A Demon Does It Better (11 page)

The witch didn’t miss the sight of a few more snags on her couch cushions while the cat kept her own elegant pillow in pristine condition. She had a feeling that her arrogant feline, as if there were any other, took out her frustration on the furniture.

Note
to
self. Bring in a scratching post for her highness before she shreds the entire couch.

Lili paused for a quick visual to make sure her hair was still neatly twisted on top of her head. She wore little makeup while working, so she only needed to refresh her lip gloss and add a touch of blush.

“A hint of perfume wouldn’t hurt,” Cleo suggested.

“He’s my boss.”

“And he’s also an old-fashioned male who’s not dead even if he’s got to be close to a thousand years old. Don’t use enough scent to seduce him, the way I bet you want to with that demon, but a little to soften the old fogy up is a good idea.”

Lili knew better than to argue with the former Egyptian seductress. Anyone who had been the lover of both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony knew what she was talking about!

Lili had a habit of pretending deafness when Cleo indulged in too much catnip wine and burbled on happily about her extensive sex life. To this day, she didn’t know how the former queen of Egypt ended up as a cat, and that was one thing Cleo had remained close-lipped about.

“Much better,” the feline pronounced after Lili presented herself for her approval. She sat up and stretched. “I believe I will visit the children’s ward. Younglings always need cheering up.”

“No begging treats from them,” Lili warned, knowing her words were in vain. Cleo was shameless when it came to begging for adoration and nummies. But she couldn’t scold her, since the cat was wonderful at distracting the young from their ills.

Lili made her way to Dr. Mortimer’s office and was instantly admitted to the antique-laden room. He directed her to a heavily embroidered chair that she was positive was stuffed with horsehair. She tried not to wrinkle her nose at the strong scent of his tobacco that hung in the air. A carved pipe sat in a nearby ashtray.

After accepting his offer of tea, she took a covert look at her surroundings. Lili was used to a wizard doctor’s office being of the stuffy variety. Usually there was too much furniture, books, and scrolls from various eras and frequently a collection of personal keepsakes. She saw books her fingers itched to peruse and pieces of jade and ivory. She narrowed her eyes a bit, sensing a haze over the shelves covering the walls, but discovered it only gave her a sense of disorientation. She swallowed the hint of nausea and returned her gaze to the desk.

“They’re lovely pieces,” she commented when she noticed he was watching her.

“Thank you. I spent some time in China in the 1700s studying under a revered healer and later moved to Africa where I heard of a tribal medicine man who was successful with herbs. There are gifts from both of them on that table.” His demeanor relaxed a little. “According to your personnel records, your mother was a very talented healer.”

She tamped down the sharp prick of pain in her heart. “Yes, she was. I learned a great deal from her before I entered the Witches Academy.” She tried not to shift around on the prickly chair as she leaned forward for her teacup in hopes it would help the slight sense of imbalance. Luckily, a few sips seemed to make her feel better. She smiled and waited for her superior’s reason for requesting her presence.

“I will be frank with you, Dr. Carter.” The wizard sipped his Earl Grey. “The more I think about it, the more I realize just how uncomfortable I am with you treating Patient 1172. Especially with your insistence you not have the aides in the room with you.” He nodded at her look of surprise. “Yes, I was informed you ordered them out of the treatment room. Considering his deranged mind, that is not advisable.”

“All patients are allowed their privacy,” she said, knowing it was a reminder he might not want to hear. “And I will be honest, Dr. Mortimer, I don’t feel Turtifo and Coing always consider a patient’s welfare. They tend to be a little rough in their handling of some of them. That bothers me a great deal.”

“I understand your concerns, Doctor, but you must remember that all the patients down there are labeled dangerous,” he pointed out. His expression turned grim, sending a slight chill through her body. “My aides’ credentials are impeccable, Dr. Carter. I would like to remind you they are there for your protection. Do not ignore their uses.” He picked up a sheet of paper and made a few notations.

Lili felt the tightness in her jaw increase until pain shot around the base of her neck. She didn’t miss the darkness in Dr. Mortimer’s eyes nor the grim set to his face. She didn’t think she dared try a little push of power again. If he realized what she did, she would be immediately dismissed, and no hospital would hire her.

The kindly, somewhat eccentric, wizard doctor was gone and something else took his place. He left her in no doubt who was in charge.

“You may treat the others below, but Patient 1172 will be left to me. He is much too dangerous for you. That is all, Dr. Carter.” His dismissal was abrupt.

“Dr. Mortimer,” she murmured around her clenched jaw. She pushed herself out of her chair and headed for the door.

“Doctor.” The wizard’s voice stopped her. “You must realize I am doing this for your own good. You are new to treating the emotionally damaged. In time, I am certain you will have the knowledge to be an asset in this field. After all, even I was under strict restraints in the beginning.” He offered her a brief smile. “You young people can be too eager at times when patience is sorely needed. I promise you that this will be the only change.”

She nodded and murmured, “Thank you.”

Lili left the office with all the speed she could muster and made a quick detour to the ER.

“What’s wrong?” Deisphe asked, noting her heightened color.

Lili rummaged in the drug cabinet and pulled out a small linen sack. The scent of lavender filled the room. She instantly pressed it against her forehead while uttering words meant to calm her aching head.

“Dragon lady or Dr. Mortimer?” the nurse asked, leaning a hip against the counter.

“Dr. Mortimer,” she muttered, waiting for her headache to subside. She wanted coffee or even a cup of water to wash the aftertaste of tea out of her mouth. She never did like Earl Grey.

