Page 58 of The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder (The Hemlock Saga #1)

Beauty was a strange thing in Avery’s eye.

Treated as such a rare commodity, and yet she found it delightfully abundant if one knew where to look.

With Saga one had many options. They would find it in her smile, or the faint wisps of gold in her eyes.

They could observe it in the slope of her neck or the dip in her clavicle—the way she deliberately chose her clothing or styled her hair.

There was beauty in her melody and the words she chose.

She was both carefully crafted in some ways and naturally a masterpiece in others.

To speak plainly would be something akin to insult and so she answered art with art.

“Shall I compare you to a summer’s day?”

Saga nearly broke into a grin before she pressed her lips together to suppress it to a modest smile.

Her gaze averted and her shoulders raised.

She was pleased by this. She cleared her throat and led the way to the concierge.

“Good evening. My name is Saga Trygg, I believe Mr. Goff is expecting us.”

The concierge took a moment to look something up before stating plainly. “I only have your name, ma’am.”

“Oh.” Saga took Avery’s arm in her own and hugged her close. “She’s a surprise.”

Without warning, Avery felt those soft lips press gently against her cheekbone, the corner of her mouth brushing against her ear.

Her breath caught, and a strange sensation reverberated over her skin.

Even after Saga pulled away, Avery could still feel the impact throbbing as if she’d created a new heartbeat where she’d kissed.

Somewhere in her consciousness, she heard Saga’s voice make a “shh” sound followed by a delicate laugh and a conspiratorial “You understand.”

“Very good, ma’am. Right on through. Give this to the liftman.”

Avery felt as if she’d just pushed herself above water, her awareness sharpening in time to see the concierge hand Saga a strange card.

“Thank you,” Saga purred and tightened her embrace around Avery’s arm as the two walked down the hall toward the elevator.

“Quick thinking,” Avery breathed, still struggling to orient herself with her surroundings as if she’d been transported somehow. Heart palpitations rattled through her rib cage.

“Sorry,” Saga whispered. “Did I overstep?”

Avery could not even begin to marry that question with what she was feeling. Was that what this was? “Uh…n-no. That. Worked out well.” Her throat tight, she coughed lightly to clear it. “Good cover.”

The two entered the lift and Saga handed the man the card that would grant access to the penthouse apartment.

Avery felt far too aware of Saga’s body heat while standing next to her; a comforting flame of life.

Her pulse was still quick—could Saga feel that through their interlocked arms?

She took a deep breath and scanned the elevator.

Gaudy and garish. Too much gold and mirrors.

If a baroque frame could craft a room, it would have looked something like that lift.

The doors opened into a smaller lobby. It was tastefully done, but simple, and the contrast made it seem sparse by comparison.

The two stepped out and approached the large oak double doors of Elis’s apartment.

Avery raised a hand to knock.

“Wait.” Saga’s grip on Avery’s arm tightened.

“Just wait.” She swallowed. There was a slight tremble to her form and a shudder to her breath.

Barely audible, she whispered a reassuring, “okay” to herself.

“Brigid tend your flame.” She took a deep breath, held it for five seconds and then released it slowly. “Okay.”

Avery knocked.

It took a few moments, but both doors opened grandly, letting soft music spill into the lobby.

Elis Goff was wearing a bathrobe and a grin. “Sorry, I was just getting out of…” His eyes fell upon Avery. “What are you doing here?”

Avery quickly noted the superficial dampness in his hair.

There was a clear dry spot behind his ear and along his neck as if he’d simply wet his hands and run them through his hair to give the appearance of having taken a shower.

True to Benjamin’s description, Elis Goff appeared no less the cad he’d been painted. “I was invited.”

“I thought it might be fun to start the night a little differently,” Saga smiled sweetly.

It melted Elis’s apprehension, and he stood aside. “Girl after my own heart.” He gave Avery a slow appraising look up and down. “Did you bring your handcuffs?”

“Great place,” Saga complimented quickly, releasing Avery’s arm. “Was this your personal acquisition?” She took a few steps farther inside to admire the chandelier hanging in the living room.

