.”
“We have no business together.” Narrowing his eyes at the audacity, Donal advanced on LaPierre until a mere two feet separated them. He tightened his mouth then pointed silently, indicating the other man should leave. LaPierre shook his head.
“I’m not ready to leave. I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say. Did you know Marcus Greenlea tried to trick me? I’ll bet he told you some sob story about how he was the injured party, right? Well let me tell you…”
“No. Let me tell you, James. You,” Donal took a shuddering breath, “you were the cause of two of my friends…my family getting killed. You were responsible for the ending of my coven. You are the cause and the problem. You need to go. Now. You are not welcome in my store or near anyone I care about.”
At that, LaPierre laughed. Not a deep belly laugh but a light scoffing sound that made Donal see red. He heard the bell on his door but shook his head at Melissa. She wisely ducked back inside. The smirk on LaPierre’s face reminded Donal of all he couldn’t do. He couldn’t turn the man in. The police would send him straight to the state hospital if he started raving about Demonaes. He couldn’t even retaliate in kind for the damage LaPierre had done to good people. Magical attacks such as those bound the wielder to the person they were attacking—just like the binding spell he’d done for Marcus’ bracelets.
Marcus. Donal could avenge his pain a little. He feinted with his hands as if he were going to cast a spell. When LaPierre moved his own hands up Donal kicked him. Right in the nuts. The howl of agony went a small way in paying back the pain LaPierre had caused others. He watched the man hit the pavement, gagging. A small metal object fell out of his pocket as he bent forward.
Dispassionately Donal told LaPierre again to get off his property. He raised his leg. Even though he knew he wouldn’t kick LaPierre when he was down he watched with a great deal of satisfaction as James dragged himself to his feet then scuttled away to his car. He heard James cursing as he fumbled to open the car door. Memory of a similar injury made Donal wince. He tried not to use physical violence but, damn, that had felt good.
Once LaPierre had driven away, Donal pocketed the small compact LaPierre had left behind. It felt colder than he’d expected but he didn’t give it much more thought than that. He’d deal with that later. Melissa stood at the door in drop-jawed amazement. Her understatement of the year when he got back in the shop made him laugh.
“Wow. You really don’t like that dude.”
Donal frowned. “Melissa, go on home. I’ll close up.”
She didn’t argue just grabbed her purse to dig her car keys out. “Okay. Remember tomorrow’s the day I needed off, so I won’t be here.”
He waved her out the door managing not to let his frown show. Dammit. He’d forgotten all about her switching days off. He had to find another part-timer soon. He’d thought about others he might call but most of them were off at a magical camping event. Dragging a hand through his hair, Donal cursed again. Nothing to be done about it. He called Mari’s number to let Marc know he would see him the next night. Then he locked his doors a half hour early so he could get some work done.