To Kill a Werewolf King

The New Job

Hawke

"Tommy."

The smallest voice from the darkest, deepest part of my mind reminds me. The reminder of my next goal, sends a wave of anxiety through me. Anxiety that Jules no doubt notice as she reaches across the small round table, grabs my hand and gives it a little squeeze. I know she's just trying to be comforting while I pull myself together for her right now. I also know that all she sees or senses is a slight difference in my breathing and heartrate, not a big difference in my neutral facial features. Just enough that Jules would recognize it though. She's learned all my tells, all my ticks and knows exactly what buttons to push when she really wants to.

"It’s not the right time."

"Then Dorian."

That still small voice gives me an out. I wish I could thank her as I used to do, but it's not the right time. I blow out a breath after reminding myself and steel my resolve once more as I look up with an uncaring smirk on my face, forcing my emotions to comply with the change of thought.

But just as I go to speak, the hairs on the back of my neck go on alert, and I immediately notice that Jules also seems to be alerted. I sniff the air, scanning the cafe and beyond the glass windows for any sort of sign as to where this sudden watched feeling was coming from, but I saw no one.

No one was standing around, or sitting around and looking at her. Passing glances, but no outright stares or observers. It only heightened the creeped out feeling once more but as Jules as I connected eyes again, it was clear neither of us knew or understood where the feeling was coming from. I took a deep breath, trying to force the paranoia back.

Apollo did this.

He put possibilities in my head when he mentioned my safety, and now I'm f.cuking paranoid having a normal drink with my best.

Damn him.

“Actually…today, I finally have something to share.” I sigh, finally trying to push past the comfortably uncomfortable silence we had fallen into from that experience. Grabbing my cup and taking a swallow of the warm, white-chocolate flavored liquid inside, I try to extend my Intent, feeling for ill will towards us or around us, but I feel nothing. It does little to soothe the nerves that now feel like they're being singed. Jules perks up at what I've said however, her eyes revealing her excitement, and her posture eager. My worry shifts to genuine happiness at the obvious interest.

“Do tell.” She demands, a smile lifting the corners of her plump pink lips. Lips I suddenly really want to kiss.

F.uck, why did he do this to me?

Down, girl.

“I spoke with Dorian today.” I reveal, watching her reaction, knowing she’ll be both excited and cautious. As suspected, she straightens even more, yet leans in a little further. The excitement brimming with a hesitant eagerness to learn what it is I have to share about the vampire.

“He’s going to help me in something I need, and I thought I would have to call in my favor for it. The one he made me years ago.” I remind her as we haven’t spoken about Dorian in ages. She’s got it bad for the guy, but knows he’s bad, and thankfully, her romantic compass understands to stay away.

Mine on the hand…

“Wait… Seriously? What do you need from him that would make you want to finally pull that card out?” She leans back as she speaks, as if afraid of the thoughts she’s having, her back now ramrod straight, concern written all over her features. She’s probably not too far off but I just purse my lips and shrug letting her know it’s confidential. And it is. To me.

“Okay… Well then what? Wait.. you said, ‘thought you’d have to’... so you didn’t have to, correct?” She asks, knowing I won’t say anything more on that piece. I will answer this question though as it was what I was about to tell her before her questions anyway.

“Correct. He told me, and I quote, ‘Yes. To both. But this is not the favor. I will hold on to it for you.’ And when I asked him why, he said it was because of a vision Syliva had.”

“The old hag?” She confirms, looking more wary now. She puts more stock, just like Dorian does, into what that fruit has to say than I ever have. Her wide eyes and increasing heartbeat make me roll my eyes at her.

“Hawke. This is serious. Sylvia has been right about her visions for you one way or another. You have to see that.” She says, practically saying the same s.hit Dorian did earlier. It makes me scrunch up my nose. I don’t like that they want me to lend any credence to her words, and I consider it for a moment, and decide it’s still something that can wait. It’s just not as important as my other two goals.

“Maybe.” I mutter, willing myself to grab my coffee and take another drink as a distraction from the topic. Jules eyes me and then takes a sip of her own, looking out the window next to us. I do the same, seeing all the college students walking along every sidewalk along the T connected roads where Dutch sits on one corner. A car pulls up, stopping at the sign and letting a group walk by.

There is a mix of human and wolf in the air, a faint hint of vampire too. I can’t smell witches. I don’t know if it’s because they don’t have a scent or if wolves just can’t. Everyone I've asked can’t smell witches, so I’m assuming the first, but I don’t know for sure.

The car pulls away when it’s safe and another replaces it. It’s a busy time in the early afternoon. Jules sighs, pulling my attention back to her to find her pulling away from the window to look at me as well.

“I think you need–” She’s interrupted by the all too familiar ringtone chiming from my back pocket. I look at her apologetically as I dig it out, she shrugs her shoulders in understanding, sipping her drink again.

“Yes, boss?” I answer in the human way to not attract attention.

“I have a job for you. An out of control Alpha’s daughter that I want handled. Sending details now.” He says, his voice a bored monotone that hides the beast behind the call well.

“Yes sir.” I respond, pulling the phone away from my ear to watch as the emails come in. My brain is stuck on one word he said however.

Handled.

What the f***k does that mean?

He always says terminated.

Once my phone stops vibrating, I put it back to my ear.

“Got them. How close?” I ask.

“Lyons. Find everything else in the emails.” He says curtly before hanging up. I look down at my phone, my brows furrowing a bit. I don’t bother opening the emails just yet, but I can’t look away from my screen., even if I’m not really seeing it.

“Everything okay?” Jules breaks through again. She always does, her voice sweet and light, feathery. I look up at her and give her a tight smile, trying to be reassuring though I have a bunch of questions about that interaction and what these details might be for this target. I can’t even look at them now even if I wanted to, needing the software on my laptop to decrypt them.

“Yeah, I just gotta go. New job.” I say, standing and grabbing my cup. She nods and grabs hers and we head out together. We walk down the sidewalk parallel to the coffee shop, and stop at the end of the block, hugging each other tightly and parting ways. We never promise when we’ll see each other next, only to see each other soon. To make up for it, we talk daily through text and social media.

I like it that way.

I don’t really want Jules to know the dark and dirty of my life.

Even if she already has an idea.

I feel compelled for some reason to look back at her. Like this will be the last time I see her. And I know it’s silly, but I do. I stop, and turn sideways, watching her walk away from me for a few more moments before finally heading back to my apartment to start some recon.