***Chapter 2***

I shook my head as I brought my attention back to reality. I was still in my tiny kitchen, holding a mug of coffee in my hands. It was 5:30am and my roommates were still asleep. I went back into my room and got dressed. Today was my first day back to MSI. Merlin said I could take a few more days to adjust to the city life again, but I could not even sleep in.

I walked down the cramped stairs and headed over to the Union Square market. I looked around, in anticipation of seeing the skeleton creature that seemed to follow me before or a harpy, but the coast was clear. If I wanted to have a semi-normal relationship with Owen, I had to be more careful. Wishing for a normal relationship was impossible in itself. I suppose it's true that with great power comes great responsibility. Owen had to keep the world safe, which would keep me safe as well.

I crossed the street as the white walking figure appeared on the pedestrian signal and approached a fruit stand. The golden apples seemed so fresh and juicy that I could not pass a chance to pick up a few. It was a bit past 6 o'clock when I got back to the apartment from grocery shopping. As I tried to put all the pots and pans out of the way, I noticed a tall figure pacing up and down the block. The man was in his mid-twenties. He was tall and rather good looking. Of course he did not compare to Owen, but that did not mean he was ugly. The man on the sidewalk looked up into the window of the apartment, saw my face, and quickly disappeared. That was strange, I thought. Without much thought, I went back to baking apple turnovers.

Marcia was the first one to crawl out of her room. She walked into the room, sniffing the air. "Something smells good. I'm fairly sure that means Katie is baking us some breakfast," she said, flashing an innocent smile at me.

"I was planning to bring them to work today, but I think I made enough for everyone," I replied, as I slid a coffee mug and a plate with a fresh apple turnover across the counter. Marcia squealed with delight and dug into her breakfast. Next came Gemma. All I had to do was look at her to read her mind. As I handed her an apple turnover, she looked like a kid who was finally getting her Christmas present.

"I think I better save the rest for work." I packed the baked goodies into a box and put them aside.

"So what did I miss while I was away?"

Marcia answered, as Gemma was still finishing her breakfast. "We didn't fight any of your enemies, if that's what you're asking. But we had our share of excitement. Rod asked me to go to his parents' for his birthday next month. I know I said I wasn't looking for anything serious, but I really like Rod. He might've been one of the biggest players and flirts in the past, but he's changing." I did not find it all that surprising. Ethelinda, the fairy godmother, said that Rod will eventually settle down, he just needed to find the right girl. It was possible that Marcia might be her.

"Philip is making headways in the suit against the Vandermeer and Company's Mr. and Miss Meredith. Ethan has drafted an official summons for that wicked Sylvia. It'll be handled by the Magical Council, since taking it to a regular court isn't possible. It won't be an easy fight, but Owen documented the traces of the enchantment spell on Philip. We don't know how much it will help, but the odds look in our favor. We just need to wait now, as it will be a long and dragged out case. Unless magical people have a way to look into the past and get this thing settled." Gemma gave me questioning look. "Sorry Gemma, but I don't think I can be any help here. Magical laws and physics give me a headache."

I went back into my room and put my work clothes on. It was warm enough outside to wear a skirt, but after being gone for three months, I had a feeling I will need to move around a lot during my first week back at work. I put on a touch of floral perfume and smeared some of the light pink lip gloss sample that my mom stuffed into my luggage. I grabbed the box of turnovers as I headed out. I practically flew down the stairs in anticipation of having my first morning commute with Owen in over three months.

A big smile spread across my face as I stepped outside of the door. Owen was standing on the sidewalk, holding two cups of Starbucks. His eyes sparkled and his hair, even though a bit ruffled, moved with the wind. He bashfully smiled at me, making my knees go weak. Does he even know what kind of power he has over me? Somehow I doubted it. Sometimes he was too oblivious to his surroundings, but that was also part of his charm.

"Good morning," he said, as he handed me a cup of coffee and gently kissed me.

"Good morning," I replied, with my voice slightly shaking. It was not the first time he kissed me, but every time he did, it felt like it was the first time.

We headed down the street towards the subway. Owen curiously looked at the box I was carrying. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Depends on what you're thinking." A blush appeared on his cheeks. I opened up the box with the pastries and handed him one. I was planning to save these for lunch at work, but seeing one of the happiest expressions on Owen's face was more than I could ask for. If making him happy was this easy, I think I was in a good shape.

As we descended into the subway, I noticed the same man that was outside my windows today standing a few feet away from us. "See that man at your 3 o'clock? He was looking into the window of the apartment today at 6 in the morning," I whispered to Owen.

Owen instantly turned his head in the direction of the man. His expression was serious, yet calm. The train arrived at the station without Owen needing to summon it. It was extremely overpopulated, so that Owen and I had to push our way in. I did not mind the cramped space, but Owen seemed uncomfortable. I clung to his arm, as the train jerked into motion. Sometimes there are advantages to otherwise crappy situations. Being flung against Owen's body was definitely one of them.

Owen frowned as we made our way to the ground. I looked back and saw the same man walking a few feet behind. My heart started pounding. This could not be happening. It was my second day back to New York City and I was already followed by some shady man. At that moment, Owen put his arm around my waist and held on tight. Then he abruptly turned around and we came face to face with the mystery man. Owen locked his eyes on the man, as if ready to pounce on him any second if he made the wrong move. Seeing Owen this way made me gulp.

"What do you want from Katie?" Owen's voice was firm, all traces of warmth gone.

The tall man gracefully lifted his hat up and back down. "I am sorry if I startled you. My name is Fionn[1] ó hAodha[2] or Finn Hughes in modern English. You can call me Finn. I am one of the clerks at the Magic Council. I am handling Mr. Philip's case. I was sent to investigate your and your friends' connection to the case, but it appears your house has been warded." He extended his arm to shake Owen's hand.

"Owen Palmer," said Owen, as he shook Finn's hand and relaxed his grip around my waist. Finn was a really tall and pale Irishman. If it was not for his name, I would not have thought he was Irish. He had dark grey eyes and thin lips. His head was covered with thick light brown wavy hair, with a distant hint of red. He must have been at least six feet and three inches tall. His body frame was slim, almost on the lanky side, but you could tell there were some muscle underneath his clothes. Somehow I had an image of leprechauns in my head and he did not fit the bill.

"I would like to speak to you in private," Finn continued, "about your possible assistance in this case. The Council has entrusted me with the collection of all and any background information pertaining to the investigation. As I was told, you were the lady that freed Philip from the spell, which makes you one of the key witnesses."

Great, I thought, just what I needed. Getting tangled up in a magical law suit was definitely not on my to-do list any time soon. But feeling obligated to Gemma, I said "I'm not familiar with magical laws, but I will help as much as I can. We can meet today after work and go to one of the downtown restaurants." I glanced at Owen and added, "Mr. Palmer will be joining us, if you do not mind."

"Of course not. I have heard great things about Mr. Palmer and am looking forward to getting to know you both." He ran off into the masses of people before we had a chance to reply.

"Well, that's a great start to the week," I said.

"Could be worse." I wasn't sure whether Owen was trying to make a joke or was deeply concerned about this situation.

[1] Finn: Old Irish form of modern Gaelic Fionn, meaning "fair, white." In Irish legend, this is the name of a hero, Finn MacCool, who became all-knowing after eating a magic salmon.

[2] Hughes - old Irish ó hAodha - meaning fire