He nodded but did not elaborate. “However, you’ve made your decision and I will abide by it. I don’t believe I have any other choice. You are an important person in my life, Lily, and I want to maintain our connection. As your friend, I would like to be there to support you when you marry. Also, I am so looking forward to meeting your grandmother and her coven.”
“Well, in that case, consider yourself officially invited. But fair warning—my mother’s on that bus, too.”
“Is she? Mother issues.” He shook his head. “They’re tough.”
“Somehow it’s hard to imagine you with a mother.” For that matter, it was hard to imagine Aidan as a child. He’d been a blue-eyed, golden-haired mischief-maker in an angel’s guise, no doubt. “What’s she like?”
“She passed a long time ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences.”
“Thank you. As I said, it was a long time ago.”
“Still...” I tried to think of something else to say. Our gaze held for a long moment, until Noctemus jumped into Aidan’s lap, demanding attention. He stroked her, his large hand looking tan against her pure white fur. “So,” I said, changing the subject, “what can you tell me about silverfish?”
“Nothing I can think of. Why?”
“I found some in the shoe box from Germany.”
“You opened it, alone?”
“Patience helped me.”
“What else did you find within it?”
“Not much, actually. But there was a lachrymatory; do you think that could be the beag Tristan was after?”
“It’s possible. As a small treasure, that would make sense.”
“It has the salts of tears, but I have no idea who it belonged to. Also, there was a watch. Speaking of which, I noticed the doppelgänger has a pocket watch. He stopped to check it, just before he stopped chasing us, and when he was leaving the hotel after killing Dupree.”
“A watch could be the beag as well. Where is the box now?”
“In my apartment. It’s hidden, and protected.”
“I’d feel better if I could keep it here. It might not be safe at your place. You’ve been broken into before.”
“True. And Jamie—Renee’s errand boy who brought the cupcakes—he mentioned that Tristan had come to San Francisco to work with Renee. I’m not sure if I can trust what he says, but it was interesting.”
“It would make sense that Dupree was searching for the lachrymatory, to add to Renee’s collection.”
“It’s so bizarre. She keeps them right by her collection of silver spoons.”
“And that’s significant?”
I shook my head. “No. I just think it’s funny that she’s collecting the remnants of grief to increase her power, but keeps them in a little cupboard right alongside her collectible silver spoons. She’s such an unassuming adversary.”
“And yet not to be underestimated.”
“I know,” I said, feeling glum. My stomach growled.
Aidan looked amused. “Hungry?”
“I haven’t eaten in a while. It’s been an eventful day.”
“What you need,” Aidan said as he handed me my coat, “is a delicious cupcake.”
Chapter 19
