“Thank you again for the flowers.” I leaned down and smelled the bouquet he’d given me. Instead of traditional red roses, he’d bought me deep red calla lily clusters, purple orchids, and black roses. “I love how unique they are.”
“Something special for someone special.” He brushed his lips across mine. “Now and forever, Valkyrie.”
I smiled and brushed my fingertips over his hair. “Now and forever, Fallen Angel.”
“Your gift now or after dinner?”
I smiled and kissed him one last time. “After dinner. Let’s eat while it’s hot.”
He pulled out my chair and then poured a glass of red wine for each of us. We’d just picked up our forks when the night came crashing down around us.
Zane’s phone rang, and I groaned. “Who would be calling on Valentine’s Day?”
Zane withdrew his phone and grimaced. “It’s Sheriff Stiles. I’ll put it on speakerphone.” He slid his finger over the icon. “This is Zane.”
“Zane, it’s Sheriff Stiles. I hate to disturb you tonight, but I’m afraid we have a…” His voice trailed off for a moment. “Sorry. I wanted to step away so no one could overhear. Looks like we might have a murder. I think there are signs of strangulation.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve called in Doc Treestone.”
My eyes met Zane’s, and I set down my fork and pushed away my wineglass.
“Give us the address,” Zane said. “Kara and I will be right there.” The sheriff rattled off the address, and Zane looked shocked. “Really? Well, the good news is we’ll be there in a few minutes.” He disconnected and sighed. “Sorry about the dinner, Kara.”
I snuffed the candles and whispered a spell that would keep the dinner warm for the next four hours. “It’ll keep. Are we flying or driving?”
“Driving.”
Five minutes later, Zane pulled to a stop behind a handful of law enforcement vehicles. The circular drive curved around a trimmed island of winter shrubs and flowing fountain. There was still a smattering of snow, which meant the sun was shaded from this area. Small enchanted lights lined the circular drive, casting a soft golden glow upward onto the stone exterior.
The two-story house sat near the cliff, much like my cottage. But instead of being small like my cottage, this stone house was much larger. Not Zane’s mansion large, but still quite imposing. Myriad windows lined the front of the house, and as I shut the Aston’s door, I could hear the roar of the water below.
“Pretty secluded area,” I said. “Houses spread apart, lots of trees.” I frowned. “My cottage is up the coastline from here, right?”
Zane nodded. “Yes. There’s a small cove up a ways, but your cottage isn’t far from here.”
“I think I’ve seen this house sometimes when Crystal and I fly.”
Manicured hedges framed the walkway leading to the oversized front door. Even in the fading light, I could tell they were meticulously maintained. Valentine yard signs also dotted the front yard. “Be Mine” and “Forever, Love” greeted me as I reached the entrance.
“These people are practically your neighbors,” I said.
“Yes.”
There was something in his voice that stopped me. “Who is it? You obviously know them.”
“Hunter and Mari Quinn,” Zane said as he stepped inside their house.
I frowned. “Mari Quinn? You mean the romance writer?”
“Yes.”
My heart lurched when I thought about the last time I’d seen her today. She’d been talking with her daughter on the phone. “Is Mari the one who was murdered?”
“I don’t know.”
I stepped inside the foyer and glanced around. The flooring was slate with tans, browns, and greens reflecting off the massive chandelier that hung overhead. The stone from the exterior continued inside, climbing two stories high along one far wall. A sweeping wrought-iron staircase directly in front of us curved upward.
“It’s pretty,” I said. “Reminds me of the forest.”
Sheriff Stiles stood near the base of the staircase, hat tucked beneath his arm.
