Black Truth, White Lies (Black Hat Bureau 3)

Residual magic fizzled between us, and she glided to Clay to break our familiar bond clean.

“The light show is impressive.” Clay began to clap. “You guys should take your show on the road.”

“Very funny.” I flicked my wrist at him. “Shoo.” I brushed the hair off Asa’s forehead. “He needs to rest.”

A thump on the window left me crossing my fingers Mrs. Gleason hadn’t come to investigate our shenanigans. She was used to lights being on in the house at all hours. She knew I was an insomniac. But she was a night owl herself. She might have noticed Aedan before we relocated him and decided to slink around and catch him on her land. She might have used the glow as an excuse to interrogate me so late.

A webbed hand lifted in a wave when I peeked through the blinds, and I swore under my breath before remembering Aedan could hear every word. Since the wards weren’t blaring at his intrusion, he must have tossed a pebble against the glass to get my attention rather than knock.

“New plan.” I released the blinds to snap back into place. “Draw the curtains, Clay, and guard Asa.”

“Rue,” a groggy voice protested from the bed. “Stay.”

“I won’t be long.” I leaned over and kissed Asa’s forehead. “Be a good patient for Clay while I’m gone.”

The press of my lips to his skin set him purring, confusing me all over again, but I had no time to linger.

A daemon was outside the house, one who had issued a challenge to Asa, who might now be aware that he was in no shape to fight. It would be simple for Aedan to take advantage to save his own hide, after I hit him with that pep talk earlier.

Way to go, Rue. Convince him to fight for his life then top it off with letting him glimpse Asa unconscious.

With a grim set to my jaw, I exited the house to determine whether I had to kill Aedan myself.