“Five,” Harrison mumbled pushing her own sandwich, steak of course, around on her plate.
Callie’s stomach growled in envy at her friend’s more substantial lunch, then clenched when she caught her meaning. She turned back to Tucker. “There’s been another? Is the girl all right?”
Tucker’s jaw tightened, the anger in his eyes answer enough. “He killed her didn’t he? And there’s still no evidence? Nothing to find him but the knowledge that he likes Magian girls with compelling magic, and that he’ll be at the next Triune gathering.” She set her plate down and planted her hands on her hips. “Are you gonna tell me you have a Magian female lined up? An enforcer like you, who’s already made friends at the salon? Admit it. I’m the best bet you have to catch this guy before he can kill more people.”
She’d always been able to read his expression. She was right, and he hated it. He spoke stiffly. “At this time we have no trained female who has that particular magic, no.”
Callie pounced. “Let me do it, Tucker. I can do this.”
“Maybe Tucker is right, Callie.” Harrison looked somber. “They killed Marion. I knew her. She didn’t deserve to die. I can’t imagine what I’d do if anything happened to you.”
“When have I ever given you the impression I couldn’t take care of myself? When I had to go home on my own to my loving, protective foster parents every night? When I got my black belt in karate? My medal in track? Or how about when I signed up for the Police Academy?” She shook her head at their stubborn expressions. “I am not a wilting flower. Not a debutante who relies on the kindness of strangers. If I was truly Magian, I’d probably be an enforcer like Tucker by now and you know it. If there’s anything I can’t handle on my own, Tyghe will be with me.”
“She’s right. Callie can handle herself. And I’ll be her backup.”
Callie felt her shoulders relax. She wasn’t sure he’d ever talk to her again. She turned to see him in a white T-shirt and jeans, his hair wind tousled, telling her he’d come over on his bike. Her rebel. “Thank you, Tyghe.”
She tried to tell him with her eyes that she was sorry. She was confused, but she didn’t regret what had happened between them. How could she? He winked at her, but she knew he was still holding back, waiting to see what she did. How she acted now that Tucker was back.
Tucker was angry. “I know exactly what Callie can do.” He caught her eye and lowered his voice. “I always have.”
Jenner walked up to Callie and wrapped a supportive arm around her waist. “We all have faith in you, Callie dear. As long as you know we’ll all be there in case you need us.” She looked at the Abbott brothers sternly. “All of us. Including Harrison and I. We have a few days left—we should use that time to make sure we leave no room for error.”
Callie smiled down at the diminutive woman. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Jenner blushed and made a dismissive motion with her hand. “Of course you do. I always knew you were brilliant.”
Chapter Five
“I look ridiculous. And lacy. A lacy, ridiculous girly-girl.”
Callie snorted as she stood behind Harrison in the mirror, shaking her head. “You look amazing, Harry. Like a fairytale princess.”
She truly did. The floor length gown was ivory and grey, bringing out her beautiful eyes. It had capped sleeves and a square neckline that made her look like someone out of a regency novel. But Harrison pulled it off. With her hair upswept and shimmering with diamond pins, she was stunning.
Miserable, but stunning.
“I can’t do it. If this is what Magian men want, then they can find someone else to give it to them.” She grabbed a small perfume bottle from the vanity in her room and squirted the liquid all over her bodice. Before Callie could squeak in denial at the wet spot on Harrison’s chest, the spot changed. Spread. Callie knew her jaw dropped as, within moments, the dress had changed from ivory to black, the length of the dress shortening until it stopped above Harrison’s knees, showing off her long, toned legs.
“Harrison? Didn’t you say your mother and grandmother wore this dress?”
Harrison smiled, shaking out her hair until it fell down her back in wild, ebony curls. “Yes. I’m keeping my promise to her. Technically, this is the same dress. She never said anything about a few alterations here and there.”
Callie shook her head. Harrison would never change. She had to do things her way. It was one of the things Callie had always admired about her. Something she’d hoped would rub off.
Maybe it had. She’d been different this week. Stronger. After standing firm against Tucker’s disapproval, and experiencing the passion she had with Tyghe, she thought she could handle anything. I am woman, watch me strut. She chuckled under her breath.
Now she just had to keep that confidence tonight, when she was surrounded by strange Magians, including one that would no doubt try to kill her.
“I hope you change that back before Mom gets home, she may lock you in a chastity belt until your fiftieth birthday for going to the Triune like that.”
Harrison smirked. “I doubt that, Tuck. Mom’s no Puritan. Besides, that would mean she’d be stuck with me for the next few decades.”
“True.” Tucker turned his attention to Callie, who’d been having a hard time breathing since he’d opened the bedroom door. “Harrison, Jenner wants you downstairs. She says she has something to give you, something else that our mother wants you to wear.”
Harrison grumbled as she pushed past her brother in her newly transformed little black dress. “What now? A frilly bonnet?”
Tucker leaned his shoulder against the doorframe,