Neekil wasn’t helping. He was sitting and forking his way through the macaroni and cheese that her brother had made.

  Hannah glared at him. “Idiot! You aren’t helping!”

  He grinned. “This is why the mates are taken from those without families. Things get complicated. Reginald, what Hannah says is accurate. She and I are bound; she has been accepted as a dark elf, but she and I are not yet mates, and even when that happens, she will not be under my thrall. She tends to strike me if I get out of line. That never happens.”

  Her mother asked, “What did you need the box for? I noticed it was missing.”

  Hannah wrinkled her nose. “I took out the mantlepiece and destroyed the entity inside it.”

  Thomas stared at her as she put her human glamour back on. “How?”

  “I used the hammers. And then, it was struck by lightning while it was holding me. Mom, have you ever seen a woman with my colouration?”

  Her mother frowned at the sudden change in topic. “Once. I had some complications when I was seven months along with you. I was waiting, and a woman put her hand on my shoulder and told me not to worry. You were a fighter. She had the same hair and eye colour as you. If I hadn’t been expecting you to come out pale gold with your head on fire, I would have made the connection immediately. I hadn’t thought of her until just now.” She looked bemused.

  “That is probably what she was after.”

  “Do you know who she was?”

  “Our great. great to a distant generation grandmother and probably Thor.”

  The family burst into laughter, but she wasn’t laughing. Neither was Neekil.

  The kids weren’t there yet, and that was a good thing.

  Her dad looked at her and scowled. “You are serious.”

  “Yeah.” She held out her hand and flexed her fingers. One hand got the sledge, one hand got the hammer, and when she let them go, the tattoo brightened. “The hammers come and go. I have lightning, and once, generations ago, when he was walking the world as a woman, Thor fell in love with a man who looked a bit like Dad, and they had a daughter. Hilda. That daughter started a line of daughters that has led to this very day. There was also something about a promise made to the dark elves. Thor was famous for making deals and then twisting the terms into the nearly impossible to meet situations.”

  Neekil smiled. “The dark elves were promised a son of Thor’s bloodline to raise as their own in return for some custom metalwork for one of the god’s favourites. Thor agreed, but they would have to find a member of Thor’s bloodline to collect the child.”

  Her dad growled. “Is that what you were looking for?”

  Hannah threw her hands up in the air. “Geez, Dad. I thought you would be happy. I look closer to being a member of the family now, and I am the one who made first contact with him.”

  Her dad sat back. “I was getting used to your pasty little face.”

  Her mother grabbed a pillow and smacked her husband in the face with it. Everyone laughed. The dam was broken, and Hannah spent the evening flicking her glamour on and off on demand. When her sister-in-law and the kids arrived, she showed the kids and introduced them to Neekil. The fascination with the dark elf was intense, but Neekil was great with the kids.

  A recuperation dinner turned into a barbeque, and some of the neighbours came over to meet the dark elf in the neighbourhood. The speed of gossip was astonishing.

  Neekil Ar-Thuat met Hannah’s neighbours, and everyone sat around late into the evening. She must have dozed off because the next thing she knew, she was being carried up the stairs, and hands were disrobing her for bed.

  She blinked herself awake. “Hey, you aren’t my mom.”

  Neekil snorted and lay her down to peel her leggings off. Her bra and tunic were already gone. He picked her up, shuddered, and sighed before tucking her into bed. “Sleep.”

  He turned and left.

  She called out as he got to the door. “Hey, is that it?”

  He winked. “Your dad is timing me.”

  She smiled and nestled back in the bedding. She had nearly died a few times this week. She deserved a full night’s rest.

  Vines twisted around her, pain as they pressed through her skin. Help! Hannah sat up covered in sweat, her heart was pounding, and her body had chills.

  A shadow filled her doorway. “Hannah, are you all right?”

  She blinked and breathed deeply. “I am fine. Nightmare.”

  He was wearing boxer briefs, and she chuckled as she was pretty sure that he normally slept naked. He seemed the type.

  He didn’t say anything. He walked into her room, crawled onto her bed, and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against him. “Sleep. If the nightmares come, I will be here.”

  She snorted and pried his hand off her breast. The blankets weren’t that thick. “Just asking for one good night’s sleep per week.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her waist. “Very well.”

  She relaxed with him holding her. His heartbeat against her back lulled her into a limp state, and from there, she was back in the realm of sleep.

  She woke up twice in panic, but Neekil kissed her quickly each time, and his kiss sent her back into sleep.

  His hand was back on her breast. She sighed and put her hand over his. “Morning, Neekil.”

  His lips pressed against her shoulder. “Good morning, Hannah. How did you sleep?”

  “Pretty well. You are an excellent sedative.”

  He grinned. “Can I share your bed while I stay here? Just in case.”

  She chuckled. “Are you going to keep the spare room looking like you are staying in it?”

  “Is your father going to be visiting?”

  She smiled. “Frequently and at random.”

  “So, yes. Yes, I am.” He kissed her shoulder again.

  She laughed and turned toward him. His snowy white hair framed his dark features beautifully. His ruby red eyes were sleepy. “Did you get any rest?”

