Playing with Fire: Other Realm, Frost Family Series Book 5

Trick 2

Max

I stared down at the notepad in my hand. On it, it read Samuel Hymn, 393 W Baker Street. After another second, I slid the small notepad back into my pocket. Straightening my spine, I forced myself to buck up. You have a mission to fulfill, I told myself sternly. Nodding to my own thoughts, I reached up to lift the old fashioned door-knocker. Letting it bang against the wooden door twice, I lowered my hand back down to wait. I didn't have to do so for very long. 

The sound of locks coming undone proceeded the door being open. Peering out suspiciously was a woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties. Her hair was a softly graying red-gold that was pulled back into a bun so severe, I had to wonder how often she got headaches. Likewise, her light green eyes and thin lips let me know she instantly despised me. 

At the thought, I fought back a weary smile. Truly, her expression wasn't anything new to me. In fact, a part of me almost enjoyed seeing that light of distrust and disgust in her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked in a way that reminded me of some sort of nun. Like she was demanding to know my reason for stepping upon holy ground. 

I'm here to raze the place to the ground and take all the offerings to your 'God', I thought darkly. The skin around her eyes was tight as she squinted at me behind a pair of glasses.

"Excuse me," I smiled in a way meant to show I 'come in peace'. "I need to speak to Samuel Hymn. Perhaps you know if he is in or not today?"

"...What do you want with my husband?" she asked out of the side of her mouth. Seriously, her lips appeared to barely move, still pulled down in that fierce frown.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were the missus, madam," I swept into a half bow over one hand. "I apologize for that." Straightening, I carefully kept my pleasant expression in place. "You see, I'm on a errand. I need to discuss something important with Mr. Hymn," I told her, deciding that was enough information for her to know.

She arched a red-gold brow in disbelief. "Oh? What do you need to discuss with my husband?"

"I-"

"Margaret, who's at the door?" A new voice broke up a situation that could have easily turned south for me.

A flash of pain cut through my skull and I fought off the instinctive reaction to cradle my head. I hated when this happened, it was such a needless pain - both literally and figuratively. My jaw clenching for half a second was the only sign I showed of the pain I was in. Keeping up my facade of friendliness, I smiled widely. 

I had a job, a mission, and none of the bullshit of my life was going to stop me from completing it. "Hello, Mr. Hymn. My name is Max Wells," I smiled at the man who'd appeared half in the doorway behind his wife. I knew it was him with just one look. He had a similar facial structure to the person I was inquiring about. With the picture I had, I could definitely see the family resemblance. Digging into my pocket, I pulled out one of my business cards, holding it out for him to take. He did so, reading it, before blinking and raising his gaze back up to me, sizing me up. I could tell he was a Other, though what he was remained a mystery for now. But, then again, that was exactly why I was here. My mission was to find out what magical ancestry this man's family boasted. "I'm here because I have an important matter to discuss with you, about your niece."

The man's hazel eyes instantly grew wide and his pale skin became even paler. "I...I see," he cleared his throat, suddenly very nervous in his demeanor. He shot an awkward, very loaded glance at his wife.

For her part, Margaret Hymn's lips pulled down into a sneering frown. "Is the little bitch dead yet?" she inquired in a venomous, bitter voice. Her eyes raked over me, taking in my clean-cut, formal attire.