Industrial Magic
Page 8
I smiled and peeked around the corner. Lucas was still dressed for court, wearing a dark gray suit and equally somber tie. A month ago, Savannah had bought him a green silk tie, a splash of color she declared long overdue. Since then, hed made three trips out of town, each time packing the tie and, I was certain, never wearing it.
When it came to his appearance, Lucas preferred the disguise of invisibility. With wire-rimmed glasses, dark hair cut short, and an unexceptional face, Lucas Cortez didnt need a cover spell to pass through a room unnoticed.
Now he was trying very hard to be silent as well as invisible as he poured coffee from cardboard cups into mugs.
Playing hooky, Counselor? I said, rounding the corner.
Anyone else would have jumped. Lucas only blinked, then looked up, lips curving in the crinkle Id learned to interpret as a smile.
So much for surprising you with a midmorning snack.
You didnt need that to surprise me. What happened with your case?
After the debacle with the necromancer, the prosecution began pursuing a twenty-four-hour recess, to find a last-minute witness. Initially I was reluctant, wanting to end the matter as quickly as possible, but, after speaking to you last night, I decided you might not be opposed to an unexpected visit. So I decided to be magnanimous and agree to the prosecutions request.
Wont it hurt your case if they find their witness?
They wont. Hes dead. Improper handling of a fire-swarm.
Firearm?
No, fire-swarm.
I shook my head and sat down at the table. Lucas placed two scones on a plate and brought it over. I waited until he took his first mouthful.
Okay, Ill bite. Whats a fire-swarm and what did it do to your witness?
Not my witness
I tossed my napkin at him. His quarter-smile broadened to a grin and he launched into the story. Thats one thing about being a lawyer to the supernatural. The pay is crap and the clientele can be lethal, but any time you take supernatural events and try to present them in a human courtroom, youre bound to get some great stories. This time, though, no story, no matter how amusing, could distract me from what Benicio had said. After the first few sentences, Lucas stopped.
Tell me what happened last night, he said.
Last? My mind slowly shifted gears. Oh, the Coven thing. Well, I gave them my spiel, but it was pretty obvious they were more interested in not missing their dinner reservation.
His gaze searched mine. But thats not whats bothering you, is it?
I hesitated. Your father came by earlier this morning.
Lucas stopped, fingers tightening around his napkin. Againhe searched my eyes, this time looking for some sign that I was making a very poor joke.
He sent his guards in first, I said. Supposedly looking for you, but when I said you werent here, he wanted to talk to me. II decided it was best to let him. I wasnt surewed never discussed what I should do if
Because it shouldnt have happened. When he found I wasnt here, he shouldnt have insisted on speaking to you. Im surprised he didnt already know He stopped, eyes meeting mine. He knew I wasnt here, didnt he?
Er, uhIm not sure really.
Lucass mouth tightened. He shoved back his chair, strode into the front hall, and pulled his cell phone from his jacket. Before he could dial out, I leaned into the hall and lifted a hand to stop him.
If youre going to call him, Id better tell you what he wanted or hes going to think I refused to pass along the message.
Yes, of course. Lucas tucked the cell phone into his pocket, then pinched the bridge of his nose, lifting his glasses with the motion. Im sorry, Paige. This wasnt supposed to happen. Had I thought he might come here, I would have forewarned you, but no one from my fathers organization was supposed to contact you or Savannah. He gave me his word
It was fine, I said, managing a smile. Short and sweet. He just wanted me to tell you hes got another of those cases that might interest uswell, you.
Lucas frowned and I knew hed caught my slip.
He said it would interest both of us, I said. But he meant you. He was just throwing in the us part to pique my curiosity. You know, get the new girlfriend intrigued and maybe shell pester you to give in.
What did he say?
I told him Benicios story. When I finished, Lucas closed his eyes and shook his head.
I cant believe hedno, I can believe hed do that. I should have warned you.
Lucas paused, then steered me back into the kitchen.
Im sorry, he said. These last few months havent been easy for you, and I dont want you affected by this part of my life any more than necessary. I know Im the reason you cant find any witches to join your Coven.