  He growled. “I am as well-rested as I want to be. I spent the night memorizing your scent and your body signature.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Thermal sight is an option. This way, I can always find you in a crowd or in the dark. Some parts of you are hotter than others, and it is like a walking fingerprint.”

  “So, you spent the night memorizing me?”

  He grinned. “Just the most superficial part of you. Well, next to your physical appearance. I am looking forward to memorizing the taste of you.”

  “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”

  He laughed. “Well, I have gotten you into bed, so that is half the battle.”

  She grumbled. “I am beginning to regret giving in to my nightmare.”

  “I consider it a useful event.”

  “I need to get up, brush my teeth, and get some coffee. Early banter is painful.” She grimaced and rolled out of his grip, standing up and heading for the bathroom.

  She was in the hall when she heard him say, “Coward.”

  She fired back, “Strategic retreat.”

  He laughed, and she went to brush her teeth and steel her nerves for a return to the bedroom. She brushed her hair and looked in the mirror. Tiny sparks lit her eyes, and she smiled at her dark reflection. She was getting used to her look in the mirror. Her family didn’t mind her new appearance, and they were the ones that mattered. Her boss might have an opinion on it, but she could always go back to flipping houses if she was fired as a real estate agent.

  Hannah returned to her room and dug through her closet, pulling out an outfit that suited a lazy Sunday—jeans, a tank top, and the most comfortable underwear she had.

  Once she had slithered into the jeans and pulled the tank top on over her favourite bra, she put her hands on her hips and turned around to acknowledge Neekil watching from the freshly made bed with his hands tucked behind his head.

  He smiled. “So, what do you want to do today?”

  “I want to go back to the house and get my car. I also want to make sure that the entity is dead.”

  “Certainly. I am rather insistent that the creature is dead, myself.”

  She nodded. “Coffee first, and then, we can go.”

  “Will we get breakfast?”

  “We can. Pancakes or bacon and eggs?”

  He smiled. “If it is dead, it will be pancakes; if it is still alive and we dispatch it, bacon and eggs.”

  “Done.”

  The deal was struck, and she got her coffee before she grabbed her purse and headed to the car. He drove them back to the mansion, keyed in the code, and parked near her vehicle. She hopped out of the car and reached for the keypad on the lockbox, but a spark snapped from her hand to the door, and the door swung open.

  She went to the kitchen and got the broom and dustpan from the broom cupboard, and then, she hiked to the savaged ballroom. With a hum, she swept the shattered pieces outside, careful to get every twig. Everything went into the fire pit, and she lit the fire again.

  She felt a familiar presence and heard a tiny voice. “You will be mine!”

  Hannah looked around and smiled as she saw the tiny seedling sprout waving its little arms and walking toward her. She crouched near it and summoned her hammer. “I really won’t be.”

  She positioned the hammer above it and brought it down. A tiny crackle of energy and a puff of noxious smoke and the last of the entity was gone.

  Neekil looked at her as he dumped the last of the charred greenery into the fire to clean things up. “What does that make breakfast?”

  She laughed. “Waffles.”

  They each drove a car to the restaurant, and Neekil got in touch with his brothers. They were more than happy to take on a project for their new sister that would get them out of the caverns.

  They would meet her at the mansion after sundown that evening.

  They settled in for waffles and were having a fun morning when the building they were in went silent.

  A pale woman with dark hair walked up to their table. “Miss Hannah Lee? I am the mayor’s assistant. I would like you and your companion to come to the mayor’s mansion after you finish your breakfast. It looks good, by the way. Next time, get the extra strawberry sauce.”

  A card was given to her with an address.

  “Oh, as you arrived in separate vehicles, here. For you, Agent Neekil Ar-Thuat. I expect to see you both there within the hour. Bon appetite.”

  The woman turned and left, the two guards at the door to the restaurant followed her.

  Hannah looked at the business card, shrugged, and kept eating. “It looks like the next thing on my lazy day has been scheduled for me.”

  She glanced down at her tank top. “This is not what I would have wanted to wear to meet the mayor.”

  “I am sure he has seen worse.”

  “Encouraging.” She finished her breakfast and slugged down her coffee.

  When they were done, she paid the bill, and they left for their respective vehicles. The address on the card was twenty minutes away. They showed the business cards and were allowed through the gates.

  Parking was done via valet, and when they were out of their vehicles, they walked to the doors and rang the bell.

  A terrifying butler greeted them, looked them up and down, and nodded. “This way.”

  Neekil walked next to her, his hand brushing against hers.

  Hannah muttered to him. “Is my makeup on?”

  He gave her a nod.

  She exhaled at that information. She hadn’t seen a reflective surface in a while, so it was nice to know that what she could do had been done.

  They were ushered into the office, and the doors were closed behind them. The assistant rose from her desk with a sheaf of paperwork, and she smiled. “You made good time. How were the waffles?”

  Hannah smiled. “Better with the strawberry syrup.”

  The woman smiled. “Matthias, this is Hannah Lee and the XIA agent Neekil Ar-Thuat. They are the couple that I mentioned.”

