Chapter 66

Kadeem

Kadeem strode away from Ardal’s with such an inexplicable calmness, even he didn’t fully understand it. Whatever the reason, he was glad his cooler head had prevailed. He was ready to go to battle, and he wasn’t about to succumb to his own self-destructive impulses.

As he walked down the sidewalk, he wretched his phone out of his pocket and quickly scrolled for Riley’s number.

He waited for what seemed like ages for her to pick up, but there was no answer - only her voicemail greeted him. A surge of annoyance swept over him.

“Riley,” he growled, “Call me back.”

He clenched the phone in his fist as he marched down the sidewalk, the sunlight radiating off the pavement as he moved.

Finally determining it may be a longer delay than he’d hoped, he slid the phone into his pocket with a sigh. Riley’d better respond soon, though, or he’d go knock down her door.

Kadeem passed by a string of storefronts. He lingered for a second at the window of an occult shop - crammed full of gleaming crystals, bundles of incense and sage, and sprigs of other mysterious herbs.

Before he could take a step inside, a loud siren pierced his ears.

“Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame.”

He winced as the blaring noise invaded his brain. Groaning, he yanked out his cellphone, almost fumbling it. He cursed himself for neglecting to change that startling, over-aggressive ringtone.

With an aggravated sigh, he answered the call.

“About time,” he snarled.

“What’s up, Boss?” Riley’s voice was breathy, like Kadeem had caught her in the middle of a workout.

“Meet me in twenty,” he said.

“Um, can we make it closer to thirty, instead?” She spoke with an uncharacteristic meekness.

Kadeem heard the unmistakable sound of a woman’s soft giggle and the gentle smacking of a kiss from the other side of the line.

“Fine,” he said, relenting, despite the wave or irritation at the delay. “I’m on Tenth and Broad at -“ He craned his neck, searching for the sign. “- The Elder’s Corner.”

“Roger that,” Riley said, without missing a beat.

“And tell your girlfriend I said ‘hi,’” he added just before clicking off.

Kadeem shoved his hand deep into his pocket, the cold metal of loose change brushing against his fingertips. The bell above the door tinkled eerily as he stepped into the tiny shop, carrying with it a gust of cool air and the pungent scent of incense.

Kadeem’s nose wrinkled in distaste at the cloying, oppressive perfume of lavender and patchouli. It flowed from streams of smoke and filled the room in a haze that glowed eerily in the sunlight streaming from the windows.

The shopkeeper greeted him with a friendly nod. Kadeem smiled back and began to make his way around the store, examining the various items on display. He saw stones inscribed with runes, jars of herbs and tonics, dream catchers, tarot cards… and something else that caught his eye.

It was a small wooden stake - crafted from aged oak - with intricate symbols carved into it.

He couldn't help but be intrigued by it. He took it up to the counter where he was met by the shopkeeper, a stooped old man with an unkept beard who sat behind an ancient cash register.

The man smiled warmly at him, revealing yellowed teeth behind his thick mustache.

“Ah,” he rasped knowingly. “You’ve found quite a gem there, kid.”

“What are these symbols,” Kadeem asked, running his fingers along the carved surface.

“Druidic marks,” he said. “To ward off vampires, but if that doesn’t work -“ He mimicked thrusting the stake into an imaginary heart before laughing.

Kadeem suppressed a shudder. “Win-win,” he said, nodding.

“Now, all you need to properly arm yourself is some wolfsbane or one of those silver knives,” the man said, pointing to a shelf in the far corner of the store. “Then, you’ll be able to face the two most common beasts roaming our streets today.”

Kadeem let out a nervous chuckle. “Er, I think I’ll pass on that today,” he said, taking out his wallet to pay.

With the stake tucked safely away in his pocket, he headed outside. Riley was waiting with a sheepish grin, her thin frame was silhouetted against the bright sky. She had her hands shoved in the pockets of her jeans and her dark curls were tossed back in a ponytail, a few wayward strands cascading around her face.

“Greta says ‘hello,’ too,” she said with a smirk.

Kadeem cocked an eyebrow. “You’re dating my new spin instructor?”

