Page 4 of Ogre on Patrol (Monsters, PI #5)
Chapter 4
Thain
T he scent of damp soil still clung to me as we stepped inside her small Cape Cod home. Though she hadn't owned this place when we were together, on the surface, it appeared much like the small apartment she'd lived in back then. The same cozy vibe, like I was stepping into a warm hug. Which, ironically, was the last thing I needed after the emotional slugfest I’d gone through since I saw her standing near the desk at Monsters, PI.
Ellie kicked off her sneakers near the door, and I did the same, carefully placing them on the mat. She also hung her cape on a peg, but I only wore a t-shirt and jeans.
Crouton wriggled out of my arms and began to sniff his way across the small kitchen at full tilt.
I leaned against the wall by the back door, taking in the pale gray painted kitchen cabinets that contrasted nicely with the flecked countertops and stainless appliances. The clear vase full of bright flowers. And the billowy floral curtains that softened the overall coolness of the room.
“About the infused flames,” Ellie said, setting a water-filled ceramic bowl on the tile floor near one of the cabinets. Crouton didn’t wait for an invitation but dove in with his snout, splashing half of it onto the floor. “As I’m sure you know, only certain witches experiment with anything like that. It’s a highly specialized skill and takes years to master. As far as I know, there aren’t any witches in Mystic Harbor or the surrounding area capable of spells like that.”
“Other than your grandmother.” The head of the witch council and ruling matriarch of… well, all the witches in the area.
“She’s not involved.” Ellie waved to the hallway exiting the kitchen on the other side. “This way.”
“She could be.”
“She’s been out of town for weeks. Council business. While she can air shift, she can’t do it at a distance like that.”
“Alright.” I stooped to avoid hitting my head on the hall doorway as I padded behind her on the polished hardwood floor. Houses built for humans didn't fit six-ten ogres.
“What about wizards?” I asked. “They can cast spells like that. You’re sure there’s not even a crusty one holed up in a drafty lighthouse offshore? Seems like the sort of place one of them would hang out.”
“None.” She held up a finger, stabbing the air to emphasize her point. Her movements were almost accusatory, like I'd personally invited a wizard to town without telling her. “The coven council wouldn’t allow it. You know that.”
The council enforced strict regulations regarding the practice of magic. All witches and wizards were required to register their specialties with them and swear to abide by the magical ethical code. Spells considered too dangerous, invasive, or morally dubious, such as those involving mind control, necromancy, or irreversible curses, were expressly forbidden without council approval. Violating these rules risked severe penalties ranging from temporary magic bans to exile from the magical community.
“If, by some miracle there’s one hiding in the area,” she said, “I haven’t offended them yet.”
“Hard to believe,” I muttered under my breath.
Pausing in the hall, her head snapped around, her blue eyes narrowing on me like laser beams. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Fine.” She stalked onward.
Why did antagonizing her feel so good? Maybe because she didn’t only push back, but she pushed hard and that flare in her pretty eyes dared me to come at her again. For such a petite woman, she’d always been a fighter.
She led me into her living room, the scent of juniper and honey filling the air. A corner of the room held a shelf full of books, small plants spilling from clay pots like they grew wild even inside. It was her, complete whimsy.
Ellie gestured at the oversized chair near the bookcase. “Sit.” She dropped down onto the monster-sized sofa.
Still full of the urge to irk her, I settled on the couch beside her, the springs giving under my weight, making my thigh brush against hers.
She froze, her brows twitching together.
“Does the big scary ogre need to hog the couch?” Her voice snapped like fresh kindling, her gaze darting to the chair she'd selected for me. “That's monster sized.”
“So’s the couch.” My tone was calm, low, but there was enough of a challenge in it to make her eyes narrow further. “Unless sharing it is going to make your magic fizzle.”
Her breath hitched in a small gasp, but I caught it. Of course I did. I was trained to notice details, but more than that, I knew this woman well, maybe better than anyone else outside myself. That tiny hint of hesitation showed I could still get under her skin.
Rising, she scooted around the coffee table and dropped into the chair, tucking her legs underneath her as if she was neatly folding away her feelings. “I assume you can solve my case from over there, Detective.”
“Works for me.” My jaw tightened as she bent forward to scoop up Crouton when he waddled into the room. He wasn’t subtle, flopping into her lap like he’d never left it, his eyes closing in doggy bliss.
I used to feel that way when she touched me .
Before she ruined things between us.
She blinked fast as she stared down at Crouton, gently stroking his ears and rubbing under his chin.
The chair dwarfed her, her small frame and that hint of dismay she'd shown making her look even more fragile than I remembered. As much as she’d irritated me, a sliver of guilt wormed its way through me. She carried herself like the world couldn't knock her over, but I knew better. Ellie Landish didn’t ask for help unless she was desperate.
Her eyes darted toward me, catching me staring. Again. Damn it. Too late to cover.
“What?” Her voice held that defensive lilt I used to tease her about, like she was braced for trouble before even one bit of evidence dropped.
“Nothing.” I dragged my gaze to Crouton, who was groaning as she continued to give him love. “My dog’s going to have separation anxiety when this is over.”
“Don’t make this about him.” Her cheeks flushed as she stroked his fur. “Focus on what matters, unless you’re not capable of multitasking.”
I smirked, tapping my fingers on my knee. “Funny. Multitasking is kind of my specialty these days. I do my job, manage my life, and I don’t dig into things unrelated to my case. You can learn a lot from me if you’re ready to listen.”
Her lips thinned, though she had enough grace not to glare. Directly, at least. “Why don’t you prove it by remembering why you’re here? Should I write the suspect list for you, or can you do that yourself? ”
I loved her fire. If only it wasn’t directed at me.
“I’ll figure this out.” I leaned back, letting my arm drape along the top of the couch like I belonged here. “You can trust me.”
“Yeah.” Her eyes lingered on me long enough for me to imagine, wrongly, probably, that there was more in that look than irritation. Longing? Regret? Couldn’t be.
She turned her focus back to my dog, stroking his back as if this task was far more pressing than talking about whatever was happening between us.
Crouton appeared to be the only male on the planet getting everything he wanted from Ellie Landish.
Lucky pup.