I returned to my room and had a record-quick shower, then dressed in dark trousers and a T-shirt, topping it with a black jacket. It’d be better to blend with the shadows, considering what was coming.
I tapped my comms charm. “Miranda?”
There was no response.
I frowned, hoping that she was safe. The sorcerers were highly unlikely to hurt her, and she could take care of herself. All the same, I worried.
A few moments later, I met Carrow in the living room. Her hair was damp from her shower. Miranda has brought her some clothes before heading to the Sorcerers’ Guild—black jeans, T-shirt, and leather jacket, her usual uniform. We were dressed alike, I realized.
“You need to stop getting me clothes,” she said.
“I don’t see why.”
“We’re wearing the same outfit.”
I cracked a smile. “Good. We’ll blend in.”
“You need to get back to your suits. We look like a weird match-matchy couple. This isn’t Disney World.”
We’re not a couple. Never could be. “That’s not really my scene.”
“I can only imagine.” She turned to the door. “Let’s get out of here. Mac said they would meet us at eight. They found something.”
We left my place and headed through town. It was early enough that the streets were quiet, but I kept my guard up anyway. The sorcerers tended to be night owls, but if Miranda hadn’t convinced them to relax, I needed to be alert.
We reached Carrow’s place a few minutes later, and she led me up the stairs to her small flat. It was nearly empty. A single couch was pushed against the wall, and the books that I’d brought her sat on one cushion.
Carrow looked between the books and me. “Thanks again.”
I nodded. “Nice place.”
“Mac is helping me furnish it.”
“I like it.”
“A bit different than your place.”
“Nice all the same.” I shrugged. “I don’t much care for my place, anyway.”
“The piano did look a bit dusty.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had the interest.”
She turned to me with a considering gaze, but said only, “Coffee?”
I nodded.
She brewed a pot as we waited, and by the time Mac, Eve, and Quinn showed up, she had mugs poured for everyone.
Mac stepped into the room and raised a bag. “I brought muffins.”
“Always thinking with her stomach.” Eve grabbed the bag. Her raven followed her silently. “We found something, though.”
Quinn gave me a long look, and I smiled coldly at him. I knew what he was thinking: I wasn’t good enough for Carrow. As much as I hated it, I agreed.
The women sat on the couch, while Quinn and I leaned against the walls on opposite sides of the room. Carrow passed around the coffee mugs and took a muffin, then looked at Mac. “I hope you found something good, because we didn’t get much, and it’s supposed to happen tonight.”
Mac leaned forward. “We talked to half a dozen people, and I used my powers on all of them. Two saw the dead guy hand off a key to someone else.”