Page 23 of Slaying With Sylphs (Haven Ever After #6)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CONNALL

L ou hisses in a breath, amber eyes flashing wide as her focus jerks from Dirk and me to something behind me. I spin to where she’s looking and see…nothing. An empty sidewalk and tons of trees.

When I turn back to her, she’s white as a sheet, her muscles quivering. “Leighton,” she whispers. “Oh my gods.”

Ice fills my veins as I turn again. Dirk comes to Lou’s side as he scans the forest. “What?”

“He’s right there,” she hisses, pointing toward the sidewalk, “standing under the streetlight! What do you mean you can’t see him?”

Pain and worry stab me in equal measure. Staring hard, I try to see what she’s talking about, but there’s no one. The sidewalk is empty.

I take a step forward, but Lou clamps a hand around my wrist. “Don’t, Connall. Something’s not right.”

I’m a believer in following one’s instincts—all wolves are. It’s drilled into us from puphood. My wolf presses to the front of our consciousness, scanning for anything amiss. The idea that my longtime but dead friend is standing in front of me, and I can’t see him? I don’t know how to handle that.

Dirk gives Lou a look. “I’m gonna shift into my other form tae try and see what yer seein’.”

“Please don’t,” Lou begs, her voice trembling. “He’s right there, grinning at us.”

“What else is he doin’?” Dirk questions.

Lou huffs. “Nothing, he’s just standing there, staring. How are you not seeing this?” She glances between us, but when Dirk and I share a confused look, she darts forward, running to the spot where she claims to have seen Leighton. Dirk and I rush after her, but when she steps into the circle of light, she spins in place.

“He’s gone! He was just here! What the fuck?”

Unease fills me, my wolf whining into our shared space. I look at Lou and Dirk. “We need to tell Richard and Arkan immediately.”

My first thought is that this is connected to her thrall bites, and something’s finally happening with those. The threat of that steals the breath from my lungs.

Dirk sighs as he watches Lou staring around her, seemingly perplexed about how a male could have been there and vanished in a moment.

“Yeah,” he says eventually. “Yer right, alpha.”

“Stay with her,” I command as I head back into Slade’s cottage. I go to the back room where Richard’s still talking with Slade and the rest. Touching his elbow, I give him a meaningful look. He reads it and tells the others he’ll be back.

My pack alpha follows me outside, his concern a near tangible thing behind me. When we exit, Lou still stands under the streetlight, looking around.

Dirk shoots us a wry smile. “Och, Richard, I dinnae know how to say this so I’ll jest blurt it out. Louanna just saw Leighton right there under that light.”

Richard’s eyes go wide, dark brows sliding upward as he looks to me, then over to Lou, then back to me.

She scoffs and crosses her arms, walking over to join us. Her brows furrow in the middle. “I know that sounds crazy, Richard, and Dirk and Connall couldn’t see him. But I saw him as clear as day. I’m telling you, he was right there. ”

Richard stalks toward the streetlight, sniffing and looking around. Lou looks up at me with a distressed expression.

And it occurs to me that things might get worse for her before they get better. Because this? This isn’t normal.

Richard rejoins us, both hands on his muscular hips as he shakes his head. “I’m not going out of town, not with this going on. I’ll send Lola and join her as soon as we figure it out. But I can’t leave this for you to deal with alone.”

I pull Lou toward me, wrapping her in my arms and squeezing her tight. I just want to protect her from everyone and everything, and the idea that she can see something I can’t makes me feel like I won’t be able to do my job and keep her safe.

And I have to keep her safe. I fucking have to.

“ I ’ve never seen anything like it.” Slade flips another page from one of Vikand’s books the following morning.

Books are stacked floor to ceiling in seeming disarray, random papers hanging out of their pages. Vikand, Arkan’s father, stands at a tall wooden desk in the back, poring over a book as thick as my leg. His horse tail swishes slowly from side to side, long black hair rustling against his onyx coat.

He sighs, pushing wire-framed glasses to the end of his nose to look over them at me. “I’ve got two dozen more books to look through, but I can already tell you that Morgan won’t be able to heal that girl.”