  “Thank you, Leonora. I gathered as much. Miss Lee, may I commend you on your glamour? I haven’t seen a dark elf female above ground for centuries.”

  “I am accepted by the sacred pool, but I am not an elf bride.”

  The mayor grinned. “Of course not, you are a war companion. It shows in every line of your body. Now, since the day is bright and my temper is short...”

  Leonora smacked him with the file. He chuckled and took it from her. “And Leo’s is shorter.”

  Leonora snorted. “He wishes to purchase the Grunwald mansion now that it has been rendered safe for habitation.”

  Matthias smiled. “Yes, what she said.”

  “Pardon me, your worship, but the house requires some maintenance and light reconstruction after the... recent events.” Hannah grimaced.

  “I have heard that you already have a replacement mantlepiece lined up. I am willing to put in a market value bid, and that market value will be assessed after the restoration.”

  She frowned. “I would have to check with the client.” Her eyes grew wide. “Who is also you.”

  “It is Redbird City. They have had intermittent possession of this home since the occupants fled or were murdered. As the godling in the fireplace is gone, all is clear for the purchase.”

  She nodded. “I can make up a conditional offer. I have the documents in my car.”

  There was a knock on the door, and her briefcase was delivered by the butler.

  Leonora took the item and handed it over to Hannah. “Just wait, there’s more.”

  The conditional sale with the empty final purchase price was weird, but it was signed, dated, and witnessed.

  “Do you have an idea of what you want the property for? There are zoning issues to be considered if you want to alter the use from a dwelling to a business.”

  He smiled. “I intend on using it for two purposes. One is as a local historical site. The second is as a temporary home for some visiting extranaturals who have privacy requirements to maintain their lifestyles.”

  Neekil let out a cough to disguise his laughter.

  “So, a guesthouse but with the same structure.”

  “Correct.”

  “As long as eighty percent of the occupants are rotating occupancy, it is fine.”

  Leonora smiled. “And we will also be using it for entertaining as we don’t always want to have visiting dignitaries here at the mayor’s mansion. Some are just annoying.”

  “I understand. Well, I will file this with the agency in the morning.” She glanced at the document and frowned. “What is this script at the bottom?”

  Matthias smiled. “In case your agency decides to no longer retain you as a sales agent, the offer is void, and the city will contract with you directly when your non-compete timeframe is complete.”

  She mumbled as she looked over the details picked out in the small script. If she was fired, she got the listing for her own. The sale rights were exclusive to her. “Oh, I didn’t sign that. I crossed it out. I will not be hamstrung because someone has fussy issues about my magic level or my family. It has happened before, and I don’t fall for it.”

  Leonora grinned. “Excellent. In that case, I have a stack of city-owned properties here that we would like cleared of any spectral or disembodied inhabitants so that they can be put back into circulation. At this point, they are just too dangerous to attempt to return to use.”

  Neekil frowned. “You want her to put herself into danger for the sake of property values?”

  Hannah turned to him and gave him a two-minute lecture on what an uninhabited home did to property values and the general mood of a neighbourhood. “It is like having a body part that you can’t use. If rehab is possible, why not get it back into use again?”

  He frowned. “I follow your logic, but I am still not in favour of you throwing yourself into danger.”

  “You have been with me once, and seen the reason twice. So...” Hannah leaned against him. Neekil winced.

  “Ah, right. Can I reserve my final opinion until you have gone through the first home?”

  “You can. That is the sensible means and method.”

  He snorted. “Being sensible isn’t really in my wheelhouse.”

  Matthias smiled. “Your assessment is being scheduled for this week. You should be back on duty next weekend. Now, Hannah, we will offer you an extermination fee for each home cleared. The rates are listed in the file. The more desirable the building, the higher the pay.”

  She smiled. “Good. Given the last week, I have embraced the uncertainty principle.”

  Leonora chuckled. “Very wise.”

  Matthias watched her flip through the file. “Where would you start?”

  Without looking up, Hannah pulled the small, quaint two-bedroom home out of the file. “This one. The economic and morale impact of this home will be immediate. It will stop the slow bleed out of the neighbourhood and make everyone breathe a little easier.”

  Leonora frowned. “You know all that?”

  “I flipped a home down the block with my family. I have worked on homes in most of these neighbourhoods, actually. This one is in the most need. They have schools, nearby shopping, community centers, and this place, spot in the middle of the street.”

  Matthias smiled slowly and sat back. “You will have to complete a consultant contract before you can head into the properties.”

  Leonora walked back to her desk and picked up a file. “This document states that you will act in accordance with your professional knowledge as a licensed contractor and a real estate agent to operate on behalf of the property for its best interest. If you tell us we have to burn it down, that is what will happen. These homes have been left to rot and ruin. Oh, and a repair estimate for each of the properties would get you a bonus. Take the contract home, and look it over. The repair estimate would begin with the Grunwald mansion. I believe it needs some light upgrades to electrical from the report five years ago.”

  Hannah took the paperwork and started to look through it.

 

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