Darius and Audra sat on the curb, drinking Cokes and eating candy as the traffic whizzed by on the street. They didn’t talk much, but Darius found the situation surprisingly comfortable. He’d always thought that the real test of a relationship wasn’t whether they could carry on a conversation, but how well they handled silence. Not that he and Audra were in a relationship, but he was starting to seriously consider it. Now wasn’t the time to pursue it, not with the missing lamp hanging over both of their shoulders. But after? He might just take the plunge and ask her out.

Finding the lamp would make that possible, and there was no time like the present. Darius chugged down the rest of his Coke and swallowed a burp, not wanting to be rude.

Then he said, “Shall we go get the lamp? I know I’ll feel better once it’s safely in your hands.”

“We can’t yet,” said Audra regretfully. He arched an inquisitive brow and waited. To her credit, she didn’t need to be asked. “I suppose I should explain, shouldn’t I?”

“It would be nice,” he said, not unkindly.

“Well, I think the guy who took the lamp is my ex-boyfriend. I broke up with him just yesterday, and I fired him too. He had a reason to be angry, and the magical signature of the person who took it matches his.”

Darius thought this over for a moment. He wouldn’t have dated an employee in a million years, but he couldn’t throw shade over that. But he was a bit disappointed to hear that she’d come out of a relationship so recently. Out of respect, he’d have to wait a bit before asking her out. He had no desire to be a rebound guy, and her feelings would need time to recover, especially if the ex in question had turned around and stolen a powerful magical artifact out from under her nose.

“Wait a second. So what is this guy? Not a vanilla human, right? Maybe I know him.”

She hung her head. “Actually, he is, which is why I couldn’t figure out the memory thing. But if he took the lamp and immediately jumbled my brains, that makes perfect sense. Heck, maybe we fought, and he used his wish to cover it up. I got so pissed that I started burning things, and he whacked me on the head and got the djinn to wipe the whole thing from my memory. I don’t think he realizes what he’s dealing with. I tried to get him to give it back, but he’s pissed.”

“I could talk to him.”

He meant it, too. Not in the way that most big guys would say it. He planned to do his talking with his mouth, not his fists. That way usually led to the Intensive Care Unit. Or the morgue. But her ex might be more willing to give the lamp to him than to Audra, if his feelings were really hurt. Or his pride. A neutral party might be just the right thing.

But Audra didn’t even seem to consider it. She shook her head.

“I appreciate the offer, but he’s pretty riled up. I don’t think he’s ready to give it up right now.” As he frowned, she hastened to add, “But if my plan doesn’t work, you can certainly try. How’s that?”

“Okay,” he said slowly. “That seems reasonable. What’s your plan?”

She seemed relieved, like she really cared what he thought. That felt pretty good. Usually, people were afraid of him, or they ignored him in favor of more outgoing people like Rebecca. To have someone care about his feelings, and take the time to pay them consideration? That was something special.

“Well, the lamp isn’t in his condo. He wouldn’t let me in, but it’s so powerful that I know I would have felt it. So he hid it somewhere else. That means he can’t make any wishes, so right now it’s safe.”

“He wouldn’t give it to somebody else, would he? Or try to sell it?” asked Darius.

This time, she did stop to think. “I hadn’t thought of that, actually. But…no. I don’t think so. As soon as he picked up the lamp, the djinn would be talking to him. Trying to seduce him. He’s going to know it’s powerful, and that means it’s valuable. And he knows I’m the only game in town that realizes how valuable it is.”

“So he’s going to use it as a bargaining chip?” asked Darius, wrinkling his nose.

This seemed like a ridiculous way to pursue a relationship to him. In situations like this, Rebecca always called him “refreshingly naïve,” but he liked to think of it as “not a total dick.”

“I’m not sure he knows what he wants to do. He’s in over his head, and he’s got to know it. He’s not a stupid guy. So I think he’s stalling. But he’s going to have to make a move eventually. I’ve got someone watching him. When he leaves his condo to get the lamp, we’ll swoop in and take it before it can talk him into making any more wishes.”

“Okay. I don’t like sitting around and twiddling our thumbs, but I think it’s the best we’re gonna get. Who do you have watching him? Can I help?”

“I called Citrine and Derek. I’m assuming you know them.”

Darius nodded, feeling more than a little relieved to hear the familiar names. Derek was a fellow shifter who owned a private investigation service, and Citrine was his faerie girlfriend. He didn’t trust many people, but they were on the short list.

“Yeah,” he said. “And they should both be able to sniff out the lamp when he leaves. Okay, so they’re going to call us when he gets the lamp, and then we hustle out there to take it from him?”

“Exactly. And they’re briefed on the situation, so if it gets dicey before we get there, they’re prepared to intervene.”

