Calix snorts. “He’s killed about ten shifters in the last four days. I’m not sure that’s anyone’s version of stable.”
I wave my hand dismissively. “So he has a little pent-up aggression, better he takes it out on assholes than self-destructing.”
“Torin mentioned last night he wanted to help us get rid of Antonio.” Calix looks slightly guilty. “I may have encouraged the idea so he would stop picking fights and find another purpose.”
“Gahhh.” I toss my head back. “Shouldn’t he be busy finding someone to take over the pack for him? I thought he was going to go rogue wolf and shit.”
Gunnar chuckles. “I thought you liked the wolf.”
“I do,” I say in a rush. “But… should we be encouraging him to get involved with Antonio? What if something happens to him? It would be our fault, and then Calix would have to deal with the whole pack-needing-an-alpha issue again. It gives me a headache just thinking about having to deal with Kim again on a daily basis. I think I would just put us both out of our misery and kill her this time.”
“I’m not going to throw myself at the witch so he can kill me, doll. Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Torin deadpans.
“Are you part Brownie?” I scowl at him. The man, or should I say wolf, can move as silently as my best friend.
“No.” He slaps the side of my foot that’s hanging off the arm of the chair in a teasing manner. “If a guy is in my city killing Charmed, it’s my duty to make sure he’s stopped.”
I sit up and look around to see if he brought Kim with him. I really don’t understand their relationship. She seems to worship the ground Torin walks on, and he just tolerates her, for lack of a better word. “But we’re here to take care of it for you, so you don’t need to worry your big head about it.”
“My big head? If your eyes were any bigger, you would look like a kewpie doll,doll.” I swear to the stars, Torin is like the big brother I never knew I had or wanted. I reach up and touch under my eyes and frown.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to insult her, considering the last guy who did is stuck in some sort of purgatory, reliving his death over and over?” Calix drawls. I don’t think any of us expected the familial relationship Torin and I have apparently forged almost overnight.
“If Death wants to take me.” Torin widens his arms and plops on the sofa opposite Gunnar.
“See? You do have a death wish.” I point in his direction. “And I don’t look like a doll. Unless it’s one of those creepy dolls. I would be okay with that.” I nod, but they all ignore me.
“Where is the reaper anyway?” Torin looks around.
“He’s everywhere,” I whisper, and wave my fingers under my chin.
“Shower, I think,” Calix supplies at the same time.
“So, any news on the witch?” Torin makes himself comfortable, draping his arm along the back of the couch.
“Nothing from the Pixies.” Gunnar puts down the blade he was working on and picks up another from the coffee table.
“Grim hasn’t been called away, so we’re not even sure if the guy’s still in the area,” I mutter dejectedly. My Loverboy is still a little more reserved than usual—similar to how he was when he first revealed himself to me—but he’s coming around slowly. This wouldn’t be a good time to push him, though. I don’t think it would end well for anyone involved.
“I wish we knew a way to track the asswipe down before he killed someone else, instead of always being one step behind him,” Calix grumbles, summing up exactly what I’ve been thinking.
“I have a pretty good relationship with most of the Charmed around the city. Let me see if I can find anything out. You said this guy’s name is Antonio and he runs with the witches, right?”
“Yeah, he was working with the head of the coven, kept a pretty low profile.” Gunnar examines the tip of the blade he’s cleaning, his eyes going unfocused. “Fuckers were killing right under my nose and I didn’t even know it.”
“I’ll see what I can find out. A few of the guys mix it up with the witches. Some of them even come to the pack looking to get changed into a shifter for a more permanent magical solution. Might be a good enough incentive to loosen lips.”
“Couldn’t hurt; it’s worth a shot,” Calix agrees.
“How exactly does that work? The change, I mean?” It seems like the witches should just all become shifters instead of killing people to get powers. Torin tilts his head to the side, examining me then Calix.
“Lycanthropy is contagious. All it takes is a bite for them to become infected,” Calix informs me.
“Why doesn’t she already know this?” Torin questions.
“I never asked,” I counter, defending Calix when it feels like Torin is accusing him of something. “Plus, Calix is the first shifter I ever met. Well, that I ever got to know anyway. I may have met others.”
“What, were you living under a rock?” Torin snorts.