“I was the one who told her to apply in the first place,” Riley laughed.

"Well, whaddaya know," Kadeem said with a smile.

"What were you doing in that old creepy place, anyhow?"

"Just killing time, waiting for you." Kadeem squirmed a little. He didn't want her to know about his purchase.

It was ridiculous to walk around with a vampire stake - his wolf had taken down vampires before, shredding them to pieces - but there was something about the stake that called to him. Perhaps it was the idea of taking down a vampire with his own two hands, or maybe, it was something else... Kadeem wasn't sure past the inexplicable urge to arm himself with it.

Riley raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, sure. Well, let's get down to business."

"Alright," he said. "I've made up my mind - we're going to talk to Bob today."

A wicked grin appeared on Riley's face. "Please tell me I'm the Bad Cop?"

Kadeem threw back his head and laughed as they walked. "You got it."

They arrived at his uncle's house - a plush McMansion at the west side of town. Kadeem let Riley go at it with a cop-knock on the door, chuckling as he imagined Bob's startled reaction inside.

Finally, Bob opened the door, looking flustered. He was wearing chinos and a golf shirt, his brown hair slicked in place with too much gel.

"Kadeem," Bob said. "What are you doing here?" His eyes flickered warily at Riley. "And you've brought part of your crew, I see."

"That's beta, to you," Riley said, crossing her arms. "Don't pretend like we haven't met a dozen goddamn times, you windbag."

Bob scowled. "You're a real charmer, sweetheart."

Riley's cheeks flushed with anger over his derision.

"Temper," Bob said, shaking his head.

Kadeem put his hand on her shoulder, hoping to reel her back in a little. He felt her take a deep breath.

"Mind if we come in for a few," Kadeem asked.

Bob scrutinized them for a moment before stepping aside. "Of course," he said, motioning them in.

Kadeem stepped over the threshold, then hesitated as he picked up on the faint smell of sex and the familiar apple scent of Susan trailing off down the hall.

'I'll be damned,' he thought, then tried to cool the anger boiling up inside of him.

Bob led them to the living room. It was opulent and tacky at the same time - filled with heavy furniture and gaudy decorations. He had been here many times before as a child, so he knew the layout like the back of his hand, but Riley seemed taken aback by it all.

Kadeem and Riley perched on the sofa, their shoulders nearly touching. Bob was in the chair opposite them, a cheesy grin stretched across his face.

"So, what can I do for you two," he asked, clapping his hands together.

The confidence he wanted to project was fraying at the edges. His eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other, as if looking for an escape route.

Something about him seemed unraveled.

Kadeem looked him directly in the eye and spoke slowly. "Tell me what I need to know about Dr. Jack Rayburn."

Bob's grin faltered. His body language shifted as he leaned back in the chair, trying to appear relaxed and unconcerned.

Kadeem could feel Riley tense up next to him - she was ready to pounce on Bob if he refused to answer the question - but he extended a finger ever so slightly, and gave her a look that told her to wait.

"I don't believe I know that name," Bob said weakly.

"Bullshit," Riley blurted out, despite Kadeem elbowing her. "We know you've met with him multiple times." She pierced him with her gaze, daring him to lie once more.

Bob shifted in his seat uncomfortably, his face reddening.

"I meet with a lot of people," he said, crossing his legs and forcing a light laugh. "Come on, you know how it is. I'm practically royalty in the Were world. There's a lot of politics that go on behind the scenes. You two and your gammas are just the brawn of the pack."

Kadeem suppressed an eyeroll. "Listen," he said smoothly. "We just need your help getting more intel about Rayburn."

"And why is a doctor on Kadeem's radar," Bob said, his lips curling into a smirk.

"I can't disclose that," Kadeem said, face hardened.

"Maybe I can't disclose what I know, then," Bob said, shrugging.

"Then you admit it," Kadeem asked. "Meeting with him?"

"Maybe," Bob said, drumming his fingers on the edge of the chair. "And maybe not."

"Cut the shit," Riley snarled, baring her teeth. "What are your dealings with him?"

Bob remained silent, his eyes flickering towards the back door.

Riley leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. "Or maybe we just don't give you a choice.”