The Witches on BellaRow Street

42. What Did She Say?

*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ:*

For six unbelievable seconds, I stare at Detective Cree, wondering how long he's known about my Photo-Stalker problem.

Or is Cree doing standard NIWP detective work, such as looking for answers regarding the night in the alley? Meaning it's a mere coincidence that he's on the boat with me.     

"Yan!" blurts Zion through my earpiece. "Who's that?" 

Shit, shit, shit.

Zion doesn't know my connection with Detective Cree. Nor does he know Cree and I have had one-on-one conversations while he's around like at the restaurant or the pool hall.

When Zion calls my name, again, I do the unthinkable. I reach inside the edge of my dress and switch off my microphone.

That's right--I turn it off, just in case Cree says words like Witches, Warlocks, Zetish, or magic. It's for Zion's benefit, not mine.

Once my eyes meet him, I step forward, walking past him. "Why are you here?"

"I just saved your life," mocks Cree, returning to his old self. "A thank you would be nice."

"I can save myself. Thanks."

Another breeze whooshes through my curls as I make my way back to the first-floor room, hoping Faylayee removes the film reel from the projector.

"Tell me," Detective Cree calls out, stepping forward. "Where were you on the night of Councilman Lathan's attempted murder?"

My breath hitches, but I keep walking.

If I say something, it'll only encourage him, or is it the other way around? I'm not sure. 

He utters another question. "Aren't you concern about your friend who's in custody? Your Drag Queen friend?" He pauses, letting his words sink into my mind. "Is that a yes?"

I continue walking, ignoring him, letting the distance expand until a white stream of light, wrapping around my wrists, stops me.

A luminous bright light, flowing through Detective Cree fingers, pulls me back to him. His expression says it all as his protective NIWP magic coils around my other wrists like handcuffs.

I panic, knowing his magic rivals my own, maybe a little stronger. "Am I under arrest?"

Once I'm close to his face, he releases his magic around my wrists and then whispers, "Who's Alexander?"

His smoldering gray eyes pierce through me, trying to solve a riddle behind my eyes. He knows I'm hiding information, but he's not sure if I'm the bad guy or good guy.

"Antonio Cree," shouts Zion from behind me. Wait, he's here, witnessing Cree and me together. When Zion walks closer, a few more footsteps follow him. "I knew you were a problem the moment I met you."           

Detective Cree gazes at me one last time, grinning, then peeks at Zion. "How so?" 

Once I gather my stance, I rotate around, facing an unreadable Zion with my sisters standing next to him. Cree steps back, realizing he's out-numbered by magic.

Zion snorts. "I don't trust anyone desperate for my friendship." He takes another step forward. "Or someone who offers me a random job." He trails his eyes up to mine. "Or looks at my future wife like she's prey."

Wait, what did he say?

Detective Cree shrugs. "If you say so..." He creeps up beside me, whispering a message meant for me. "This isn't over..."