Ice freezes in my veins as I stand from my spot, fists clenching.

Vikand closes the book and crosses muscular arms over his broad chest. “It’s black magic.”

I frown. “Morgan’s a black witch.”

He shakes his head. “But she’s a good black witch. She’s not dabbling in the dark arts. Well, I don’t think she is. I can’t see Abemet allowing that, but I digress. I examined the mermaid this morning. I’m certain that’s what it is. Although what spell was used is hard to say.”

My frown deepens as I place both hands on Vikand’s desk, willing my muscles to relax. “Is now a good time to mention that Lou thought she saw Leighton last night?”

One of Vikand’s pitch-black brows travels upward. “Oh?”

“I couldn’t see anything. Dirk was there too, and he also couldn’t see anything.”

“Leighton’s dead,” Vikand reminds me, his tone gentle.

“I know.” I can barely get the words out. “Could this be connected?”

Vikand considers that for a moment, but eventually shakes his head. “I don’t think so. Leighton became a thrall, so even if he hadn’t been cremated in the way of your people, if he was reanimated in some way, he’d be in his final form. And he’s not a wraith, or he’d be drawn to Hel Motel, and they’d notify us of a new attendant.”

I muddle my way through everything he just said. I can’t fault the logic in any of that, but I lay awake all night worrying about Lou and wondering how it’s possible she saw my dead friend when Dirk and I saw nothing.

“Alright,” I finish lamely, lost in memory as I pinch the bridge of my nose with two fingers.

Vikand goes back to his book, seeming to forget Slade and I are there. His pale eyes, the same eyes as his son, Arkan, move hungrily over the page, one finger following the lines as he reads.

“Are you onto something or just reading for fun?” I cock my head to the side and shift forward, reminding him I’m there.

“Simply immersed in the book, it seems,” echoes a female voice from the front.

I turn with a half smile. “Catherine.”

If Arkan is Ever’s Keeper, much like a human mayor, then Catherine is undoubtedly the haven’s mother.

She sails gracefully between the stacks, her curvaceous figure highlighted in a dress that wraps around her body and ties in the front. A basket in one hand smells of tomatoes and cheese.

Gray eyes flash at me, pink-painted lips pulling into a soft frown. “How are you holding up, Connall? Richard told me about Amatheia.”

I roll my shoulders to dissipate tension as I heave in a slow, steadying breath. “Not great,” I finally admit. Jerking my head toward Vikand and Slade, I plant both hands on my hips. “Vikand is pretty certain it’s black magic.”

Catherine nods, a small sigh escaping her lips. Vikand still hasn’t looked up from his book.

“Ever has always been so peaceful,” she says in a soft tone. “But, my goodness, it’s been a whirlwind the last few months.”

“You can say that again,” I mutter. Then a thought occurs to me. “Did you talk with Lou when she got back to the Annabelle last night?”

Dirk walked her home. I had to go back into Slade’s with Richard. I’d have insisted on staying at the Annabelle to keep watch, but Dirk told me he keeps watch on her most nights. Something about that warms me to the core.

Catherine nods, dragging my thoughts back to the present. “I did. She mentioned seeing Leighton, although we all know that shouldn’t be possible.” Her brow furrows. “I’m worried she’s becoming lost to her grief over his death, so much so that she’s manufacturing visions of him. Perhaps the stress of seeing Amatheia injured brought this about.” She sucks at her teeth. “But at the same time, I don’t want to discount a woman who knows her mind. I’m torn because, while I don’t understand how it’s possible, I’ve certainly seen enough inexplicable things in my life to never assume I know it all.”

I mull that over, my senses pinging with the need to do something. This is why Dirk has asked me to offer therapy sessions to Lou many times before I agreed. I’ll never forget the night he told me that every time I saw her and knew she was hurting, I’d be called to help.

He’s right. I am. Not that our first session was anything even remotely resembling therapy. The rest of the sessions I have in mind for her are decidedly more therapy-like.

