[Southern Arcana 1] Crux by Moira Rogers

flashy. Just a little ooga booga here and there to keep the customers happy.”
    “Sounds fun.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice.
    “Will you tell me when he’s doing it?”
    His brows drew together, but he only nodded. “Sure.
    Want to head out? We’ll have to hoof it over to Bourbon for the tour.”
    Stop it, damn it. Stop with the flirting. The stress was obviously getting to her, and she needed a release. Maybe walking would burn off some of her extra energy. “Let’s go.”

    ***
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    Jackson took another bite of his frozen lemonade. “So, what did you think?”
    Mackenzie laughed and poked at her lemonade with a plastic spoon. “Henry seems fun. He’s a great performer.”
    “Yeah, he’s pretty good.” He put a hand on her shoulder to guide her past a group of college kids. She seemed fairly relaxed at the moment, something for which he was grateful.
    All evening, she’d been wavering between tranquil and intense, almost uneasy, and it was starting to worry him.
    “Anything else you want to see, or do you want to go back to my place and watch some television?”
    “Hmm.” She seemed to consider it as she dropped her gaze to her cup again, and her shoulder tensed slightly under his hand. Her next step was too close, and she bumped into him. “Sorry. I think television would be good. I’m tired.”
    “You all right?” he asked, concerned. “You seem a little off.”
    “I’m not sure. I’ve been feeling…antsy. Maybe I’m not used to this much sleep.”
    His frown deepened, and he threw the rest of his melting lemonade in a nearby garbage can. “Come on. We won’t wait for the streetcar. We’ll take a cab.” He laid a hand on her elbow and stepped to the curb, raising an arm to signal a taxi.
    It was impossible not to hear the way her breathing hitched as his fingers brushed her skin. She shivered and www.samhainpublishing.com 111

    Moira Rogers
    dropped her cup in the can after his. “A taxi might be a good idea.”
    When a yellow cab slowed to a stop beside them, Jackson opened the door for Mackenzie. “Hop in, and we’ll get you home as fast as we can.”
    She was fidgeting when he slid in next to her, one leg bouncing restlessly as she drummed her fingers on her knee.
    “Maybe I had too much caffeine.” The light tone sounded false, and he could feel her vibrating with barely leashed energy next to him.
    “Maybe.” He found himself wishing Mahalia would call him back. He had the vague, uncomfortable sense that whatever was going on with Mackenzie wasn’t as mundane as a coffee overdose. He gave the cabbie his address and scooted farther from her, moving his leg away from hers. “It won’t be long.”
    “Okay.” She let her head fall back as she closed her eyes.
    After several deep breaths, her body began to relax. “God, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just stress. There’s been so much going on…”
    “Don’t sweat it. Stress can do some crazy things.”
    “I suppose.” She kept her eyes closed, but her hand snuck across the seat until it found his. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    “You’re welcome, Kenzie.”
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    They reached his apartment quickly, and Jackson paid the driver while Mackenzie stood by the cab, still looking like she was going to jump out of her skin.
    “Come on.” He led her down the sidewalk. “You probably got overheated. We’ll get you a big glass of water and—” His words cut off as he touched his door, his hand flattening against the wood with a slap.
    Something is wrong. Terribly wrong.
    He cast a quick look around and shoved his cell phone into Mackenzie’s hand. “Here,” he said quietly. “Speed dial number two and tell Alec to get his ass here five minutes ago.” She flipped open the phone.
    Jackson only vaguely heard her speaking as he opened the door and walked in, surveying his living room. It looked the same as it had when they’d left that