Page 1

Chapter One

When I didn’t show up for breakfast, Henry must have worried. He tapped on my door and I stopped sorting through my boxes to greet him. “Come on in, Henry. I’m awake.”

The ancient demon’s energy signature was familiar now, and I no longer confused him with Conn. But then, Conn wouldn’t have knocked politely or waited for permission before he entered. Conn's relentless taunting would have pushed me to my breaking point, forcing me to charge toward the door simply to avoid my demon familiar’s constant nagging.

Sighing, I returned to the clutter on my bed and wished I’d never begun sorting it. Any clothing Jack hadn’t tossed from the house we shared, I’d lost in the fire of the first rental house. I’d kept almost nothing of what I’d worn while in the demon hunter’s prison except for the last outfit Fiona had gifted me.

“Good morning, Aran. It worried Gale when you didn’t emerge from your metaphorical cave in search of coffee. Conn made us both promise to make sure you never went without it. Did you raid the kitchen before we began cooking this morning?”

I grinned and winced at the same time. “No, I haven’t darkened the kitchen door since Gale and ya got here. My system is pretty revved today without coffee. I think I’m coming off the adrenaline of fighting a wicked fairy and his pet snake shifter.”

“All quite understandable,” Henry said. “Would you like me to bring breakfast to your room this morning? It’s no extra trouble. Gale sent trays to your other guests, except for the far darrig who has not yet returned.”

I stopped my sorting to look at Henry. “Dylan probably went home. I’m sorry that I didn’t warn ya that might be happening. I was so tired yesterday I couldn’t think straight.”

Henry chuckled. “No need to apologize, Aran. Your eventful life speaks for itself.”

What else could I do but laugh at his dry summary?

I would miss Dylan. He’d left with Hisser to stash the cobra-hooded black snake somewhere he would live out his life without harming anyone. Thanks to the new skills Tony had given Dylan, Hisser’s snake DNA now controlled his form.

What I told Henry had been true. Dylan likely went home to tell his parents about his adventures. I wished he’d said goodbye but after Ezra’s attack, I’m sure he was done with me and my work. Who could blame him? I couldn’t.

Henry’s report made me feel bad, though, because I should have called him and Gale this morning instead of worrying them. Answering to someone in my house was a new reality I had yet to adjust to. People controlling my business made me feel rebellious. I barely managed answering to Ben even though he paid me to do so.

“I should have let ya know all that, Henry. I’ll try to remember to check in with ya in the future. The truth is I’m used to brooding alone and doing what I please without giving much thought to who I’m inconveniencing.”

Henry waved a hand. “Checking on you gives me something to do. It’s no bother.”

I smiled at Conn’s father. “That’s a lie. I know it’s a bother but it’s nice of ya to pretend it’s not. Coffee and breakfast are all I need, Henry. Ya should know my boss is dropping by today to check out our new foyer statue.”

Henry smiled back. “Will you be catching up on personal business all day?”

My laughter rang out. “I don’t know yet. Unpacking my clothes was more of a chore than I realized it would be. It’s got me pondering a nap. I’m grateful to Gale and ya for taking care of me and making sure I don’t starve.”

A grinning Henry inclined his head at my gratitude. “It is our pleasure, Aran of The Dagda.”

Then he disappeared.

The oddness of my life settled like a wet blanket over me. I wondered if I’d ever stop feeling like a stranger in my home. Henry and Gale didn’t understand yet, but making my own coffee was the least of what was in my DNA.

Along with the dry bar Henry promised, I should ask him to also install a coffee and tea service in the sitting room where I could brew my own. That would allow me pleasure and keep them from worrying. Would that offend him and Gale? I probably shouldn’t worry so much about their feelings but Ma had raised me too well to disrespect them.

For better or worse, this real estate monstrosity was my house. I could fill it with blown-up balloons if I wanted. Or statues of hostile, betraying fairies frozen by wicked angels. Who could stop me?

I’d have to ponder my too-cushy existence some other time. Today, I had more important concerns. I had a female guardian sleeping upstairs and a male one brooding because I’d rejectedhim. I had Ben coming to see frozen Ezra for himself. I had a house full of demons and Mulan’s parents coming to visit.

And then there was my daughter.

Fiona had texted me from Ma’s house early this morning, which told me she was back in Ireland. Texting wasn’t the same as talking to my child in person but the phone Jack gave her didn’t have an international plan that allowed her to call me for even five minutes now and again. I’d have to see that she got a better phone if it turned out Fiona would spend a lot of time over there.

Despite my utter exhaustion yesterday, sending Rasmus away last night took a toll on me. I’d slept badly and woke at the first quiet pinging of incoming messages from my child.

I had to admit, though, that Fiona’s texts hadn’t sounded like they were coming from the same frustrated girl who’d flown off screaming in the arms of her wicked angel mentor. Despite his nonchalance with me, I instinctively knew I could trust him with Fiona. The angel’s energy radiated his good intentions toward my child, even though his very human male eyes couldn’t seem to stop staring at the womanly curves that kept growing. She’d be twenty-one in a few months.

Fiona’s answer to me asking how she was doing had been cautiously positive and achingly honest. She admitted straight up that learning to use her magic was much harder than she’d ever dreamed it would be.

She also told me the Shadow Breakers had sent someone to question her about Ezra. It seemed Colonel Benson had wasted no time letting his home office know what had happened. The news shocked all of them. If I hadn’t been a trusted magickal, the Shadow Breakers might not have believed the photo Ben had sent along as evidence.