I questioned Losuc a little more about his memories of the Witch and anything he might have seen around her. The only other tidbit he could recall was a big, black book. We assumed it was her spellbook.

“I've got to release him now,” I said.

Star nodded. “Give me a moment. I need to think about this.”

“About what? He's innocent. And I think he wants to help. You heard his answers. I didn't have to draw them forth as I do when interrogating an unwilling person.”

“Yes, I caught that. But that Witch is going to summon him again, Seren. I could protect him from that. But then she's just going to summon someone else. I need a moment to think this through.”

“Shit. He has a point,” Killian said.

“What do you know about summoning?” Raza asked.

“Good question.” Star leaned back against a worktable. “It's not something I've studied because there was no reason to.” Then he straightened. “I'll bet Lucifer has something about it in his library.” He rushed out of the room.

My husbands looked at me.

I grimaced and looked at Losuc. “Losuc, do you need to use the restroom?”

“No.”

“Okay. You tell me if you do. We're figuring this out and after we do, I'll release you. You're not in trouble anymore. We know you're innocent. So don't be afraid. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“I hope he understands that, somewhere beneath the crossing,” I muttered.

Killian rubbed my back. “He does, babe. And I'm sure he's grateful that you, and not his king, conducted his interrogation.”

“I feel awful for him now. He's a victim, and he might have to continue to play that role.”

“Only to serve his king,” Raza said. “If he's an honest, loyal Demon, he'll be happy to do that.”

Back to loyalty. I almost rolled my eyes.

“He's probably relieved to have his king on his side,” Kill said.

I looked toward the door. “Why are we even waiting in here? Let's get him more comfortable at least.” I took Losuc's hand. “Come with me, Losuc. We'll get you out of here.”

He stood up and followed me out of the room and down the corridor, into Star's study. Star was at the bookshelves, searching the leather spines. Sal was with him, but none of the other guards. They glanced at us as we came in.

“So, he's innocent, eh?” Sal asked.

“Yup.” I led Losuc to a chair. “Sit down here and make yourself comfortable.”

He sat down and settled in.

“Would you like a drink?” I asked.

“For fuck's sake.” Sal rolled her eyes.

“We just scared the shit out of an innocent man.” I lifted a brow at her. “And some of us even insulted him. Some of us delighted in it. I think a drink is the least of what we can offer him now. An apology wouldn't be unreasonable too.”

“Yes, I'd like a drink,” Losuc said.

I looked back at him. “What would you like?”

He stared at me.

I cursed under my breath. “What do you normally drink?”

“Vodka.”

“There's a bottle on the sideboard.” Star waved at his cocktail setup, his stare still searching the books.

“Do you take any mixers with it?” I asked Losuc.

“You gonna put an umbrella in it too?” Sal asked.

“Sallales!” Star snapped.

“Sorry.”

“You should say that to him.” I pointed at Losuc. Then to Losuc, I said, “I'm sorry for all of this, Losuc. Now, do you normally mix the vodka with anything?”

“Soda,” Losuc said.

I went to the sideboard and made his drink, then brought it back to him. “Here you go. Drink it as you like.”

Losuc sipped his drink and stared at me. That was about SOP for star-crossed people, so it didn't make me uneasy. I just smiled and nodded at him.

“This doesn't make any sense.” Killian flung himself in the chair behind the desk.

“Get out of my chair,” Star said without turning around.

Killian stuck his tongue out at Star and got up. He found another chair near the fireplace and pulled the same flinging maneuver. “Witches don't use spells. We don't have spellbooks. That would be like fairies using a spellbook.”

“That is not so farfetched,” Raza said, his tone ominous.

Everyone turned to look at him, even Star.

Raza read the room and answered the unspoken question. “Uisdean had a spellbook. So did my grandfather. Just because you have magic at your beck and call, it doesn't mean you can't take it further.” He grinned, showcasing his fangs, then added, “Or take more.”

“Holy sugar, babe. Do you know where the book is?”

“Which book? Uisdean's or my grandfather's?”

“Either.”

“I don't know what happened to Uisdean's book, but I believe my grandfather's is in the treasury. Would you like to see it, mo shíorghrá?”

“Yes. Yes, I would.”

“Very well.” He looked around at all the expectant faces, then back at me. “Now?”

“It might help.” I tried to keep the “Captain Obvious” tone from my voice.

“How? The Witch's spellbook will not be Fey. And so it will differ completely from my grandfather's.”

“How can you be sure?” Kill asked. “The Fey are our ancestors.”

“Because the Fey didn't know about Demons till our wife discovered them,” Raza said distinctly, emphasizing the words as if Kill was a moron. Gods bless him, he never toned down the “Captain Obvious” for anyone. In fact, his was more like Commander Obvious.

Kill made a face. “Yeah, I see your point. If they don't know about Demons, they wouldn't have a spell to summon one.”

“But they might have summoning spells that would be similar,” I said.

“That's a possibility,” Raza agreed.

“Keep looking for your book,” I said to Star. “I'm going to take Raza to Unseelie to check out another.”

Star nodded.

“Kill, watch over Losuc, please,” I said.

“Yup. I'll refill his drink if it gets low.” Killian rolled his eyes. “Anything else I should do for our guest?”

“If he pisses on Star's nice chair, it will be on you.”

Killian lost his smug smile. “Yeah. Got it.”

I took Raza's hand. “You ready?”

“Of course, mo shíorghrá.”

As we laleked away, I heard Kill call after us, “No hanky panky without me! You hear me, Beast Bro? I'll know!”