Chapter 3
"Dresden! I ought to kill you!"
I released a groan as I sat up, rubbing my neck. My couch had definitely not been made for my six foot and some odd self to sleep on and I knew I would be paying for it throughout the day.
I glared blearily up at the irate woman standing over me.
"Good morning to you too, Murph." I groaned again and then attempted to haul myself off the couch.
Murphy was fully dressed in the sweatpants and T-shirt that I had laid out for her last night. Her hair had been brushed and her bandage changed. It was obvious that she had been up for awhile.
"You had better have a good reason has to why I woke up in your bed Dresden! I distinctly remember lying down on the couch. Why didn't you wake me up for that matter!? Now I have to take another cold shower. You know, sometimes you can be a complete…"
The tirade that I had predicted last night continued, the grumbled complaints washing over me as I started to make breakfast. When she finally paused to take a breath, I turned to her and explained cheekily," Murphy, I'm hurt. I was thinking of your own interests, you know. I couldn't wake you up from your beauty sleep. You clearly needed it!"
The glare she gave me would have made a greater man quail, but I just grinned at her and went back to making breakfast. Hands on her hips, Murphy began I scathing retort but was interrupted by the sudden opening of my door.
A peroxide blond teenager walked in like she owned the place. She sported a nose ring, multiple tattoos, and fashionably torn clothing. She stopped in her tracks when she saw me and Murphy.
Shit! I had forgotten that Molly was supposed to stop by for practice today.
My apprentice stood in the doorway glancing from me to Murphy. When her gaze finally rested on me, she was smirking. Her expression clearly stated exactly what conclusion she had drawn upon seeing Murphy standing in my apartment, wearing my cloths, at 8:00 on a Saturday morning.
Murphy turned a delicate shade of pink (she was cute when she blushed) and I growled at my wayward apprentice, "What have I told you about knocking, Molly? I didn't teach you to deactivate the wards so that you could walk in any time you pleased!"
Molly's irritating smirk never wavered. "I never had a reason to knock before now. And how was I supposed to know that you had company?"
Her tone made it obvious what she thought me and my "company" had been doing.
"Its not what it looks like," I stammered, trying unsuccessfully to convince Molly of the truth (no matter how much I wished she was right). Murphy snorted beside me and Molly just raised an eyebrow. "It's not...there was a demon…Murphy just fell asleep on the couch and…" I gave up with a sigh because both women were now staring at me in amusement.
"Harry, I'm going to go," Murphy informed me, her early tirade forgotten.
"What about breakfast?" I asked her gesturing to the pan in which I was making scrambled eggs.
"I'll get some at home. I have to swing by and pick up so new ones, then I'm heading over to SI. There's a case I need to take another look at."
I nodded and escorted her to the door, which earned me yet another glare, although this one was decidedly half-hearted.
"See ya later, Murph. Thanks for your help yesterday."
"Yeah, see ya, later Dresden," She replied and then was gone.
I glanced back at Molly as I forced my door shut again. "Ready to work on your meditation?" I asked her.
Molly rolled her eyes. "Let's eat breakfast first. I'm starving," She said and promptly helped herself to the eggs I'd prepared.
