The Hunter and The Hex

Chapter 6

I half sobbed, sinking to the floor, clutching my athame with a trembling hand, not ready to let my best line of non-magic of defense go as I surveyed the damage. I really need to take some self defense classes. I thought to myself then startled at the feeling of someone standing behind me. I leapt to my feet holding the blade out in front of me again as I turned to face the person who had managed to sneak in.

A rough calloused hand gripped my wrist almost painfully tight and twisted it until I released my hold on the knife with a sharp gasp, his other hand pulling it from my grip. My eyes leveled with the familiar blue eyes of Rune's and my whole body trembled for a moment before I squeezed my eyes shut, my voice shaky, "I'm sorry Rune… I thought you were... I thought you were someone else." His eyes narrowed on me then to the broken display and subsequent mess.

His grip on my wrist loosened and the handle of my knife was pressed lightly back into my hand before he released my wrist, his fingers moving up to caress the angry red marks I'm sure highlighted my throat. "I'm guessing this wasn't an accident?" A deep frown marred his face and I shrugged. "Just a small rodent problem, he's normally not so direct. Not sure what's got him feeling so bold."

I walked back to my small altar behind the counter and placed the Athame back in its place trying to shrug off the fear and adrenaline still swimming in my blood. I pulled a second mug from the cabinet and poured us both a half cup of chamomile. Rune raised his hand to protest then laughed softly as I let a generous pour of gin fill the cups the rest of the way. I slid a mug to him and smiled as he took it. He stared at it almost hesitantly, "what's in it?" I arched my brow at his paranoia.

"Organic chamomile, lavender, atropa belladonna and a healthy dose of gin." I lifted the cup to my lips, blowing off some of the heat before taking a sip. His eyebrows both hit his hairline, "you put deadly nightshade in your tea?" I laughed and nodded, "just a pinch, it does wonders for calming nerves. I promise it won't kill you." He lifted it to his mouth and slowly took a sip before a look of surprise crossed his face. "This is… better than I was expecting." He smirked and I laughed. "Yes well I aim to please, and you know… not kill my customer base."

He tilted his head to the side then glanced over his shoulder at the mess still scattered across the floor. "Need help?" I shook my head and took another sip. "No, I think I've been on my knees quiet enough in front of you for one day." His smirk spread to a grin and he leaned in slightly, "we're going to have to agree to disagree." I felt a blush blooming in my cheeks again and shook my head.

I looked up at him and bit my lower lip. I could not get a read on this man and it was driving me crazy. I rubbed my throat then went to fidget with my ring and frowned looking down at my bare finger. "Something wrong?" His voice was coarse but sincere. I shook my head, waving him off, "no, I just must have forgotten my ring at home. It belonged to my great great great something or other grandmother… it's old, beyond antique. It's been in my family since the french Renaissance and I really hate that I've misplaced it." He hummed in understanding and sipped his tea.

"So what happened?" He nodded towards the display. I sighed and rubbed my temples, "just a creep of a guy that doesn't like to be told no and has a taste for girls way too young for him… too young for anyone to be messing with really. He thinks I've hexed him so naturally he had to come try to threaten me. Which makes no sense." I sighed in irritation, "if I hexed him you'd think he would want to stay clear of me. Just my luck he's apparently not only a creep but also a complete moron." I shook my head and he laughed, the sound pulling a smile to my face.

"Did you though? Did you hex him?" I smiled over the rim of my mug, "if anyone needed a good hexing it's a predator like Kevin Anderson." His posture stiffened for a moment but then he took another drink of his tea and settled back with a nod. "Have you had dinner yet?" I blinked in surprise at the sudden question then shook my head. "I was going to get some take out and sort rocks." I glared at the rocks on the floor. "What are we ordering?" I blinked again, "um chinese…? but really I can handle this." He waved dismissively and sat his now emptied mug down. "I insist," he said with a slight smile and I pulled out a local takeout menu.

He settled in behind me, I could feel the heat radiating off his body. His hand resting gently on my waist as he peered over my shoulder looking over the delivery menu. We easily came to a consensus and he eyed my old flip phone suspiciously as I ordered our dinner. I smiled sheepishly, "smart phones and I don't really get along… actually most electronics and I don't get along." I said with a shrug, he hummed softly in response and I immediately missed his warmth as he moved back from me.

We got to work cleaning up the space; Rune righted the table while I cleared away the broken display bins then we sat on floor cushions as we separated the tumbled stones into piles. By the time we had finished the food had arrived and I replaced our gin spiked tea with straight gin and lowered inhibitions.