A Little Shop of Spells

A young woman with striking white locks hugged a stack of books to her chest as she rushed down the halls of a busy school building. Ryker’s Academy – it was a hush hush reform school for troubled witches. Those that roamed the halls here ranged from a two week trip for behavior to….well, as long as it takes to deem the witch safe to re-enter society. It was a fluid process that had a thick book of rules to follow.

“Miss Longview.” A tall slender woman with black hair and thick framed glasses spoke. Her hair was tied up into a bun neatly, her dress was a deep blue that accented her blue eyes.

The young white haired woman paused, her eyes widened slightly. She held a gorgeous shade of hues that was a unique blue color. Unique to the Longview family that is. “Madam Wisely. Good morning.” She spoke with a warm smile as she stepped over to the woman.

“It seems it is your lucky day, Miss Longview.” The woman held an envelope forward. As the young woman reached out to it she pulled it back swiftly. “Don’t make me regret this, Sydney.” She smiled then.

Sydney fumbled slightly with the books in her arms and managed to grasp the letter with one hand. “Don’t make you regret it?” She questioned, her eyes curious. She fumbled and set her books down on a table that sat at the edge of the hallway. She then slipped her finger beneath the crease of the envelope and ripped it open easily. Her blue hues moved about as she read over the words. Slowly a smile began to creep onto her lips. “Home?” She asked and looked to Madam Wisely. “I get to go home?” She nearly squeaked. She rushed forward and threw her arms around the woman as a giddy giggle came from her lips.

“Yes, yes. Now like I said. Don’t make me regret this, hm? You’ve come a long way my dear.” Madam Wisely hugged the woman back as she chuckled slightly. “Now, your sister has been appointed as guardian over you, so--….”

“Myra?” Sydney took a step back as she gathered her books. She grinned. “I wrote her so many letters.” She smiled brightly. “I’m sure she’s been busy. Thank you Madam Wisely! You won’t regret a thing.” Sydney took off down the hallway toward the dorms where she had lived for nearly 20 years.

“You never told her about the letters. Did you Madam?” An older man stood as he watched the young woman rush down the hallway.

“No, not at all. I couldn’t risk her acting up again. What she doesn’t know. It won’t hurt her. She needed to be here. This was the only place that could have settled her into the fine witch that she has become. A herbalist no less.” She smirked as she looked to the man. “She will do well. She’s passed every test that I’ve given her. I don’t believe there is much more we could do for her now.”

**

Two days later…

Sydney had her rolling bag full of clothing, a backpack upon her shoulders and her phone in hand. She wore jeans and a black jacket over a blue tank top. She gazed about the city as she walked through it. She bumped into a businessman dressed in a suit and she nearly toppled to the ground.

“Hey watch it!” He snapped at her as he kept going.

“S-Sorry!” Sydney called out as she regained her balance and looked back down to her phone. The screen had a path on it to lead her to her destination. Incantations Inc. It had a nice ring to it. She rushed along with the crowd of people and soon enough, she’d arrived to the shop. She paused at the door, her eyes gazed to the open sign. She hesitated and bit her lip slightly. What was on the other side of this door? Would her sister even be there? Would she recognize her? The questions rolled in swiftly.

Sydney drew in a breath and squeezed her eyes shut before she curled her fingers around the cool door handle. She pushed the door open and a pleasant chime of the bell above the door resounded through the shop. Sydney look up to it with big curious eyes. She hesitated as she heard a chuckle from deeper within the store. The sound of the wheels of her bag seemed to echo off the wooden floors as she pulled her bag forward. She gazed to the different trinkets and books that lined the store as she made her way toward the sound. She rounded a bookcase and found herself looking to a handsome blonde man and a beautiful and mysterious woman with dark hair and tattoos to match. Sydney immediately gave a warm smile as she saw the two. Her eyes gazed to the woman once again and her brows knitted together slightly. “Um...” She broke the silence in the room. She swallowed. Nerves were something she wasn’t quite used to.

