Nathaniel shifted his gaze to Kyla. “You’re needed.”
That was all he said, and Kyla nodded. Obviously, it was secret werewolf business. “I’ll see you guys later.”
Evie opened her car door. “Nathaniel.”
“Evelyn.”
Nathaniel nodded at me and then turned, strolling toward his house.
“I see you checking out the Alpha’s ass,” Evie muttered, and I shrugged.
“What can I say? I’m only human. Is there…something going on between you two?”
Evie gaped at me. “Between me and the werewolf Alpha? Where’d you get that idea?”
Nathaniel’s shoulders stiffened. Then he continued walking slowly into his home.
Virtus chose that moment to wander out from among the trees. He’d become a member of Nathaniel’s pack, a mascot for the demons, and a member of Danica and Evie’s family. Now, as he stared into my eyes, he made it clear he was coming with me.
I reached out and stroked his fluffy ears, still somewhat surprised when he didn’t rip my hand clean off at the wrist. How such a regal, dangerous creature could be so gentle would never cease to amaze me.
Virtus angled his head, moving his whole body so I could scratch at a particular spot right beneath one of his twisted wings. Many people had offered to try to heal those wings, but for now, the griffin was happy enough on four legs.
He turned his head to look at me again, and I sighed. “You really want to come to the bar?”
Kind gold eyes gleamed at me, and as usual when speaking to Virtus, the knowledge just appeared in my head. He was disappointed that he didn’t get to fight the mean harpy.
My mouth twitched. “You’re not likely to be fighting anyone at the bar either. You’ll probably be bored.”
He didn’t care.
I was half surprised he was even asking. Usually, Virtus just climbed into whatever car he pleased. Maybe Evie and Kyla were making progress with him.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Evie’s delicate snort made me roll my eyes. “As if you haven’t been suckered into taking him to inappropriate places.”
She shrugged. “Fair. Let’s get this sideshow on the road.”
Virtus could only fit because Kyla was no longer in the car. Evie flattened her back seats and rolled down all the windows.
Virtus nearly caused several accidents as other drivers spotted him with half his head hanging outside the car. I was more than a little relieved when Evie pulled up outside my bar.
“We need to figure out where Ilayda is being held. I’m going to research more of her family tree tonight, along with any other fae contacts, like old friends, or anyone who worked for her family back in the day.”
I nodded, lifting the harpy’s laptop. “I’m going to try to trace the asshole who set all of this up. He was smart, but no one isthatsmart. I’ll also see if I can find out which light fae Solonia was talking to and why.”
“Good. Kyla and I will go over everything we know, too, and meet you here in the morning. I’m going to go talk to Aubrey and see if he has any suggestions to help us get Ilayda out of there.”
“Good plan.” The light fae had fought next to us on the battlefield, saving my life several times as we slashed at the hellhounds. He was now persona non grata among most of his people, but he had plenty of seelie who were loyal to him over his king.
We got out of the car, and Evie opened her trunk. Virtus jumped down, and several humans lost their minds, pulling out their phones.
The griffin looked at them, regal and mysterious. More gasps, more pictures. Virtus slowly began to walk inside, and I shook my head at Evie.
“He’s preening.”
“He was treated like ass by his pack,” she reminded me. “Let him enjoy his newfound celebrity.”
