“What is his natural affinity for?”
“Thermal resistance. He was a firefighter before he retired.” Aisling tips her chin in the air proudly. It’s a little strange to see, since it seems as if she can barely stand Eugene when she looks at him. Maybe it wasn’t always that way.
“Is that how he knows my dad?” Firefighters and police are often called to the same scene. Maybe that’s partly why everyone at the station acted as if Aisling’s disappearance wasn’t a big deal. They might really trust Eugene, but I feel like I’m missing something about him.
“They’ve known each other a long time,” she says, not really answering.
“I need to find out who this spirit is and what it wants. Do you have any clue?”
Aisling brings her hand up to her face and rubs her temple. “I just can’t see it,” she mutters.
“See what?” I step a little closer.
“I think you just wanted an excuse to come back here.” Aisling turns her cloudy brown eyes toward me. “Stay out of my business.” The same hardness I noticed yesterday is back in her tone. “You need to leave, and don’t come back. I don’t need you or your busybody father checking up on me.”
“If you can give me some more information on the presence here, I’ll let you be,” I cajole, even though I don’t have any intention of abandoning her. “Do you know who it is? Has someone died recently?”
Aisling’s lips fold down in a heavy frown. “I can’t help you.” Her voice is just above a whisper.
I open my mouth to tell her I disagree, but I’m interrupted. “Looks like you’ve had your drink.” I’m not aware of how much of our conversation Eugene heard, but I know my opportunity to gather information is gone.
WHEN I SAID, “HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?” IT WASN’T A CHALLENGE.
Istomp down the stairs, no longer concerned with what Eugene or Aisling think of me. They won’t be welcoming me back. Percy clings to my shoulder with ease.
Gray and Felix are waiting near the footpath that leads up to the porch. Felix reaches out as I head toward them. “Sorry we couldn’t keep him occupied longer,” he murmurs after wrapping his finger around mine.
“It’s okay, she wasn’t cooperative anyway. Thank you for trying.”
“Did you get anything useful?” Gray asks once we’re loaded back in the car.
She’s lying,Percy interjects.
“Aisling? About what?” I watch my familiar settle himself on the seat next to me.
Eugene’s magic. There’s no way he’s that powerful if thermal resistance is his ability, not unless he had a fire in his pants, and I didn’t see any smoke.
“Yeah, I thought that was a bit strange myself. At first, I believed she was going to admit he had something to do with the entity.”
Why did she bring him up at that exact moment if not for that reason? I’m not convinced Eugene doesn’t have more to do with this.
“Something definitely isn’t adding up,” I agree, tugging my phone from my pocket. “I need to let Nash know I didn’t learn anything useful and find out when and where she wants to meet.” I send her a quick text.
Me:Meeting was a total bust. Her lips are locked tighter than the spell vault. I’m available whenever you are. Let me know what works for you.
Her response comes quickly.
Nash:I’m almost done. Send me your coordinates for a slip.
I had assumedI would go to her, but honestly, this is even better. If she sees what’s going on at the house, she’ll have a better idea of how to help me get rid of the entity. When I text her back, I give her the coordinates and ask her for at least ten minutes to make sure I can get back before she arrives.
“Nash is bringing the amulets to the house,” I inform Felix and Gray. “She was on the last case. You might have noticed her. Pretty brunette, she talked to Remy in the lobby.”
“When you ran away?” Gray confirms.
“I wasn’t running,” I scoff, even though that’s exactly what I was doing. “Anyway, she’s coming to help.” Neither of them comments on my little fib as we make the rest of the short ride home.
Even though I know it hasn’t been anywhere near ten minutes, I’m eager to get home, so as soon as Felix parks the car, I jump out, leaving the door open for Percy to follow. I want Nash’s help, but there’s also a very small part of me that feels self-conscious about her seeing the house.
