"isaac was tailoring something for me and called to say it's ready. so can i go?" she didn't expand on that, which was interesting.

yeah, i'd love to have her along because we always have a great time together and we haven't been spending as much time around each other as we used to. it would also save me cab fare. "i was thinking about going right now. it's not officially your lunch hour. ron will have a fit."

dawna gave me a grin of pure delight. "not a problem. watch this." she picked up the handset and pressed two digits before turning on the speaker. "ron?"

"yes?" he sounded impatient and brusque-so pretty much normal.

"i need to go to lunch early and i'll probably be back late. i need to get some shopping done." oh, man! that was just asking for a screaming match. ron hated shopping. he felt it was a complete waste of time and had once harangued dawna for being ten minutes late when she'd gone to pick up office supplies.

there was a long pause and i hovered over her desk, waiting to have to jump in and defend her. my jaw dropped when he responded: "that's fine. just put a note on the door. i'll catch the phone until you get back."

dawna looked far too self-satisfied when she answered. "thanks, ron. be back soon." oh, there was definitely a story there and i would know it before the end of the trip.

she made a quick stop in the bathroom to freshen up while i slathered sunscreen on every open piece of skin; then we hurried out to the lot and her trusty honda. i managed to wait until we were safely inside the car where nobody could hear me scream; i did. "ahhh! what did you do with the real ron? i don't want him suing me because you put some kind of spell on him."

she laughed long and loud until i finally joined her. god, it felt good to laugh, even if it was the nervous kind. she put the car in gear and let me stew for a minute while she pulled into traffic. "it's okay. i earned a little reward. i've been here since two."

"two? a.m.? you're kidding me! why in the world did you come in so early?"

she stifled a yawn as she pulled to a careful stop at the traffic light on the corner. she rolled down the window, savoring a breeze that was fresh, if cold. "he needed a notary. one of his clients had to fly to europe and that tropical storm over bermuda was worrying him. he wanted to sign his will before he boarded the plane. i told ron he owed me ... several." she lowered her sunglasses to the tip of her nose. "this is the first."

hard to argue with that logic. i relaxed and rode, not even caring about the gulls circling above like tiny white vultures, until we pulled up to levy's custom apparel. isaac levy is a good man and a good friend-we've known each other for years. his specialty is suit jackets tailored and spelled in such a way that you can carry an arsenal without any of it showing, but still having everything available at hand for a quick draw. his clothes are expensive as hell, but worth every penny.

someone pulled out of a space just as we got there and dawna managed to slip into the spot a hair's breadth quicker than a blonde in a mercedes.

thankfully, i had to take only a few wobbling steps to cross from the glare of the morning sun that made me squint and caused a sudden throbbing in my head into the relative darkness of the shop. the sudden shift from light to dark made my head pound even harder, although that didn't make any sense. even before i blinked the tears from my eyes i knew isaac levy was in the shop, thanks to the scent of his signature cologne and the uneven footfalls caused by a bum knee.

isaac levy is one of those people you can't really forget once you meet them. the ring of wiry salt-and-pepper hair, the bushy eyebrows over piercing brown eyes, the bulbous nose-he's not really attractive, but he's intelligent, funny, and utterly unique. he's also an amazing magical technician. besides the jackets he does artifact work. charms, weapons, he's the best of the best. he's been married to the love of his life for umpteen years, having won her away from morris goldstein, a wealthy jeweler. isaac promised her that if she'd give him a chance, he'd give her twice as much jewelry as morris would. he's done his best to keep that promise. the woman practically clanks when she walks. even the most overdecorated rapper would be jealous.

"celia, dawna. how are you lovely ladies?" isaac reached and took my hand, bestowing a breath of kiss on the skin. aww ... how can you not love the guy? "darlings, it's so good to see you." he gave us each a huge hug, then took a step back, looking me critically up and down.

"you need to eat more. and you're pale. even for you." it was friendly scolding, but there was real concern beneath it.

"actually, this is normal now," i said sadly. "the vampire thing."

he let out a small growl. "i'd hoped it would ... well, get better."

