I scowled. “You need to rest.”
As expected, Danica ignored that.“Cellen will be returning for Angelica’s ring, and then I’m all yours. Wrap up your business and I’ll meet you after we’re both free.”
I had to tamp down all of my instincts in order to let Danica out of my sight. I had no doubt she could feel the dark possessiveness taking hold of me, but she chose not to comment as she pressed a kiss to my chin and sailed out of the room. Bael took one look at my face and grinned.
“You look like Danica’s cat when she smells another creature on her,” he mused.
I shot him a look. “If there’s nothing else, I have a meeting,” I said to the room at large. “Of course, I’m available for any questions or concerns, but I want everyone to take some downtime. Work out a schedule that allows for some rest.”
26
DANICA
Imet Kyla at my office. She’d said she had something to talk to me about, and I arched one eyebrow as I took in her jeans, which were covered in white fur. “Been hanging with the griffin, have you?”
“He’s peaceful to be around,” she said defensively.
“Hey, I’m not judging. You two were pretty cute together, all curled up and sleeping.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, and I chuckled, pleased to have gotten the reaction I was hoping for. A girl had to get her kicks where she could find them.
I unlocked the door and stepped into my office. Next to me, Kyla let out a low whistle.
“What the hell?” I glanced at Kyla. From the pleased look on her face, she’d been in on this.
The office was immaculate. No boxes, no files, and no dust. Instead, it had been fully furnished.
The walls had been painted a cool gray, so light it was almost white. Tasteful paintings hung on those walls, along with a framed newspaper cutout which detailed how I’d solved the case involving the human hate group who had been killing demons.
A small gray couch occupied the spot next to the door. It looked like the kind of couch you’d sink into for a few hours with a good book. On the coffee table in front of the couch, there were a few magazines and a copy of the most recent Durham Denizens. It was a space that would function as both a waiting area and a spot to take a break during the workday.
One corner held a plant, which I was guaranteed to kill, but there was a small chance Kyla had a green thumb.
Past the plant, a desk waited, large and majestic. Probably too large for the space, but I didn’t care. Tears filled my eyes.
Only one person had been there when I’d admired that desk. Evie had convinced me to go shopping with her weeks ago, before Keigan had given me this office. She’d obviously taken note as I stroked my hand across the top of it, longing for it in a way I rarely longed for any material things.
I still didn’t know what kind of wood it was, only that it was so dark it was almost black. I hadn’t tormented myself enough to check the price tag, because I’d known damn well that it was hideously expensive.
My sister had bought it anyway. My sister, who’d only ever worked part-time jobs, because the spell tying her to her home had swallowed up any ambition for more.
The lump in my throat felt like it might choke me as I stared at the desk, and I forced myself to move on to the comfortable, supportive-looking chair behind it, and the guest chair where clients would describe their problems and needs.
A rug covered most of the floor in subtle whites and greys, picking up the color from the walls but not being too flashy about it. If there was one thing Evie had always had, it was taste.
My chest clenched as my gaze found the smaller desk across the room, a brand-new laptop sitting on it, ready to go. For Kyla.
The wolf was staring at it, eyes wide. Obviously, she hadn’t known about that little part of the surprise. My chest tightened. Evie had somehow known how much this would mean to Kyla, how much she loved being a part of something. And she’d given Kyla a space that represented just how important she was to my business.
When the hell had Evie found the time? She’d just returned.
I grinned at the picture on the desk. It was the two of us at Meredith’s. Evie had insisted on the selfie a few weeks before the coven had been murdered.
Kyla turned toward the small kitchenette on the other side of the office. “You can come out now, Evie.”
My sister strolled out, looking mighty pleased with herself. I launched myself at her, and she laughed as I wrapped my arms around her and rocked.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
