“We know far more than we did. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” He didn’t smile. “If I’d done my job back then, he wouldn’t have gotten away and you wouldn’t be dealing with this.”
“You’re not infallible. Nobody is.”
“I should have tried harder.”
“This time we’re going to end him.” I was firm on that. “He won’t get away a second time.”
14
FOURTEEN
Ispent the afternoon researching in May’s lighthouse library. She didn’t visit. She often did when I curled up on the couch in her formerly private space, and I felt a pang in my heart when I realized it.
Was she with Wesley? That made the most sense. She’d followed the man she loved to make sure he wouldn’t be killed. Jareth’s theory that it had been May and not my mother in the mural had thrown me. I’d seen photos of May from when she was younger. She and my mother weren’t clones but they looked a lot alike. I looked like them too, although I had inherited a few of my father’s features, including his strong chin.
Was it possible that Declan was obsessed with May because he thought her magic might help him achieve his goal of immortality? Perhaps he’d wanted May’s powers so he could better fight Jareth, and it was the vampire’s blood he’d wanted to give him a fighting chance.
Galen sent a text requesting my presence for dinner. I was happy for a break. I considered taking Declan’s DDA file with me — therewas a lot in there I discovered during my research — but I’d committed most of it to memory so I opted to leave it behind.
Galen had selected one of our favorite beachside restaurants. One thing the Moonstone Bay restaurants all did well was seafood. Galen was picky about his steaks, and this was one of the better steak restaurants.
I found him sitting on the patio. It was a romantic setting, a candle flickering in the center of the table, and he was leaned back and staring out at the ocean when I approached him from behind. He didn’t act as if he knew I was there, but his awareness was off the charts and I laughed when his arm shot out to wrap around my waist. He dragged me to him for a kiss.
“Where were you sneaking?” he asked in a gruff voice.
“I wasn’t sneaking anywhere. I’m just a light stepper.”
He snorted. “You trip over your own slippers three times a day.”
“I’m not wearing slippers now.” I pressed a kiss to his mouth. “I have some news.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Is this where you ease me into your plan to cross to the other side to get Wesley?” He looked resigned.
“Not yet.”
Hope replaced resignation in an instant. “You’re not going back?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” I gave him another kiss, then settled in the chair across from him. “I can be reasonable if I put a bit of effort into it.”
Galen snorted. “Yes, that’s often the word I use when I think of you. Reasonable.”
“I’m serious.”
“Of course you are.”
“I really am.” I pinned him with a stern look. “I have some things I need to talk with you about and … it’s a lot.”
He cocked his head, and something he must have seen in my eyes had him nodding. “Okay. Tell me what you’ve found.”
I ran him through my conversation with Jareth. He seemedsurprised, then stunned, when I told him about the fight in the woods.
“I didn’t know he was related to Declan.” Galen’s forehead creased. “I’m not sure anyone knew.”
“Probably not,” I confirmed. “Jareth seemed troubled by the memory.”
“I’ve never seen him as much as blink, so that must have been quite the sight.”