No matter how Darius turned it around in his head, it was a good plan. He couldn’t find any way to poke holes in it, and he took a moment to try. He didn’t want to just rubber stamp this situation without any thought. It would be doing them both a disservice.

Finally, he said, “I like it. Want me to stay here in the meantime, or do you mind if I head to work? I’ve got a few things to do, but I could be on the road as soon as you call.”

“Go ahead,” she said, waving her hand. “I’m doing the same thing. Seems silly to sit around twiddling our thumbs, like you said.”

He grinned, and she smiled back at him. Although he couldn’t be positive, he thought it was the first time he’d really seen her smile. She looked relieved and grateful, and his hand went to her cheek without him quite realizing what he was doing. He tucked a lock of hair behind her head, and her eyes met his, and he felt his cheeks flushing like a junior high kid with a crush on his older sister’s friend. It was a situation he had experience with.

He withdrew his hand with hasty awkwardness.

“Okay, so you’ll call me?” he asked, looking anywhere but at her.

“Yeah,” she said, in a voice that he couldn’t read. She didn’t sound upset, but…was she uncomfortable? Disappointed? And if so, was she disappointed that he’d touched her, or that he’d stopped?

This was why he avoided romance. It required too much guesswork. Things would be so much easier if he could just say, “Hey, I like you. Want to go out?” and then she’d respond honestly. But that wasn’t how it worked. Sadly.

So he made his goodbyes and got into his truck, not knowing exactly where he stood. She sat there on the curb as he drove off, and she waved at him. He waved back and barely managed to keep from turning the truck around, rolling down the window, and bluntly asking what she thought of him. He could always ask later, although he knew he wouldn’t.

Work. He needed some work to distract him. He was terrible at this whole potential romance thing. It would be nice to have some buildings to make. Or invoices to write. He hated invoices, but they weren’t half as perplexing as relationships.

 

Simply walking into his office made Darius feel better. Here was a place he understood, a place he could control. His new receptionist also happened to be a shifterkin. She greeted him with a smart comment, a stack of messages, and a cup of coffee topped off with vanilla creamer, just the way he liked it. His oversized leather office chair fit his torso perfectly. He kicked off his shoes underneath the desk, wiggling his toes. When he closed his door, his office was like a cocoon. Quiet. Peaceful. Wood paneled. Okay, so that last bit wasn’t exactly cocoon-ish, but it was the thought that counted.

His emails were full of difficult but answerable questions, and putting down his responses felt good. Some people liked a lot of excitement, but Darius wasn’t one of them. He needed solitude to recharge, and the past couple of days had put him badly off kilter. No wonder his growing interest in Audra had made him so skittish. Combine that with the upcoming full moon, and he was surprised he hadn’t climbed the walls yet.

Once he made it through his emails and messages, he turned his attention to some quotes that had been waiting for his approval for a couple of days now. The projects weren’t behind, but he still didn’t like to have work waiting on his desk. Other things would happen in the course of new construction—delays and problems that no one could have ever foreseen—and he always built a little wiggle room into his timelines. It would defeat the purpose to leave the plans sitting idle on his desk for a week while he piffled around.

He’d just pulled his calculator out and was triple checking the budgeting for the construction of a new high school stadium when his phone buzzed. He stuck his pencil in his mouth and thumbed the speakerphone button.

“Mmeah?” he said, the pencil clattering to the desk top mid-sound.

“Was that even a word?” asked Rebecca’s voice from the other end of the line.

“Nope. What’s up? Lunch later?”

“If we can get away. I’ve got interviews scheduled almost all afternoon. I’m trying to replace Roderigo, but half of these applicants don’t have any accounts payable experience. I don’t know why the hell they bother.”

“Yeah, and remind me when the retirement party is?”

Rebecca named the date, and he kept himself from scratching it onto one of the quotes just in time. He put it on a scrap of paper instead.

“Thanks,” he said. “So what did you call me for again?”

“My first interview this morning was a wash. He smelled like cabbage, and he’s got a criminal record longer than my arm.”

“I wonder if they were cabbage related crimes.”

“I didn’t ask. Second one had no applicable experience. But the third was a lot better. I sent him down to your office to meet you. If he passes inspection, I think we should offer him a trial week.”

“Okay. I’ll have Gracie send him in when he gets here.”

“Sounds good.”

After he hung up the phone, Darius managed to rush through the rest of the stadium review before Hex—the receptionist—rang to announce that the new interviewee was in the waiting room. Rebecca’s office was just down the hall, so it hadn’t taken long for him to arrive. Darius walked out to greet the fellow, giving him a nice long look as he offered his hand. The guy had neatly trimmed blond hair, an open and friendly expression, and a firm shake. He wasn’t a particularly big guy, but based on the firmness of his grip, he worked out. That was important to Darius. Although accounts payable wasn’t exactly a heavy lifting job, good physical health meant fewer days off. It was good for everyone.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, gesturing to his office. “I’m Darius Carson.”

