Drown Under Earth - Shadows of the Night 3

Chapter 14

Hi!

Here's the next chapter, which is what I'd call a fun chapter. I liked writing this one, it made me smile. Let me know what you're thinking, and thank you all for reading.

Special Thanks to Broukee Taylor, who made an awesome new cover for Drown Under Earth!

Lara

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Chapter 14

The next morning seemed to come too fast. Although the term 'morning' was probably a bit out of place. The nocturnal working schedule of the TF3 made my new wake-up time midday. Bleary-eyed and half asleep, I padded into the kitchen barefoot. I had a good yawn, and started to pour coffee into my favorite mug, mentally thanking Laura for making enough for three. The snigger came from somewhere behind.

"Morning, sunshine!"

I turned my head, saw a smirking Ryan, and almost spilled most of the brown-black morning glory on my hand. Cursing like a madwoman, I made a grab for the paper towels in a weak attempt at damage control. Why didn't I see that one coming? Ryan was a shape shifter and Laura's brother. A deadly combination.

"Ryan, dammit! Don't you have anything better to do?" I frowned at the widening brown stain in the paper towel, then sent him number three of my death glares.

He shrugged. "What do you want? Technically, I'm still on sick leave."

I frowned. How could someone who never had a proper job to begin with be on sick leave?

Technically, my ass.

"Besides," he smirked, "you should have seen the look on your face."

I rolled my eyes. "Please tell me you didn't move on to hard drugs now?"

It was a low blow, but the question wasn't entirely unjustified. Ryan did work for a gang of dealers and it was his fault that I had to play Alexander's poodle for the next five months. I wouldn't let him forget that. Not if he behaved like a jerk.

For a moment he looked at me, smile gone from his face.

"Nope," he flashed me a grin, recovering quickly. "Let me help you with this."

He came up to the kitchen counter. I stared at him unbelievingly.

Ryan, ready to help? I'll believe it when I see it.

I was about to hand him the paper towels. Instead of taking them, he made a grab for the mug and dashed away with the thing, spilling half of it on the floor. I should have known better. I chased him to the living room, yelling obscenities that would have made half of the Crimson District's clientele applaud.

I caught a glimpse of more blond. Laura. She used to be my one and only roommate. Used to be. That was before I had to deal with her baby-brother because he hadn't found a job yet. She was slackening on the couch, her green eyes glued to the TV set.

"Hey! Cut it out! I'm tryin to watch the news here," she yelled.

"He stole my coffee," I said in a defensive voice.

"I was bored," Ryan said flatly.

"Shut up! Both of you!" Laura dictated, her green eyes never leaving the screen.

That was when I heard it. My eyes followed hers, looking at the TV.

"Crank up the volume, Laura."

She did and I...

Oh crap.

" ... it is still a mystery how Medici could escape from the maximum security prison. The rogue witch, better known as Raphael the Raven, was arrested one month ago. The most wanted and notorious American rogue witch of the 21st century shocked the magical community by acts of violence and thievery after the turn of the century. Representatives of the magical authorities are at a loss to explain how this could have happened. They claim that the security measures in the prison were strict enough to make a breakout a virtual impossibility. Police are asking for the public's help in locating the witch." I saw a picture of Raphael appear on the screen, feeling sick to my stomach. "Residents in and around New York City are being warned to keep their eyes open.