“To pay my respects.”
“And?”
Julius’s face turned hard and cold as marble. “I can see my attempts at civility are lost on you.” He tipped his head toward Meredith. “It’s been a sincere pleasure. Good night.” In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
“I probably could have handled that better,” Silas said. “Not used to a vampire being cordial.”
“You knew him?” Meredith asked.
“His name is Julius.” Silas was about to explain how he knew Julius when Ryker appeared in front of him.
“Congratulations on ending the dragon fae and Alex. It’s a strong man who can face Panaal and remain among the living,” the demon said.
“Thanks, Ryker,” Silas said. The guy still made his skin crawl.
“What became of the book?”
“It’s gone, for good. Swallowed into the depths of hell,” Silas said. “Why? Are you hoping to dig it up?”
Ryker’s eyes flashed red. “The Book of Flesh and Boneis one relic I’m pleased to hear was destroyed.”
“You didn’t want to add that one to your collection?” Silas asked.
“Actually, I was wondering if you could give Jason a message for me.”
“Sure. What?”
“I’m closing Lost Things until I can find a place to relocate.”
Silas frowned. “Business not what you thought it would be?”
“My reasons aren’t financial. It’s time for me to make a new start.” The demon shifted uneasily in the light of the fire.
“I’ll let Jason know.”
Ryker bowed and disappeared into the woods. The fire had completely burned out and a cool breeze coursed through the crowd. A line of people had formed to shake the new mother’s hand. Others had drifted off to make their way home.
“Looks like everyone’s disbanding,” Meredith said.
“I know it’s late, but there’s somewhere I want to take you.”
“Other than home and to bed?”
Silas grinned mischievously. “Oh, I’ll get to that. But first, I thought we could get something to eat.”
“Perfect. I’m starving.” She hooked her arm within his, and he led her to the car.
“Rivergate Manor.”Meredith eyed the sprawling front of the estate, thinking it hadn’t changed much since she’d last been there with her father. With its Italian marble floor and airy veranda, the mansion looked like it was plucked from a postcard of Venice. “I was expecting Valentine’s. Does this manor even have a restaurant?”
Silas flashed a rogue grin. “Not usually, but I pulled in a special favor. Trust me.”
“Special favors? In the middle of the night?”
“Well, I am special… and royal. Have I mentioned I’m the alpha?”
She laughed. “Maybe. I keep forgetting.”
He took her arm and led her inside. “This visit is about more than dinner. I thought it was time we discussed your apprehension regarding our shifting grounds. Now that we’ve been together for some time, I think it’s important for you to be reintroduced to pack royalty, begin coming to pack functions again. What do you think? Or do you plan to move back to the Catskills after your mom is released?”
