Page 27 of Deadly Deception (Necromancer Tales #2)

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Erasmus

The plane ride home was far different than the one we’d taken to Chicago. Not the plane itself, but the atmosphere. The tension and unease I’d carried while traveling north was absent. I’d met Franklin’s family and while it hadn’t been a home run, I’d at least gotten to third base. I scrunched my nose and cringed at the analogy. I needed to come up with something different when considering Franklin’s family. There was a reason comparing them to sexual gratification didn’t seem right.

Leaning into my seat, I released a heavy breath and let me eyes slip closed. Franklin was beside me, our shoulders touching. I’d given him the aisle seat again so he could stretch his legs out when possible. I figured I had ten, maybe fifteen minutes in me before I fell asleep. Before I did, I wanted to check in on the man I’d decided to hitch my wagon to.

“You okay?” I asked cautiously.

I felt Franklin’s shrug. “I could be better. I could also be a lot worse.”

I wanted to say we could be dead , but figured Franklin was painfully aware. Speaking of pain… “How’s your head? Do you need another one of Pops’s pain charms?”

“Thank you, but I think I’m fine. By the way, don’t think I didn’t see you hand Henson a few of those same charms. You were trying to be sneaky, but I know you.”

I chuckled softly. “That you do. I figured the guy could use them more than me. Besides, I’ve got a pretty solid supply line.” I turned my head toward Franklin and winked.

“That you do. You never did tell me what Holland said when you finally called.”

I winced. “Yeah, there’s a reason for that. Besides, I think you have a decent idea of how that phone conversation went down.”

“Thanks for having it while I was out of listening range.”

“That’s what you do when you love someone.” I shifted my head and grinned. Now that I’d popped the I love you cherry, I found the words easy to say. They flowed out of my mouth with little disregard or true thought. They’d become the easiest three words to vocalize. Who knew?

Franklin leaned down, lips puckered. I met him halfway and enjoyed the rough feel of his lips moving against mine. That simple, intimate touch was soul-soothing.

Pulling back, Franklin released his own sigh. “Have I thanked you recently for coming with me?”

“Only about five hundred times. And for the record, I’m glad I came.” That wasn’t even a partial lie.

“I forgot to ask if you heard from Tabitha Clark before we boarded the plane.”

“No. Nothing since she sent the text saying they were on the road and that Navarre seemed settled and comfortable. She thanked us again for the kitten. She questioned me about the name. I wasn’t sure what to say. Thankfully, Tabitha thinks Navarre named the kitten. Evidently, he’s keeping the name Little Fang.”

“It’s not a terrible name.”

“I can definitely think of worse,” I agreed.

“Do you think Aurelia will miss the kitten?”

“Honestly? I have no idea. I do think she was somewhat fond of her. Or at least she took her responsibility to heart. As for any true affection…your guess is as good as mine.” I didn’t think I’d ever know what to truly make of Aurelia. Maybe I wasn’t meant to know.

“Do you think there’ll be more?” Franklin asked.

“More what? Djinn?” My heart pounded. “Gaia, I hope not.”

“That’s not where I was going, but I’ll go ahead and second that prayer. I meant pets. Do you think Peaches will give up on the idea? I know the kitten was sort of a pet of convenience, but the idea was strangely…sound? I’m not sure that’s the word I’m looking for.”

“No, trust me, I get it. I have no idea. I should probably call him at some point and ask. I also need to thank King Moony.”

“For what?”

“I believe I might have my acquaintance with him to thank for being allowed to leave the Chicago area without more effort.” I inwardly flinched at the idea. “I did not like the way Queen Millicent looked at me.” I hadn’t liked the look in Sara’s eyes either when she realized what I was capable of.

Franklin made a noise close to a growl. “Neither did I. I can’t tell you how many times I was close to shitting my pants. That one was one of the worst.”

My chest rumbled with my chuckle. “Thanks for throwing Pops’s name out there. I would have gotten around to it if the shit really hit the fan, but you made the leap before me and kept the situation more congenial .”

“You bet your ass I threw out your father’s name. It wasn’t an idle threat either.”

No, no, it wasn’t.

“And your momma would have been by his side, tossing the charms.”

My laughter this time wasn’t so soft. I cackled and clapped my hands. I could care less if I was disturbing the other passengers. Gaia, just the idea of Momma standing beside Pops hurling activated charm bombs at the Midwestern Vampire Queen was enough to make me laugh. While I hated the idea of her being that close to danger, I got a kick out of the thought of her doing just as Franklin said. Charms wouldn’t be the only things she’d toss. Momma might be a southern gentlewoman, but she could curse like a sailor when the occasion called for it, and nothing called for that type of language like her son being threatened.

