Lost in her thoughts, Laylah didn’t realize her companion had returned to her side until she laid a hand on her arm.
“There’s no easy way to say this. I killed him,” Juliet softly confessed. “I’m so sorry.”
Laylah made a choked sound. Not in distress. How did she mourn a complete stranger, even if that stranger did happen to be her long lost father? But in shock that the slender witch could possibly have survived an encounter with a powerful Jinn, let alone be responsible for his death. “You killed him?”
Juliet looked miserable. “I swear it was in self-defense.”
Laylah grabbed Juliet’s hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
“You don’t have to explain, Juliet,” she assured the woman. “I’ve done enough research to know that full-blooded Jinns are deceitful, immoral creatures who have loyalty to no one but themselves.”
Her eyes darkened with regret. “That doesn’t matter if he was a part of your family.”
Laylah shrugged, not entirely certain how she felt.
If she were a wide-eyed innocent she might try to convince herself that the Jinn had indeed been her father and that she now had a perfect explanation for why she’d been abandoned. After all, not even the most devoted father could overcome death to keep his child protected.
Well, not unless he happened to be a ghoul.
But she was a demon that had been smacked around by the world and as far as she was concerned fairy tales were for suckers.
“I suppose he must have been if I look enough like him for you to notice,” she said.
“Oh, no.” Juliet blinked in surprise. “You don’t look like the Jinn. Well, maybe a little around the nose and mouth, but you could be the daughter of Lady Havassy.” Her gaze swept over Laylah’s pale face. “It’s downright uncanny.”
Laylah was momentarily speechless.
She’d been so focused on discovering information on the Jinn that she’d never considered the possibility that she might have other relatives dangling about London.
“Who is Lady Havassy?” she at last managed to choke out.
“A local vampire with a nasty temper and dislike for Victor.” Juliet grimaced, clearly not a huge fan of Lady Havassy. “Thankfully she rarely leaves her house near Buckingham Palace.”
“Vampire.” Laylah frowned in confusion. “They can’t reproduce, can they?”
“No, but they’re human before they’re turned,” Juliet pointed out. “Obviously they would have families.”
“But then I would be mortal.”
“Yes. If she mated with a Jinn and had you, then became a vampire.”
“Oh.”
Laylah had never considered the possibility that one of her parents could be mortal. After all, she had talents that had nothing to do with Jinn magic.
She shoved her hand through her still damp hair. She’d come to London for answers, but so far all she’d discovered was more questions.
As if sensing Laylah’s frustration, Juliet gave a hasty wave of her hand, her fey blood evident in her expressive movements.
“It could also be a mere fluke,” she assured Laylah. “We’re all supposed to have a twin out there somewhere, right?”
Laylah nodded, not at all convinced. “I suppose.”
The door flew open, banging against the wall with enough force to make both women turn in surprise. At the same moment, the small gargoyle waddled into the room, his ugly face twisted into an expression of disgust.
“Fog, fog, fog. Who does a gargoyle have to sleep with to get off this soggy island?” he complained, his eyes abruptly widening as he caught sight of Laylah standing near the window. “Ma cherie, you are well?”
“I’m more worried about you,” Laylah said, guilt tugging at her heart as the miniature demon hurried toward her. She’d simply forced the gargoyle to come with her to London. How selfish could she possibly be? “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize the shadow walk would knock you out.”