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  “What the hell?” Mira’s brain couldn’t make sense of what she was seeing. Ian was there, looking not quite sober, but still on his feet. It appeared that he’d slammed himself into the trashcans beside the garage and crawled back out of it. The mess was everywhere and Ian looked disheveled and pissed.

  The most striking part of this situation was Emmit, holding Ian up by the back of his shirt. Somehow, Emmit appeared to be supporting Ian, but at the same time, holding him at arm’s length, not wanting the man close to him.

  “I believe this person was attempting to call on you in a most inappropriate manner,” Emmit said.

  Mira went down the stairs to meet the men at the bottom.

  “You!” Ian said, pointing at Mira. “This is your fault.”

  It took her a moment to figure out whom to address. Ian didn’t look to be in the best of shape, so she ignored him and focused on Emmit.

  “Hi, Emmit. Did Tyler pull you in to help the others tonight?”

  “I did not take part in this evening’s—presentations,” Emmit said.

  “This guy is one of those?” Ian looked like he was trying to glare at Emmit, but was having a hard time with Emmit holding him, arm still outstretched. “One of you?” The accusation was evident.

  Which only made it easier for Mira to ignore him and talk with Emmit. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You orchestrated this whole thing, Mira. You and your people. You lied and you obstructed justice. Hell, you probably brewed up the spell to murder your own people. That’s what you do, isn’t it?”

  Mira’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened; surprised that he would make that kind of accusation. It hurt more than she would have expected. Why should she care what he thought?

  Emmit shook Ian by the collar, still not allowing him to get any closer. “I had reservations about this when I understood that you would be performing the spell.”

  Mira detected a look of disdain on Emmit’s face when looking at Ian. When he looked back up at her, his face was blank. “The others may have had their fun tonight, but it is you that has been placed in front of the line of fire.”

  Mira could feel a blush start to creep up on hearing Emmit’s concern for her. “It’s okay. Although you have great timing tonight.”

  “It’s what you started to do in college to Quinton, wasn’t it?” Ian accused. “But then you got caught.”

  Mira closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. She hadn’t expected him to use that against her and never wanted Emmit to hear the story. “Ian, you ass, shut up.”

  “Stop that,” Emmit said, shaking Ian again. “Naturally, I was concerned for your safety. Adversity usually follows when a human is brought into our world. I’m glad I was able to take you up on your invitation this evening.”

  “I thought he might call or something,” Mira said. “I never expected this, though.”

  “Sadly, retaliation is to be expected when the truth is exposed. One must always be prepared,” Emmit said. “Now, what should we do with him?”

  “You’re one of them,” Ian said, looking at Emmit. “Are you going to explode into a monster or do some other bullshit to try to scare me?”

  Emmit pulled Ian close enough for Ian to feel Emmit’s breath on his face. Emmit looked him square in the eyes, dropping his voice low. “You are wearing my patience thin.” His voice was cold and the shadows appeared to grow darker. “I would not do such a thing in front of Mira. If I were to give you a display, it would be in the quiet darkness of your own home.” Emmit dropped Ian.

  His voice had been so menacing that Mira had taken a step back. The voice didn’t even sound like his own. When he turned to her however, his mouth strained a bit when he noticed the extra space between them. “I am terribly sorry to show such a display, when I am already infringing on your time.”

  Ian was silent, breathing a bit hard, and he was edging away from Emmit toward Mira. Seeing Ian so fearful actually gave her courage.

  Emmit was supernatural—one of her people. “I really appreciate you stopping by tonight.” Mira stepped closer again to Emmit as Ian backed away. “You’ve made this whole thing much easier to deal with.”

  The slightest look of strain melted from Emmit’s face. It may have been a trick of the light, but he looked relieved.

  “Our friends seemed to have pushed Ian right up to the edge, if not over it,” Mira said, dropping her voice in consideration for Ian. “I think I should talk with him.”