She brushed a bit of her white hair from her face, “I’m um...” She looked to the dashing man a moment and her cheeks flushed. “Uh...” She gazed back to the woman. “I’m...looking...” She gazed to the woman’s eyes. Much like her own. “You’re Myra...” Her lips parted slightly before a grin took over her expression. “You look so different!” She had an excitement in her tone that matched that of a child on Christmas. “It’s me Sydney.” She smiled brightly. She glanced to the man again and then back to Myra. “Madam Wisely told me to come here...I’m not interrupting anything am I?” She asked curiously before she looked down to a letter that she held in her hands. She smiled and looked to the items within the shop again as she awaited the answer from the woman behind the counter.

Sydney looked to the blonde man as he began to speak before her sister could. He’d heard a lot about her? Her smile fell slightly. But he seemed excited to meet her. How could he be excited to meet her with what she had done? The man spoke it then, Myra was nervous. Her heart beat within her chest as her nerves bubbled up. She forced a smile back on her lips, just as she’d been taught. As Myra snapped at the man Sydney had to stifle a laugh as he was put in his place. She watched as Myra smacked the back of his head, a giggle escaped her. “Ignore everything?” She questioned and glanced to him, her eyes curious.

The young woman held a hand up to cover another laugh as Myra wiggled her fingers that were adjourned in the beautiful rings. She found herself gazing to the jewlery even as Myra lowered her hand back to her side. It wasn’t until Myra spoke again that Sydney’s blue hues lifted to look to her. “Oh coffee, that sounds really nice.” She smiled brightly. Her eyes moved to the blonde man as he spoke once again. Her brow rose slightly. He was persistent. Though as the two bickered like an old married couple Sydney smiled once again. If he was a friend of Myra’s, perhaps he wasn’t so bad.

She was caught off guard as he pushed Myra aside and the next thing she knew the warmth of his fingers around her own and the pressure of his lips against her fingers overwhelmed her senses. Sydney’s cheeks burned as she stared to him, frozen. Her breath hitched and she blinked a few times as he introduced himself. That charming yet mischievous smile was enough to knock anyone off their feet.

“O-Oh...Logan...okay...” She took her hand back and gazed to Myra. Her cheeks were still pink as she bit her lip slightly, nervously. “I um...the coffee would be lovely. The flights I had were overnight….it was the only option...” She glanced to Logan again and then back to Myra after a long moment. She clicked the button upon her luggage and glanced about the items of the shop. “Ohhhh.” She released the handle of her bag and stepped up to a shelf. “How’d you get this?” She questioned as she lifted a small potted plant from the shelf. “These…are so rare...so hard to find.” She walked up to it and gently touched the petals. As she inspected the plant she calmed slightly. She looked to her sister and offered a smile.

She didn’t seem quite like she knew what to do. She held an accent that was nothing like the city accent. It was posh in a way. Well maintained. She had been raised by Ryker Academy. Grown into the witch that they believed she should become. “I like my coffee with just a bit of cream.” She spoke after a long moment of silence. “If that is alright.” She glanced to Logan once again and then back to Myra. “You’re sure I wasn’t interrupting? I can wait...I know...I um...I’ve been gone a long time...but I...” Bit at her lip slightly. That was something they couldn’t get rid of, she’d done that as a child when she was uncomfortable. “I’m really happy to be home.” She spoke and gave a smile then.

Sydney turned her eyes back to her sister as she heard her scold Logan, there was a curious look in her eyes as she watched the interaction. She glanced to the plant again when Myra mentioned it and a look of amazement came over her. “Really? You grow them?” She questioned quickly. Her eyes settled on Logan when Myra announced that he was to thank. “Even the greenhouse at the Academy didn’t have these. Madam Wisely told me that the conditions had to be pristine. Exactly enough humidity...light...warmth...dense nutrients but not too much...the soil had to be just--...” She realized she was carrying on about the plant and she bit at her lip again and looked away to the items within the store once again. She drew in a breath and let out a relieved sigh as Myra announced that she would be going upstairs.

Though the quick wink that Logan gave her caused her cheeks to flush once again, she pressed her lips together and quickly looked away from him. She nearly tripped as she rushed to grab her rolling bag. She was up the stairs behind her sister in just a few moments. She groaned slightly as she pulled her heavy roller bag up the stairs. When you go out on jobs? The question ran through her mind, her brows tugged together slightly. But she didn’t comment just yet.

