Love and Other Crisis | Season 1

Episode | 19

But was it her?

His instinct told him something was off. Amiss. But pinpointing what proved fruitless. Kaliope Barnes. This case. His life?

Was Eli's speculation correct?

Life is tedious and monotonous if we stick with the same old systems and routines. We become stagnant. Restless.

What was the thorn in his paw?

Ronin slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the room as he let out a primal roar of frustration. He was tired of feeling like he was constantly ramming into a brick wall. Tired of feeling out of control. He needed to figure out what the hell was wrong and fix it. A growl vibrated in his throat. Ronin welcomed no disruptions in his life.

He stilled when he noticed the silence, his gaze slowly shifting toward the door. Kaliope stopped pacing again. Had she heard him? No. The office was soundproof from the outside. Ronin pushed up from his chair. Instead of the steps, he strode off the raised platform where his desk stood without missing a stride as he landed.

Kaliope jumped up from her desk when he exited his office. She shoved the sugary pastry she was nibbling on out of sight and quickly chewed, struggling to swallow.

"Boss. Do you need something?" Kaliope gave him the once over. Her brows knitted at his disheveled tie. Ronin adjusted it, berating himself for forgetting to straighten his attire. His messy state bore testament to his inner turmoil.

"Where are the others?"

"Ah. Inola went on an errand, and Gideon's out for a walk because—" Kaliope pursed her lips.

Ronin understood her unspoken reason for Gideon's absence. Shame beat at him. "Was he—" Alright? Of course, he wasn't. Lycan aura affected werewolves like toxic fumes. "Tell him to take the rest of the day off." Ronin buttoned his jacket and walked away. He required a respite himself.

Kaliope rushed out from behind her desk. "Are you taking the rest of the day off too?"

Her question sounded hopeful, as if she wanted Ronin gone. His eyes landed briefly on the chain around her neck. Pathium. The supernatural equivalent of silver. Stripped of her aura's influence and without her perfume, Kaliope's natural scent reached him—pure and as wild as when she bore her invisible claws. Ronin inhaled it. Savored every note. He preferred her this way. Bare and...What the fuck, Ronin? What was he thinking? He cleared his throat and the meandering thought from his mind.

"Yes. I'm headed home." Ronin needed to get his head on straight. "Wrap up your work and do the same."

Kaliope halted his retreat. "But sir. What about Zohar and his daughter? Without their testimony, can we close the case?"

Ronin closed his eyes to compose himself before turning to face Kaliope. "The investigators are stonewalling us for their criminal investigation. I've already noted my request with the captain. Nothing we can do until he clears it."

"But—"

"No buts, Ms. Barnes."

Kaliope looked about to push her point, but she nodded. "Yes, sir. Enjoy the rest of your day."

The elevator opened in the underground parking lot as Inola climbed out of a town car. Ronin recognized the license plate on the departing vehicle. Inola paused for a second, eyeing him with open guilt, and resumed her approach like a fox caught with her tales exposed.

"Yezekael?"

Inola averted her eyes, toeing the concrete floor with the tip of her shoes. "Desperate times. We need to wrap up the case."

Yezekael Adair was a high-ranking member of the Occult Assembly. He was also a lycan, Ronin's great uncle, and a fawning admirer of a particular fox demon with jade-gray eyes. That Ronin was capable of amusement at a time like this was impressive. He ran his thumb under his nose to mask a smile. "What were his terms?"

Inola gritted her teeth. "To be decided at another time."

An open favor Yezekael can call on at any time.

Ronin sniffed and thrust his hands into his pockets, resisting the urge to ruffle Inola's hair. She was a close stand-in for an errant little sister. "You'll be married within the fortnight. Inola Adair."

Inola thumped his arm. "Don't jinx me. Anyways, where are you headed?" She checked her watch. "Work isn't over for another four hours."

"Doesn't matter anymore." Ronin pushed the button for the elevator, grateful for a break in his melancholy. He understood his job. Took solace in the familiar cogs of it. When everything else went to shit, work balanced him.

"Ronin?"

"Hmm?"

Inola stared up at him with her jade-gray eyes. "You're alright, aren't you?"

"Worried about me, little fox?"

"That's what friends do. And you're mine, even if I'm not yours. So if you ever need to talk..." She bumped him with a shoulder.

Something squeezed in the vicinity of his heart. "Thank you, Inola."

Ronin regarded the top of the fox demon's head as the elevator rose for the hidden floors of Sage Tower. Will the day come when he can accept her offer without fear of the consequences?

~~~

To read the entire first season, along with Seasons 2 and 3, join me on Ream. The link's in my bio on the home page. Hope to see you there.