“So then, do you think a skinwalker did this?” Jason asked.
“No. That’s the thing. Skinwalkers hate Alex and everything he stands for. He killed my father. No way would any of my mother’s people help him. There are other communities, but they are notoriously neutral. What motivation could they possibly have?”
“What if magic was involved?” Kyle chimed in. “A witch or fae could have deconstructed the enchantment and simply suggested they looked like Nickelova after they stabbed Laina. That stuff she was infected with could have changed her memories.”
Laina shrugged. “It seemed real, but I’m beginning to think anything is possible.”
“I could check with Gerty. See if she’s heard any rumblings from the dark fae,” Kyle said.
Silas scratched the stubble on his jaw. “I like it.”
“And I can check with Grateful about the witches,” Laina said. At Jason’s quizzical look, she added, “She is my neighbor. I’ll pop over for a visit.”
Jason put his hand on Selene’s shoulder. “We’ll check out Lost Things and see if Ryker can help us figure out where Alex might have obtained this ritual.”
“And I’ll see what I can learn from Nickelova.” Silas reached for his coffee. When was the last time he slept? When was the last time he ate?
Meredith stood from behind the desk, “And I’ll make sure Silas eats something and lies down before he falls over.”
Laina and Jason exchanged glances. “Thank you, Meredith.”
He was tempted to protest, to tell her all he needed was a cup of coffee and he was good to go, but he knew it was a lie. He was on the verge of collapse, and he hadn’t even realized it until now.
She slid her fingers into his, her red hair swinging over one shoulder as she met his gaze. “Come on, hero. I’m taking you home.”
Chapter Seventeen
Silas plopped onto Meredith’s couch. The thing wasn’t much to look at, but its gray cushions were remarkably cozy. He sank two inches, feeling like the padding was swaddling him. He’d removed the backpack with Nickelova’s heart so he could snuggle in properly and propped his feet on the upholstered coffee table. “Twenty minutes and then I have to get back to this case.”
Meredith covered him with a crocheted blanket. “We just theorized that Alex wouldn’t strike until the lunar eclipse. Nickelova isn’t recovered enough to help you yet. She needs time. Selene hasn’t found the ritual yet. She needs time. And Laina and Kyle need time to talk to Grateful and Gerty. That means you, Silas, have time.” She kissed him gently on the cheek. “You need to take care of yourself so that you can be strong for everyone else when the time comes.”
He tipped his head back and closed his eyes. “Twenty minutes.”
“You know the beauty of our relationship?”
“Hmm?”
“Because I’m a mixed breed, I don’t have to do what you say.” The corner of her mouth twitched. “I’m going to go make us sandwiches. When I come back, you’re going to eat and then you’re going to bed.”
Once she left the room, Silas laughed softly. Meredith’s hardheaded nature was one of the things he loved best about her, but this time, she was wrong. Twenty minutes and he’d be good to go.
He leaned his head back again and rested his eyes. He’d just slipped into sleep, or at least he thought he had, when a bright light burned through the cracks in his eyelids. Was he dreaming? He’d fallen asleep on the beach or inside a tanning bed. He’d forgotten his sunglasses.
“Silas?”
He blinked rapidly. “Soleil? What areyoudoing here?”
“This is the only way I could talk to you.” When he sat up with a start, she pressed a finger to his lips. “You sealed me out of your place. I can’t get through the enchantment anymore. I was hoping I’d find you here eventually.”
“What’s going on?”
“I came to warn you. What you’re doing will end in disaster.”
His face tightened. “Could you be any more cryptic? What are you talking about?”
“I made a terrible mistake.” Her face twisted. “You need to return the heart to me before it’s too late.”
“Not likely.” He snorted derisively. He hooked an arm through the backpack.
