"An ice water, please!"
In the café, Russell ordered a glass of ice water. Veronica and Betty sat on either side of him, while the dead-eyed master and disciple, Balthazar and David, sat across from them.
There was no helping it. Five people in a four-person booth—Russell had no desire to sit close to the two men practically radiating resentment, so he had to squeeze himself between Veronica and Betty.
With a beautiful woman on each side and murderous glares coming from across the table, Russell was having twice the fun.
"Wizard Russell—no, Officer Russell. Driving a police car out at night, shouldn't you be maintaining order somewhere?"
Balthazar's words dripped with sarcasm. He only wanted to needle Russell into leaving so he could be alone with Veronica.
A thousand years had passed. Veronica had been sealed inside a Soul Vessel and only felt as if she had slept for a very, very long time. But for Balthazar, it had been an unimaginably long wait, and he had so much he wanted to say.
If he could have beaten Russell, he would have kicked him over long ago and embraced the beauty beneath the moon and flowers.
David shared the same thought. One third wheel had messed up two couples, making his teeth itch with hatred. He ordered a rack of ribs, then sat down and began grinding his teeth as he stared at Russell.
Creak, creak!
"It's fine. I'm not on duty tonight. Besides, there's still a purse snatcher stuffed in the car. I have to keep an eye on him so he doesn't run away."
Then hurry up and take him back to the station!
Balthazar picked up a rib and began grinding his teeth alongside his disciple.
Creak, creak!
"Veronica, are you really not going to reconsider?"