“You walk around like the entire world rests on your shoulders.When was the last time you had any fun?Or laughed?Actually laughed.”
Silas shrugged.“I’m a busy person.There’s a killer on the loose.That’s not a laughing matter.”
“You don’t need to remind me.”She picked at her fries.“Any one of us could be Alex’s next victim.”
“Exactly.”
“Even you.”
“This is why I work as much as I do.”
“But wouldn’t you hate to die knowing you never fully lived?”
Silas rolled his eyes.“Did you get that from a greeting card?”
“No, really, brother.What kind of life is this?”Laina leaned forward and placed her hand on top of his.“Use this new partner.Even if she can’t help you bring Alex down, she can share in the struggle.Be someone to talk to.Let her help you.And for the love of the goddess, find your joy again.I miss it.”
Damn woman wasa pain in the ass.Despite his sister’s encouragement, Silas hadn’t felt the urge to welcome Meredith onboard with open arms.The next morning, he tried to appeal to her logical side when he asked her to stay behind as he investigated the next healer on his list.It was hard enough to get these people to talk to him when he was alone.With another detective in tow, he’d never get a true word.Plus he might have to rough someone up, and he didn’t need Miss Goody Two-shoes messing up his interrogation tactics.Besides, after last night, he didn’t want to risk her getting hurt again if something did go down.The Band-Aid on her head was a good reminder of why that would be a bad idea.
“I put people at ease,” she said as she slid into the passenger’s side of the unmarked car, ignoring his request.“They like to talk to me.Always have.I think it’s because I come across as vulnerable.”
He stared at the side of her head for a solid minute.“You’re not going to get out of the car, are you?”
“Nope.”She popped thepat the end of the word and stared at him with a steely gaze.
“Hardheaded, irrational…,” he mumbled under his breath as he put the car into gear and drove to the address.
“You can wait here,” Silas ordered once he’d parked the car.
“Okay,” Meredith said flatly.
At least she was agreeable.He climbed out of the car and crossed the street.Surprisingly, this healer wasn’t in the vampire district.The address was an apartment above a busy Starbucks in the heart of the city.
“Where did you get this list anyway?”Meredith said, appearing slightly behind him.
Silas stopped abruptly, tipping his head back to stare at the bright blue sky.“I thought I told you to wait in the car?”
“You said Icouldwait in the car.I acknowledged that, yes, okay, waiting was an option.Then I chose to come with you.See how that works?When we’re done here, can you insist I don’t drink your coffee?I’m feeling a little thirsty.”The toothy grin she flashed was worthy of a car salesman.“Now, how did you come across this list of suspects?”She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it into a ponytail, tying the thick red mass back with an elastic from around her wrist.
He stared at her for a moment, ushering her onto the curb to avoid traffic.“After what happened last night, don’t you think you should stay where it’s safe?”
“Hey, the only person who hurt me last night was you.Don’t push me down and I should be okay.”She glanced at him first, then peered at the slip of paper with the address he was holding.
“Seriously.Your head isn’t even healed yet.Maybe you should take the day off.”And free me from the pressure I feel in my chest whenever you’re around.His inner wolf chuffed at that thought, giving a little twist behind his sternum.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said.“If you want to do this, you’d best let me in on the plan.”
With a sigh, Silas contemplated how much to share with her, then figured it would be less hassle to tell her the truth.He gestured with his head in the direction of the Starbucks about a block away and started walking again.“All these so-called healers were mentioned by clients of a fae bordello, Maison des Étoilles, as places where one could receive healing services that require dark magic.We know Alex is recovering somewhere in the area.One of these names is likely helping him.No reputable healer would become involved with Alex voluntarily.”
“I see.”Meredith glanced in his direction.“Why do you think you can trust a list of names originating in a bordello?Don’t prostitutes have a conflict of interest reporting on their johns?”
It was a legitimate question, one Silas would ask if the roles were reversed.“There are extenuating circumstances.The fae at Maison des Étoilles can read minds.Plus the madam is my ex-girlfriend.”
Meredith sucked air through her teeth.“Didn’t see that one coming.So you two aren’t an item anymore, but you still bump uglies every now and again, eh?”
“No.No bumping uglies.We’re just friends.Good friends.I trust her.”
“Ended things on a positive note.Mm-hmm.So how many dark practitioners are left to investigate?”
