The People v. Eleanor Warwick

It takes Henry’s rook taking her knight to make Eleanor remember they’re still playing.

“Check, girl,” Henry says as he sips his martini. “Third time. You’re off your game tonight.”

Eleanor scans the board, planning her move. “I’m a little preoccupied.”

“Please not with Jessie. She is hardly in need of anyone’s concern.”

“Well, not only her. Mahloof’s been up there a while.”

Henry offers a cocked eyebrow. “He has to eat a heart. Perhaps he’s savoring it.”

Eleanor nods. “I just feel bad for the guy.”

“Why? The odds of you having a match for someone are not terribly high. He’s a damn lucky fellow.”

“I guess.” Henry casually pulls out a cigar and starts to clip off the tip. “What are you doing?”

“I thought we could smoke in here now.”

“Jessie can. Put that away.”

His former pupil’s demeanor causes Henry to sigh. “You are in some kind of mood. It is Jessie, isn’t it?”

Eleanor begins to speak, but stops herself. After a moment, she starts again. “No. I’m not going to talk about her, Henry.”

“Well, if that’s not worth a drink, I don’t know what is.” He rises from the table and moves to the study’s liquor cabinet. “Will you please tell your pet to come down from the ceiling? We both know they’re up there.”

“Don’t spoil their fun.”

It’s too late. A massive scorpion-like creature drops to the floor, landing with suspect grace. As Henry returns to his seat, the creature snarls and bears their pincers menacingly.

Both wizards ignored them.

Recoiling in aggravation, the creature clicks and grunt in their strange language.

“Don’t get upset with me,” Henry answers without looking. “You are far too big to hide on such a low ceiling.”

Turning their attention to Eleanor, the creature offers another series of bizarre noises.

“It was a very good try. One of these days you’ll get us.” Eleanor knows it isn’t true, but she humors the beast. They want so badly to eat someone in that House but is unable. The creature is a fade, a being from another plane that can be perceived in ours. They can’t even touch someone much less eat them, but they’re a proud hunter and Eleanor wants to protect their feelings.

Before the strange conversation can go further, Mahloof staggers from the stairs and into the foyer. Leaning against the doorway, he clutches his stomach.

“I did it. Am I...?” he trails off as he looks up to see the fade staring at him from across the room. His eyes widened. “I’ve got to get the hell away from you people!” Mahloof runs to the door and swings it open.

“That’s just smart.”

“Shut up, Henry.” Eleanor comes up from her seat and rushes after the cabbie. “Mahloof! Wait!”

When Eleanor makes it out the door, she finds Mahloof standing in stunned disbelief as he beholds a shiny new cab. It’s a major upgrade from his previous vehicle. “Where did…?”

“It’s used. I hope that’s okay. I didn’t want to add losing your livelihood to the list of really bad things you’ve had to go through.”

The driver turns to her, not certain what to say. “I...thank you.”

“It was the least I could do. We did wreck your old one, after all,” Eleanor says with a smile. She extends her hand to the former werewolf. “Try not to get bit again.”

Mahloof looks down at Eleanor’s hand. Her smile fades as she retracts her gesture.

The cabbie glares at her. “I’ve never hurt anyone.”

“I know.”

“But you were going to kill me anyway. If you hadn’t found the heart.”

Eleanor glances away. “I…it’s only a matter of time. You have to understand- .”

“I have to live! I have a family!”

Snatching the keys from her hand, Mahloof circles the cab and climbs inside.

A man sits at a bus stop down the street, discreetly taking photos. He watches Eleanor tussle her hair as the cab peels out and hurries down the street.

Eleanor stands on the sidewalk a moment, looking up at nothing he can identify. Henry Willard appears in the doorway to the House. He grabs a few photos of him too, though he’s a tertiary target. They appear to exchange a few words before Eleanor throws up her hands and returns to the House.

He retrieves his cell phone and quickly selects a number. “Unit two checking in. Warwick is still at home. Doesn't look like she plans on leaving anytime soon. Is she sure we can’t just go in there and get her?”

The voice on the other end chuckles slightly. “You’re welcome to ask her yourself.”

The man nearly shivers at the thought of her icy glare. “Yeah, I’ll pass. What do I do?”

“You can come in. We're going to make out move in the morning. She’s ready to talk to her. Nice and personal.”