Izabella

Dawn always worried too much, but I appreciated it. We’ve been working together so long that if she weren’t checking on me or putting my tech together, I’d be lost.

“Do you have everything you need?” The rich alto voice on the other end of the phone asked.

“Yes, Dawn. I have everything. This shouldn’t take much longer. Simple meet and greet, with quick in-out, followed by a snatch and grab. Standard stuff.”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

I laughed. I could always count on Dawn to make me laugh. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“I have a date or two myself. Nothing serious.”

“What happened to that one guy?” I was curious because she had seemed interested in him.

“Felix?”

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t pan out. The sex was nice, but he was a bit full of himself.”

“I thought most witches were humble and self-sacrificing. What happened?”

“Most, not all. Especially when their magic focuses on illusions and glamors. He said he was part fae too, but who knows.”

“Well, I hope you have a good time this weekend. I’ll give you an update when I’m on my way back.”

“Have fun.”

“Don’t I always?”

We ended our call. Goodbyes weren’t our thing. I smiled, thinking about Dawn dealing with some stuffed up guy she probably could have knocked flat on his ass. She’d dated a couple of other people too. There was one gal that I met once, and they’d been super cute together, geeking out over different tech, but they’d decided they were better as friends.

It was the same between Dawn and me. We had this shared trust that was always between us. I could always call Dawn to get me out of tough spots. I did the same for her. I half wondered what she would think of the handsome professor I’d been tailing for my latest job. A month’s worth of surveillance, and after everything I’d gathered, I determined tonight would be an excellent night to wrap up this job and head home.

The professor usually worked late on Friday nights, grading papers. I slipped into the history building before it closed. I accessed the ventilation system and found my usual observation spot above his office. The system was older, so there was more room. It was a common way for me to get in and out of buildings. I had advantages others didn’t in that department.

The only problem was the grime. Dawn had rigged a lightweight filtration system. Simple caps that went in my nostrils and mouth that quieted any breaths and took care of the dust. Very similar to what people used for scuba diving to pull oxygen from water. The irony was not lost on me since I’d never been near water in my life.

My professor, William Tennesson, sometimes left his keys to grab a coffee or go to the bathroom. I was waiting for that moment because when he did, I’d grab them, do a comprehensive scan of the ones I needed for the vault, snag a print from his mug, then make my way down to the storage area where the vault would be and have the rest of the night to ease my way inside. Simple.

Except, that went completely to hell about an hour into my vent occupation. They were going out to a club called Heilo to set the professor up on a date. I was surprised really, handsome guy like that should be able to date fairly easily. Tennesson dressed like an older man with a button-up, slacks, and a tie, but his physical appearance made me think he was in his late thirties or maybe early forties. He had a full beard and a skin tone that made him look like he was weathered a bit, but not too weathered. Looks could be deceiving. Magic skews everything. Still, I was surprised he wasn’t dating anyone.

As I listened to the story, his coworker spun about the situation. I was amused and happy that he had someone to push him to try new things. Dawn would ask about dating, but she never pushed. Dating complicated things. Especially with this job. And I loved my job. I’ve enjoyed my job, and I'm very proud of my work.

Since the professor’s plans changed, so did mine. It will be simple enough to follow him, see what he was interested in, and modify myself accordingly. Maybe have a little fun of my own if it worked out.

Once I extracted myself from the History & Cultural Studies building, I changed and went directly to the club they spoke about. Where they were headed wasn’t very far from campus, and the crowd was easy to blend into.

I found a good vantage point and watched for a few minutes after I ordered a drink. Speed dating was an interesting concept to me, but I could see the appeal. I watched as the professor passed on a couple of people that were reasonably attractive, one I assumed was a guy, and the other I thought was a woman. The next was a snappy dresser, but they didn’t seem to interest the professor either.

It occurred to me that maybe I didn’t have to worry about what I looked like. I probably should, out of caution, but even if the professor put things together, I doubt he would report me. The item I wanted, he shouldn’t be in possession of anyway. Or at least that’s the story I was told. I wasn’t too concerned about it.

Rich people take stuff from each other all the time. I was a middle person of sorts, facilitating the transaction. You’d be surprised how many times I’d stolen the same object over the years to deliver it into someone else’s hands, only to have someone contract my services later to steal it back.

I left the spot I watched from, and I added myself to the queue that would put me as the fifth person for the professor’s table. As I approached him, I knew immediately that this job wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. His hazel-eyed gaze met mine. As cheesy as it might sound, we made an instant connection, and I knew I was in trouble.