She watched as Myra’s rings glistened in the light of the stairwell as she worked the lock of the door. Sydney lugged the suitcase up the stairs the rest of the way and gazed around the spacious living room area. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the bookcase. A smile curved up her lips as she stepped forward slowly into the cozy space.

She’d only have to share the bathroom with Myra? That was an improvement from the dorm style living that she’d dealt with. She’d dealt with communal showers since she’d been shipped to the academy. To truly have space to just share with Myra. It didn’t quite seem real. Her mind was moving at a thousand miles per hour as she tried to take everything in. She found herself standing in the doorway of what Myra explained would be her room. Her own space.

“Oh...thank you Myra...this...” She had a smile on her lips now. “This is great.” She stepped into the room and ran her fingertips along the smooth wood of the bookcase before she rolled her bag over to the closet. She looked to the spacious nature of it before she gazed to the plush bed. She glanced over her shoulder as Myra left to brew the coffee. She slipped her backpack from her shoulders and set her backpack on the freshly made bed that held a plain navy comforter upon it. She placed her hand upon the comforter and smiled. She didn’t know if was on purpose, but blue had always been her favorite color. Maybe Myra remembered that? She sat on the bed for a moment and looked around the spacious room.

The dorm that she’d been living in was shared. Bunk beds and all the like. To have her own space was something she hadn’t ever really thought of. She stood and hummed lightly as she moved about the room. She pulled her things from her rolling bag and hung them on the conveniently placed hangers within the closet. She placed socks and the like in the drawers of the dresser. Sydney pulled out a large sketch pad and set it on her bed. It didn’t take her long to unpack what little she had.

She came out into the living room as the space filled with the enticing scent of coffee. She smiled and took up her mug which her fingers curled around and she hugged it to her sternum slightly. “Thank you.” Sydney spoke as she looked about the living room. She walked over to the window and gazed down to the bustle below of the city streets. She sipped on the coffee, it soothed her and brought a smile to her lips. “This is wonderful, Myra.” She complimented.

Her eyes followed along with the businessmen and women as they trekked up and down the sidewalks of the city, in a hurry to get to work...or wherever they may be going. She sipped upon the coffee once again. The amount of cream was perfect. Sydney scrunched her brows together slightly as she turned and looked to her sister. “Thank you...for letting me come back...” She spoke the words with a soft tone. Her beautiful blue hues gazed to Myra a long moment. “I um...I promise I won’t be any trouble.” She gave a weak smile after she spoke the words. Her fingertips drummed upon the warm mug of coffee as it steamed before her. She took another sip.

“You...um you said you...go out on jobs? What...uh...sort of jobs do you go out on? You’ve this whole shop...it’s really a beautiful shop” She asked curiously, though she rambled slightly. It was clear that Sydney was quite nervous. Though the question had been eating away at her from the moment that Myra spoke it earlier on the stairs. Her fingers tapped on the mug again as she looked to her. She looked as though she was about to speak again as there was a swift knock to the door. Her eyes shot to the door and her breath caught slightly. The drumming of her fingers had stopped, she gripped onto the mug as she watched the door push open.

“Myra how many times do I have to tell you that Fae shouldn’t run your counter downstairs? He'll have the whole neighborhood swooning over him if you leave him alone for too long.” A tall slender built man walked into the apartment. He had jet black hair that was combed to the side neatly. He wore a fine suit, one that must have cost a considerable amount of money. His eyes were buried in his phone as he turned and shut the door. He slipped the lock into place as he scrolled with his thumb. “I’ve got a considerable problem to bring to you. I think you might like this one. Pretty easy, good money.” A badge glistened upon his hip beneath his suit jacket. As he walked forward. “It’s one of your Fae friends, causing a ruckus down….” His eyes lifted from his phone finally. The sound of a message sending seemed to echo in the silence of the room. “Town...” He finished the word as he gazed to Sydney. His golden hues looked between the two and a smile cracked on his lips. “She’s here.” He spoke and raised his brows. “Wow.” He looked to Sydney. “Apologies for my abrupt entrance.” He chuckled and slipped his phone into his pocket. “The name is Myles Grey, Detective, homicide, first precinct.”

Sydney sipped from her coffee as she stared to the man. Her eyes looked to her sister a moment. She then looked back to him. “Nice to meet you, I’m Sydney.” She replied almost awkwardly. Over-stimulation was a good word for how she felt.