"no. it's sort of permanent," i assured him. "but i'm okay. just ... pale." i turned to dawna, who was looking around with wide eyes. i didn't really blame her. the place was like the tardis, bigger inside than out, and filled with the coolest things. but even i was impressed this time. there was another whole new section of the store with shelf upon shelf of gadgets and magical equipment, like crystals, crystal balls, and other magical foci.

but that wasn't where dawna was staring. no, her eyes had locked on a set of glass cases dead in the center of the store. it was a brightly lit display of holy item jewelry for every religion i'd ever heard of, and a few more that i hadn't.

"wow. you've made even more changes." i walked around the room with isaac following at my heels, taking in every reaction to what i saw. i finally stopped back where i started, next to the wall-mounted display of charm disks.

he gave me a brilliant smile. "do you like it? ira sachs decided to retire and made me an offer on the building. and this way gilda and i can work together without stepping on each other's toes."

i nodded. the place looked great and i saw a lot of things i'd been lusting after online but hadn't had the chance to handle. i'm a tactile person. i need to see a charm or weapon, see if i can draw it or use it instinctively. i could see myself writing a big check today.

i looked around for dawna. as i'd expected, she was busy looking at the jewelry counter. i still had my back to the door when i heard a voice behind me. "i thought i saw your car outside. you haven't been returning my calls, young lady." the light baritone was amused and was accompanied by a wave of powerful magic that made my skin tingle. i tried not to react but failed.

i answered without turning around and could feel him stepping closer as his magic slid across my bare skin as though i didn't have a stitch on. "what are you doing here, creede?"

"back to last names so soon?" the whisper of fine silk caressed my ear as he leaned against the wall next to me. he knew exactly what he did to me when he was close. "i thought we went to first names on our last date." i inhaled the scent of expensive cologne on clean skin and knew i was going to regret turning around, though i knew i had to.

"and who is this?" isaac examined john closely, and i knew he could tell me more about the man from what he was and wasn't wearing and how he held himself than most detectives could after a full week of research.

i sighed and turned. "isaac levy, john creede, owner and one of the founders of miller and creede. john, this is isaac. he's a dear friend of mine, does all of my jackets, and most of my holsters and weaponry orders. he's the best in the business."

isaac smiled even more broadly at the compliment, extending a chubby, ring-bedecked hand. after all, who in the business of security hadn't heard of m&c? they're the biggest and best in the business, and creede's the primary reason for that.

creede gave the proffered hand a firm shake. "i've always admired celia's choice of equipment. i met your lovely wife on my last visit, but i've been wanting to meet you personally. you're a talented charm maker."

isaac nodded in acknowledgment of the compliment.

creede looked good, but then, he always did. his hair was a touch longer than last time i saw him. the golden curls made him look less severe. but the honey-colored eyes that were directly across from mine were still filled with amber fire that flickered and pulled at my stomach. it was intentional and he knew i knew. all i could do was either give in to the teasing or leave. since i had shopping to do, i guess i was in for some squirming.

i asked the obvious question, because in the circles creede ran in, levy's store was slumming. "and what brings you to this part of town?" actually, he'd been in the store before, but isaac hadn't been here. but as far as isaac was concerned, nobody had been in until he spoke with them personally.

creede dipped his head toward isaac and raised the bag in his hand i hadn't seen until now. "i thought i might have some jackets tailored. i want to change where i carry some of my weapons without anyone noticing."

"nobody does better work than isaac."

"i know. that's why i'm here." he winked at me. "well, part of why i'm here."

"quality work takes time," isaac warned.

"i don't mind. i've just noticed that the craftsmanship in celia's equipment seems to be better than in mine. and i can't have that."

isaac laughed.

"if you don't mind, i'll take a look around the place." john had wandered plenty last time he was here with me, but he was at least trying to be polite and give me some time alone with isaac.

"not at all. make yourself at home. celia and i have things to discuss." john wandered off happily. i, on the other hand, was left scrambling. because, like his wife, what isaac likes to discuss most are my marriage prospects, or lack thereof. given a chance, and a gender switch, he'd be the world's biggest yenta. i needed a change of subject-fast.