Chimera by Phaedra Weldon

Author:Phaedra Weldon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, dark fantasy, eldritch files
Publisher: Caldwell Press

Six

I didn't see the spooky-man-in-a-suit for the rest of the evening. I offered to drop Peter off at his house, but insisted it was too long of a drive and I'd get lost on the back roads. So we returned to DeLores's where he said he could call and get a ride from Hess or one of the other deputies on duty. The front parlor was spotless but I could still smell the aroma of sugar and pastries. I found coffee made in the kitchen and poured myself a cup.

We'd just settled in the front room across from the parlor when Grey trotted in and sat down at my feet. Plop.

"Damn...there really is a wolf in here. So," he looked nervous around her and I mean really, it's a wolf, who wouldn't be? "You really do have a familiar." He gave me a lopsided grin. "What exactly does that mean? I've heard it before, but never bothered to look it up."

"I can give you the canned version. Hollywood. They're little demons in animal shapes owned by witches to do their bidding."

I liked that he laughed at that. "Right. You don't seem like a Witch."

"So, what does a Witch seem like to you?"

"You know. The Wizard of Oz. All green faced and hooked nose."

I felt my Elementals shift with bruised feelings. I assured them and sent sweet thoughts. Funny how they hadn't stirred until now. I wonder if they knew who the spooky-suit was. "I hate to disappoint you but I'm pretty sure Witches look like everyone else."

He had a twinkle in his eye. "Like serial killers?"

Grey growl.

"My cue," Peter said. "I'll meet you at The Key at eleven thirty. That okay?"

We stood at the same time and walked out onto the porch. It was colder now that the sun was down. Peter stepped to the stairs and paused. "Sam...."

"Mmhmm?" I really wasn't paying attention because I was looking around for the spooky-suit.

So when he came back up and kissed my cheek before ducking back down the steps to his SUV, I was a little surprised. The brush of his lips had been like the flutter of a butterfly's wings. Soft and hesitant.

After he left I locked the front door and headed to my room. Grey was already on the bed with her nose between her paws. I'd just removed my jacket when I heard the keys to the SUV jingle in my pocket. Peter hadn't called to get a ride and it was by my standards, too cold to walk to the station. I held the keys in my hand a few seconds before I ran back outside. I planned to offer him the keys and have him pick me up.

The SUV was there—but no Peter. Shivering in the cold, I walked around the parking area as my boots crunched on the gravel. He probably walked home or to the morgue to check on Marcia since she had his car.

Once inside I appreciate the fire in my room and stoked it a few times to brighten it up.

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