“The Regent is one of many properties owned by my family.” There was a charmless quality to his smile. “Though I suppose they are all mine now.”

“Really?” Avery feigned awe. “At the funeral, it sounded like maybe a few parties thought they’d be remembered in Eira’s will.”

Elis shrugged, his hands resting behind him on a sturdy console table. “Well, my mother was generous, I’m sure she will have taken care of many when its officially released…” His chest puffed up, posturing. “But ultimately as her only child, it would be absurd to think I wouldn’t be compensated.”

Saga saw through him. “Are you trying to brag about your incoming inheritance?”

Elis laughed. “No, God no, it’s not like that.

” He shook his head, far too casually. He either truly had nothing to hide or had no idea what they were circling.

“I know you’re not really concerned with that sort of thing, but doesn’t it help?

” His eyebrows bounced suggestively. “Have you ever made love on a private beach? I can vouch that it’s heaven. ”

“Is that where you took Valentina?” Avery interjected.

Elis’s attention snapped back to her. “Pardon?”

“Valentina LaRosa, your mother’s caretaker,” said Avery, looking up from what appeared to be an antique vase. “You took her for a luxurious getaway?”

Elis sputtered. “I… Did you talk to Val?”

“It couldn’t have been that long ago either, she still had a tan line from her bathing costume.”

Bewildered, Elis shifted his gaze between Avery to Saga. “What’s with the third degree, gorgeous? You worried I’m not clean? I’ve been tested regularly.”

“You said you wanted to clear up the nasty rumors,” said Saga. “So. Clear them up.”

Realization dawned on his face, and he nodded with a deep sigh.

“Ah… I see what’s going on. You’re worried I’m some kind of creep, so you bring your officer friend to shake me down and make sure I’m on the up-and-up.

” He laughed a little and in that there was genuine mirth.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed this wasn’t going to be a ménage à trois, but I can respect your situation.

” He cleared his throat and tightened the belt of his robe.

“Perhaps I should get dressed. Not too keen on being interrogated without my shorts.”

Saga smiled again, sweet and understanding. “As you’d like.”

He was quick about it. Either clothing had been handy or he was simply eager to get this over with so that he could perhaps remove the perceived barrier between himself and the night he’d initially planned.

He came back into the room, wearing slacks and tucking in his partially buttoned shirt.

The white fabric was unflattering, giving him a somewhat sallow appearance.

Or perhaps it was the yellow lighting in the foyer.

“I know I have a reputation, so I don’t blame you, but you really didn’t need to bring the constable. ”

“Detective.” Saga corrected cooly. “And I like to be thorough.”

Avery felt a small surge of pride on her behalf. She was handling herself impeccably well.

Elis sighed and waved them both into the sitting room to the leather couches facing each other. “Well, in regards to the rumors, at least half of them are true.”

“Which half?” Avery asked, declining to sit. Instead, she circled around the couch and stood behind Saga like a bodyguard.

Elis frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “I did not take the passing of my wife and son well… I realize that’s probably the understatement of the century, but my therapist and I have been working on speaking plainly rather than dancing around the point.”

“You’re seeing a therapist?” asked Saga, perhaps a little too surprised.

“It’s a newer development. I’m not sure it’s for me, but I promised someone I would give it an honest try.

” He squirmed a little. “I know I have a history of deflecting my problems, especially onto others.” Another deep sigh.

“You were right at the funeral. It wasn’t fair to put all of that on the doctor.

He probably did everything he could. But I’ve never been good with feeling powerless, so I take control where I can.

In the past that has resulted in…burying myself in meaningless affairs. ”

“Is that what happened with Valentina?” asked Avery, weaving her intention into every syllable.

He shook his head. “No. Val was different.” He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated.

“Val wasn’t supposed to be a fling, she’s the whole reason I started seeing a therapist in the first place.

We got to talking one night when I went over to mother’s for dinner.

We had a few drinks, she opened up about problems with her girlfriend, and I talked about Sheree.

