Page 86 of Arcane Entanglement

It was empty.

Evander squashed his chagrin. “Did Viggo and Solomon go home?”

“Yes. I took their statements.Nightshadewill keep looking intoNoctis Bloomand start hunting for information on those dark mages. We’ve received the official approval from Winterbourne and my commander to bring Viggo’s guild in.”

Relief loosened Evander’s shoulders. “Thanks, Rufus.”

Rufus’s sombre expression eased a little. “I’m only doing my job.”

The inspector’s gaze flitted to the imposing palace as they climbed inside the carriage.

“How did things go? Did Her Majesty rake you over the coals?” He hesitated, his face strained. “You’re still a Special Arcane Investigator, right?”

Evander smiled faintly. “Yes, I am.” He glanced at the Queen’s official residence one last time as they pulled away from the pavement. “Our conversation was—enlightening.”

Rufus watched him for a moment before sighing. “Ginny was right.”

Evander shot a puzzled look at him. “About what?”

“You have cryptic down to an art form.”

Evander stared at his irritated mien before snorting.

“I’m not that bad.”

“You are, really. We should call you the Sphinx.”

They gazed fondly at one another.

“I’m glad you were there today, old friend,” Evander murmured on a more serious note.

“And I you.” Rufus looked out at the busy streets, a muscle jumping in his cheek. “I daresay Griffiths and I may not have made it out of that church alive had you not been with us.”

Evander ran his fingers through his hair and grimaced at the soot coating his skin.

“I’ll freshen up before we go take another look at Millbrook’s workshop.”

Rufus pinned him with a disbelieving stare before scowling.

“Like hell we are! You’re going home, taking a bath, eating a hot meal, and going to bed, young man.”

Evander blinked. “What are you, my mother?”

“And don’t you forget it.” Rufus crossed his arms and huffed. “You’ll get a spanking if you misbehave.”

Silence fell between them.

“Rufus?”

“Yes?”

“I feel I should make it clear that I’m not into spanking, in or out of the bedroom.”

“Shut up, Evander.”

Chapter36

The eventsof the previous day weighed heavily on Evander’s mind as he and Rufus crossed Covent Garden on their way to Millbrook’s workshop, Shaw scampering ahead of them.