“Calypso Cafaro.”
“Are you serious?” That shocked me. “I thought you and Calypso were... or that you had been... together?”
He gave me a slight smile. “‘Together’?”
“As in boyfriend, girlfriend... I don’t know what gave me that impression.”
“You’re right, of course. We were thecoincidentia oppositorum, for a little while, anyway.”
“Doescoincidentia oppositorumimply a romantic attachment?”
“Not necessarily, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“Wait just a gol-durned second. How come you’re going on and on about my romance with Sailor weakening me, but you claim itstrengthenedyou?”
“Sailor isn’t the other half of thecoincidentia—”
“Oppositorum,”I finished with a nod. “Okay, I get it. I guess. Are you sure this isn’t some elaborate plot to get me to go out with you?”
Aidan grinned. “You’re pretty special, Lily Ivory, but I wouldn’t court demons and the like just to get you in my arms. There are other, much more effective ways of accomplishing something like that.”
I looked away, trying to ignore his sultry gaze.
“Okay, so first you and Calypso were a thing, but then you took over completely. Was this with Calypso’s full endorsement, or was there a struggle?”
“She agreed, of course.”
“Freely?”
He had lifted his wineglass to his mouth, and now looked at me over the rim. “Is anything truly free in this life, Lily?”
• • •
A while ago, Calypso had made vague references to wanting nothing to do with Aidan, but she had never given me any details. I knew I wouldn’t get much more information from Aidan, though, so I decided to let the subject go for the moment. I would raise it again with Calypso when I had the chance.
Aidan drove us back to the wax museum.
“I should come in with you and get my pig,” I said when he pulled up to my van.
“Why don’t you leave him where he is for the night? Let him sleep it off at my office. He’s more than capable of getting himself back home, as you well know.”
“That’s true. HowdoesOscar get around?”
“You’re quite the curious one today.”
“I’ve always wondered. And he tells me as much about himself as you do.”
“I find with this sort of thing it’s best to leave the details vague.”
“By which you mean...?”
He chuckled. “I’m really not sure. He’s a miraculous little guy, on several levels.”
“I’m so glad he’s all right. He gave me a fright. So, what are our next steps?”
“I’ll continue to ask questions of the magical community, see if any useful rumors are flying. You should have Patience check in with the Rom community—I’m sure they’re aware of what’s going on with Sailor and will want to help.”
“She’s already on it.”