” He explained to Avery, “Sheree was my wife.” Then continued, “That night with Val was the first time I felt like I really let someone in. We connected. At least, I thought we did.”

“When was this?” asked Saga.

“Started about a month before my mother passed. Val didn’t get out much, because she had to be close to my mother pretty much all the time, but we were able to take a long weekend. Flew her to the South of France.” He smiled at Saga, but the sadness never left his eyes. “Have you ever been?”

Saga shook her head.

“It’s beautiful.” It was said simply, honestly. “You should really see it sometime.” His smile faltered. “We got back Monday night. Mom died on Thursday.” He tried to force his smile back but it vanished completely.

Avery noted his eyes appeared watery, even a little bloodshot. “Did that change things for you?”

“No. I mean, yes, but not in regards to Val—not for me anyway.” He shook his head.

“Unlike Sheree and Matthew, I was prepared for Mum. It doesn’t make it better, but at least…

She had a wonderful life, and I thought with Val…

” He dropped his hands into his lap. “I thought I’d have someone to lean on. ”

“She didn’t feel the same?” Saga prodded. Her voice was gentle, and encouraging.

“I don’t know. She moved out, which I get, and we were texting a little, but it became less every day…” He shook her head. “Then she just ghosted me.”

That sounded like a confession to Avery. “That’s why you killed her?”

Elis balked. “What? Killed her?” His complexion worsened. He was sweating. “Wait, Val is dead?”

“Murdered. Found not far from here in her car.” Avery turned questioningly to Saga. “Am I missing something? He just told us he knew she had passed on.”

Elis stood, panicked. “Holy shit, what?” His breathing was ragged. “No, no, no, I did not do that!”

“Ghosted means you just stop talking to someone,” said Saga quickly. “Without warning, you just vanish—like a ghost.”

Oh. Well, that was a tad embarrassing. She cleared her throat. Yet the question wasn’t entirely off base; Valentina had died near his apartment. “Then why was her body found less than a mile from here at three a.m.? Where was she going if not here?”

“She did come over a lot during that month, I won’t deny that.

” Elis paused, gaining his bearings. He seemed woozy.

“She hadn’t talked to me in a few days. Maybe she was coming here that night, but I didn’t invite her, and I certainly didn’t kill her!

” His eyes were wild as he frantically glanced from Avery to Saga.

“Is that why you’re here? Is that the reason why you’re here? ”

“We’re just trying to figure out what happened to Valentina, Elis,” Avery leveled her tone. Soft. Firm. Calm.

“I don’t know. I would never hurt her. I wanted to protect her. I even gave her a special amulet,” there was a slight slur to his speech now.

“What amulet?” continued Avery.

“For protection!” Elis rubbed his face, frustrated. He stumbled, falling back into his chair. “Hawthorns, they protect. They…keep you safe. She couldn’t have been murdered, I gave her… Was she wearing it?”

“Where did you get that amulet, Elis?” Avery asked, trying to focus the magic in her voice.

Saga stood, her brow furrowed but her tone calm and clinical. “Avery, something’s wrong.”

“Family heirloom, I gave her—” Elis bent forward toward her, gripping at his abdomen. A fit of coughing overtook him, and Saga moved to him to keep him from collapsing.

Avery’s brow furrowed as she leaned around to peer over Saga’s shoulder. Elis was sweating and jaundiced. “Elis?”

“Oh gods. Avery, call 999.” Saga pulled back, the front of her dress covered in blood spatter. “Tell them we need an ambulance now. I think his liver is shutting down.”

Blood dripped from Elis’s lips. “I wouldn’t hurt her. You can ask her. I wouldn’t…”

Saga’s training kicked in and she helped him sit down and get more comfortable. “I know, I know…”

Avery pulled out the phone she was given, dialing the numbers as instructed as she moved quickly back toward the elevator, pressing the call button urgently.

“Emergency Services, how can I—”

The door opened, and the liftman’s smile dropped as he caught sight of Avery.

“We need an ambulance. Now.”