Page 85 of Deadly Lineage
“Does that bother you?” I asked. I hadn’t gotten the impression that Aurelia was overly fond of Janus, but perhaps there had been something deeper there.
“No. Janus is dead and I am not. I believe we know who the fool was.”
I couldn’t argue the point. “Thanks for doing this,” I said instead. “You didn’t have to.”
“I know.” Pleasure sang through those two words. “It was my choice.” Pride replaced that pleasure. I wasn’t always certain Peaches made the correct decision with Aurelia, but seeing her like this, it was hard to argue with the pixie’s methods.
“Let’s hope I don’t have to use it.” With Bart Livingston dead, the chances seemed slimmer.
I yawned, flopping onto the couch and letting my head rest along the back. My ceiling looked the same as it had the last time I was in this position. Good to know nothing had changed with it in the last twenty-four hours.
Aurelia didn’t sit beside me. She stood a few feet away. “You do not appear well. Your human body is too fragile to continue your current activities.” Aurelia didn’t sound concerned…exactly.
“No argument here,” I agreed easily before blowing out a frustrated breath. “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about it much, though. I’ve been kicked off the case.”
Far from upset, Aurelia was only mildly curious. “I do not understand.”
And so I explained it to her. I reiterated that I didn’t blame Captain Cicely. Thinking back on things, I was surprised she hadn’t kicked me off sooner. While I knew I hadn’t done those things, she only had my word and the alibis I’m sure she’d be asking for soon enough. I’d already started mentally going through the last few weeks, reviewing my schedule and retracing my movements. I wanted to be ready when I was asked.
“Franklin was pissed,” I said when finished.
“That is to be expected. You are his mate.”
Aurelia liked using that word when she referred to my relationship with Franklin.
I scratched my cheek while still staring at the ceiling. “I’m not sure that’s the term I would use.”
“It is the term that fits best,” Aurelia confidently argued before she changed the subject so fast my head spun. “When is your father expected?”
It took me a minute to change gears before I answered, “Tomorrow evening. I offered to pick him up at the airport, but he told me he doesn’t want me leaving the house—or more importantly, the wards—any more than necessary. He’s going to rent a car.”
“I will meet this father of yours.”
My head snapped up. Aurelia’s Caribbean-blue eyes glowed, along with half a dozen tattoos. “Aurelia,” I cautioned. “Why do you sound so eager?” The first niggle of fear wound its way through my core.
“He is your maker, and a capable warlock. Vander says your father is an ass, but he also speaks respectfully when discussing Nikodemus Holland’s abilities. Warlocks are interesting. They are not witches.” As usual, when Aurelia said the wordwitchit was filled with as much derision as possible. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever get over her hatred and prejudice. I didn’t think it was my place to judge.
Clearing my throat, I said, “You’ll be nice. Right?”
Aurelia’s grin was far from comforting. “I am alwaysnice.”
Before I could respond, she disappeared from the living room, leaving me sitting alone on my couch, scrubbing my face and wishing my body was recovered enough for something stronger than iced tea.
“Gaia, I need a drink.”
My head landed back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling again. My eyes were drifting when my phone dinged with a reminder alert. With a heavy arm, I lifted my phone and swiped until I pulled up my calendar. Grumbled curses lit the air. Ihad an appointment tomorrow. Nothing major—or at least it wouldn’t be anything major on any other day of the fucking year. As contracts went, this was an easy one.
If I remembered the details correctly, Tina Waylon’s uncle had passed more than two decades ago. He’d been an avid baseball card collector as a child. That collection had passed to Tina but there was a card missing—a Mickey Mantle original. Tina wanted to know where it was and contracted me to bring her uncle’s soul back so she could find out. If successful, the money she’d get from selling the card would more than pay my fee.
I dropped my phone to the floor while contemplating the job. I hated canceling and this one should be easy enough. Tina had already arranged for her uncle’s body to be exhumed. The casket lid would be open and all I’d have to do was call his soul back, ask him about the Mickey Mantle card, and release him. No muss, no fuss.
I’d see how I felt in the morning. I’d also have to get my car back somehow, either that or take a ride share. Maybe I could get a ride share to pick up my car at the police station and go from there. I could always ask Franklin to swing by and drop me at my car, but then I’d have to explain why I needed it so soon, and I didn’t fancy getting scolded. Ditto for Momma. She’d take one look at me and lock me in my room.
No, looked like a ride share was on the docket. I’d pop a frozen pizza in the oven, eat the whole damn thing, go to bed, and get up in time to do the job. I’d be back home before Pops’s flight landed. No one would have to know.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
