“I’m sorry, he decided to spend the day at the mansion with his pack. I can give him a message for you.”
“If Silas isn’t here, why are you in his house?”
She smiled at Soleil, the type of smile she used on families of victims or criminals who came into the station. It was a soothing, everything-is-okay smile. But the strange clenching in her gut told her it was necessary. No explanation was owed the woman, but she offered the simplest one. “I’m helping with Maggie.”
The fae mirrored her smile, her hands folding elegantly in front of her hips. “Would you please invite me in? I believe I’ve left something important in Silas’s bedroom.”
Meredith shifted back slightly. “You left something in his bedroom? When?”
“A few nights ago. He did tell you we’ve been seeing each other? For years, actually. I’ve never had any problems entering the house before but…” Soleil flourished one hand toward the door then used it to smooth a stray hair back into her chignon.
“Strange, I was under the impression you broke up some time ago.” Meredith’s heart quickened with unease, but she did her best to maintain a calm demeanor. Her time as a detective had taught her a person’s words were a jewel that must be examined under a microscope and from multiple angles to determine its worth. Her heart may throw itself on the floor in a tantrum at the thought of Soleil with Silas only a few nights ago, but her brain was counting backward, finding no evidence that the conjecture held any truth. How could Silas have spent the night with Soleil when he’d stayed with her every night since they’d made love the first time?
Soleil placed a hand on her chest. “Technically, I guess, our relationship is on hiatus while we each explore our goals for our future. Mind you, it’s only because he wants more than I’m willing to give at the moment. But he made it clear his invitation is always open. And, I have to admit, every day we are apart I’m more tempted to say yes.” She bit her lip gingerly.
Meredith fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her stomach hurt. Was it possible Silas had continued his relationship with Soleil at the same time he dated her?No, she thought. Not after the way he’d reacted to watching Soleil in the club. Even after learning of Soleil’s motivation to do what she did, he’d made it crystal clear that he wasn’t in love with her anymore.
“I’m sorry for your trouble, but Silas won’t be back until Tuesday. I can let him know you stopped by.”
“Don’t be silly. Simply invite me in, and I’ll obtain what I’m after.” She trailed her fingertips along the invisible barrier between them.
“I… I’m not sure that would be for the best, Soleil,” Meredith said. “Silas had the enchantment changed for a reason. If I invite you in, I’d be betraying his trust. Like I said before, I can give him a message for you.”
Agitated, Soleil shifted uneasily on the stoop, her formfitting dress out of place in the suburban setting. Tiny sparks of energy danced across her buttery skin. “I know what you are,” she said, sizing up Meredith. “You’re not like him. You’re not what you say you are.”
“I think you should go,” Meredith said. Maggie had finished eating and was by her side, a low growl curling the dog’s lips.
Soleil lowered her chin. “Be careful, Meredith. You may think you know Silas, but you don’t. He’s damaged in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine.”
“You should know. You inflicted some of that damage. Why are you here, anyway? Did your demon lover catch on to what you were doing and want his trinket back?” Her words lashed out with the snap of a fist.
Soleil’s face fell. “Excuse me?”
“I saw your show the other night.” Meredith stared her down. Internally, she chastised herself for letting on that she knew about the heart or Ryker. It was a stupid thing to do, like showing all of her cards. It fanned the flames of her ego but did nothing to improve the situation. She was better than that. Smarter than that.
Soleil narrowed her eyes but didn’t engage. “Tell Silas I was here,” she said steadily. Backing into the bright sunlight, she washed away, her golden skin melding into a yellow flash that carried her from the street.
“You better believe I’ll tell him.” She reached for her phone and dialed his number.
Silas needed to wake Nickelova,and he needed to do it fast. He knew Soleil. For her to come for the heart was a sign of fear. She’d never renege on a gift if she weren’t terribly afraid. Ryker must have put the heat on her, asked for the heart back. After learning what happened between her and Meredith, Silas had avoided Soleil’s attempts to contact him, but he couldn’t do so forever. He planned to address itafterhe used the heart to raise Nickelova.
“I can only take two,” Polina said. The redheaded witch stood in Silas’s living room, gaze darting between Jason, Laina, Selene, and Meredith as if she was overwhelmed by their presence. Logan had said it was possible for her to transport him to Nickelova’s mountain using gold dust. He never promised it would be easy.
“Me and Jason,” Silas said. “I have the heart, and Jason has the memory to get us there.”
“Wait, what about us?” Meredith glanced at Laina who seemed equally disappointed at being excluded.
Polina’s poofy green dress made her look like the good witch fromThe Wizard of Oz. She tucked her red hair behind her ear and shook her head. “Traveling by gold dust is not as easy as it sounds. In a few minutes, I will use Jason’s memory to drag him and his brother halfway around the world through the veins of metal between my mountain and Nickelova’s. This is not a simple task.” She spread her hands. “Impossible with more than two.”
“There’s no other way?” Laina asked.
Polina shook her head.
Selene said nothing, but Silas had the distinct impression she wasn’t disappointed. She’d be happy never to see Nickelova or her mountain again.
Silas loaded the heart into his leather backpack and strapped it onto his shoulders. Traveling by metal was a tricky business. He’d heard it compared to being forced through a straw one molecule at a time. But he had to take the risk.
“Remember, Silas,” Selene said, “the ancient texts say Nickelova must obey you as long as you possess the heart. But she can lie to you. She’ll try to manipulate you. Don’t fall for it. You must keep the heart from her at all costs.”
