Bite Bound

Third Chapter

POV Elina

« Hey Dad! Do you have five minutes?

-For you Honey, always! How are you doing? Did you talk with your Mother about the mass? » I had actually already forgotten about that. “Well, she talked, and I listened. You know how she gets.”

Only silence greeted me “Anyway, I’m fine. I’m calling because I need a favour. Like a major one.

-What kind of trouble did you get into this time? I heard him sigh.

-Not trouble, I swear. Well, not yet anyway. Maybe when Mom will hear about it ….

-Spit it out.”

I took a deep breath “I was called to take a look at a crime scene. It is back Dad. Will not be long before everyone knows. Technically, I’m a consultant because they forgot to take my card back at the crime scene, but I do not know who the medical examiner is. That is where I need you Dad.”

He sighed once more, clearly weighting pros and cons.

“You know that your mother will freak out when she hears about this?

-Have you considered that’s why I’m calling you and not her?

-Yeah I noticed thank you smart**s. It’s incredible how you can be! So annoying.

-Do not blame me for my behaviour Dad. Remember you are the original, I am but a pale copy.”

He laughed for real, “I’ll ask around, I should get you an answer in a few hours. But Elina, promise me that you will be very careful. We cannot lose you too.

-I know Dad, promise I’ll be careful. Like Prudence is my middle name.

-Of course, Troublemaker. I’ll be in touch”

I was finally closing up the shop, the last client took their sweet time. Thankfully, I did not have to come in tomorrow as I had two part-timers, who have been with me since I opened two years ago, who take care of business for two days. I just wanted to take a shower and go to bed.

My father had sent me the address of the morgue the body was autopsied, but they would not appreciate me showing up in the middle of the night. I took my jacket off, I had been sweating all day, which was actually a rare occurrence for me. The temperature where normal for this mid-September. Whatever, I brushed the thought with a mental shrug, it was probably due to stress and caffeine.

POV Cyrian

I hanged up the phone and cursed.

“Whacha got?” Asked my desk mate and partner, Norah a cute little redhead and the most powerful Earth sorceress I knew.

“Remember the consultant that inspected the crime scene a few nights ago?

-Yeah more like heard about it, what about her?

-She just showed up at the morgue, and the technician gave her access to the body of the latest victim.”

I was still muttering curses when I got in my car and still as I was making my way down to the morgue.

I threw the doors open and there she was, sitting on the M.E. chair. A HUGE grin on her face. She jumped to her feet as I got there and before I could even open my mouth she spoke.

“Finally, you’re here. How slow can you drive? Before you yell, will you let me show you what I found?”

I glared at her and at the technician before nodding carefully.

She smiled at the technician who opened a drawer at my move of approval, she motioned me to get closer and with gloved hand she carefully showed me the nails of the victim.

I looked at her, unimpressed

“Yes, her nail is broken. Usually happens all the time when the victims fight back.

-Except she did not, fight back. She does not have any other defensive wounds. And when you look carefully at the skin under the nail, just at the junction. I think he injects some kind of drug there.”

I took some glove and looked. Once again, she was right it was the smallest puncture wound I had seen in my life. How good was this woman’s eyesight?

“Can I continue my examination in case they missed something else? They figured me out a little faster than I expected them to.” She asked nonchalantly

“I guess” I shrugged as I stepped back.

She leaned into the body and started to examine it carefully. All I could do was watch. Her short blond hair was held back with a head band, she was wearing a black turtleneck with tight black jeans and black sneakers. The black contrasting with the fairness of her skin. She did not smell of sugar today, the spicy note was much more present but drowned in the disturbing hospital smell of disinfectant and death, which was starting to get to my beast and annoying it.

After a few minutes she stood straight up, and she was grinning. I c****d an eyebrow, impatient to hear about what she had found this time.

“Lieutenant let’s bargain for this information.

-Tell me what you found, and I’ll tell you what I can give you in exchange.”

She shook her head, “let’s grab some coffee and we will discuss it there. My head is spinning after spending so much time in there, it’s freaking hot” I searched her eyes; she was dead serious, it was pretty cold in the room even for a full shifter like me. I had a feeling even I would not make her change her mind easily. I sighed. “OK there is a coffee machine upstairs.”

The sheer horror that bloomed on her face was almost comical, “There is no way I’m ever drinking coffee made by a vending machine Lieutenant. I know a good spot just down the road, come on.”

My eyes met the ceiling, but I made a sign motioning her to lead the way.

As we walked, I forced my eyes to stay at the back of the head, not ever letting them stray to her bottom, perfectly hugged by her jeans swaying gracefully as she made her way down the hall.

The coffee shop was a little cozy spot, she had ordered for the both of us, something I was grateful for. With our little mugs on a platter, she made her way to a table in the corner. She indicated me the seat closer to the wall, from which I had the whole shop in sight.

“Not bad, I would have chosen those seats as well.” I said as I sat down. She smiled and sat as well. She took a bite of her donut and groaned out of pleasure. A groaned that did not go unnoticed, and once again I had to make sure not to attract her attention to my groin under any circumstances. I casually took a sip of coffee; it was strong but with the perfect amount of cream.

“Did you find anything else about the second victim?” she asked.

“Not really, we have her name and address, so we are questioning her family and friends.

-Was she part of a coven? I did not see any mark that would substantiate that.

-No, she was not, still she was thinking about it.”

She stayed silenced and we sipped on our coffee. When she put her mug down and waited that I did too.

“So, I was full consultancy rights on this case. Access to everything you have now, and I get a copy the minute you find something new. Also, I want to go on the field.

-What makes you think you get the right to anything? I scoffed

-I found clues that got overlooked by your team, not once. Not twice, but thrice. I have ties to multiple communities, and I want this solved more than anyone else.”

What was she playing at? Her face was impassible, but the aura she was projecting was enormous. Let alone the pheromones she was exuding that were driving my panther crazy.

“I’m not the one who can make that decision, but I have a feeling you asked knowing that.

-Yes, I guess the sergeant has the final word but you’re the one who harassed me at the crime scene and got down there at the morgue; so, I’m working with what I’m given.”

Her smile was smug like she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Very well, I’ll see what I can do. You seem like you would meddle with the case even if I told you to stay away. Are you going to explain your theory now or do you plan to let me simmer a little bit more?”