Warlock chronicles vol. 1: Cuban detective

2

Sun was long set, when he came back to his beloved apartment in one of fancy old buildings by the coast. It had been extremely expensive, but view was worth it. He opened a bottle of his favourite liqueur and poured himself a generous portion. Just then he finally opened a wooden box.

It was stuffed with thick cigars. Their sweet smell entered his nostrils immediately. Those cigars were Manu's secret dirty pleasure. To be specific, the dried flower in it was. It was called Amallie and in this world it grew just with a little help of warlocks. It was opium, exactly like a liqueur in his glass. But it was forbidden by the Consilium for its indubitable affect on demons of night. It relaxed your mind like nothing else, but it could also improve your power to a dangerous point. There had been an incident hundred years ago, when a crew of werewolves high on Amallie had slaughtered almost a whole city. Manu had been there when it had happened and he thought it was slightly exaggerated, but the verdict was final. No Amallie anymore. At least no Amallie legally bought.

"Cocky bastard!" He exclaimed as he noticed that two cigars were missing in the box. He ordered twenty and Andres gave him just eighteen. Asshole. But one of a few assholes in whole city, who sold Amallie, Manu realized. With a shake of his head, he picked up one cigar and lighted it. He sat down into an armchair and blew out a sweet smoke.

When he heard knocking at a door, he just wanted to ignore it and pretend he isn't home. But even after ten long minutes, it didn't stop. Eventually, he threw out his cigar and rose.

He opened a door to his apartment and found a woman standing in front of him. In fact, she was just a girl. She could have been eighteen at most. She was tall and curvy in her red dress. Her thick black hair was cut just above her shoulders. Under her hat, there was a beautiful little face, black eyes which shone just like a diamonds and full lips painted bright red.

And Manu was wearing his dressing gown and puzzled expression. "I don't remember ordering a slut." He said, before girl could even say anything.

"What?" She said quietly. She seemed as startled, as Manu now.

"Oh, so you call yourself otherwise. Streetwalker? Or a wonder woman?" Manu asked. A slap came before Manu could even realize it. She punched him hard in the face and Manu's jaw dropped.

The girl looked amazed with her action as well. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, "I'm so sorry. I didn't wanted to punch you."

"Then why you did?" said Manu and he touched his aching cheek, still amazed, "I need ice. Or a whisky. Probably both." With that, he walked back to his apartment and left the girl standing there totally puzzled. Unsure, she walked in after him and looked around. For a warlock, she had probably imagined his apartment full of strange potions and cauldrons of all shapes and sizes. In fact, his apartment was furnished as some fancy castle. Full of expensive paintings in golden frames and elegant wooden furniture.

"Can you please lock the door? One never knows what a weirdo can appear in your apartment if you don't lock your door." Manu said while pouring himself his beloved liqueur.

"The biggest weirdo is probably here already." Girl said under her breath, but she did as she was told.

Manu seated himself in his armchair with glass in one hand and a single ice cube pressed on his face. A little bruise was already forming on his sharp cheekbone. "So, can you finally tell me, what does a little werewolf like you want from me? And who you are, if you're not a wonder woman?" He asked.

The girl just stood there for a moment longer, probably trying to figure out what had she just run into. And wondering, how does he know, she is a werewolf. Yes, Manu could see that question in her gaze, but she refused to ask. Too bad, Manu already planned to make a little show with a crystal ball.