“I’m going to talk to her,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Catherine says softly. “She trusts you. Lou carries the weight of her family on her shoulders. She’s always been like a sister to the Hector triplets, but she steps in as their mother too. She’s fiercely protective of them and their happiness, forgetting her own in the meantime.”

“It’s not uncommon.” I glance at Vikand—still reading—then back to Catherine. I’m not sure if she’s aware of the few dates Lou and I have been on. Goddess, the need to run to Lou right now is near overpowering. If I can wrap her in my arms, she’ll be safe. I have to believe that, to tether myself to the idea of it, or I’ll go crazy with worry.

“Good,” Catherine says, pale eyes drifting to Vikand. A delighted, devious sparkle flashes through her gaze. “If you don’t need anything, I’ve come to deliver Vikand a little lunch, then I’m heading home to check in with the triplets and Lou.”

“Is that so?” Catherine making romantic overtures? I never thought I’d see the day.

Catherine returns her focus to me and lifts her chin. “It’s always a good idea to be neighborly.”

I think back to my arrival in town. “You never delivered me lunch. Or wine,” I tack on, scenting the air around the box.

“Get out,” she says playfully, slapping my shoulder with the back of her hand. “I’m on a mission.” She looks at Slade. “You too.”

The dark elf skirts past me with a devious wink at Catherine.

“I can see that,” I say with a snort, looking at Vikand, who has ignored this entire conversation. “Best of luck breaking through…that.”

Catherine laughs, the sound tinkling off the chunky wood-beam ceiling. “Don’t fret, Connall. I’m a succubus. This is literally what I’m made for.”

I smile at her before taking my leave.

Outside, Richard leans against the front wall. He smiles when I appear from inside. “Wanted to chat with you, but it gets a little stuffy in there.”

“Not to mention Catherine’s agenda,” I say with a wry grin.

He chuckles as he shakes his head, glancing through the front door. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Like always, I sense my alpha’s intention without him needing to use full sentences. “What’s happened?”

He sighs and crosses his arms. “Walk with me to the post office. I’m picking up some packages for Lola, and I could use your arms. She’s sent a bunch of clippings from plants in Santa Alaya for the gnome garden. She’s going to offer them to Bellami to see if he’d like to incorporate them.”

I turn to walk up the sidewalk with him. “What else?”

His second sigh goes deeper. “This one’s more of a probe into your life. You’ve been quiet lately. Are you alright? I know you and Lou went on a date, but I’m getting that as hearsay. It was a mistake for me not to tell you about Lola and me early on. Please don’t make the same one with me. I want to be here to support you, however I can.”

A smile tugs my lips upward as the post office comes into view. “The date was wonderful. But it wasn’t just Lou and me.”

“Oh?” Richard’s brows head skyward. “Do tell…”

I suspect if he’s heard the gossip, he already knows what I’m about to say, but still…

“Well…” I run both hands through my hair, considering how best to break the news. I’m about to tell someone I’m dating a male, when I’ve never dated males in my entire life. “Dirk was there too.”

Richard smiles. “Mmm.”

I shoot him a quizzical look since he doesn’t seem shocked in the slightest. “How could you possibly know? I didn’t even know he was interested in me in that way.”

Richard’s smile goes thoughtful. “I’ve been around a long time, Connall. And I sensed it was a realization you needed to come to on your own. But I’ve been watching Dirk for a while, even before you told me of your interest in Lou. He’s always watched you, always been distracted by your presence. He’s not as secretive as he probably thinks.”

“So much for my ability to read people well,” I gruff out. Moons above.

“You were distracted too,” he jokes, grabbing the door to the post office. “And I’m gonna make my woman pay up the second we get home, although as much time as she spends with the girls I suspect she already knows about all of this…” his voice trails off at a huge pile of boxes in the corner of the post office.

A harried-looking pegasus clerk waves at the huge pile. “All you, Richard. Sign here please and get these out of my post office! They’ve been here all day, and more keep coming!”

I laugh, staring at the pile. My queen certainly doesn’t do anything by half measures.

Neither do I. Which is how I know what my next step is in this mess with Amatheia. Once I drop these boxes off at Richard and Lola’s, I need to see Dirk and Lou.