Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(69)

“They’re not going to blab anything we don’t already know,” Simone whispered.

“That depends on how much they can irritate each other.”

Jeremy shook his head in exasperation. “If they reach that level of anger, I doubt they’ll use their words.”

Clive nodded. “True, but we have to let the salamander eggs fall where they may.”

What the bloody hell does that mean?




CLIVE WATCHED the two arrogant men in front of them. The Council member would have duty as his priority, but his interference might push Desmond toward stubbornness. Why did the Council have to appear now? He glanced at Simone and Jeremy happily eating junk food as if they were preparing to watch a sparring match. It would be entertaining, but Clive didn’t know how to work it to his advantage. Simone was dependable, she would follow his lead, but Jeremy…. He sighed. Desmond led them to a room stuffed with costumes and old dusty props. Meeting in what was practically a storage closet was probably another dig at Salvatore.

When everyone was inside, Salvatore shut the door. “I appreciate you giving me a moment of your—”

Desmond interrupted him. “You will not come to my place without my permission again.”

Already off to a peaceful start, Clive thought. Some of the Council must have visited before, so why was the hostility so great between them?

“Other than your suite, this is a public building.”

“I don’t care.” Desmond crossed his arms. “This is a sanctuary against your kind, and my people don’t need you walking in whenever you feel like it.”

“They have nothing to fear from us!”

“Only if they follow your rules to the bloody letter.”

I think this is, as Simone puts it, my cue. Clive cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, I am aware of your different ideas, but there is a danger to the entire state. Our priority should be solving that problem instead of bickering.” He smiled at Salvatore. “I respect everything you and the Council have done for Georgia.” He pointed to Desmond. “But I understand his concern. He has the same worries that Mr. Ragsdale has about authority figures in our world.” Jeremy choked on his candy bar, and Clive resisted the urge to glare at him. “Perhaps if we meet like this again, both of you would prefer my office. It can be neutral ground for both of you.”

Salvatore smiled at Jeremy. “I’m not opposed to seeing your office, Mr. Ragsdale.”

Of all the people this man has to be attracted to. Clive clasped his hands around his middle. “Are we able to come to an agreement in trying times, gentlemen?”

“For now,” Desmond said. “What does the Council want with me?”

“We know the wolf was in the Elders’ custody, and that he’s no longer alive,” Salvatore said. “That leaves you as the best bait available.”

“You come uninvited, and now you’re asking to endanger my life?”

Clive interjected, “While his approach isn’t the greatest, he has a point.”

“One I have already considered,” Desmond said. “What I don’t understand is why I should do it on your behalf when this has-been’s ultimate goal is me.”

Seeking out justice and saving lives probably won’t convince a man bearing a black aura, Clive thought. Gold isn’t the way, and I’m too fresh in this world to know Desmond’s goals. What to barter with someone who’s famous and rich? Clive set his jaw but took a deep breath. As arrogant and powerful as Desmond is, he’s no different than the nobles from my world. I know how to deal with them, and I know how to deal with him. “In your words, I sense a prior grievance with the Council’s ways. Airing them out will be a good way to start out on a diplomatic step.”

“If there’s concern about how we’ve handled this witch, we were never opposed to criticism,” Salvatore said.

Desmond toyed with the end of a black ribbon lacing a red corset hanging from a rack. “You detained me a year ago because I was a convenient suspect without regard to what the truth was. Now that the Great Mother’s people are casualties instead of homeless witches, finding the real murderers is your top priority.”

Salvatore laughed. “Arranging the facts however you like won’t change your history, or the clear justifications we had in suspecting you. And while I appreciate that you consider us to be equal to gods, we are not omnipresent.”

“Oh how you wish you were.”

Both witches stood with eyes glowing, power crackling between them as they let their tempers get the best of them. Clive opened his hand in preparation of forming a ward to protect himself and his employees, but after a long moment of silence, neither man moved beyond posturing. Their eyes returned to normal, and they stood in front of each other as haughtily as before.

Desmond swept his hair behind his ear. “I’ve done nothing in this state against your regulations, and yet you’ve sent investigators to England about me.”

Salvatore raised his chin. “We do not ignore evidence of murder.”

Clive hadn’t found any public records about the magician other than after he became famous, so he was curious what the Council’s contacts had conjured up.

Jeremy shook his head in disgust. “Clive, we’re wasting our time. We’ll find Perry our own way.” He held up his snack and drink. “Thanks for the refreshments, but I don’t have time for your bullshit.”