The golden sun descended, relinquishing the last of its warm rays. The sight alone incited a yawn, my eyes dropping in the process. Yeah, we finished our visit to the other brain dead Necromancer, making for one final trip; Trevor wanted a group meeting.

Group meetings—they were always a fun point in life. Generally, one person did all the work, hence not me! Leave it to the nerd or workaholic, which in this case would be Trevor.

I dropped my head on the police stations conference table, my hands cupping the plastic container for my ice tea. A few bubbles moved to the top as a droplet rolled down the side.

"Lanna, are you listening?" Trevor voiced.

"No," I moaned, closing my eyes to hide from the unnaturally bright lights and rest the sleep out of them.

"We need your input on the two Necromancers," he growled. "Do your job then you can leave."

Propping my head on my elbow, I stared at him without blinking. Look at those fine lines that mark his face, the way the corners of his lips turn down, did he expect me to take him serious when I saw pure masculine goodness?

August waved his hand before my face, a grin plastered on his face. "Lanna, you're drooling."

I glanced at him, my hand wiping across my chin then up the side. "You lie!"

"Maybe, but if you keep at it, you will." My gaze swept back to Trevor, his mouth set in a firm frown. "Any how, Necromancers, right... have they been under surveillance at all?"

He shook his head. "Not the two we've talked to. It was a long stretch to see if they were responsible, the other ones have been under watch and haven't moved. They couldn't be capable of last night's summoning. Though there could be multiple culprits."

"That leaves the two we've spoken to today as being responsible for last night, or an unregistered Death practitioner," I added.

"Are there that many unregistered users?" August questioned.

I shrugged my shoulders. "It depends, some families don't like to communicate and give their spells out."

"I doubt they created the havoc when they stress secrecy," Trevor stated.

"True," August said then continued, "but that leaves the fifteen we started with and finding some connection."

"Your best bet are the two self-proclaimed amnesia victims, they both show signs of large energy usage recently."

"Fatigue?" Trevor asked.

"Yeah, both of them had signs of it, and considering the amount of energy required to perform the summonings, I'd say they're your best choice." I drummed my fingers on the table, my gaze shooting to the black and white circular clock hanging on the wall. If I didn't get home soon, Sebastian would claw my eyes out when I slept. "Anything else?"

The scratching of Trevor's pen ended, and he condensed his paperwork into a neat pile. "No, but keep your weekend open. We'll keep eyes on the Necromancers, but we'll still need to be able to trace the magic if a shadow contract is involved."

"Fine, fine," I said, motioning a 'whatever' with my hand.

"August, take her home."

"Roger," he said, pushing his chair back and jumping to his feet. "Let's go Lanna, I'll show you my sweet ride."

I grinned at his response. He didn't just look like an angel, he acted like one too. Some squirmy interior of my soul told me to be a good girl and play nice. It also made a point to tell me not to stick my claws into him like a bad witch, but who's really keeping count of all the poor souls I've hurt.

We left the conference room, but I failed to keep track of my surroundings, running into August's fine, but narrow back. "What's up?" I asked, my voice a little muffled from staying near to him for so long. He smelled so good, a bit of allspice, not overpowering but just right.

"Marissa..."

I shot my head out, staring at the source of our intrusion. My hand clamped over my mouth, trying to prevent a squeak as I saw Park with a lean, black-haired chick. She looked white, and I don't mean skin, I mean White Witch kind of white. The surrounding air seemed brighter and gave me the thought of eating salad for dinner—the healthy vibe.

Her eyes danced as she caught sight of August, her lips turning upwards. "Hey, August. Done for the day?"

"Uh, yeah. Heading out now to bring Lanna back home," he said without giving me room to move forward and present myself.

"Have a good night then." She smiled and turned on her heel, her black hair making a perfect arc motion that had me biting my fingernails in awe.

"Lanna, it's good to see you again," Park stated while coming closer.

I inched backwards, hiding behind August's back. Where was Trevor when I needed him! If he was here, I would confess my undying love for him and make Park back the hell off. "August, you better defend me," I whispered.

He remained in a daze induced state from his lover girl Marissa, causing my words to fall on deaf ears. Dammit, August, wake up! I mentally cajoled, sending a thin thread of life energy to his mind. Let's see if this wakes him up from his dream. As soon as the energy hit his mind, August flinched, snapping around to face me.

"Lanna, what the hell did you do to me?"

"You needed to wake up honey. No use being smitten in public, not when you need to defend my honor."

A scrawny hand slithered onto August's shoulder. Oh no, it's here!

"Honor? Did something happen to you Lanna?" Park asked, his head barely over August's shoulder.

I shook my head and took a step back. "Even if something did, I wouldn't run to you. Let's go August," I said, arching an eye at him. I was even ready to kick his butt into high gear myself.

"Yeah..."

I grabbed his arm, nails digging in and moved to the opposite side of Park, swinging August around. "Let's go, honey."

"Ouch, Lanna. Your nails hurt."

"Just hope I don't leave one behind on accident in your skin, August."

We passed the front station, crowded with police and wooden benches full of whiny citizens. The wood paneled walls and open windows helped to prevent a stale scent from subsiding in the air. With a stronger power walk, we made it onto the streets, the brick entrance staring back at us.

I dropped my hand, settling it on my hip. "Ugh, my skin's still crawling."

August glanced over his shoulder. "You really don't like him do you."

"I hate him as much as you like Marissa."

"What? I don't like Marissa," he stuttered while raking his hair with his hand. "Why would you think that?"

Was he serious? I stared completely dumbfounded at him, my jaw slinking open. "You look like a kid on a sugar high. The love is literally oozing out of you in sparkling lights and flashing rainbows. It's totally obvious, August."

He frowned, his car keys jingling in his hand. "Right..."

"Are you going to make a move?"

"No way!"

I crossed my arms, growing confused by the minute. "Why not?"

August sighed, his shoulders slumping with the exhale. "Because every single guy in the office is gunning for her. They even have bets on who will be the first one to crack her shell. She wouldn't go for a rookie who can barely do his job. Not when she's dated such high end guys in the past."

"Woah, wait a minute," I said, pointing a finger and gouging it into his chest. "Women don't like being used as a bet, so all those stupid boys will lose. Second, she totally has the hots for you baby cakes. Show a little confidence and ask her out. I mean nothing's going to start if you sit on your haunches like a docile police dog."

"You really think it's possible?"

I gave him the once over. Beautiful blue eyes that melt a woman's heart, check. Fluffy, hand enticing blond hair, double check. A solid body frame and a smile that lights up your heart—definitely. "I'd say yeah. I mean August, I wouldn't even talk to you if you weren't to my tastes."

"I'm not on your hit list?" He grinned at me, showing his pearly whites.

"The flavor of the month is tall, dark and handsome; sorry you don't fit the bill," I said and winked at him.