The Delacours: Part Deux

fifteen.

 I finished my book a few hours later and Zane was starting to wake up. He rolled over and threw his arm across my lap.

"Hey," he said, sleepily.

"Hey," I said, running my fingers through his hair, lightly scratching him. He moaned softly.

"Stop," he said, playfully, pulling my hand away from his head.

"You okay? You're not much of a nap person," I asked, as he sat up and fixed his hair.

"Yeah. Just drained a lot of energy today. I used too much magic today trying to get a jump on defeating the darkness, I guess. First of all, it's huge. It's almost the size of Odie, and its movements are crazy... He doesn't have much time left. I was trying to hit it with my light magic... just to see if it does anything."

"And?"

"Well, it definitely doesn't like it. So I guess we've been teaching Odie the right spells." I nodded slowly. "What?"

"Maybe... maybe this surprise weekend I had planned for you three should wait. I don't know if we should send the kids off to Ray and Aria's. What if the darkness escapes?"

"Then we go pick up Odie and fuck it up. What do you have planned anyway?"

"I'm not telling you." Zane sat on my lap and started to kiss me. I heard my phone ring in my jacket pocket. He slid off my lap and I grabbed my phone. It was a number I didn't recognize. "Hello?"

"Hi, can I speak to the Madame Magister?" a female voice said.

"Speaking..."

"It's Steph, the Lieutenant of California?"

"Oh, yes. Did you find anything?"

"Yes, we did. I think you should come to Morgan's office. We're heading back ourselves. We should talk in person."

"Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes." I hung up and grabbed my pants, looking at Zane. "Sorry, hon... Duty calls." He threw himself back on the bed.

"Ugh. What am I supposed to do?"

"Why don't you get yourself something to eat? I'm sure something is open late. I'll be back in a few. Love you," I said, giving him a kiss.

"Love you, too." I walked over to Morgan's office building. I could hear Steph's voice from outside and I rushed upstairs.

"I can't even believe you, Morgan! She gave you explicit orders and you went against them!? Are you trying to lose your position!? You're gonna get us both into so much trouble! I'm so sick of covering your ass!"

"Stephanie! I suggest you watch your tone. I am your superior!" Morgan yelled.

"I'm sorry, but right now you're acting like a huge jerk! You're in some pissing contest with the Magister and you're gonna make her get the Imperator in this. Just stop or I'm done."

"W-what do you mean 'done'?" He lowered his voice.

"You know exactly what I mean. I'm done. The only reason you're still Sheriff is because of everything I do for you, and you never even give me so much as the credit! If you don't do this right, I'm resigning. My partner sure wouldn't mind living in another state..." I knocked on the door of the office. I heard a chair shuffle and the door opened. It was Steph. "Magister, hi. Come in." She shot a look over to Morgan who stood up and held out his hand as she did. I reluctantly shook his hand.