  “Do you believe that is a wise decision in his state?” Emmit asked.

  They’d ignored Ian for so long that until he stepped in front of Mira, she hadn’t realized that he was placing himself between her and Emmit.

  He forced Mira back a bit as he faced off with Emmit. “Stay away from her,” Ian said.

  Emmit didn’t look concerned in the least. “At least now he is giving proper respect to the woman he came to see.”

  Whatever Emmit had done when he spoke to Ian, it seemed to sober him up. Still, it was easy for Mira to dodge around him.

  “Mira, there’s something wrong with this guy,” Ian said. “Move out of the way.”

  “You’re being such an ass, Ian,” Mira snapped. “Don’t make yourself look like a bigger idiot than you already have.”

  Ian continued to glare at Emmit over Mira’s shoulder.

  “Go upstairs,” Mira said, pointing Ian up to her apartment. “You and I need to have a chat.”

  Ian looked torn, seemingly not certain if he wanted to stay.

  “Go,” Mira snapped.

  He rolled his shoulders, shot Emmit another dark look, and stomped up the stairs.

  “Emmit, would you mind sticking around while I talk to him?”

  When Mira faced Emmit once again, he seemed to be struggling with something. She wondered if his pride had been hurt when she’d stepped in between him and Ian, but dismissed the idea.

  After a few moments, he pulled his face into his emotionless expression while watching Ian. “Forever at your service.”

  Chapter 8

  Mira forced Ian the rest of the way up the stairs and into her apartment. Once she had pushed him into a chair, she got him a glass of water. Emmit gracefully declined an invitation for anything to drink. As they settled into the living room, Alchemy and Oracle joined them. Usually, they would show off for company or demand attention. Tonight, though, they sat down, one on either side of Mira, and watched Emmit. She scratched behind their ears before jumping into the conversation.

  Ian was a mixture of pissed off and scared. That would have been a dangerous combination, but there seemed to be a little sadness mixed in, which calmed the issue down considerably.

  For a while, he listened. Mira told him about the world that he had seen tonight and a little about the people.

  “So you really are a witch.” Ian said with a strained smile.

  “I am,” Mira said.

  “And you know everyone?” Ian asked.

  Mira could tell his mind was shifting toward the case. “Not everyone, but most of them.”

  Ian turned inward as he asked questions about people. They were cop questions. It was as though he had a list in his head and was working his way down it.

  After about twenty minutes, Mira was beyond tired. “Ian, we can pick this up another time? I know you have tons of questions, but they’re going to have to wait.”

  “I’m trying to catch a killer. I should be hauling you into jail for obstruction charges.”

  “That would be inadvisable,” Emmit said. He’d been quiet through their talk and now his eyes looked pinched together.

  “Would it?” Ian asked. He’d apparently heard a challenge in Emmit’s voice and he was ready to meet that challenge. “Just what are you?” Again, there was an accusatory tone. “Mira said a lot, but she hasn’t shared what you are.”

  Emmit rose to his feet with Ian shortly behind. They squared off.

  “No, no, no!” Mira said, her voice rising. She again mov
ed herself between the two. “Ian.” He didn’t look down at her, so she put her hand firmly on his chest.

  He glanced down and tugged on her arm. “No.” He tried to pull her away, but he was being much too gentle to make her budge. “I want to know. You did this for me to investigate, so now I’m investigating.”

  “Do not lay a finger on her,” Emmit said quietly.

  Mira glanced at Emmit. His eyes were dark and sucked light in. The air appeared to quiver around him.

  Oh yeah, he was pissed.

  “Chill out, Emmit,” Mira said before facing Ian again. “Ian, I realize that you’re new to all this, but you’re being incredibly rude. You can’t just walk up to someone and ask what are you?”

  “Why not?” Ian asked.

  “It’s intrusive,” Mira stressed. “Some people do not like others to know what type of supernatural they are.”

  Ian looked at me. “You don’t even know what he is?”

