Bound by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #2)(11)

“Oh, you mean this?” the male laughed, hefting his pouch. “No, this definitely isn’t from the government. This is thanks to Sandin Federal Bank.”

“Sandin Federal Bank?” I blinked. They were one of the largest human-owned banks in the Northia Federation. “They’re handing out free money now?”

“Practically,” the male said with a grin. “They’ve been advertising interest-free loans specifically for shifters, and a lot of us have cashed in on them.”

“Seriously?” I sat up straight and looked around the room again. “That explains why everyone’s talking about going on vacation.” Maybe I could cash in on some of this “free” money too. I was certainly going to need it if the Chief Mage wouldn’t let me get back to making a living soon.

“Yeah, no kidding. My parents are planning a trip to the East Coast.” His eyes twinkled. “Maybe I’ll go up and visit Parabas sometime, see if you’re in town.”

“Oh sure,” I said with false enthusiasm. “You should definitely do that.” I made a show of checking my watch. “Sorry, but I’m gonna be late for a meeting. I’d better go.”

“Wait!” he grabbed my arm. “Are you sure I can’t buy you a drink later?”

Later on, he wouldn’t even recognize me. But rather than turn him down, I scribbled a fake phone number onto a napkin, then made a quick exit, heading for my bike in the back. I had one more stop, and then I needed to haul my ass to the Palace before the Mages Guild decided to do it for me.





5





This time Comenius’s shop was open for business, the front door propped open to allow the cool sea breeze to waft inside. I stepped into the shaded, homey interior, inhaling the scent of herbs and candles, and smiled at the sight of customers inspecting the various charms and potions and making purchases. I remembered when Comenius had set up shop here several years ago as an unknown. I’d been one of his first customers, wandering into his store to see what he charged for protection charms because the guy I used to go to was charging me an arm and a leg. The two of us had connected quickly, and we’d even tried to make a go of a relationship, but that didn’t last. Still, we were good friends, and I was glad to see how far he’d come.

“Naya!” Comenius smiled at me from behind the counter, his pale blue eyes lighting up. He was tall and lanky, dressed in a dark green tunic and brown trousers, his ash blond hair curling ever so slightly around the edges of his square jaw. “It’s been too long,” he said, coming around the counter to embrace me.

“Hey Naya!” Noria Melcott, his part-time assistant, paused in the middle of ringing up a sale to wave at me with a grin. She looked the same as ever, her wild red curls exploding around her small, freckled face, still wearing the same loud short-sleeved shirts and multi-pocketed pants that hid all kinds of tools. A techie to the bone, Noria loved to work with gears and gadgets, and I was surprised she worked for Comenius instead of a shop that could put her talents to use. But I wasn’t about to object – at least this way I could see them both at the same time.

“Hey you,” I called back as I embraced Com. His woodsy herbal scent engulfed me, and I took a moment to inhale deeply. Comenius’s presence was always soothing to me; it was one of the reasons I was drawn to him even though these days we weren’t more than friends.

“I dropped by yesterday to see if you wanted to hang out, but you weren’t here,” I scolded, drawing back so I could peer up into his square face. “What’s up with that?”

“He was hanging out with Elania last night, of course,” Noria called out in a teasing tone. “She showed up here in a tight black dress right about an hour before closing time and told him she needed some help with making dinner. I’ve never seen him close up shop so fast!”

“Zum Donnerwetter!” Comenius exclaimed as I chuckled, a pale pink flush splashing across his cheeks. “Do you have to say that so loudly in front of everybody?”

“What?” Noria shouted over the chiming of the cash register. “I can’t hear you over the sound of all the money I’m making for you!”

I couldn’t help it – I laughed. “She’s one of a kind, isn’t she?” I teased, giving Comenius a consoling pat on the shoulder.

“You could say that,” Comenius said dryly, turning his gaze back toward me. “So what brings you here today, Naya? Did you drop by just to say hi?”

“I wish.” I sighed, glancing out the window at the sparkling blue bay. Hanging out with Comenius at his shop sounded like paradise, but that wasn’t in my future for today. “I actually came by to talk to you about the silver murders.”

“The silver murders?” Comenius’s pale eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown. “What about them? Has someone else been poisoned?”

“No, no, nothing like that.” I glanced at the doorway as the last customer exited the shop. “Is there any chance we could sit down for a moment and go over this?”

“Of course.” Comenius waved Noria from behind the counter, and we settled into the wicker chairs grouped together to form a seating area a little ways off from the front desk.

“So what’s going on?” Noria asked, concern in her dark eyes. “If it’s something to do with the silver murders it’s got to be serious.”