Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.50)

“She was so my type, but that’s not the point. We ended up bumping into each other and I briefly touched her. When I did, I felt like a current of energy on my skin. Actually, I think I still feel it.” She held up her hand, waving her fingers.

“Maybe a protection spell?” Scott took her hand, leaned over it and examined it thoughtfully.

Cassandra wasn’t certain Scott was human. He seemed to see or sense things that even she couldn’t. “I don’t know. I kind of felt like it was her. Like she was something...other.”

“No spell. A slight energy burn though.” Scott scowled. “Intriguing.”

“Any idea what she might have been?”

Scott stroked his chin thoughtfully with his long fingers, then shook his head. “None whatsoever. Fascinating though.”

Cassandra had the distinct feeling that Scott was keeping something from her. There wasn’t much she could do about it though. Scott was her broker and didn’t have to divulge anything if it wasn’t going to interfere with the job she performed for him.

“Care to tell me why it’s fascinating?” Cassandra asked, folding her arms over her chest and slumping in the backseat. The blood she had ingested had been used up when she had compressed her body to pass through the air duct. Now she was tired and ready for the plane ride home.

“Well, I’ve heard rumors of some unusual creatures being spotted in Vegas tonight.” Scott lifted his smartphone. “All sorts of unusual chatter among my regulars.”

“Not me. I was totally careful,” Cassandra said quickly and a bit defensively.

“Cassandra, I am well aware of your abilities and you performed admirably tonight.” Scott gave her an approving smile. “You’re one of my best. You have always delivered everything I’ve requested and on time. Which reminds me. I must transfer your payment to your account.”

“Awesome. I got bills to pay.” Cassandra pulled out her phone and pulled up her bank account.

The light from the screen illuminated Scott’s glasses and hid his eyes as he made the transfer. Cassandra felt as though something was off, yet she couldn’t discern why. The whole night was feeling really odd. When the money hit her account, she smiled with satisfaction, logged out, and shoved her phone in her pocket.

“What do you do with all the money I pay you?” Scott wondered aloud.

“Whores and booze,” Cassandra joked.

With the exasperated shake of his head, Scott said, “You are something else.”

“I get the job done,” Cassandra reminded him.

“And that is all that matters,” Scott added. “I like loyalty and efficiency.”

Again, Cassandra sensed something was off. “Okay, Scott, what is it? What’s freaking you out?”

Folding his hands together in his lap, Scott stared out at the cars sliding past them on the way to the strip from the airport. “I’m just wondering about the vampire you saw. It bothers me that you could’ve been caught. We’ve been working a long time together and this is the closest you have ever come to detection.”

“But I wasn’t,” Cassandra pointed out. “That vampire breezed right past me.”

“The woman touched you and left an energy burn on you. It could have turned out differently if she was a black witch.” Scott sighed. “It’s a little worrisome.”

“Hey, Scott, I’m fine. They didn’t catch me. You have the relic. Everything is fine.” Cassandra didn’t like him expressing her exact same worries. She wanted to just shove them aside and forget about her possible close call.

“You’re the best at what you do. You’re irreplaceable. What would I do without you?” Scott finally returned his attention to her, his expression sorrowful.

“Well, don’t start crying over me yet. I’m here. All is good.”

“We’re coming up on the passenger drop off,” George called out from the front seat.

McCarren International Airport loomed straight ahead. Cassandra draped her messenger bag over her shoulder and gripped the handle of the overnight case. She wasn’t fond of security checks, or long waits at airports, but she was ready to put Las Vegas behind her.

All the lanes were crammed with vehicles dropping off passengers. People hurried along the crosswalks, dragging kids and luggage behind them. Even at this late hour the airport was a hive of activity.

Cassandra glanced over at her broker and wondered if he saw her as just an asset to his illicit business selling stolen occult relics, or if he was sincerely worried about her. Scott gave her a slight smile, but she had no idea how to read it. Everything about him, his car, and his guards was designed to be unremarkable and forgettable. Yet, she suspected she had seen a spark of real concern in his eyes. It was strangely comforting.

“I’ll be in touch,” Scott said, holding out his hand.