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I nodded. Dylan had missed finding it because he’d been looking for a magickal signature that was familiar to him. If I hadn’t seen the odd cone shape sticking up through the pile of trash, I would have missed it as well.

I looked at Conn and Mulan. “If this relic was created by angels, who could have absorbed that kind of energy without dying? Da’s ring was powerful enough to block you from feeling it, Conn. I only got a sample of what it could do but that was enough for me to know the ring would never allow me to control it.”

Conn held up the hand with the dead relic in it. “Let’s not think the worst yet. This device likely isn’t as powerful as your father’s ring. If you can believe the far darrig is telling you the truth, the power of this relic was only over animals. That’s good news, right?”

None of us had a genuine answer. My churning gut wasn’t buying that theory as good news, either.

A feeling of absolute dread had taken hold of me the moment I held the stone relic in my hand. If the magick who drained the relic was Hisser, Conn and I might need some help to take the snake shifter down.

Chapter Fourteen

Ezra got someone from the office to bring him out to our property. Conn met them at the gate and rode into the compound with them. The driver opted to stay in the vehicle while Ezra visited with us.

We trooped into Mulan’s house because there was so much chaos happening at the main house today. The last thing I wanted was for Ezra to think I’d hired a caste of demons.

Mulan’s cottage kitchen was small, but she’d somehow fit a table that seated six in the space. Dylan was here for our meeting, but Rasmus wasn’t. That meant we only needed room for five. We’d needed a table for eight to ten eventually, but that was something to think about another day.

My gaze sought Conn’s as we took our seats. “I told Henry we’d find someplace on the grounds to turn into a home office. How about we use the blue house? We’ll keep the furnishings simple in case we need to clear it out for a residence.”

“Fine,” Mulan said while frowning as if she hated the idea.

“It doesn’t sound fine. Are ya sure?” I asked.

I got a middle finger salute for trying to be nice to her. My answer was to roll my eyes before turning to get Conn’s thoughts.

He crossed his arms. “Even if it’s temporary, I think having a separate place to talk business is a good idea. I’ll discuss it with Henry tomorrow. I may need to set up one of the bedrooms in case I end up sleeping there.”

Mulan turned to Conn and frowned. “Grow up, demon. This is no time for throwing our dirty underwear all over.”

Confused by her taunt, I tilted my head as I tried to figure out what she had meant. Had she and Conn had some sort of underwear fight? Was she really that stressed out by her family’s demands? I blinked several times as my brain replayed her words over and over.

Taking pity on me, Conn grunted as he answered. “The eloquent Wu Shaman was trying to say this was no time for she and I to beairing our dirty laundry.”

“Oh... ya’re still fighting,” I said, chuckling over his explanation. “I still get tripped up by Americanisms but I know that one. Jack used to say it all the time.”

“Where is confusion in my words? I meant what I said,” Mulan said while glaring at me and Conn.

Conn’s mouth looked evil as he smirked at her. “Yes, I’m sure you meant every word, but that doesn’t mean we understood you. Most of us need context and logic to understand what you say, especially the constant, unreasonable, demented ranting about your family.”

“You fear angry women. This is not my problem. I have enough problems,” Mulan said as she scowled at Conn in disgust.

I turned to the fairy who had watched their verbal brawling with a shocked expression. Ezra didn’t look amused by it, which was my problem. Normally, I would have enjoyed every moment of hearing them arguing over something so stupid. But I agreed with Mulan. We needed to show some restraint when guests were present.

“I’m sorry, Ezra. We’re all the worst sort of busy and tired. We’ve been moving in while doing all those jobs ya’ve been writing me checks for.”

Ezra pointed at Conn and Mulan. “Ya didn’t tell me yer demon familiar and the Wu Shaman were a couple.”

I looked at Conn and Mulan, and then back at Ezra and shrugged. “Why would I tell anyone that? Their relationship is their business. It has nothing to do with our work for the Shadow Breakers.”

Ezra shook his head. “Yet ya’re all living here together like one big, strange family.”

I frowned at his nerve. Where I lived and who I lived with was none of Ezra’s or Ben’s concern. Bosses were bosses. Did I need to set boundaries over what I did outside of work?

“Why do ya care who I live with? Normally, Fiona and Rasmus would be here as well.”

“This is a strange situation ya have created here, Aran. Yer butler told me to wait at yer security gate until someone came to let me in. When did ya get a butler? Or a security gate, for Goddess sake?”

I smirked. “Ya’ve met my sneaky ex-husband, Ezra. That gate helps me sleep at night.”