I sent off a message to my assistant to set up a meeting for whenever he was in town.
“What about 13?” I asked Walt.
“What about it?” He moved toward the kitchen, but I held up a hand, catching his attention. I knew I probably shouldn’t ask—it really wasn’t my business—but… “Is their house up to date with all its security measures?”
His gaze darted toward the house situated on Starry Night Lane’s main road, the last one before it curved into its cul-de-sac.
“Should be.” Walt gave me the side-eye, probably wondering why I was asking. But I narrowed my gaze, waiting for him to tell me more. “Granted, they didn’t opt for as elaborate of a set up as this house. It was installed only a few months ago, so it should be settling in.”
“Settling in?” I’d heard of foundations settling, but not home systems.
“They take a bit to reach full functionality, drawing on the power of the home’s tenants.”
Interesting.
“So you’re saying there wasn’t enough magic to fully power it before? But now there is?”
“Yes, sir.” Walt pulled out his phone, flipping through some app I didn’t recognize.
“And their house? It’s at full functionality?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I’m guessing the delay was caused by the owner needing a full moon juice-up. Looks like there haven’t been any issues since the last one.”
I’d been so distracted between getting the house set up and the case I’d been overseeing, I hadn’t put two and two together. Of course, I’d seen her use her magic at the pumpkin patch, but that was a small enchantment—not enough to power a self-regulating home system. To channel that much magic, she’d need to have come over and over under the full moon.
Not that it was my business.
I swallowed down the heat radiating through my chest, reminding myself she did have Hazel there with her now. Maybe that’s why there’d been a power surge.
“Fascinating.” My phone vibrated,Clio Meeting.
“I’m so sorry, but I forgot I have a meeting. If you can let me know when you’re on the way out, that would be wonderful.”
“Of course, sir.” Walt nodded curtly, heading toward the kitchen.
I headed toward the office and then dialed her number the minute I’d shut the door. With the Moonlit Masquerade just around the corner, I didn’t want to miss finalizing the details. “Hey, Clio.”
“Archon Thorne,” she replied in her sweet, overly attentive voice. “Hope you’re doing well.”
“I am.” I pulled my charming politician tone to the forefront, but my mind wandered to Oakley. The thought of her under the moonlight, skyclad, its buttery glow spread over her skin while she came—no doubt thinking of how good we were together, hand between her thighs.
“I got it,” Clio said, giddiness bubbling through her tone.
Focus, Atlas.
“You were able to secure the amp?” I shifted in my seat, willing down my body’s response to my overeager imagination.
Clio huffed through the line. “Did you have any doubts?”
“As always, you continue to amaze me.” I brought up my email, scrolling to the most recent one from her, looking through what we’d need for it to work. “This party is going to be unforgettable.”
“Of course it will be, Archon,” she replied. “It’ll arrive tomorrow morning, and I’ll be there to help get everything situated.”
“Thank you, Clio. Talk soon.”
Clicking off my phone, my thoughts went to the jack-o’-lanterns floating within the branches of the trees in front of Oakley’s house and all the elaborate decorations she’d spelled this year, along with the relaunch of her shop.
I waved my hand in front of me, watching her auburn waves, sin-inducing curves, and large chestnut irises come to life. Since she’d left, I’d done this—conjured her mirage. Even though I knew this was all in my head, that she wasn’t really here, it somehow felt less lonely.
