AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 4
We headed back several hours later, red-faced and sweaty from our time outside.
Texas summer was never a joke, and this one was worse than usual. The news channels all said we were under a “heat dome.” No matter what was causing it, we were all ready for it to break.
The strip mall office’s air conditioner wheezed as it fought to keep the heat at bay as we gathered in the front office.
“Anybody got something that doesn’t reek of dead end?” I asked, tapping a purple curl against my lips.
“Nothing but smoke signals,” Helen said, flicking through her notes with a frown. “Lots of people saw the fountains explode, no one saw anything else suspicious.”
“Right. Because that’s super helpful,” I said. “Any other ideas? Anyone who might help?”
“Actually,” Elijah drawled, his stoned expression lightening up as though he just remembered his favorite snack was within arm’s reach. “I met this witch at a market last week—maybe she’ll have some info.”
“And I know a guy who runs a bar—he tells me the supernaturals like to hang out there. Actually, what he says is it’s ‘the latest hotspot for the supes.’”
“Okay. Let’s split up. Elijah, go talk to your witch. I’ll go with Helen to the bar.”
Elijah snorted. “Dude. Why do I feel like y’all got the better end of the deal?”
* * *
The neon signs of the supernatural bar buzzed as Helen and I sauntered toward the entrance. “Prepare for the sizzle,” I said, pushing open the door with a flourish that only made the bell chime anticlimactically.
“Darling, when do I not?” Helen’s voice was honey over gravel, her hairdo bouncing with each exaggerated step. Inside, the atmosphere was heavy—but at least it was cooler than outside.
We made our way to the bar, where Max, Helen’s bartender friend, polished glasses with a rag that had seen better days. His eyes flickered from blue to green as he took us in.
“Evening, Max,” Helen greeted him, sliding onto a stool. “Heard any interesting tales of fire and brimstone lately?”
“Can’t say I have,” he drawled, though the twitch at the corner of his mouth suggested otherwise.
“Come on, shifty,” Helen added, batting her eyelashes which were thick enough to double as fans. “A little bird told us you know more than you’re letting on about these spontaneous combustions.”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t,” Max hedged, but the way his gaze darted to the door and back revealed the bird hadn’t been lying after all.
“Listen, we’re not here to roast anyone,” I assured him, leaning in. “Just trying to extinguish some problems before they flare up again.”
“Fine,” he sighed after a pause. “Word is, there’s been a string of odd heat waves. Not just the one hanging over the whole state, either. Places getting torched with no logical explanation. No one seems to know who’s doing it or why. But hey, I just pour drinks.”
“Heard anything about a fire-wielding djinni?” I asked.
Max’s eyes widened. “Hell, no. I stay away from those fuckers. They’re mean sonsa bitches.”
So much for that.
Still, I slid a twenty across the bar to him. I might need to talk to him again sometime.
“Much obliged, Maxie,” I said as we retreated.
“Well. That didn’t amount to much,” Helen sighed once we were outside.
“At least we know the heatwave and the fires are probably connected.” I pulled out my phone. “Let’s see what Elijah’s found out.”
But a text quickly confirmed he didn’t know anything more than we did.
Still, that’s supernatural bounty hunting for you. Lots of leads, but only a few pan out. And in the end, only one needs to.
