From the bottom step, I can make out his face slightly better, and that’s when he finally speaks. “Another house call? Are you here to check up on Aisling again?” His voice is darker, and I don’t think he’s trying nearly as hard to hide. He doesn’t really fit in the role he’s been trying to play, or maybe it’s just easier for me to see through the illusion now that I know the truth.
“Would you believe I was in the area?” I play it cool with a tiny curl of my lips that could almost be seen as a smile.
“Whatever could you be doing way out here?” He pushes the screen open as if he’s inviting me in, but not making any moves to come outside.
I decide to play on his insecurities and flatter him at the same time. “Oh, you probably wouldn’t understand. You’ve been married for a long time, and I can tell how much you love your wife.” I purposely don’t use Aisling’s name as I walk up the few steps to the house.
“Marriage is hard, especially when one of the people in the relationship doesn’t value the other,” he tells me.
I nod my head as if I’m listening intently to his sage words and hold the screen open. There’s something stopping me from going right in. I want to give the others a chance to get close so they can slip in with me.
“I usually talk to my dad about this stuff, but he’s not going to call me until tomorrow. Something brought me here. I’m sorry to intrude.” I look down at the ground, feigning submission.
“Your dad must be really busy not to have time for you. Come on in,” he offers.
I take a step forward, and I feel something brush against my back. It gives me the nerve I need to step over the threshold. “Thanks, I won’t stay long.” I step toward Bursa, so he’ll have to give me a little more room.
The magic in the house is even more potent. I can’t believe I thought he was leaking this much. I rub my hand over my arms in turn, feeling the need to dispel the dense weight pressing against me.
The imposter leads me to the empty kitchen. I keep my eyes peeled and my head on a swivel, but I don’t see any evidence of Remy or Aisling. “Aisling isn’t asleep, is she?”
“Oh no, she’s hanging around somewhere,” he states rather flatly. It gives me a chill. I look over my shoulder, wondering if the others made it into the house yet.
“Have a seat, Agent Bishop, and we can discuss why you really came here.”
DON’T JUDGE ME BECAUSE I’M QUIET. NO ONE PLANS A MURDER OUT LOUD.
The person before me shifts from an aging man to one about thirty years younger. If I didn’t already hate him, I would say he’s attractive for a guy my dad’s age. He leans against the counter in a way I’ve seen Remy and others do countless times.
I let out a heavy breath as I lower myself into the chair like he asked. I still want him to feel empowered, I know that’s something he craves. “I’m not that good of an actress, huh?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Better than you’d think actually. I’m just that good. I am curious though, how did you figure it out?”
“Tell me where Remy is, and I’ll tell you all about it.” I fold my hands together on the table.
“He’s a curious choice for someone like you,” Bursa comments instead of answering my direct request.
I play along. “What do you mean?”
“He’s nearly a dud and easy to manipulate. He allowed someone else to come between you.” Bursa wrinkles up his nose a little as if he truly doesn’t understand why I would be with Remy.
“Which is the worse offense?” I inquire, but I’m really wondering how he knows so much.
Bursa looks up at the ceiling, as if he’s really thinking about the question. Percy slowly moves down my arm and settles on my thigh instead. I stroke his back a few times. I want to see if Bursa notices my familiar’s move and will pay attention if Percy slips away.
“I don’t think I would have seen past the first issue to see the other flaws,” he finally admits.
“Remy’s lack of natural magic is not a flaw,” I snap, not intending for it to come out as harshly as it does, but I don’t like people talking shit.
Bursa’s gaze never once acknowledges Percy, which was what I was looking for. The next time he looks away from me, I’m going to urge my mink to search the house. I also need to think of a way to get Bursa away from the counter. Nobody is going to be able to get close to him while he’s standing like that. It’s not like Nash can just reach across him and slap the cuffs on his wrists.
“Is that it? Does having someone so much weaker than you by your side make you feel powerful? If you choose someone more powerful, someone you have to break to your will, it’s even better. We’re not all that different,” he says conversationally, warping my words.
Another wave of magic blossoms from Bursa. I try not to give away that I can feel it, but my eyes want to track the direction I feel it traveling in. A chill skates down my spine when I hear a high-pitched scream that definitely sounded like a woman. Was that Nash?
I look behind me where the sound seemed to have come from, but I don’t see anything out of the norm. When I glance back at Bursa, he’s watching me intently.
“Does Aisling need help?” My voice is pitched low.
