“Yes. Just north of Lost Things.”
“Interesting. I haven’t heard a thing, which means…”
“Someone must be helping him.”
“A vampire?”
“Seems likely. Most vampires have no moral qualms about hosting a murderer, especially in trade for daylight services. A werewolf watchdog while you’re in the coffin would be more than fair payment for hiding, feeding, and healing.”
“Vampires aren’t traditionally healers,” Soleil said.
“Not per se, but vampire blood has healing properties for various supernaturals.”
“It also has side effects.”
Silas nodded, taking a swig of his drink. “Use too much blood and he’ll bind himself to the vampire. Alex will become the bloodsucker’s pet if he’s not careful.”
“It’s more likely he’ll try to find a witch or dark fae to do the healing, even under a vampire’s protection.” Soleil frowned. “I’ll do some research and bring you a list of underground healers.”
“Thanks, Sol.”
She turned her attention fully on him. “How are you handling all this?” When she crossed her legs and leaned toward him on the bar stool, the slit of her dress fell to either side of her knee and gave him an eyeful.Repeat the alphabet. Think of teddy bears.He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
“The empty glass isn’t enough of a clue?”
“You’re welcome in my room anytime, you know, if you need to work off some of that stress. I’ve missed you.”
And now his erection was straining against his fly with a vengeance. “There are nights I dream of taking you up on that offer,” he said, trying not to look at her. “But I meant what I said.”
“You want exclusivity.”
“I’m a man and I’m an alpha. I don’t like to share.”
“And I’m a madam of a bordello. Sharing is my business.”
“You run the place, Soleil. It’s not as if you’re the one for hire.”
“I’ve seen many males, human and supernatural, cross through my doors. Trust me when I tell you, monogamy is a disease. I love you too much to curse you with it.”
“And I loved you too much to give you anything less.” With that he did allow his gaze to meet hers, her dark blue eyes reflecting the light from the bottles behind the bar. Her irises reminded him of the star-filled night sky.
“I didn’t come here to fight,” she said. “I came to try to help. A dragon’s heart is a powerful weapon in the wrong hands.”
Silas sighed. “Well, that is one problem solved. RykerfoundNickelova’s heart while my brother Jason was pounding Alex’s face. Alex got away with the dragon scale amulet, but the heart is safe with Ryker.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “If you consider that yard sale of a shop Ryker runs safe. Although a demon would never give up a prize like that, not for all the money in the world.”
“No?”
Soleil looked at him incredulously. “Unlike us, demons and dragon fae are made of the same stuff. They originated with the horned god, Panaal. It is said that a demon with a dragon’s heart is impervious to the usual things that can kill a demon: a seraph blade, holy water, and burning the bones of the human body he was birthed from.”
Silas swirled the ice in his glass. “I guess I don’t know much about demons.”
“Take my word for it, Ryker will wear that thing around his neck if he can find a locket it will fit in. And he’ll never let it out of his possession.”
“As long as it’s out of Alex’s hands, I’m going to count that as a win.”
She reached out to run her nails through the back of his hair. He closed his eyes. “You’re the smartest man I’ve ever known. You’ll figure this out. I know you will.”
