Shock rolls through me at his words. How have I not known this?
“Why?”
His cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I got kicked out of my apartment a few weeks ago.”
I walk over to him, stepping between him and Kai. Declan drops his eyes, and I reach out for his hand. “What happened?”
“I kept missing rent,” he mumbles.
“Don’t I pay you enough?”
“You do,” he rushes to reassure me, “It’s just . . . I . . . have a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
I don’t smell drugs, and he never drinks. Not that I’ve seen, anyway.
“Gambling.”
“What the fuck, Declan?” Kai growls, and I spin on my brother, sending him a warning glare.
“You are not sleeping in my basement. You can stay in Kai’s guest house until you get on your feet.”
I can feel Kai’s irritation down the bond I share with him, but tough. He’ll get over it. We take care of each other here, and Declan needs help.
“It’s okay. I can find somewhere else. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“It’s okay. Now I know why Ghost gave me away when I heard you in the bar.”
Declan frowns, and I shrug. “I think my spirit animal likes you.”
“It's weird you have a pet, let alone a ghost cat,” Declan mutters, rolling his shoulders, like the thought of my cat liking him makes him uneasy.
“Is not. He’s sweet,” I reply.
“Why can’t we get a scent on this guy?” Lola says, interrupting us.
I blow out a frustrated breath. “Whoever it is has help. There are only a few who can mask their scent from a shifter.”
“Could they be helping each other?” Kai asks, moving to take a seat next to Lola. There really isn’t any room, but he squeezes in.
“I don’t think so. Both have different motives,” Sander says, piping up.
Felix grips the back of his neck. “We know some witches and demons are powerful enough to mask scents.”
Lola jumps to her feet, her eyes bright and angry. “Who would do this? It’s fucked up. And that’s saying something coming from me.”
Rose reaches out and grabs her hand, tugging her back down. “We will figure out who it is. Don’t worry, Lola.”
“What about Old Myrtle?” Grady asks. “Maybe she has some idea.”
“I can go back out and ask her, but she didn’t seem to know last time I was there,” Felix says.
Kai curses and Lucy steps forward, her hazel eyes lined with resolve. “I will go out and see Old Myrtle. She has to know something. Even a spell to help us.”
“Thanks, Lucy,” I whisper.
“Did Ash have much to report before she disappeared?” Kai asks.
