By the time I parked outside the bar, it was 4:00am and close to closing. Her bar stayed open later than most, since she served mostly paranormals.
I slid onto the stool in front of her.
“How are you doing, Meredith?”
She attempted a smile. Across the bar, her light fae bartender floated several bottles of spirits in the air for a customer to peruse.
“It’s been tough. The funeral helped a little. I like to think of her with the rest of the coven now.” She reached for a fresh glass and I shook my head. All I wanted was coffee.
“Everything I’ve heard about Jessica tells me she was an amazing woman. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” She sighed and reached for a clean cloth, wiping down the already spotless bar. Across the long, polished wood, an incubus spilled his drink. Mere lifted one hand, stopping the liquid in flight and directing it back into his glass. He gave her a nod.
“We know who was responsible for the fire. For all of it. Well, we know which coven member was responsible.”
Mere stilled, slowly raising her gaze to my face. “Who?”
Vengeance shone in her eyes and I shook my head. “She’s been handed over to the coven. It was Caroline.”
Meredith’s mouth dropped open. “That little mouse? The butter-wouldn’t-melt witch who was always bragging about her healing spells?”
“That’s the one.”
Mere blew out a long breath. “I never would’ve guessed. What about the rest of them?”
“We have some leads. The demons are helping.”
She studied my face. “Finally given into him, have you?”
She didn’t say it snarkily, but I scowled anyway.
“Yeah, well, the poor guy hounded me until I threw him a bone. Who would’ve known demons could be so clingy?”
That was my story, and I was sticking to it.
She threw her head back and laughed. “Keep telling yourself that, Dani.”
My phone vibrated and I pulled it from my pocket.
Cara. Why, exactly would she be texting at this time of the night?
Get to the Mage Council. It’s important.
I scowled and texted back.The only place I’m going is to bed. What are you even doing up, anyway?
You need to get here. SOS.
This night was never going to end.
“Problem?” Mere asked.
“Cara texted me. She’s a… friend, I guess. She’s helped me with a few cases over the years.”
And she helped me analyze the arrows when someone was shooting any demons who had a lead to my mother’s death. She was the reason I knew about rowan.
“She wants to meet me at the Council.”
“Now?”