Thats got nothing to do with it. Im young and I havent proven myselfwell, not beyond proving that I can get kicked out of the Coven. But whatever their hang-ups, its got nothing to do with you.
A small, wan smile. Your lying hasnt improved.
When it came to his appearance, Lucas preferred the disguise of invisibility. With wire-rimmed glasses, dark hair cut short, and an unexceptional face, Lucas Cortez didnt need a cover spell to pass through a room unnoticed.
Now he was trying very hard to be silent as well as invisible as he poured coffee from cardboard cups into mugs.
Playing hooky, Counselor? I said, rounding the corner.
Anyone else would have jumped. Lucas only blinked, then looked up, lips curving in the crinkle Id learned to interpret as a smile.
So much for surprising you with a midmorning snack.
You didnt need that to surprise me. What happened with your case?
After the debacle with the necromancer, the prosecution began pursuing a twenty-four-hour recess, to find a last-minute witness. Initially I was reluctant, wanting to end the matter as quickly as possible, but, after speaking to you last night, I decided you might not be opposed to an unexpected visit. So I decided to be magnanimous and agree to the prosecutions request.
Wont it hurt your case if they find their witness?
They wont. Hes dead. Improper handling of a fire-swarm.
Firearm?
No, fire-swarm.
I shook my head and sat down at the table. Lucas placed two scones on a plate and brought it over. I waited until he took his first mouthful.
Okay, Ill bite. Whats a fire-swarm and what did it do to your witness?
Not my witness
I tossed my napkin at him. His quarter-smile broadened to a grin and he launched into the story. Thats one thing about being a lawyer to the supernatural. The pay is crap and the clientele can be lethal, but any time you take supernatural events and try to present them in a human courtroom, youre bound to get some great stories. This time, though, no story, no matter how amusing, could distract me from what Benicio had said. After the first few sentences, Lucas stopped.
Tell me what happened last night, he said.
Last? My mind slowly shifted gears. Oh, the Coven thing. Well, I gave them my spiel, but it was pretty obvious they were more interested in not missing their dinner reservation.
His gaze searched mine. But thats not whats bothering you, is it?
I hesitated. Your father came by earlier this morning.
Lucas stopped, fingers tightening around his napkin. Againhe searched my eyes, this time looking for some sign that I was making a very poor joke.
He sent his guards in first, I said. Supposedly looking for you, but when I said you werent here, he wanted to talk to me. II decided it was best to let him. I wasnt surewed never discussed what I should do if
Because it shouldnt have happened. When he found I wasnt here, he shouldnt have insisted on speaking to you. Im surprised he didnt already know He stopped, eyes meeting mine. He knew I wasnt here, didnt he?
Er, uhIm not sure really.
Lucass mouth tightened. He shoved back his chair, strode into the front hall, and pulled his cell phone from his jacket. Before he could dial out, I leaned into the hall and lifted a hand to stop him.
If youre going to call him, Id better tell you what he wanted or hes going to think I refused to pass along the message.
Yes, of course. Lucas tucked the cell phone into his pocket, then pinched the bridge of his nose, lifting his glasses with the motion. Im sorry, Paige. This wasnt supposed to happen. Had I thought he might come here, I would have forewarned you, but no one from my fathers organization was supposed to contact you or Savannah. He gave me his word
It was fine, I said, managing a smile. Short and sweet. He just wanted me to tell you hes got another of those cases that might interest uswell, you.
Lucas frowned and I knew hed caught my slip.
He said it would interest both of us, I said. But he meant you. He was just throwing in the us part to pique my curiosity. You know, get the new girlfriend intrigued and maybe shell pester you to give in.
What did he say?
I told him Benicios story. When I finished, Lucas closed his eyes and shook his head.
I cant believe hedno, I can believe hed do that. I should have warned you.
Lucas paused, then steered me back into the kitchen.
Im sorry, he said. These last few months havent been easy for you, and I dont want you affected by this part of my life any more than necessary. I know Im the reason you cant find any witches to join your Coven.
Thats got nothing to do with it. Im young and I havent proven myselfwell, not beyond proving that I can get kicked out of the Coven. But whatever their hang-ups, its got nothing to do with you.
A small, wan smile. Your lying hasnt improved.