“Chad Berkowicz,” said the guy.

“So I understand you’ve already met with Rebecca and discussed the job,” said Darius, gesturing to the empty chair that sat across from his desk. “Do you have any questions about the work that I can answer?”

“Not really.” Chad sat down, crossing his feet at the ankle and looking incredibly relaxed. Darius had seen a lot of folks get really nervous during an interview, but this guy wasn’t one of them. He was remarkably self-assured. “I did accounts payable for a while, about three years back. I worked for Liberty Construction. Rebecca has all of the contact info for my referrals there.”

“Gotcha.” Darius sat down and leaned forward, steepling his fingers on the desk. Construction experience was definitely a plus; he could see why Rebecca was so keen to hire this guy. He’d understand the nature of their work right off the bat. “Why did you leave?”

“I broke my arm. Not work related. Went off-roading with some buddies and took a nasty spill. It required surgery, and it was off season anyway, so my boss was looking to downsize. We were both happy to go our separate ways.” Chad explained the situation simply, in a way that Darius liked. “I don’t off road any more, if you’re worried about that.”

Darius smiled a little but didn’t prod. It wasn’t his business what his employees did off hours so long as it wasn’t illegal, and he took that kind of thing seriously.

“So what have you been doing since then?” he asked.

“I worked for a TV station for a while,” said Chad, “But I didn’t really care for the hours. I like a schedule I can count on, you know? So then I worked for a pawn shop, but the boss was interested in me, and I didn’t reciprocate her feelings. I don’t like mixing business and relationships; it’s never a good idea. So I decided that it was best that I left. That kind of situation never turns out well.”

On the surface, Darius could find nothing wrong with this guy. He seemed honest and forthright, and his explanation of why he’d left his previous jobs made sense to Darius. If he’d had a boss who was interested in him, he would have left before it had gotten awkward too. That wasn’t the kind of situation he’d like to be in. But still, something about the story gave him pause. Probably because it made him think of Audra, and his worries about their potential relationship, not to mention the missing lamp. Chad had brought up a pawn shop, and a relationship with a boss at a pawn shop, and that had made Darius unconsciously think of Audra and her ex-boyfriend. It made perfect sense that the story would make him feel edgy even if the exact details didn’t add up.

“Well,” he said aloud, “if you don’t have any other questions for me, we’ll call your references and get back to you as soon as possible.”

“I’d appreciate it,” said Chad, thrusting his hand across the desk toward Darius. “I don’t like sitting around with nothing to do.”

“Me either.”

Darius showed him to the door and would have walked him out if the phone hadn’t started ringing again. He sighed, glancing back at it.

“I hope you can find your way out,” he said. “Duty calls.”

Chad said it would be no problem, and so Darius shut the door behind him once again and hurried to pick up the receiver before the call went to voice mail.

“Darius Carson,” he said into the phone.

“Hey, stranger,” said a playful feminine voice.

It took him a moment to identify the speaker, but when he did, he laughed a little. Citrine Avonmora was one of the most reliable private investigators he’d ever met. She’d also grown up in Faerie, which meant that sometimes she didn’t understand things like human manners.

“What’s up, Citrine?” he asked.

“Actually, I was going to ask you the same question. I’m tailing a guy for Audra James—I think you know about that, right?” She paused just long enough for him to make an agreeable noise. “I thought so. So what was the guy doing in your office?”

“Wait. What?”

“I just tailed Chad Berkowicz into your office. That’s the guy Audra hired me to tail. The one who stole a lamp containing a djinn?” She sounded exasperated now. “Are you okay, Darius? You’re usually much more on the ball than this.”

“I didn’t realize it was him,” said Darius. “I didn’t know his name. And I didn’t smell any magic around him, either.”

Although maybe he wouldn’t have noticed. He hadn’t exactly been looking, after all. He hadn’t realized who it was. And the guy had lied to his face. That story about Audra being interested in him, and him having to quit his job because of it was utter garbage. What kind of a coincidence was it for Chad to apply for a new job at his company? Unless it wasn’t a coincidence at all…

“He hasn’t picked up the lamp so far,” she said. “He’s been applying for jobs all day. I’m really bored. I was looking forward to the chance to fight a djinn.”

He laughed a bit, although he wasn’t sure she was joking.

“So you’re still on his tail?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’ll call when I know more. So he just applied for a job and then left? I wonder if he knows you were the one to find the lamp. Maybe he’s trying to find out more about it.”

“That makes sense,” he said.

“Of course it does! But I’ve got to run, because he’s driving again. Talk to you later.”

“Sure thing,” he replied, but she was already gone.

After he hung up the phone, he sat there for a while, looking at the empty chair. Things just kept getting more and more confusing, and for once, he wasn’t talking about women.