Free Winter Wolf by RJ Blain

forget about Scott, not entirely.
    When I didn’t reply, Dominic made a soft, amused sound. “You’re so subdued when you just wake up. I’ll pick you up at two, just in case. Dress casually; they’re providing costumes. Expect screen tests. I trust you can memorize lines better than you can keep your appointments.”
    The well-aimed jab for missing today’s appointment jerked me from my thoughts. Instead of apologizing, as I should have, I stuck my tongue out at him.
    He laughed.
    “I don’t forget my lines,” I replied with a dignified huff, letting some of my annoyance creep into my tone.
    Dominic’s grin wasn’t friendly. “How would I know?”
    “Do you want to die?” I whispered. The edge in my voice so sharp that Dominic sat straighter, his eyes widening a little. He didn’t move, as if I were some predator who had caught sight of prey.
    Then he started to shake, doubling over. It wasn’t until he made a soft snorting noise that I realized he was laughing. “I yield,” he choked out.
    “You better.” I paused before I continued, “Don’t worry, I won’t forget my lines.”
    What was there to forget? In most cases, I only had one or two lines. Lines were easy. Silent roles, where my body language and expressions had to speak for me, were the hardest.  I always found lines easier than speaking without words.
    In either case, I’d manage.
    Dominic relaxed, flashing me another one of his perfect smiles. “See to it that you don’t. At two, then.”
    We stared at each other for a long moment, and Dominic shook his head and laughed again. Then, without another word, he rose, grabbing his suitcase. He stuffed his feet into his shoes and left, offering me a waved farewell before shutting the door behind him.
    I scowled down at the paper he’d left for me. Maybe I had deserved his aloof, better-than-thou attitude for missing our appointment. I had reason, even if I hadn’t found the courage to tell him what had happened.
    He’d find out soon enough, once Detective Harding called him. I hoped the police wouldn’t follow up with my agent, but I doubted my luck would hold that long. When Dominic found out, I suspected he’d be more than a little angry with me.
    At least I didn’t have to worry about my agent bailing out on me until after the auditions. A good agent in Los Angeles was hard to find, and Dominic was among the best. He didn’t give up on his actors and actresses, not without just cause, and not until a project was over.
    I wrinkled my nose, leaned over, and snatched the paper from my coffee table. Judging from the time stamp on the top of the page, Dominic had gone back to his office when I hadn’t shown up. Not only was the sheet a brief overview of what I could expect—several screen tests, fittings, and a general audition—it was also a warning indicating I would be under a non-disclosure agreement during the filming. I flipped the page over. He had printed on both sides.
    I folded the sheet and stuffed it inside of my copy of Among Us . I stared at the bloodstains on the pages. I didn’t need the reminder of what had happened in the bookstore; it lurked in my memories, threatening to smother me.
    I needed to know the truth. Why had Scott died, and who had killed him? Until I found out, I’d never find peace, and would live in fear of the Inquisition.
    Clenching my hands into fists, I marched to my bedroom to get dressed. I would find out the truth, one way or another. Fortunately, as a wizard, and there was something I could do. I hoped I wouldn’t regret my decision to once again meddle with the occult.
     
    ~~*~~
     
    I took a cab to the storage facility in the heart of Los Angeles, muttering curses the entire way over the exorbitant fees. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching me. The sensation didn’t fade even after I made my way to my ground floor unit.
    With a smile, I unlocked the door and lifted the door up. In the entire complex,