I clicked out of the file and dropped my head into my hands, willing an idea to come to me, anything to offer a glimmer of hope.
Nothing.
Closing my eyes seemed like the only thing to do.
* * *
That’show Max found me, Goddess knew how long later.
“Hey. You all right?” Max’s voice jolted me upright.
Blinking rapidly, it took me a moment to focus on him. Fuck, had I fallen asleep? I didn’t think so, but how long had I been sat with my head in my hands? “Hey,” I managed, surprised at how rough it sounded. “What time is it?”
“Just after three. It took me a little longer than anticipated.” He walked into the room and perched on the edge of my desk, the worry in his eyes not helping my current state of mind. I wanted him to hold me. To wrap those big strong arms around me and tell me that everything was going to be okay.
I could ask him for that.
He’d give it to me, I knew he would, but I didn’t trust myself to be satisfied with stopping there. And the frustration that came with not being able to take it further was more than I could handle right now.
I stood, needing to put some space between us. Walking over to the water cooler in the corner of the room, I took my time getting a drink. “How did it go with Lady Sarhin and the witches? They give you any trouble?”
Max shook his head. “Not really. They were scared.” He shrugged. “Can’t say I blame them. The thought of spending years in a fae prison would scare me too.”
“They should’ve thought of that before helping Melhak and Yates.” I scoffed. My sympathy for them was non-existent.
Max’s smile was grim. “Agreed.”
“Did you go and see Blake?” I asked while opening up my folder again and beckoning him over.
Max nodded. “Yes. I took Wyn and Dathal with me.” He leant closer to read the screen.
“Was he okay?”
“Hmm.” He pulled the keyboard towards him. “All things considered, he seemed good. Eager to get back to working with his plants and put everything else behind him.” He started to type, adding to my list.
Find a way to question the bartender at Stella’s
See if Mase can sense any emotions.
Definitely go see John
I looked up at him, eyebrow raised, and totally ignoring the last bullet point he’d added, I tapped the screen. “What does that mean? Since when can Gabriel do that?”
“Apparently he’s been working on developing his fae magic with Axel and Dathal.”
“And he can sense people’s feelings?”
“Along those lines I think.”
I wasn’t as familiar with the fae as Max was. I’d never had much cause to interact with them apart from the one time I accompanied Max to the meeting with Lady Sarhin and the others. And got way more insight than I’d bargained for.
Max’s investigations were a hundred times more exciting than mine, although I could do without all the kidnapping and death that seemed to surround them. The fae were something else though. Dathal, especially, was like no one I’d met before. He didn’t give a fuck about rules or expectations, which could potentially be a problem given he was working alongside the paranormal police, but I liked that about him. Liked that he’d protect those he loved no matter what, even if he did come across as slightly unhinged sometimes.
Lady Sarhin, on the other hand, I found her fucking terrifying. I didn’t know what fae magic she wielded, but she had the air of someone used to being obeyed, and fuck anyone who got on her bad side.
“So, what’s the plan then? We can’t waltz in there and just ask about the night. Nor can we tell Gabriel why he’s there.”
Max huffed. “I know that. And I’m not just taking him there to use his magic. We haven’t been able to do this sort of thing for a long while with everything that’s been going on. He’s my partner.” He shrugged. “I want to spend time with him outside of work.”