  “What he is,” Mira said, crossing her arms, “is a friend of mine.”

  “Oh.” Ian rubbed his hands over his face. “This isn’t working out. I need to bring Gabe in on this.”

  “You can’t tell him anything,” Mira replied.

  “He’s my partner, so I have to bring him up to speed.”

  “You do remember how this evening started, don’t you?” Mira asked. “Ian, I put a Bind spell on you. You won’t be able to tell anyone. Not even Detective Flint.”

  “Yeah, I heard you earlier. You can say your little chants, but you can’t stop me from filling my partner in.”

  “Little chants?” Mira’s face turned crimson.

  “Your manners seem to have reached a new low,” Emmit said.

  Ian rolled his shoulders. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to come here like this. Sorry for being rude or whatever. I have to go.”

  Ian left Mira and Emmit standing alone in her apartment.

  Chapter 9

  Mira and Emmit remained standing, unsure of what to do now that Ian had left. Finally, Mira gestured for Emmit to take a seat.

  “I am sorry this task has been placed upon you,” Emmit said, sitting down.

  “Once he cools off, I think he’ll be alright. Better, anyway,” Mira said. “Thanks for the help.”

  “You are welcome. I am happy I was of some assistance to you.” Emmit hesitated, looking unsure of himself for the first time Mira had seen.

  Emmit’s reaction made Mira curious about what he might want, so she came out and asked, “You wanted to ask me something?”

  Mira watched, as a part of Emmit appeared to shut down. As though by conscious effort, traces of emotion were chased from his face.

  “Before we go into details, I must get your solemn word that you will not discuss the matter with anyone but me. Feel free to deny the request and I will not intrude on you again with the issue.”

  Mira contemplated the request. The usual day-to-day things she worked on never stretched her witchy abilities. Today, though, she had worked on an intricate spell and found that she’d missed the mental exercise. Emmit’s request was intriguing, but Mira really wanted to know more before making that kind of promise. Witches could do some pretty nasty stuff, and Emmit was practically a stranger.

  “Before I can make that type of promise,” Mira said, “I have to know more.”

  A small flash of irritation met Emmit’s eyes. It was so brief that Mira thought she might have imagined it.

  She dismissed the idea and pressed on. “Am I doing this for your own personal use or for someone else?” It was the nicest way she could think of to ask if he was going to be spelling another person.

  “I assure you that it is for my own use and will only be used on myself.”

  Crimson began to creep up Mira’s face. Apparently, Emmit had realized her intentions in the question and answered them fully.

  Nevertheless, he hadn’t sounded accusatory, which was a relief. That deadpan tone was something she could do without, though. It was as if Emmit had locked himself away for the discussion.

  Since it was for his own use, Mira was less hesitant on the issue. She couldn’t think of a nice way of asking if he was poisoning himself, but the spell itself would tell her that.

  “Whatever it is you ask,” she said, “I’ll keep it to myself. Although, that doesn’t mean I’ll agree to do the spell.”

  Emmit looked at her intently, but his expression was unreadable. “I really must have your sworn word on the matter.”

  To many races of supernatural, words were important. Critical, even. Words could carry immense strength. Mira spent much more time contemplating his request than most humans would. Words have power and you had to use them carefully.

  Mira couldn’t think of any reason not to make the promise. If he didn’t want her to tell anyone, well, that was his business.

  “I swear on my name and my family.” It was a shortened version of an old-fashioned promise that supernaturals made to each other. With her previous spell still on her mind, Mira braced herself for some sort of backlash in case the words bound her in some way, much as she had bound Ian, but nothing happened.

  Emmit nodded. “Thank you, Mira. Know that I do not take this request lightly.”

  “So,” Mira said, “how can I help you?”

  Emmit studied her for a moment. “I am finding myself in need of Balance.” It sounded as though he had carefully chosen his words.

  Mira frowned. “That’s usually something reserved for werewolves.”

