Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy by Jordan Castillo Price

Author:Jordan Castillo Price
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-12T16:00:00+00:00

2

“So, you’re a familiar?” Dominic asked as they traversed the corridors leading to the upper levels of the Coven. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he cursed himself. The man would hardly be wearing a familiar’s badge otherwise.

Rook didn’t seem to think him stupid—or didn’t let on if he did.

“Yes,” he replied easily. “A crow, if you didn’t guess.”

“You can fly? I mean, of course—I’m sorry.” Every sentence out of his mouth was more idiotic than the one before. “It must be wonderful.”

Rook glanced over his shoulder. “Do you dream of flying, Mr.

Kopecky?”

“Not anymore.” He had once—often, in fact. But it had gone the way of so many of his childhood dreams. “May I ask what you need help with, exactly?”

Rook’s lips thinned as he pressed them together. “It’s not precisely a case,” he said. “Or, it is, but everyone else considers it solved. I wanted another opinion, however.”

“I’m not certain I understand,” Dominic confessed. “You want an opinion on a case that’s already solved?”

They came to a small office deep within the warren of the MWP

building. Two desks had been shoved inside, both of them rather battered and scarred. One desk was unoccupied, but a lithe man with kohl-rimmed eyes lounged at the other. The fellow reminded Dominic of some of the dancers at Columbia Hall, and a blush scalded his cheeks at the memory. If anyone knew he visited such a den of vice….

“Cicero,” Rook said, “can you find somewhere else to be for an hour?”

Cicero leaned back slightly, regarding Dominic through yellow-green eyes. A cat? He certainly had the haughty look and boneless mannerisms of one.

“Is this him?” Cicero asked.

“Yes.” Rook frowned slightly. “So clear out, unless you’re looking for trouble.”

“Trouble?” Dominic asked. What exactly did Rook want from him?

Cicero stretched languidly, rising to his feet. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled, darling,” he said to Rook. “I’m going to find a nice, warm place to curl up for a while.” He winked at Dominic as he left.

“And I’ll see you later.”

“Out!” Rook squawked.

Cicero sauntered out. Rook closed the door forcefully behind him. “Ignore him.” He gestured to Cicero’s vacated chair. “Please, sit down. Sorry about the mess.”

“It’s quite all right,” Dominic said. “But you mentioned trouble?”

Rook sighed. “It won’t be trouble for you. And hopefully not me, either. As I said, everyone else thinks the case is solved. If you say they’re right, then that’s the end of it. If you say they aren’t…well.”

He grinned slyly. “That’s where things get interesting.”

Dominic had the feeling Rook’s definition of “interesting”

differed quite a bit from his own. “What case? Who are ‘they?’”

“They are Hilda Trojak and Bruno. Witch and a bulldog. Not bad detectives, but they tend to see what’s in front of them and nothing more. And when you suggest there might be something more…”

“They don’t want to hear it?” Dominic suggested.

“Especially not from an unbonded familiar,” Rook agreed ruefully.

“You don’t have a witch yet? That is, I’m sorry.”

Rook arched a black brow. “Are you?”

Dominic fidgeted in his seat.

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