My laughter died as exhaustion once more settled in. Yawning wide enough to crack my jaw, I tucked down into the blanket the airline provided. It was settled across Franklin’s right leg. Bless his heart, he let me have the majority of the blanket.

“You think Shane will be okay?” I asked, my eyes half-lidded.

Franklin remained quiet for a long time before he answered “No, I don’t. I think Shane Tompkins will wind up being Sara’s final victim. I’m sorry, that sounds depressing.”

“It does, but sometimes the truth is the truth.”

“Yeah, I just wish…” Franklin muttered something about wishes and Aurelia . I was only listening with half an ear. Sleep was calling and I could no longer ignore her lulling tune.

“ Y ou have got to be kidding me,” Franklin groaned as we came out of the security-laden section of the Mobile airport. One of my suitcase wheels precariously wobbled and kept trying to pull my bag to the right.

“Are you really that surprised?” I asked as dreaded acceptance settled in.

“Yes. No. Hell, I don’t know. How did he get from California to Mobile before us?”

“Magic,” I answered as I opened my arms wide and tumbled into Pops’s outstretched reach.

“Erasmus.” Pops said my name like it was a prayer. “Gaia, I was worried.” He hugged me tight. Even by warlock standards, Pops was huge. He towered over me. Most found him intimidating. I found him comforting.

“Oh, honey, we were both worried.” Momma wrapped her arms around me, making a sandwich of me. While her arms weren’t as strong, they were just as protective. “And you too, Franklin.” Momma released me and threw her affection Franklin’s way. I heard his soft “oof” when Momma squeezed him tight.

“Thank you, Ms. Boone. I appreciate the concern,” Franklin said sweetly.

“Nonsense. You’re important to my son and, therefore, important to me. Right, Nikodemus?”

“Hmm” was Pops’s only answer. I smacked his shoulder, but he barely looked my direction. “Are you well, Franklin?” Pops asked.

“As well as I can be. Thank you,” Franklin answered stiffly. I didn’t think Pops and Franklin would ever be friends, but thank Gaia they weren’t enemies either.

Pops held me at arm’s length as his dark gaze analyzed my body. “You look like you’ve lost weight. Franklin, we need to have a discussion regarding taking proper care of my son.”

“Pops,” I whined. “One, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Two, when the need arises, Franklin is wonderfully attentive.”

“Yes, well, your diminished frame would seem to suggest otherwise.”

I squashed my anger. Pops’s attitude came from a place of fear and love. He’d been scared, and Pops never liked reminders of my necromancer fragility.

Linking my arm through his, I started dragging Pops toward the exit. “Then why don’t you treat us to something yummy?” Although I was tired, I could definitely eat.

“I can do that,” Pops agreed.

“We’ll need to drive separate. Franklin’s car is in the parking lot.”

“Oh, I’ve already taken care of that.” Pops waved me off.

I stopped walking. “What did you do?”

“Nothing so bad as what your accusing look suggests. I simply hired an individual to drive Detective O’Hare’s vehicle back to Mississippi. That way we can all ride back together.” Pops’s grin stretched ear to ear, but his eyes weren’t lit with happiness; they sang with mischievousness.

“My locked vehicle?” Franklin asked. “For which only I have the key?”

“Completely unnecessary.” Pops waved away Franklin’s concern.

“Christ,” Franklin muttered.

“What was that?” Pops asked.

“ Clever ,” Franklin answered. “Clever as always, Warlock Holland.”

“Aren’t I though?”

I rolled my eyes and prayed to Gaia for patience. I also thanked her for all the blessings she’d sent my way. I’d often wondered what I’d done to deserve winning the necromancer lottery. Gods and goddesses didn’t often feel the need to answer or explain themselves. Gaia was no different, and remained frustratingly silent.

Leaning heavily against Pops’s side, the heavy weight of his arm wrapped around my shoulders while the click-clack of Momma’s heels sounded close by, her soothing voice fussing over Franklin’s well-being, I realized I didn’t really care about Gaia’s reasoning. I wasn’t about to look a gift goddess in the mouth. That would be beyond rude, and if there was one thing my Momma taught me, it was always to respect a lady.

We reached Momma’s SUV and after our luggage was tucked away, we all piled in. Momma drove while Pops sat in the passenger’s seat. True to his word, Pops took us all out for a lovely meal. Somehow, Franklin and I managed to stay awake through dessert, but by the end, we were both fading. We wound up falling asleep in the back seats. I wasn’t sure when Franklin succumbed to slumber. As for me, I couldn’t quite remember leaving the restaurant parking lot.

