Chapter 20

Scotty and I exchanged looks, before he gave a small nod. “We’re done here. I’ll see you later, Giles.”

“Later, Wells.” I turned to face Chris, hoping the look on my face was casual enough. I couldn’t stand to be around the guy. He made my hairs stand on end. There was just something wrong with him. Without a word, he led me out and I had to suppress a giggle when Scotty makes a face at his back.

Together, we made our way down the hall of offices and made a turn or two. Rounding one turn we come to a halt as Chris, Owen and Wes missed bumping into each other by inches. Wes looked between Chris, Owen, and I with a look of confusion.

“Ready to go?” He asked, eying me.

Our dinner plans. Crap. “I’m sorry Wes. You’re dad wants to see me, and I promised my mom I’d be home early before curfew.” The last half was a lie that I almost felt guilty for when his smile falters, but he nodded.

“Maybe some other time.” His words were flat, and I doubted he believed them when his eyes shifted away. I nodded automatically.

“Sorry Wes.”

“Do you love birds mind? We have somewhere to be.” The look on Chris’s face is one between annoyance and disgust. I wanted to punch him.

“Sorry, later Wes.” I gave him a small wave, already following Chris down the hall in order to catch up.

“Bye.” I heard Wes call after me. Chris led me to Maxx’s floor in a tight silence, only interrupted when Owen knocks on the door. He didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he walked out, leaving me alone in the waiting room.

There was a hesitation before the door opened. “Come in.” Maxx waved me inside, never looking up. His shoulders hunched over as he stalked back to his desk, tossing a stack of paper onto an already covered desk. He fell back into his chair, sighing and slumping.

“Sit,” he ordered, I follow without question.

I eased myself into the red velvet chair, eying the man across from me. The crinkles under his eyes made him look older than his forty some years. He looked ancient and tired as he sipped from a golden wine glass. I almost felt sorry for him.

We regarded each other, a silence falling between us that was somehow neither awkward, nor quite comfortable. It wasn’t until I shift under his gaze that he spoke.

“You did a great job today, Khloe. I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you, sir.” My words were short. Something told me he didn’t bring me up here for praise.

“How’re you feeling?” He continued as if I hadn’t spoken, surveying me from across the desk.

“I’m good.” The smile I tried to give felt more like a grimace. I prayed he didn’t notice.

I’m pretty sure he did whenever he asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yes sir.” My confidence waved under his intense, tired gaze.

He sighed. “Khloe, what’s happened this past week can take a toll on anyone. You fought with bravery tonight, but you also risked lives of innocent people unnecessarily. You took risks tonight that I would never expect nor tell an officer to make –– let me finish- you understand when I say that I need to know you are capable enough and healthy enough to do this job?”

His words took time to sink in, setting into the pit of my stomach like a nasty sickness. A strange ache I’d never felt rose in my chest. Maxx had never question me. “Sir, with all due respect, the reason you hired me is because I think fast on my feet and have no trouble making the choices most people would be too scared to make. What I did today was no different from what I would’ve done a week ago.

“You want to know if I can still do this job. I will do my job and I’ll do it without hesitation, and I won’t second guess myself.”

“Khloe, a weak a go was different. A weak ago, your partner didn’t die. A week ago you didn’t spend three days in the hospital. Don’t get me wrong, I admire your dedication to this team. I know you’re as passionate about our mission as I am, but I have to know I’m not making a mistake putting you back on this team.””

“So what do you want?” The snap came harder than I intended, but it didn’t faze Maxx.

“Have you considered taking a break? Since the day you joined the force, you haven’t taken a day off. In fact, you’ve only added hours to your schedule despite school and family. My concern is that putting you back on the team will not only be a danger to the team, but your own health as well.” The sound of his phone ringing stopped whatever he’s going to say next. He picked it up, mumbling into the receiver before telling someone he’d be right there.

“Excuse me for a moment, Khloe. I have to handle a private matter. Consider what I’ve said, please.” Standing up, he made his way out of the room. As soon as he left, I slumped into my chair, confusion setting in. Was I capable of doing my job? Was that even a question? Sure, I wasn’t really a Hunter like the others. I spent more of my time rescuing witches then arresting them, but that was what I liked about the job. I was able to help the innocent, even if it risked my own life.

I stared at the mahogany desk the dark lines of the wood blending together. His words washed over me. I’d been working here since long before I became a witch. Once upon a time, this job had been my everything. Now? I didn’t know.

The only thing that mattered to me now was saving as many witches as possible. Did that mean my job was no longer relevant? I still cared about the place and the people in it. They were still good. Wes was still good, but with everything going on now, could I still do this job and be a witch? Was Maxx forcing me to choose without knowing it?

I palmed my cheek, still feeling the tingling sensation from Scotty’s warm touch. The questions and thoughts tumbled back and forth like yoyo’s.

Looking for a distraction, I picked up a photograph on Maxx’s desk. He was hoisting a young Wes on his shoulders while Betty Evergreen laughed at some untold joke.

I traced the faces, frowning before setting it down again. The question repeating over and over in my head. Could I do my job? I scanned the rest of the few knickknacks on the desk, wondering when life had become so complicated. When did I get so deep in this that I risked losing everything? Wes. My family. My job. How did I get out of this without losing anything I love?

Something on the corner of Maxx’s desk caught my attention, derailing my train of thought. It was buried just beneath a pile of papers, hidden almost in front of me. A big, black, leather-bound book.

Chancing a glance at the door, and making sure I was alone, I carefully pushed the pile of papers aside. The cleared book revealed the long spine and the thick pages between covers. It was heavy in my hands, and I almost dropped it from the weight. The black leather was smooth beneath my fingers, but it looked brand new.

Resting it on my lap, I flipped open the cover and gasp. Inside was a list of names, dates, facts.

I knew what this book was. It was the myth in person. Something most hunters had only ever heard of. Even I had never actually seen it before. Maxx’s black book. Everything one needed to know about an accused and condemned witch was in this book, dating back to the very first accusation.

And that was what I was looking at. The very first accusation. The name written in Maxx’s smooth, bold, curving handwriting. The familiarity of it sent a stab of shock through my body:

Betty Eva Evergreen. Witch. Accused by TC. Found guilty. Punished by death.