14
Danica
Samael’s tub was ridiculously large, and I lounged amongst the bubbles for long enough that by the time I pulled the plug, the water had cooled.
I’d solved my first case. And more importantly, I’d saved a life. It felt better than I could have imagined.
Riona would make it her sister’s wedding. She wouldn’t be sacrificed by a black witch who saw her as nothing more than meat and bones and power.
When Keigan had offered me his space to use as an office, all I’d known was that I had a limited amount of time to start making money, or my business was nothing but a pipe dream.
I hadn’t expected the sense of achievement. Thepride. The knowledge that I’d directly contributed to something good.
I climbed out of the bath and dried off, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. Samael pushed open the door to the bathroom as I was tying the belt of his robe around my waist.
The robe was so large, I’d trip on it if I wasn’t careful. His lips twitched as he took me in, his gaze taking in the draining tub.
“I was hoping to be back before you got out.”
“Next time,” I said lightly, and his eyes narrowed on my face.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Something was wrong. I could sense his disquiet down the other end of our bond. “What is it?”
“Gloria found some devices in the necks of the dead humans. Chips. Likely for tracking.”
“You think whatever’s in Evie’s neck is the same thing?”
“Yes.”
I wrestled with that. “If they’re tracking her, they know she’s here.”
He nodded. “This is the safest place for her until we have the device removed.”
“Is it safe to remove it?”
“We don’t know. Gloria will check the grimoires for a spell that could be used. However, it will be a delicate procedure. We need a fae healer and a surgical team.”
I turned and paced. “What are her chances, Samael? Don’t sugarcoat it.”
Strong arms caught my shoulders and he leaned his forehead against mine.
“I will not let her die,” he vowed.
I blinked back tears. “From what you’re saying, you might not be able to control what happens.”
“I will be in the room every step of the way. We will have the best healers, and if, at any time, it looks like the device can’t be removed, we will abort.”
“And then she’ll be hunted by whoever is after her for the rest of her life.”
“If it can’t be removed, we will find a way to make the device inert.”
He sounded so sure, I couldn’t help but breathe in some of that confidence.
“Okay,” I said. I buried my hands in his hair and pulled his head down so I could brush his lips with mine. “Thanks.”
I’d have to talk to Evie in the morning, but I knew what she’d say. She wanted the device taken out, and if she had to, she’d risk her life to make it happen.