Myles cleared his throat slightly and he looked to Myra. He pulled his phone back out and wiggled it slightly. “I sent you the details. What do you say? Hm? Tonight?” He smirked. “I’d rather not mop up another blood bath.” His eyes lulled to Sydney. “Do you hunt as well?” He questioned.

Sydney’s fingers drummed on the mug, she bit her lip slightly. “I’m not certain that I do.” She replied.

Myles gave a dry laugh then, “Hm, are you sure you’re related to Myra?” He asked. “She’s the best witch I know in the whole area. For hours even.” He complimented and smirked to Myra. “Besides...” He motioned. “How’d you end up with such a unique color of hair?” He grasped Logan’s coffee from the counter and sipped from it. He let out a content sigh as he leaned against the counter of the kitchen island. “Thanks for the coffee, Myra.” He grinned, he knew it wasn’t for him. But he didn’t seem to care one bit.

Sydney pressed her lips together, her brows furrowed and she gave a nod. She forced a smile as she looked to this man. “Y-yes um...she’s my sister. I'm certain of it.” She replied almost shakily, “I’m sure she’s a fantastic witch...um...” Her heart was racing as he’d asked about her hair. She nervously brushed some of it from her face. “My hair used to be the same color as hers...just like our mother...but I lost the color from an accident.” She adverted her eyes. “Myra...I um...I’ll let you talk to Myles...” She gave another forced smile before she turned and retreated to the room that Myra had announced as hers. She sat on her bed and leaned her head against the drywall as she hugged her mug against her chest. Her eyes closed and a slow breath came over her lips. From the way that she’d sat down heavily onto the bed her sketch pad had fallen off of the bed onto the floor. But that didn’t seem to be a bother to her in this moment.

Myles raised a brows slightly, “Shy. Huh?” He spoke, his tone hushed slightly. “Shit, how long has she been home, Myra? I’m sorry about barging in like that. I’m not used to you having anyone around...” He glanced to the hallway and then back to Myra. “Should I go? I didn’t mean to press. It was just conversation. I didn’t think asking her about her hair would be a problem.” He set the coffee down on the counter and sighed heavily as he crossed his arms over his chest. Myles was a demon that had found his way into the system. He would find odd cases and bring them to Myra. Anything that he found of the supernatural variety he brought to her and offered her money to help take out the disturbance. He helped too of course, when he needed to. But he was more than happy to bring these things to a witch that would understand, rather than deal with them through the department of humans that may or may not believe his words.

Sydney sat with her eyes closed on the bed. She mulled over the words Myra said. They’d asked for her to come home earlier? It was almost painful to think of. She’d spent so long away. Myra felt like a stranger. Yet. She felt like family all the same. She was so kind to her. There wasn’t a bit of resentment. Sydney hadn’t known what to expect at all. She’d asked Madam Wisely about her parents and she was told that Myra as to be her guardian. She wasn’t given any information on her parents and of course she wanted to ask but Myles showed up. She didn’t want to talk about her mistakes and of course it was the first thing that the man asked. She’d returned Myra’s smiles with her own soft gentle smiles and a few nods as she’d listened to her. But aside from that, she hadn’t gotten the chance to really talk to her.

She glanced to the door as she heard Myra call out to her. Her brows raised slightly. She listened as she heard the door open and close. The sound of the two descending down the stairs. She let out a slow breath and closed her eyes again as she sipped upon her coffee.

**

Myles frowned slightly and nodded. “Hm. Half an hour and here I come to be an ass. I didn’t mean to pry at her past. Her hair is beautiful. Truthfully. I was wondering how she got it to look so nice.” He commented and then smirked to Myra. “She does have the same interesting blue eyes as you. Funny, you’re the only human that I’ve seen with such a unique mixture of blue and green.” He had always commented on his love for her eye color. “I’ll let her talk next time. No questions.” Myles held up his hands a second before he grasped his mug of coffee to follow behind Myra, he glanced down the hallway where Sydney had retreated. He drew in a breath as if to speak, but he shook his head slightly and decided against it as he followed after Myra with his coffee in hand.

