“Take care, you two,” I reply.

“Don’t be so glum,” Archie says, patting Tyler’s arm. “The kidnapping was not our fault. I’m sure the town doesn’t blame us. I’ll contact John Erickson this week and have a chat with him about it.”

Tyler averts his eyes from me. “Right. Let’s go, Zoe. I had a long day and want to get to sleep. Bye, Archie.”

“Be careful driving home,” he replies.

“Bye.” Zoe waves as they walk away.

I put on my black witch’s cape because the temperature has dropped a bit. Archie grasps my fingers, and we stroll onto the Green, sharing glances of affection and absorbing the night’s event, too, I suppose. We must look like an odd pair, the witch and the vampire. While we weave through the maze of paver walkways and grass, he kisses the back of my hand several times.

“Do you remember me kissing you like this on our stroll through the Green the first Samhain?”

A soft chuckle breaks free. “Of course I do. I’ll never forget. Ever.”

“You were so hot that night. But then, I always hunger for you, Gwyn.”

We turn into the alleyway, and about halfway through, he leads me to the side of Menzies Hall. After guiding me to the brick exterior, he kisses me and slides a hand between my legs. He rubs me through my panties, making me wet. But I won’t repeat the act in the alley again.

“Stop, Archie,” I say, panting. “Not here. And I thought your butt still hurts.”

“Not as much as my front burns, aching for you.”

I laugh so loud it echoes in the alleyway. “You should get an antibiotic for that.”

He pulls his hand out from under my witch’s skirt. “You think you’re bloody funny, witch?”

“I am, Dr. Cock-burn,” I say, rubbing his swollen bulge through his black chinos.

A corner of his mouth curls up. “You tease.”

He kisses me again as I continue to stroke him, but I’m distracted by a clicking in the distance. I want him so badly, but my brain refuses to filter out the sound.

I push on his firm chest. “Somebody’s coming up the alley.”

Archie peers ahead as the shadow of a tall figure approaches. He smooths out my skirt and steps back.

“It’s Seamus Duffy.” He crosses his hands over his crotch. “Good evening.”

“To both of you as well,” he replies, his eyes flipping between us. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Archie clears his throat. “No. Gwyn’s high heels were bothering her feet, so she stopped to take a break.”

“I thought you went home when the Unremarkables left,” I say, stepping next to Archie. “You still have your costume on.”

He smiles slightly. “As do you. Perhaps we can walk together?”

“Aye. Why not?” Archie asks, clasping my hand.

As we stroll toward Douglas Street, the crescent moon peeks through strips of clouds, adding illumination to the occasional streetlight. The air turns chilly, and not only because of the cool breeze. I don’t think the Irish professor believed Archie’s explanation. He knew he interrupted an intimate moment between Archie and me. And he didn’t appear embarrassed by it at all. But I’m more curious why he hung around after, and I can’t let it go.

“So, why are you out so late?” I ask Seamus.

“Oh, yes. I failed to answer you,” he replies. “I lingered for a while, hoping to gather clues regarding the disappearance of the child. As a cat sith witch, I use my sixth sense to observe and extract information. However, I’m not always successful. Tonight was one of those times.”

Hmmm…he has a developed witch’s intuition. Good to know. “Do you think magic is involved?”

“Because of the ongoing investigation, the Bearsden Police won’t divulge what they have or haven’t found. They have no leads at this time. Very suspicious.”

“I agree,” Archie says. “Gwyn has sensed the use of magic after the kidnappings.”

I chuckle. “Or it’s gas. I experienced a tightness in my gut but also an aura. In fact, I followed a stream of the residue at the Pumpkin House. It stopped when I walked onto the back porch.” Hmph. Where Seamus was standing.

“Interesting.” The Irish professor smiles. “Perhaps we can continue this discussion at the library tomorrow at our usual afternoon research meeting?”

“Sure. But the library may not be the most appropriate venue for discussing magic, don’t you think?”

We’ve arrived at Seamus’s bungalow, and he turns toward us. “Perhaps you should come here instead? I could make tea?”

Archie squeezes my hand. I get his message, but I need to pursue this.

“That sounds great,” I say, pulling on Archie. “I’m exhausted after this evening. Let’s go. Goodnight, Seamus.”

“To you as well,” he replies. “I am sorry for interrupting your private moment in the alley.”

He locks eyes with mine and limps on his cane up the front walk. Archie and I continue toward Kent Way to Duncan Street.

“For fawk’s sake, Gwyn,” he says. “Did you observe how Seamus acted? His comment at the end? He has feelings for you. You want his help to find the being from your vision, but meeting with him most Fridays only encourages him.”

I huff and pull my hand from his. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much, and I’m doing nothing that would make him think I have more than feelings of friendship for him. Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do. But I have to work with him. It’s becoming awkward.”

We walk in silence until we enter through the front of his cottage. He shuts the door while I bend over to pull off my high-heeled boots. I lose my balance and tumble to the floor, landing on my ass.

I rub my backside. “Ugh. I should have sat on the stairs.”

“Let me help.” Archie kneels and grabs the heel of my boot. “I’m sorry about before. Meeting with Seamus is entirely your business. I suppose the green-eyed monster was bound to appear, eventually.”

My brow crinkles. “Are you referring to Seamus or yourself? Because you know he has green eyes.”

“Yes, I am aware. But I’m not referring to him.”

“Are you jealous of him? Oh, Archie. There isn’t any universe where I’d fall for anyone else. You’re my heart.”

He pulls my boot off and throws it aside. “Prove it, witch.”

My abdomen convulses as I laugh. “Right here on the foyer rug?”