“Then aren’t you in luck we get off duty in a little bit. You need to get out there and relax.” Deisphe grinned. “Put on some sexy clothes and meet us at Crieze at seven. We’ll find some hot guys, and we’ll drink, dance, and have fun.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Knowing Weres, Lili had no doubt about that. She opened her mouth to decline but changed her mind at the last instant.

“It sounds like just what I need.”

The witch stopped in her office long enough to pick up her bag before she headed upstairs to the children’s ward. She’d barely stepped off the elevator when she heard the sounds of laughter and loud voices. And knew the source.

“Hello, Dr. Carter,” Jana the pediatric nurse greeted her with a smile. “Your cat is making quite an impression with our young here,” she told her. “You’ll find them in the solarium.”

“Cleo does love getting attention,” Lili admitted. “Please, always feel free to tell her if she ever becomes too much trouble.”

The faery nurse named Zia shook her head. Her pearlescent wings fluttered back and forth with the soothing scent of vanilla. Waist-length hair the shade of a rare pearl was coiled on top of her head in a neat twist. “I doubt the younglings would allow it. Many have parents who can’t visit them as often as they’d like, so it’s good when they have diversions.”

“Cleo’s good at that, all right.” Lili chuckled, admiring the brightly colored walls and large windows that allowed abundant light to enter the room. A mural of gnomes, leprechauns, and brownies was painted on the walls. She noticed several wraiths, dressed in vintage nursing uniforms, drifting through the halls, stopping in a room and smiling at the occupant. “She’s your typical furry drama queen.”

“We also have some Wuzzies here for the children who are well enough to play,” Zia told her. “But I think Cleo is now the more popular guest.”

“What kind of illnesses do you see up here?” Lili asked curiously. “I haven’t worked with pediatrics very much except for children who show up in the ER.”

“Some of the same common ailments for any child. Broken bones that refuse to knit with traditional magick, some diseases that affect various supe races,” the nurse replied. “We have a few Selkie young here who have had trouble with their pelts. A brownie that was exposed to an odd herb that created a horrible skin disorder.”

Lili nodded. “I should collect Cleo. I’d like to return here, if I may?”

“Anytime.” Zia smiled warmly. “Just follow the noise, and you’ll easily find the solarium.”

Lili discovered Zia was right. Especially when she could hear Cleo.

“Puss in Boots is nothing like that hunky cat in
Shrek
,” she could hear Cleo saying. “More’s the pity.”

Lili stood in the entryway and watched a young male elf pop up from the semicircle.

“Will you tell us another story?” he asked.

Cleo spied Lili. “It appears I’m being collected.” She arched her furry body and shook her head at the shouted “No!” from her audience.

“I’ll be back,” she promised with a comforting purr in her voice.

Lili smiled, knowing her feline was also purring to keep the children calm. There might not be IV bags among the young patients, but she could see the charms and medallions they wore and the runes woven into their hospital gowns. No matter the race, they were well protected and everything was being done to restore them to perfect health.

So
much
magick
in
the
world,
and
there
are
still
some
things
we
can’t protect the young from.

The cat walked regally by Lili’s side as they returned downstairs.

“You’re very good with them,” Lili said, feeling guilty she hadn’t praised her friend more often for the tireless work she did to cheer up children.

Cleo sniffed. “I was a mother once.”

“And seduced your share of men,” the witch muttered.

“Not as many as the movies claim. And the actresses they’ve used in the past? Puleeze!”

Lili couldn’t help it. She had to laugh.

“As if you know what a sex life is like.” Cleo got in her parting shot before she picked up the pace and preceded Lili out of the building.

“There is nothing worse than a smart-ass cat.”

It wasn’t the bright lights that surrounded Crieze’s large entrance and the sign above it that Lili saw first when she slotted her car into the parking spot. Her attention zeroed in on the tall shadows gathered nearby that looked very familiar and man-shaped. She climbed out of her SUV and started toward the dark tendrils then halted when the silhouette seemed to morph into a tiny ball until it was gone.

A
demon
does
it
better
, something whispered in her ear.

“Just my imagination, nothing more,” she told herself, taking an abrupt turn in the other direction and heading for the club. She ignored the tingles running across her shoulders as she walked swiftly across the parking lot. “Damn him.”

Once inside, Lili thought about leaving immediately. She winced as the musical and vocal assault punished her ears. She quickly conjured up a bit of a noise-dampening spell to make it easier and looked around the club until she saw Deisphe waving at her.

“You made it! Cute outfit, by the way.” The Were handed her a glass with contents the color of spearmint that fizzed merrily. “You need to catch up with us.” She introduced Lili to the two nurses and doctor who shared the table.

Lili looked at her companions’ club wear and was glad she’d taken the time to shower and change into a short black silk skirt and hot pink sequined tank top with a black knit shrug that sported iridescent threads. She had flatironed her curly hair and twisted it up into an intricate ponytail.

“How do you stand the noise?” She was grateful she didn’t have to shout at Deisphe, since the Were’s hearing could easily pick up her words.

The lovely Were grinned and pointed to her ears. “Music protectors. Believe me, this noise is nothing. The music in a Were club can be loud enough to demolish a building.”

“Our Deisphe gives a whole new meaning to the name party animal. Always a pleasure to see you, Lili,” Heron, the gnome doctor, smiled at her, revealing short stubby teeth that went along with his short stubby body. While he wasn’t Lili’s type, she noticed more than a few gnome ladies were giving him an appreciative eye, while bubbly Deisphe received her own share of attention—not just because the barely present silver dress outlining her slender body shimmered under the club lights.