“Hm well...it’s a bit of a situation.” He grinned as he looked to her. “I’ll come along of course. This one.” He clicked his tongue. “I’m not certain what has set this Fae off. But I can smell the magic from it on the crime scene. I can feel it.” He wrinkled his nose slightly. “Someone pissed the damn thing off and well...I won’t complain about a few of our local murderers being offed...but well...homicide is homicide...and they threw this on my desk this morning.” He shrugged as they made it to the bottom of the stairs.

A chuckle came from Myles as he looked to Logan. “Hm?” He looked to the mug with a grin. It was a mug that he’d seen Logan drink from many times. “This?” He took a drink and smacked his lips. “No I’m pretty sure that our lovely human poured it for me.” He snickered, “I do pay her, you know?” He raised a brow. “Its the least I can do.” Another laugh. He had a sly smile as Myra held another mug forward. “See? Why would I steal from you? I don’t want your dirty mug anyway.” Myles retorted as he followed Myra back to her workbench. He leaned against the bench and sipped from his coffee as he looked around at all of her various items. The thrill of working with Myra was what he lived for. Truthfully.

“Hm you had better not disturb Sydney.” Myles spoke, already feeling protective over the girl like a big brother might. “I already upset the poor girl.” He sighed, he was really beating himself up for asking about her hair.

“Well, Myra.” He grasped a glass vial off of the shelf and held it toward her, he knew it was a sleeping potion that she’d made. He’d seen her use it many times. “Shall we go find ourselves a troubled Fae?” He smiled, “I parked the car out front.” He finished off his coffee and set the mug down on the desk. “I’ll meet you outside.” He glanced to Logan and eyed him a moment. Myles was much better about keeping his comments to himself. He cleared his throat before he walked from the back area and out of the shop. The bell chimed happily before he made his way to his car. It was jet black, a sporty two seater with a manual transmission. He climbed inside and started it up. The engine hummed to life and he relaxed back into his bucket seat as he waited for Myra.

Myles glanced over as Myra got into the car. He put the car in gear and started off down the road. “It isn’t in our normal part of town.” He started as he reached forward and turned the hard rock music down so that she could hear him more clearly. “Business district actually. I tracked it down to one of the high rise apartments downtown. One of the expensive ones.” He glanced to her as he stopped at a red light. “I usually don’t have an uneasy feeling about things. This one?” He gave an uncomfortable chuckle. “Yeah this one not so much. It just doesn’t make sense.” He reached into the glovebox and pulled a folder out. “Look this over.” He placed it in her lap before the light turned green.

Within the folder were pictures of the crime scene. Blood bath was an understatement. Blood was splattered on the walls, pooled on the floors, the bodies were mangled and ripped to shreds. “I’ve never seen a Fae do something like this without being provoked. I want to know why.” He spoke and glanced to her with his golden hues. He continued the drive and allowed her to look over the file in silence. 5 bodies at the scene. Multiple bullet holes in the walls. Odds were the Fae had been shot at least once.

Myles frowned slightly as a few raindrops hit the front of his windshield. “Of course.” He remarked as he drove along. “I just washed my car.” He sighed, unimpressed.

He glanced to Myra as he stopped at another light. “So….your sister...” He gave a bit of a playful smile. “Does she seem alright to you? Do you think she will come out on these jobs?” He questioned curiously. “I was surprised that she’s so shy...” He pursed his lips for a moment. “Though I do believe I had different expectations because of you.” He chuckled and started driving once again. “I mean. You aren’t really the shy type.” He grinned and turned down a side street. “Did you get to talk to her much before I barged in?” He asked and raised a brow slightly before he pulled into a parking garage. He flashed his badge at the guard and the man raised the gate for him. He drove through the tight space and found a parking spot.

Myles climbed out of the car and popped the trunk. He grasped her duffle and hung it off of his shoulder. He was very much a gentlemen with her. He even walked around and opened her door, a smirk upon his lips as he did so. “You know I had one of the officers ask me today about you.” He commented nonchalantly. “He asked if you were my little sister.” A chuckle came from the demon before he glanced over his shoulder at her as the car chirped to signal it was locked. “I guess they’ve seen us together enough to make the assumption.” He pressed the elevator button and stepped inside when it chimed.

