I hadn’t noticed anything. It was beginning to appear that, despite my half demon blood, I was more human than demon.
Aubrey reappeared with a stack of papers in his hand. “My assistant took the liberty of collecting this data earlier today.” Aubrey shrugged one shoulder. “Apparently she was able to see the obvious link between the people who work here and the theft.”
“I’m not saying that anyone who works for you is responsible,” I cautioned him. “In fact, if I were you, I’d question all your staff.”
“I already have. They are incapable of lying to me— they signed a writ when they began working for me which prevents such a thing. If they attempted it, my power would spark.”
Welp. It was looking more and more likely that a human on the list Aubrey had just handed me was my prime suspect.
“Thanks for your time,” I said. “I appreciate you answering all of my questions— and the history lesson.”
He smiled. “You’re most welcome. I find so few people who care about weapons as I do. Come back anytime.”
I studied his face. Any hint of flirtation had been wiped away. I grinned back at him. “I may just do that.”
Vas waited until we were standing next to my car before he arched one eyebrow. “Samael’s probably going to have a stroke if he finds you with that blade.”
I stroked it. “My precious,” I whispered. Samael could pry it out of my cold, dead hands.
Vas rolled his eyes. “Where to now?”
“Home. It’s late, and the kids will be sleeping soon. I’ll talk to them in the morning. I think they saw something that can lead us to whoever is behind these thefts.”
18
Danica
The kids were sweaty and grinning when I arrived the next morning. I raised my eyebrow at Samael and he shrugged. “They played basketball with Bael and Sitri.”
Cil pumped his fist in the air. “And we beat them!”
Evie sent me an amused look from across the room. She looked fresh and pretty in a floaty white skirt and turquoise tank top, and she grinned at me as I came to terms with the thought of the demons playing basketball. With lesser fae kids. And letting them win. Wow. I glanced at where Bael was leaning against the window, and he raised his eyebrow at me, face blank.
I turned back to Cil and Zip. “Okay guys, I need you to help me out here. When you were hiding from the man who hurt your dad, the man was talking to him, right?”
Both boys nodded, all excitement draining from their faces. I was an asshole for ruining their good moods, but it had to be done.
“I need you to tell me anything you can remember that the man said.”
Cil shivered. Evie reached out an arm and cuddled him close. She hated seeing anyone hurting, especially if she could do something about it.
Samael cleared his throat. “I have a suggestion.”
The boys blinked up at him, their wide eyes reminding me of baby owls. There was more than a little hero worship going on and it was cute as hell.
“There is a spell that can allow us to hear what happened that day.”
I opened my mouth to refuse, and he gave me a quelling glance. “It isn’t painful and there will be no ill-effects. But my witch is well versed in getting information that would otherwise be lost.”
For a moment I thought he was talking about me. But no, he was talking about Gloria, the witch who he kept on retainer for all the times he needed witch magic. He used that spell for torture.
I slowly got to my feet. “A word.”
He gave the boys a quick, charming grin, and walked with me to the corner of the room. His hand raised briefly, and a dull pop hit my ears.
“What was that?”
“A silence ward. Gnome children have exceptional hearing.”