  “Yes, but not exclusively. This type of Balance requires an adjustment. It will be used to balance myself between this world and the Ether.”

  Had she been standing, Mira would have taken a step back. The mere mention of the Ether was enough to make her want to put distance between herself and Emmit.

  “Now you understand my need for secrecy,” Emmit said.

  “No one has been to the Ether in hundreds of years,” Mira said.

  “I realize that,” Emmit said. “I assure you that I have not tried to travel those paths.”

  The Ether. The word itself could strike dread in some.

  “No one does,” Mira said sharply.

  Another flash of irritation jumped from Emmit. “And I am not suggesting that anyone tries.”

  All the warnings that young witches receive when they were young welled up in Mira. She wanted to repeat them all to Emmit. Witches used to travel to the Ethereal Plane, but one day, they had stopped returning. Witches had wanted to unravel the mystery and find their people, but once they started to search the Ether, they too, didn’t return. In the end, all spells created to travel to the Ethereal Plane were destroyed, but not before the witches were greatly diminished.

  “I can see this was a mistake,” Emmit said, rising to his feet.

  “Wait.” She didn’t say it loud or with force, but it still stopped Emmit. She turned inward.

  Balance for werewolves was internal, a difficult and rather invasive type of spell. Balancing the Ether with Emmit internally would be tricky. Mira’s mind started rolling with the possibilities.

  Emmit sat back down and watched Mira impassively.

  “Werewolves use Balance monthly, or when they want to suppress the wolf,” Mira said, almost as though talking out loud to herself. “It’s physical, and some of the materials needed to balance the Ethereal Plane don’t mix well with them.” In her head, ingredients mingled, canceling each other out, enhancing one another, and even violently reacting.

  “I understand that the undertaking of the spell will be difficult,” Emmit said. “Especially working alone.”

  Mira’s eyes snapped to Emmit’s. “I would not bring Tyler in on something like this even if I hadn’t made the promise.”

  Remaining passive, Emmit only nodded.

  “You do realize that this will require blood,” Mira said. “Your blood, I mean.”

  “If you agree to do the spell, I put myself in your hands. Completely.”

  Balancing b
etween worlds. “This is not a spell that can be rushed,” Mira said as she thought about all the things that could go wrong when dealing with such an unknown like the Ether. She had no idea what forces she’d be pushing away, and had no way of knowing if anything would push back.

  Then there were the karmic consequences. Would working with the Ether be the darker side of magic?

  “I am glad to know that there is a witch in the area with enough skill to attempt such a spell,” Emmit said as though making casual conversation.

  “How do you know how skilled I am?” Mira asked. “I mean, I’m sure Tyler could do something like this as well.”

  “You could say that it is part of my nature to see what someone may be capable of,” Emmit said. “Tyler might possess the ability, but…”

  “What?” Mira prompted when Emmit didn’t continue.

  “You have a firmness of mind and more importantly, my trust.”

  Trust. She had no idea what she had done to make him think that he could rely on her so much. This type of spell would take a great deal of trust.

  On both sides.

  “Do you agree to work the spell?” Emmit asked.

  Mira drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. Witches may have lost the ability to go into the Ether, but they had not lost the knowledge to work with it. They learn the Ether for two reasons. One, to assist supernaturals. For example, many seers go mad from seeing into the Ether. Witches can help them close the Ether away so the seer can keep their sanity. Secondly, it’s a part of history and something happened on the other side. So, witches learn and wait.

  She was fascinated with the prospect. Maybe too fascinated.

  “I need to think about this overnight,” Mira said.

  “That is understandable.” A hint of a smile broke through. “It has been a long day and I don't want you to feel pressured into a decision.”

  “I appreciate that,” Mira said.

  “May I call upon you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be at the shop all day, until around six thirty. After that, I’ll probably be here.”

  “I shall take my leave,” Emmit said, standing. “I appreciate your time in this matter.”