Myles let out a sigh as he pressed the button of the top floor. He leaned against the side of the elevator as he crossed his arms. “I’ll go in first, of course.” He winked to her. “I can’t have you getting hurt.” He shifted his weight when the elevator doors opened. He walked swiftly down the hallway and paused a moment. There were droplets of blood soaked into the carpeting. “Hm.” He pointed, his brows tugged together. He continued forward and rounded a corner. “Shit.” He immediately placed his hand out and pressed Myra against the wall as he backed her up swiftly.

Yelling could be heard from down the hall. Myles glanced to Myra as he slipped her the duffle bag. He’d seen two armed men standing outside of the room that he’d deemed to belong to the Fae. “I think our Fae made a few friends on accident.” He whispered before he rounded the corner. He walked forward confidently. He held his suit jacket open to show that he didn’t have any guns on him as the two men turned and looked to him. “Boys.” He spoke as he walked forward, his badge glistened. Myles glanced to the door, a bloody handprint was smeared on the white paint. “Is there a problem here?”

The two thugs looked to him. One of the men held a pistol in his hand, the other had a shotgun. Ready to fire. “What’s it to you blue?” One of the men questioned hatefully. “We’ve business here. Why don’t you run along and get a donut.”

Myles chuckled as he stood just a few feet from them now. He pat his stomach. “You think I keep this physique by eating that garbage? Perhaps you should take a few cues from me.” He grinned. One of the men was on the heavier side. “I’m going to ask you to leave.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “No questions asked. I won’t even cite you for that nice shotgun you have there, William.” He smirked. He’d arrested these two before.

The two looked at one another. “Do you know what this fucker did?” One of the men questioned. “This bastard killed a bunch of our buddies.” He pointed to the door.

“Uh huh. I know. I was at the crime scene earlier. Terrible stuff. Now let me do my job boys.” Myles had a shimmer to his eyes as he spoke. Both men took on a dazed look before they nodded silently and walked away down the hallway.

Myles clicked his tongue slightly before he gazed to the bloody handprint on the door. “Myra.” He turned his head to look to where he’d left her. “I think our friend is hurt.” He nodded to the door before he tried the handle. It was open. Myles nodded to Myra before he pushed the door open. Immediately a wave of magic blasted into the demon and knocked him harshly against the wall. He groaned as he stood. “We aren’t here to hurt you. Fuck.” He brushed off his suit. His eyes scanned the room to find the Fae was sitting on the couch. She was holding her side. Her skin pale. He glanced to Myra. This was her department at this point.

**

It took about an hour before the sound of footsteps echoed down the staircase. Sydney pushed the curtain aside and walked into the shop. She gazed around the dimly lit shop and walked around. She looked to a few items. “Myra?” She asked as she moved about. She found that the sign on the front door of the shop had been shifted to say ‘closed’. Her brows tugged together as she walked down one of the aisles. “Myra?” She asked again. She hugged her arms to herself, she had her sketch book with her and a pencil. “Maybe I should have stayed upstairs...” She muttered to herself as a sigh came from her. She paused before a shelf of various dried plants. Her expression softened as she began to look through them, a smile slowly curved up her lips. Sydney found a chair after a few minutes and she sat down in it. She crossed her legs beneath her and opened up her sketch pad. She gazed to the shop before her and she began to draw lines. It was almost effortless. This was the only thing she did in her free time at the Academy so she had become quite good at art. She began to sketch a drawing of the shop counter. Her hand moved swiftly. She would close her eyes every now and again as she recalled Logan's features and Myra's features so that she could sketch the two into the art.

Myles had chuckled to Myra’s comment. “Moving up in the world huh? It’s nice to not have to go on the other side of the tracks. But the things that happen downtown...” He clicked his tongue. “let’s just say the richer they are the darker the crimes.” He raised a brow and smirked to her slightly. “Should be a good time, hm?”

When she commented on the file he drew in a breath, “Do I exaggerate much, Myra? When have you known me to exaggerate?” He grinned then. This was a bit of a lie of course. When it came to Logan he would exaggerate everything. It was simply a feud between the two. Almost as if they both wanted Myra’s attention like young school boys. It wasn’t everyday that a supernatural being could find a witch that was willing to see them for more than what they were.

