0.5-The Asylum Interviews: Bronx: An Asylum Tales Short Story by Jocelynn Drake Read Free Book Online

were pulled together and slung with my bare hands. This circle and symbol crap took too much concentration. And sadly, magic was not something that you could half-ass or you risked losing your ass.
    “The good news is that I should be able to fix this mess. I just need some time. The bad news is that fixing it likely means wiping out everything that was done. You’ll be back to normal, or as normal as you ever were.”
    “That’s fine,” Parker said with a heavy sigh of relief.
    “But that means you’re back to square one with your problem regarding Jill and your relationship. You’ve still got to fix that.”
    “How?”
    “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” I threw up my hands, fighting the urge to stomp down the stairs or punch him. “Do you really think asking me is a good idea? As I recall, talking to a pair of tattoo artists about your love life got you into this mess. We’re all potion happy. Why don’t you tell her the truth? All of it. See what happens. I can’t imagine that it would be a bigger disaster than this.”
    Parker nodded. “You’re right. I’ll talk to her. How long is this going to take?”
    “Not sure. I need to do some research and make some phone calls. I’ve got a couple ideas of what can possibly fix this, but the ingredients that I need for the new tattoo are really hard to get my hands on. In the meantime, I need you to stay in the apartment. Don’t open the door and don’t let anyone inside no matter what. Don’t tell Jill where you are or you risk her coming down here. Call me if you have any problems.”
    “Got it.”
    “And don’t touch any of the symbols drawn around the apartment.”
    “Okay.”
    Waving at Parker, I started down the stairs when he called to me. I turned around to find him still in the doorway. “Honestly, would this have happened if you had tattooed me?”
    “Honestly?” I stared at him, seeing the tattoo in my mind. “If I had done it, it probably would have been worse. And I think he did a nicer job on the ink than I could have done. Any tattoo artist would have approved of the potion and design, but all would have agreed it was a risk. I’ve never heard of an incubus or a succubus being tattooed with this particular intent. It’s not Bronx’s fault.”
    “Are you going to hire him?”
    The corner of my mouth lifted in a half grin. “I’d count myself lucky if he agreed to take the job after this fiasco. If that tattoo is a good example of his work, he’s very skilled and I need to grab him up before someone else finds him.”
    Parker waved at me one last time and ducked back into the apartment. “Thanks Gage.” He was sounding more than a little disheartened. I didn’t know if he was more depressed about the fact that the tattoo had failed to do what he needed it to do or because he would have to sit down with Jill and tell her the truth.
    While I didn’t envy his confrontation with Jill, I figured things could have turned out a whole lot worse. And still could if I didn’t get this fixed fast. I had already managed to catch the attention of the Ivory Towers, which no one wanted ever. I didn’t need Gideon hovering over me more than he already did. Besides, Low Town had enough problems, it didn’t need to become a feeding ground for things a lot scarier than the occasional incubus or succubus.

 
    C HAPTER F IVE
    I sucked in a deep breath as I stepped away from the back of the parlor and approached my car. The night air was cool and clean from the shower that had passed through just a few minutes earlier, wiping away the toxic fumes of the city. Cars rushed by with the soft shushing sound as the tires sliced through puddles and down damp pavement. Gravel crunched and scraped under Bronx’s heavy feet as he waited at the passenger side door of the SUV.
    He arched one thick brow at me. “Rough day?”
    “Tattooing?” I snorted. “No. Didn’t open until eight and I closed at ten. Three small tattoos all day. Parker, on the other hand,