TWENTY-ONE
Icould tell it was a grimoire the moment I put my hands on it. The book was bursting at the hand-sewn seams with energy. I didn’t try to open it in the Voodoo Lounge — there were too many people watching — and instead clutched it to my chest.
“Thank you,” I said to Blaine, although I didn’t mean it. The only reason he’d given us the grimoire was because he didn’t have a choice. Lilac really was that terrifying.
“I would say don’t mention it, but I’m not that giving of a person,” Blaine replied. There wasn’t an ounce of friendliness to his expression. “I’m guessing you guys don’t want a drink.” His intent was obvious.If you’re not drinking, get the hell out.
I offered him my sunniest smile in return. “You’re a real charmer.”
“I can be as charming as the next guy,” Blaine replied. He grew bolder now that Lilac wasn’t flashing fire. “Would you like me to show you my charm?”
“I’m good,” I replied.
“She’s definitely good,” Galen agreed pointedly.
Blaine shifted his eyes to my fiancé, seemingly debated howmuch he wanted to save face in front of his clientele, then gave a sarcastic bow. “It was nice seeing you.”
We could have marched out without a backward glance. Instead, Galen tossed a fifty-dollar bill on the counter and placed his hand on my back to usher me in front of him.
“Thanks for the tip,” Blaine called to our backs.
Once outside, Galen gestured to the grimoire. “Can you open it?”
I shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. Not here though.” I shook my head. “We should take it back to the lighthouse.”
Galen bobbed his head and glanced at the others. “I can fit three of you in the truck if you don’t want to walk.”
“It’s three blocks,” Booker replied. “We can manage.”
“Great.” Galen’s smile was mischievously bright. “Pick up some lunch on your way.”
Booker scowled. “You did that on purpose.”
Galen’s smile didn’t diminish.
“Lunch will be fine,” Lilac interjected, shaking her head and rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. “We’ll get sandwiches from the bar. Give us about thirty minutes. Don’t try opening that until we’re all together.”
There was a warning tone in her voice. “Do you know what this is?” I held up the leather-bound journal.
“No, but everything we know about Declan suggests we won’t be reading warm and fuzzy bedtime stories. Just wait until we’re all together. It will be safer.”
“Don’t bring me a fish taco for lunch and you have a deal.”
Lilac snickered. “One of these days I’m going to make you try one.”
My lips curved down.
“Not today,” she promised. “Today we have other things to focus on.”
THIRTY MINUTES LATER,the crew was gathered on the patio. The grimoire sat on the metal coffee table, all eyes on it.
“It looks kind of creepy,” Aurora said, cocking her head. “Is that leather?”
“Yes,” I answered definitively.
“That’s not leather,” Lilac countered, her nostrils flaring. “That’s skin.”
I glared at her. This was not the first magical book bound in skin I’d come into contact with. “One of these days it’s going to be leather,” I muttered.