Myles grinned to her next question, “Funny you would ask. I knew you would.” He’d gazed to her with his golden hues. “Not entirely human, no. The group seems to be a young pack of werewolves. Well. I say young, because of the stupidity. Do you see it?” He questioned and pointed at one of the photos. “Most would miss it. Look at the rune there. It’s nearly destroyed from the blast of magic, but I think they may have trapped this Fae. You’ve heard of it in the past. Syphoning them for their magic. It is a dirty deed and highly painful.” He cleared his throat slightly and shook his head. “I just hope this Fae is in the talking mood. I doubt it. But we shall see.”

After he’d brought up Sydney and he caught the glance from Myra he winced slightly. She was going to be very protective of her younger sister. He admired that though. “Hm yes the Academy has a way of brainwashing their students. You know that right Myra?” He’d mentioned it to her before when he’d found out she had a sister a few years ago from an old photograph that she kept in her apartment. “Though, being in that environment...she could be different just because of that. They don’t get much...socialization. It’s a damn prison. It’s a shame too.” He sighed and glanced to her. “Sorry I cut your meeting with her short. I’ll pay for dinner for you two? Hm? How about Marcado’s downtown? You like that place don’t you?” It was an expensive restaurant that carried only the highest end products. Their menu changed weekly. It was a real treat to go there. Myles had taken her there a few times over the years he’d known her.

After they arrived at the high rise building and she’d commented back about his comment from his co-worker. “I mean. Another one of the detectives asked me if you were my girl.” He shrugged. “So which one would you rather?” He playfully smiled to her before they walked into the building.

After everything was said and done – the thugs gone, and the Fae sitting on her couch before them. He popped his back and grimaced slightly. That hit that she’d brushed in his direction – it hurt. He was durable but, damn. Myles stood right behind Myra as she walked forward and spoke to the Fae woman. The woman had emerald green hues as she stared to them, her hair was a dark jet black. Her skin pale as a ghost. She had cuts on her arms, bruising on her jaw. It was evident that Myles’ assumption was right. She was found by the wolf pack and they were bleeding her for her magic. There was no telling how long they kept her before she escaped. “Bad day?” She questioned in a soft voice. She closed her eyes as she grit her teeth. “More than that.” Her breath trembled. She’d lost quite a bit of her blood.

“Who are you talking to you Fae piece of shit?” A voice came from another room in the apartment.

Myles was immediately on alert. “Myra.” He spoke in a low tone, his jaw tight. He held a finger to his lips as he moved toward the sound of the voice. He looked to the Fae woman and nodded to her.

“No one.” She spoke, her voice soft.

“No one huh?” The man questioned as he walked out from the back room. He was a well built man with a trimmed beard, his hair was unkempt. He had a glass that was stained with blood. The Fae’s blood no doubt. His eyes fell upon Myra. “What the f---”

Myles’ fist collided with the man’s jaw. It sent him flying. A punch from a demon was not a joking matter. Myles was on top of the werewolf in a matter of seconds. He gripped onto his throat and stared into his eyes as his own golden hues began to shimmer again. “What did you do to her?” He snarled. “Who’s your pack leader?” His eyes turned black as he slammed the man into the floor. “Silver Myra!” He called as he could feel the bones that popped beneath his grasp. “Now!” He held his hand up and caught a pin of silver. It was enough to stop him. Enough to poison him. Of course enough to kill if it wasn’t removed.

The werewolf writhed and snarled until Myles stabbed the pin into his shoulder. His muscles tensed. He growled in pain, his fangs visible. “You’re a fucking demon. Working with a human?” He snapped. “What are you doing?” He hissed as he reached to pull the pin out but Myles held him firmly in place.

“Hm yes. I am.” He grinned to the wolf. “Now talk before I pour liquid silver down your fucking throat.” He threatened.

The wolf struggled against him. “I’m the pack leader, asshole.” He snapped. “What’s it to you if I bleed a stupid Fae?” He shoved against Myles but the demon did not move. “She managed to kill five of my guys and escape. So of course I had to come get her.” He snickered darkly. “You can’t just walk away. Can you Jada?” He turned his head to look to the Fae woman whom still gripped her side.

Myles narrowed his eyes, “Hm, sounds to me like you are the perfect suspect for that murder. Don’t you think Myra?” He smirked as he looked to the witch.