Momma’s soft voice woke me when we reached my house. It was well into the wee hours of the morning. The outdoor lights were on and welcomed us home. The sight of Franklin’s vehicle parked in my drive made my heart soar. Pops could be an ass, but he had a soft, gooey middle, at least when it came to me.

Momma and Pops helped Franklin and me with our luggage, hauling it up the steps and parking it on the porch.

“Are you staying here or with Momma?” I asked Pops. Glancing around, I didn’t see a rental vehicle in the drive. That could mean that Momma picked him up at the airport or that he’d stopped by her house and left the vehicle there.

“I’m staying at your momma’s,” Pops answered as his large hands settled on my shoulders. His dark eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I could see the frantic fear he’d suffered as he worried for my safety. Running one of his hands across my temple and through my hair, Pops inhaled deeply before leaning over and pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. “I know you need to live your own life, Erasmus, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of the necromancer you’ve become. Just…try and be a little more cautious. One day in the too-near future, Gaia will pull you from my arms. Please do not hasten her actions.”

Tears stung my eyes and pressure built in my chest as I fought those same tears. I wanted to promise Pops that I would never place my life in danger again. Hell, I wanted to make that promise for both of our benefits. But I tried not to out-and-out lie to Pops, and that would be one hell of a whopper.

And so I said the only thing I could. “I’ll try my best.”

Pops’s watery smile said it all. “I know you will. I also know that you’ll do what needs to be done, what you feel is right, and that will not always align with keeping the wolves at bay. Just remember that I’m here. I may live in a different state, but I will always come when you need me.” Pops’s grin gained strength. “I’ll even come when you don’t need me.” His gaze shifted Franklin’s way as he grumbled, “Much to a particular human’s dismay.”

I smacked Pops on the shoulder and scolded, “Be nice. I love him.”

Pops’s eyelids slowly slid closed, and he inhaled deeply. “I know, Erasmus. Your momma and I both know. I can hardly believe he’s worthy of you, but then again, I can’t see how any living soul would be.”

“He’s worthy, Pops. Franklin is worth everything.”

Pops stared down on me before giving a single nod. “Then I will leave you in his capable hands.”

“Are you staying in town for very long?” While I hadn’t expected Pops to be in Alabama when our flight landed, I wouldn’t deny how good it was to see him, how reassuring.

“For a day or two. I’ll be gone before Halloween. I know that’s one of your busy times.”

I leaned in and gave Pops another hug. Momma took his place when Pops released me. I saw Pops give Franklin a handshake. I also saw Franklin try and hide his wince when Pops squeezed harder than he should have. I rolled my eyes, but neither one of them saw me.

Franklin and I stood on the porch as we watched Momma and Pops climb back in Momma’s SUV. We remained where we were as we watched her back down the drive and pull out on the road.

The surrounding night was quiet and blissfully warm. It wasn’t warm like summer, but the wind didn’t seep through my jacket and into my bones. Leaning into Franklin’s broad chest, I inhaled the southern Mississippi air and finally felt something in my body settle.

“It’s good to be home,” I whispered, afraid to break the stillness of the evening.

“That it is,” Franklin agreed.

“When do you have to go back into work?”

“I’ll take tomorrow off and head in the day after. I need a day to recover from my vacation .”

“Is that what we’re calling the last few days?” I asked. “Because if that’s your idea of a vacation, we need to have a serious discussion.”

Franklin’s chuckle shook my body. “No doubt.”

I glanced towards Mrs. Hart’s house. Her lights were off. I knew her routine well enough to know that she’d be up in less than two hours. Mrs. Hart kept odd hours. By the time I reached her age, I hoped I’d have the luxury of choosing when I was up and asleep too.

“If you’re up before me, will you check in with Mrs. Hart and Miss Pattycakes? I want her to know we’re back, so she knows she doesn’t need to keep an eye on the house any longer.”

Franklin only chuckled harder.

“What’s so funny?”

“The fact that you think Mrs. Calista Hart will stop keeping an eye on your home when she knows you’ve returned. That woman thinks the world of you, Erasmus. Trust me, Mrs. Hart is always watching.”

I scrunched up my nose. “That sounds sinister and creepy.”

“Yeah, I chose my words poorly. In Mrs. Hart’s case, the monitoring is from concern, not voyeuristic malice. She genuinely cares. Mrs. Hart’s a good neighbor to have on your side. Miss Pattycakes is no slouch either.”

It was my turn to laugh. Twisting in Franklin’s arms, I pulled free and reached for the screen door. Thanks to Franklin and a little WD-40, it no longer squeaked when I opened it. “Come on. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of sleeping while sitting upright. I want a proper bed.”

“Right behind you,” Franklin answered, those brief words whispered warmly across the back of my neck, their promise hanging heavy in the air.