“Okay,” Evie said finally. “Let’s break this up. I’ll take Mariam, since I can use the threat of Danica if she doesn’t cooperate. Kyla, you take the birthing classes since they’re in the afternoon. Mere, can you take Pilates?”
I nodded. “I’ll visit in the morning and make myself a pain in the ass until someone talks to me.”
“That’s the spirit. In the meantime, we’ll each take two of Ilayda’s distant cousins. We can split up all the various restaurants and coffee dates if nothing pops.”
“Sounds good.” I got to my feet. Evie did the same.
“I need to go see Bael and get him to take a message to Danica,” she said.
I pulled my keys out of my pocket. “How’s she doing?”
She grinned. “Settling in. I’m going to visit as soon as this case is over.” She glanced at Kyla. “You should come.”
Kyla shrugged. A cloud came over Evie’s face, and I had a feeling this was an ongoing conversation. Truthfully, I couldn’t blame Kyla for being unwilling to visit the underworld, even if it meant seeing Danica. But I worried about her.
* * *
Vassago
I shoved clothes into a suitcase, adding a few knives and a couple energy bars. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be gone long.
“Vas?”
I glanced up. Evie stood in my doorway, her eyes narrowed as she watched me pack.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to send a message to Danica. Bael’s heading to the underworld tomorrow. It’s weird being pen pals with my sister but kind of nice. Where are you going?”
I strode over and gave her a hug. Then I raised my hand, about to mess up her hair in the way I knew she hated. My hand hit rock.
She beamed up at me. “That’s what you get.”
“You set some kind of invisible ward on your hair?”
“I’m sick of you messing it up. Where are you going?”
I wandered back toward my closet, pulling out a few extra T-shirts. I wasn’t planning to be in Austin for long, but it was good to be prepared.
“Austin. Daimonion was sighted there.”
“Ah.”
I leaned around my closet door and eyed her. She snapped her mouth closed and strolled toward the balcony, opening the door and stepping outside.
I kept packing.
“You think you’ll find him this time?” Evie had to raise her voice to be heard over the wind. Flying was going to be a bitch, but I’d take one of Samael’s planes back.
“I’m hopeful.”
“I think he’s playing with you.”
I scowled. “I know he is. I’m still going to find him.”
“Be careful, Vas.”
“I will be.”