“No one will ever believe you. My pack will tear you to shreds.” He snarled and managed to overpower Myles. The wolf ripped the silver from his shoulder and growled as he tossed it across the room. He turned and leaped toward Myra – keen on harming her.

Though as he flew through the air a blast wave of a fiery inferno encased the werewolf. In an instant he was burned to a crisp, the body fell to the ground with a thud. The Fae woman was standing she had her hand held forward – her hand that held her side, blood was leaking through her fingertips now. Myles rubbed his jaw where a cut formed from the lycan’s harsh punch. He stared to the burnt body and pressed his lips together. “Rough go of it then...” He spoke as he picked up the silver pin and slipped it into his pocket. “You’ve got quite the injury there huh?” He asked as he approached the Fae. She staggered and her knees gave out. Myles caught her as her body fell limp, he carefully set her on the couch. He looked to the woman and then to Myra. “His pack is going to come after her. You know this.” He sighed as he looked to the Fae. “She’s quite young...I bet she didn’t even know what was happening when they took her.”

Myles knelt down and lifted up her shirt to look at her bloodied side. “Bullet wound, from her escape no doubt.” He clicked his tongue. “It’s pretty bad. Do you have any more of that healing paste back at your shop?” He questioned. “I can call the crew to clean this place up. You can do that thing you do and get her help. Right? You did the last time we found something like this. I mean, last time the Fae wasn’t strong enough to defend herself. But...can you even blame her?” He shook his head. “What do you want to do Myra?”

**

Sydney was so focused on her artwork that she didn’t notice the presence over her shoulder as she trended to the lines of her sketch. Logan’s voice caused the woman to jump, a deep line marked through part of the sketch from her hand shifting so suddenly. Her heart felt as though it had jumped into her throat. “Oh um...I...” Her breathing had quickened from the scare. She shifted in the chair and stood swiftly. “L-Logan, right?” She gazed to him as he spoke to her. She looked down to the sketch in her hands and sighed softly as she stared to the dark line that ran across the top of the page. “Thanks...I think...” She pressed her lips together. “I specialized in art.” She forced a smile.

This was hard. Why was it so hard. Just be normal. Just smile. Act normal. Just talk to him. She thought to herself as she bit at her lip from nerves. “Here...I’ll show you.” She forced another smile and flipped back several pages. She held the sketch pad out to him. It was filled with gorgeous drawings. Carefully done. She had a knack for it. The sketch that she’d turned to was of a woman that had her knees pulled to her chest, her forehead pressed against her arms that hugged her knees. Rain cascaded over her. Ropes with runes curled around her body – trapping her. It was dark. Many of the sketches within the book were realistic and beautiful. But dark. Her artwork truly conveyed emotion. It was her escape from reality – it was her release from the prison that was the Ryker Academy.

“Oh um...” She grasped the book and turned it to another page. It was a lovely sketch of mountains and a lake. “Madam Wisely most liked this one.” She smiled to him then and looked around as she awaited his response. Sydney brushed her hair from her face and tapped her fingers on her arm absentmindedly. “Logan...” She looked to him curiously. “Where’s Myra?” She asked, her eyes seemed to study him. “Did she go somewhere?” She questioned and shifted her weight. “Um...if you don’t know it...uh it’s really okay...I just...I...” She bit at her lip and shook her head. I’m alone. She thought the words and shook her head again. I hate being alone...but he’s here...that’s not alone... She let out a controlled breath. Something that she was taught to do in the academy when she was overstimulated. “I just was hoping to catch up with her...it’s um...it’s been a really long time...and I...barely remember her...” She admitted, her voice soft at the end.

Sydney fell quiet as she watched him, she looked to her sketch book and then to him. She drew in a deep breath. “H-how do you know Myra?” She asked. “How long have you known h-her?” She stuttered from her nerves. She drummed on her arm again and a sigh came over her lips. “I’m sorry.” She squeezed her eyes shut a moment. She knew she wasn’t acting according to how Madam Wisely would want her to act. It made her terribly regretful. “I shouldn’t pry.” She forced a smile. “Do you know where I could get something to eat? I haven’t eaten since this morning...” She admitted to him before she adverted her eyes to look to the items on the shelves around them.