I was no better than your partner thinks I am.”
Had I consumed Colby, I would have rocketed from sixth or seventh most powerful black witch in the country straight to the top. My kind ate hearts to gain power, but to devour a soul? A pure soul? The high would have sustained me for decades and left its mark on my magic for the rest of my long life.
“You never harmed innocents.” He lifted his hand as if to comfort me before recalling the wards. “You’re one of the good ones.”
“I’m a serial killer who hunts—hunted—worse monsters.”
That I had preyed on the guilty didn’t make me an angel of mercy, merely an opportunist.
“Sometimes, that’s what it takes.” His lips quirked to one side. “You did good with the kid. She’s fierce.”
“Colby is the same person she was when she died.” I shook my head. “I can’t take credit.”
That belonged to her parents, to her. And for the second time in my life, I heard a whisper of conscience.
The Silver Stag was dead, his victims avenged. I ended my career on a high note. I had nothing to prove.
But Asa had done his job well. He had planted a bug in my ear that forced me to ask what if.
What if there were more Colbys out there? What if I could save them? What if I was the only one who could?
“I’ll talk to Colby.” I bet she had been eavesdropping. “We’ll meet you for breakfast with an answer.”
“Text me the details?”
“I can’t believe you kept the same number.”
“I was only ever a phone call away, Dollface. That won’t change.”
Throat squeezing shut, I lifted a hand in a wave then returned to the porch, balancing the weight of the world on my shoulders.
3
I wore Colby as a hair bow to our breakfast meeting with Clay and Asa.
Whatever her type of otherworldly moth, they came in two sizes. Regular and mini. Or maybe that was a familiar thing. Either way, I wasn’t about to look a gift moth in the mouth. With her neutral coloring, she matched everything, and I often passed her off as an accessory when she wanted to go to town with me.
The door opened before I touched it as Ms. Hampshire yanked me into her diner and into a hug.
“Frank has been right as rain since he started drinking your tea.” She kissed both my cheeks. “Bless you.”
Based on Mrs. Gleason’s glowing reviews of her tea blend, Ms. Hampshire had approached me about holistic cures for her partner’s emphysema. His label read: elderberry, eucalyptus, lemon peel, chickweed, holy basil, pleurisy root, and spearmint. The other ingredients, well, they were best left unlisted.
“I’m happy to help.” I withdrew. “I’m meeting someone this morning. Two someones, actually.”
“I know the pair you’re meaning.” Her brow creased. “Never seen the likes of them around here.”
“They’re police officers.” I stuck to my fabricated backstory. “They helped with my ex and my new identity.”
“Why are they here?” She slapped her order pad against her palm. “Has there been any trouble?”
“No.” I hit her with a bright smile as fake as my name. “Nothing like that.”
“All right.” She cut her eyes toward them. “I trust the big one more than the pretty one.”
Supernaturals, having excellent hearing, would have no trouble picking up on our conversation.
Ms. Hampshire’s comment drew Asa’s attention to me, as if he was curious how I would answer.
There was fae in his lineage. No doubt about it. Fae vanity was legendary.
“You think he’s pretty?” I swept my gaze over him. “I didn’t notice.”
“Sure.” She ribbed me with her elbow. “I didn’t notice the sky is blue or the grass is green either.”
“Call the shop when you’re ready for a refill.” I couldn’t help my smile. “The girls will let me know.”
“I’ll do that.” She patted my cheek. “Breakfast is on me.” She hesitated. “Yours.” She shot Clay a furtive glance. “Feeding that one would cost me the earth.”
“That’s not necessary,” I said over a laugh, “but thank you.”
“Don’t go looking for your check,” she warned. “You won’t find it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, before I forget.” She touched the side of her head. “That’s a lovely hairclip you’re wearing.”
“Thanks.” I stroked a finger down Colby’s back. “I think so too.”
“That tickles,” the moth hissed. “Stop it.”
The urge to squirm overwhelmed her, and she dug her feet into my scalp, which only made me laugh.
Crossing the restaurant, I joined the agents at their booth, grateful they had squished in together to give me my own bench.
“Good