Gray Witch (Black Hat Bureau 5)

Unlike me, Asa didn’t shut the door. He had no problem attending business with an audience of one, which worked for me, because I had no problem watching him. I should have let the man have a shred of privacy, especially when I preferred the door shut, but sex had changed him.

Our bond deepened by the day, and the farther its hooks sank into me, the more it relaxed him.

Things that would have embarrassed him once, he didn’t bat an eye at now. I wished my transformation was as impressive, but no. I was still awkward with words and better with my hands. Or mouth.

While I enjoyed the show, I cast a cleansing spell to remove hairs, blood, and other bodily fluids from the premises. It was a good habit to get back into since I was working full-time. Honestly, I should have been doing it all along.

Asa emerged with his hair tidied in neat braids and his clothes back in order.

Pity.

I liked him rumpled.

“Ready?” He dipped his head to kiss me. “We don’t want to keep the agents waiting.”

“Oh sure,” I teased. “Now that your pants are zipped, you’re a consummate professional.”

His fingers dropped to the button on his pants, and I forced my eyes to shut, my heel to pivot.

“I have been a terrible influence on you.” I yanked open the door before I changed my mind. “Oh.”

Ms. March stood in the hall, not pretending she hadn’t been listening in. “Leaving so soon?”

“We have dinner reservations in town,” Asa lied smoothly. “Did you need anything before we go?”

“Me? No.” She patted one of her rosy cheeks. “I’m right as rain. Thanks for asking.”

We gave her a second to take the hint she had to budge before we could eke past her.

“I bet you a dollar,” I told him in the yard, “she invites herself into our room while we’re gone.”

Cute little old lady she might be, but she struck me as the kind who would sniff her guests’ pillows.

“I would lose that bet.”

The ride to the crime scene didn’t take long, and I was glad to see Marty wasn’t the AIC, agent in charge. I was less thrilled when I recognized the trainee standing behind the vampire.

The vampire was a familiar face, but I was terrible with names. I hadn’t cared to match one to the other back when we had a case or two in common. I hadn’t cared about much of anything except chasing my next black magic high.

The last time I saw him was in Charleston, along with his black witch junior agent, who still appeared just as starstruck as he had then.

“I’m Fergal,” the AIC introduced himself, reading my blank expression with ease. “This is Walters.”

Time to pack away Rue and bring forth the black witch persona they anticipated, which made me tired.

“What have we got?” I didn’t acknowledge his introduction beyond a nod. “Clay mentioned a body.”

“The victim was human,” Walters said, clearly bored. “He was eviscerated.” He dragged his feet over to a tarp and peeled it down. “Probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to him.”

Yeah, I was sure the victim’s last thoughts walked that exact line.

Woo-hoo! Brutally murdered, what a way to go. This is the best. The absolute best. Oh, hey. I pooped myself.

Asa stepped up beside me, and Walters bristled at his proximity. “I’m sure he was thrilled.”

The vampire startled to hear Asa speak, but Walters was new. He didn’t know Asa to be afraid of him.

“He’s just a human.” Walters nudged the body with his toe. “What does it matter?”