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Xantos waved as they drove away. It was time to move on to the next job, and I hoped it would be easier.

Cindy Lou didn't seem like she was going to quit.

After what they had been through, many of the new ones who didn't know what was going on would.

She was a wolf, but that didn't guarantee you that she would put up with this kind of stuff.

Apparently, she was going to, and she had been well-trained in case she ran into any of it.

He was glad that she'd been well-trained because she'd saved him from indignity and possibly worse.

It was something he wanted to forget and would not talk about.

They moved on to the next place, and for the rest of the day, they had no problems. He knew that didn't mean anything because tomorrow was a new day.

It was clear that nothing would stop these people unless they were all eliminated.

Tyne had made a deal with them at one point, and they claimed this was a renegade, but how many renegades were there?

They had too much support and too much money, and they had cleaned out their pockets before turning them over to the state police.

There had been at least $10,000 between them.

The support they had and the money available to them was just too much for a group that had broken off from the rest.

Xantos wondered if Harry would still be at the office or if she had already completed her task and left.

He liked Harry and wouldn't mind if she was still there.

Sally liked Harry as well, and they usually had a good time when they got together.

The extra magical protection would be a good thing for anyone in the office, especially if they were alone.

It would be nice to know that they were safe when they were sleeping, too.

They were almost back, and he wondered what Cindy Lou would think of Harry.

Since she had been at the main office, she probably already knew her.

Everyone that was around Harry usually knew her. That little witch stood out.

They pulled into the back of the office, and he was surprised to see that they were the first to arrive, even though they had had a great deal of trouble.

The two of them went into the office, and Harry was having a snack with Sally.

Both loaded a plate and sat down with Harry, and they all began to talk while they ate.

“You guys have the best food here," Harry observed.

“Sally is a great cook, and Tyne buys the best," Xantos pointed out.

Cindy Lou didn't say anything, but she listened intently.

“How are you liking it here, Cindy Lou?” Harry asked.

“There's a lot of action because we were just attacked in the middle of our day, and there was a pile of them.”

“Sometimes, it's great to have a little action and sharpen your fighting skills.”

“There was a girl in charge, and she was a vicious bitch. She deserves to have a tough time when she gets to prison.” Cindy Lou observed.

“She must be bad since you're usually kindhearted.” Harry declared.

“That only goes so far, and I believe that one is not redeemable.”

Xantos had to admit that he was glad that she wasn't offering up any details. He also had to agree with everything that she said. He also hoped that the female got what she deserved.

“They go to the council prison, so I'm sure she won't be having much fun," Harry admitted.

“That depends on what she considers fun because she is a bad one," Cindy Lou offered.

“Sally and I got a lot of work done. I'm hoping it'll keep you all safe when you're at the office. You still have your artifact?”

“I do, and I appreciate you making it for me. Does Xantos have one, too?” She asked.

“I don't have one yet, but Harry said as soon as she has a chance, she'll get me one.”

“I've got you on the calendar for this weekend. Marissa is going to help me, and I really need the help, so it'll be powerful enough to do you some good.” Harry assured.

He had to admit that after what had happened today, he would be thrilled to have an artifact.

He wished he had one strong enough to rebuff a physical attack, but he knew that it was unlikely.

Those that could do that usually had to be made by a circle of witches or the council.

It was hard to get the council to do anything like that, and while Harry might have access to a circle of witches, she probably had limited favors and wasn't going to use one for him.

She wouldn't know how significant his risk was because she wouldn't know what that female had done, and he wasn't going to tell anyone.

From what he'd seen, Cindy Lou wasn't going to tell that either because she knew it embarrassed him.

“How are the other new people doing?” Harry asked.

“Everyone seems to be doing alright," Xantos admitted.

“Too bad. If you were having problems, Tyne would have probably let me come and work for a little while since you are having the terrorist difficulties.”

“It is a shame because I would really like you to come and work for a while," Xantos admitted.

“Aw, you love me.”

“Everyone loves you, Harry, except the bad guys, and even some of them seem to love you, and at the very least, they respect you," Sally offered.

“That's because I'm famous.”

“It's true. You are famous," Cindy Lou agreed.

“Do you think Tyne might let you come anyway just to give us a boost?” Sally asked hopefully.

“You never know what he might do. The problem is that I'm behind on the cases I get for my business.

I do indeed have an assistant handling lost cats, dogs, and minor lost items, but the more challenging cases are the ones I must attend to, and I have five of them right now.

I've been fitting trips like this one in every time I close the case," Harry admitted.

“I wish I could help you, but I've got no magic," Sally explained.

Harry gave her a hard and close look. “I wouldn't say you have no magic; you just don't have witchy magic.”

What the hell does that mean? Xantos hoped that Sally would ask, but apparently, no one was going to touch that statement.

It killed the conversation for a bit until Cindy Lou started it back up with girly stuff.

That was when he headed to his room to watch television.

He had no interest in the kind of stuff they were talking about now.

He scrolled through the different shows that were offered and settled on something manly to take away the bad taste of all that girly talk.

Eventually, Xantos got ready for bed, and it was not hard to fall asleep.

When he woke, it was time to tackle a new day.

He would be on his own since he had cut Cindy Lou loose, and he hoped that neither of them would run into any trouble.

After he got ready and had breakfast, he hurried out to the truck, making sure he had all his supplies before checking his phone for the list and heading out.

His list always had five locations. Sometimes, she would add a couple of possibilities in case something didn't work out or he was having a fine day.

It would be nice to have a fine day and not have to worry about being attacked, just working through his jobs, getting them done, and moving on.

The first job was one of those easy ones because it already had a security system in place, and all the wires were already in place.

He had to remove the old box and put in a new one, but that was not difficult.

The old company had done a good job, and that was not why they had gone out of business.

The owner had stolen them blind and left for unknown parts.

As far as he knew, the guy hadn't been found yet. He’d caused a lot of hardship for his employees and customers, so he hoped he'd get caught and be brought to justice.

The hole that had been left behind presented Tyne with numerous opportunities but filling that hole had given them all considerable responsibility.

This second job had never had security because it was a new building, but it wasn't difficult either.

Every job he completed without issue was a blessing from the goddess.

This may be a good day. Xantos was afraid to hope, and yet it was hard to help when things were going so smoothly, and the third job also went fine.

It was time for lunch, and he was almost afraid to stop because sometimes that changed his luck.

He'd made a habit of packing lunch because there just weren't places around here to eat.

Sandwiches and chips with a piece of fruit or salad on the side or what he usually packed and today was no exception.

He also took a big container of coffee and a small container of tea, which was mainly to wash his food down at lunch.

There was little traffic in this area, and it wasn't hard to find a place to pull over and enjoy his meal.

With lunch behind him, he headed on to the fourth place.

He felt a little more secure since Harry had given him and Sally a panic button.

He'd never really thought about having one before, but recent events had changed his mind, and he was happy to have it.

Done with his break, he was ready to go to his fourth location.

He had gone close to it before he had pulled over for his break, and now, he was there in just moments.

It was a big house, and some might call it a mansion.

Xantos couldn't say why, but he felt a little nervous going up to the door.

When he knocked, a man answered who didn't look like he belonged in a house like this.

It was obvious that there was going to be trouble here.

“About time you got here," the guy said. “Why are you looking at me like that? My sister married money, and she gave me a job. The husband doesn't like me much, but I don't care because he likes her, and he won't piss her off by firing me.”