Warlock chronicles vol. 1: Cuban detective

5

"So... You are looking for a dog?" Asked Manu's friend Juan, as he was looking through his cards. Juan Ernandéz was in fact a vampire - and a powerful one. He was a leader of the only vampire clan in whole Cuba. That meant he ruled over all of the vampires on the island. After this description people would imagine an ancient guy in frumpy cape with a lot of gel on his hair who is sleeping in a coffin. But Juan looked just a bit older than Manu and wore fancy suits. And he most certainly slept in bed in his monumental residence at the beach. Manu once asked him about the coffin to mock him. But Juan simply answered that in coffin there is no place for sluts.

Funny guy. Manu liked him. Despite the fact that he needed a new haircut. Something more modern than a ponytail he was wearing for centuries.

"Yeah, I do." Manu answered with a cigar in his mouth.

"Did you try at dog shelter?" Juan asked and grinned. Manu laughed shortly.

"Very funny, guys. Could you two just stop talking and start playing?" Cristian Ruiz said slightly irritated from the opposite end of a table and frowned at his cards. Cris was a werewolf. And again, powerful one. He was a head sentinel - top dog of wolf security in Havana. His job was taking care of problematical werewolves that were not part of any pack. Especially young ones, as was Dex. Cristian helped them to be part of a society and to not be a threat. If Dex was in trouble because of his breed, this fair-haired guy would know.

"Cris, be a good boy and bring us another bottle." Juan continued to tease the werewolf and spilled last few drops of whisky into their glasses.

"I have another bottle in a fridge." Manu said to his friend. Then he grinned and added: "Aport, my dear golden retriever." Cris frowned but he stood up and went to look for something to drink.

"Does our mosquito want his red juice?" He called from kitchen. Juan laughed.

"Of course." He called back. A minute later Cris returned with full bottle of whisky and a bottle of disgusting red fluid. Cris had brought it with himself to Manu's when he had come.

"You sure you don't know what could happen to that boy?" Manu asked the sentinel and he blew out sweet smoke from his cigar.

"I don't know." Cris confirmed looking a little sad that he is not able to help. He picked up one cigar too and lighted it. "I remember that boy. He had a problem with self-control when his mother passed away. But since then I didn't see him. And I don't know about anything suspicious happening among wolfs currently. I'm sorry, buddy."

"Maybe you should ask pack leaders. If he had any problems with their wolfs, they will tell you." Juan suggested.

Manu just nodded. "Yeah, I will meet them tomorrow to see if they know something."

At that moment sound of heels on wooden floor resonated and main door of Manu's apartment flew open. And there she stood - Drina. Stunning in her dirty black dress and with messy hair. Her eyes burned with anger and tears. All three boys were looking at her as if they saw a wraith.

Manu was on his feet in an instant. "Oh, my sweet wonder women! What brought you here?" he asked.

"Don't you dare calling me like that!" She jelled. Manu forgot about vampire and werewolf completely. He even forgot about his cigar and let it fall on the table. Looking at her expression he started to be afraid.

"What happened? What's wrong, Drina?" He asked sympathetically and came closer to her. He tried to touch her, but she recoiled.

"He fired me! My boss." She explained and some tears escaped from her eyes, "He screamed at me after what happened. He thinks it was my fault... Maybe this all was a wrong idea. You should stop investigating before you mess up even more! I don't want you to stuff your nose into my life ever again!" After that she left and slammed the door leaving Manu standing there with his chin dropped.

"Nice to meet you too!" Juan called after her and chuckled a little. Just his voice reminded Manu that they were still here.

"Sorry guys, I'll be right back." Manu said and ran out of the door. He almost slipped at the stairs and caught Drina in front of the door at the ground floor.

"Wait!" He called and grabbed her by her hand, but she broke his grip.

"I don't want your help anymore!" she screamed but then caught herself and continued a little quieter, "Look, I don't know where you get all your money from, but I can't just say 'abrakadabra' and conjure it up from nothing! I don't have money to pay you for looking for my brother. And now I don't even have a job. And I don't want to get into another trouble..."

"Wait! When did I say I want you to pay me? I'm sure your mother would come to scare me every night if I did." He stopped her a little startled. They never talked about money. Why did she think she needs to pay? Is Manu some kind of a slut?

"I don't need your charity!" She answered. In her angry face he saw so many similarities with her mother. It almost scared him.

"It's not a charity. It's help. That is what you asked me for. So let me help you." Manu said and scratched his neck in frustration. Maybe he really messed up in that tavern. But looking at the way those men treated her... He just couldn't stop himself. He would do it again anytime just to see fear in that man's eyes. And he would probably have done the same for her mother all those years ago.

"I can help you find another job. The old one sucked anyway." he said and smiled a little, "Just go home now and rest. I'll make you know when I find something out."

Girl just nodded and slowly wiped tears away from her cheeks. For a moment she was just looking at Manu as if she didn't quite believe what he was saying. "Thank you." She said finally and hugged him tight. And Manu hugged her even tighter.