Page 53 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

I lifted a brow. “Okayyy? You mean, looking into the sleeping fae issue?” He nodded. “But you’re going to do it anyway?”

“I don’t have much choice. Not after last night. Professor Miller’s case, while important, is getting shoved to the back burner.”

I frowned, not sure how I felt about that, especially given my gut feelings about Luke. “So… You don’t need me anymore?”

“Now, now, sugar,” he said, his voice dropping to a low purr. “I didn’t say that. I still have plans for you.”

The promise of those words made my thighs squeeze together. Green eyes darted to my lips and back. Wait… Were we still talking about the case? Or something else entirely?

I cleared my throat and groped for a topic change. “Those sketches on the news, the ones you mentioned—of the perpetrators—they were at the event?”

He sniffed, shoulders relaxing. “On the guest list, yes.”

“What?” My eyes bulged. “But how is that possible? They showed up?”

“They did.”

“But…” My eyebrows drew together. It didn’t make sense.

“Aramis confirmed that they remain safely locked in his high security vault under constant surveillance. They’re in hospital beds, closely monitored, with a fae healer on duty at all times.”

“Then…how?!”

“That’s what I’d like to know, sugar. That’s what I’m looking into.”

A long hesitation and then, “Where does this leave me?”

“Ah. Yes. Let’s discuss that,” he said. I shifted, crossing my legs. “Your apartment is in shambles. And if I’m not mistaken, it appears you’re in some kind of danger? This Luke person, yes?”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Yes,” I managed.

“Then you’ll understand why I cannot let you return home, even if we clean the place up and all that.” He waved a hand.

I opened my mouth⁠—

He lifted a finger. “I made a deal, Eleanor. I intend to uphold my end. The magic required to fix your apartment will take most of what I have stored, and that’s fine. But I’d like your permission to hold off for a few days, given the state of everything else. I have no idea what I’m about to get myself into.”

I frowned. That was unexpected, but refreshingly so. Thus far, he’d been a lot more honest with me than I expected. His magic, especially. Was it because he knew how much power he held over me? That I was no threat whatsoever?

I cleared my throat. “And…what…you expect me to just…stay here?”

“That’s exactly what I expect, yes. Even if I fix everything today, I will not let you back into your apartment until I know the danger has passed.” His tone was firm. I sighed. “Not the answer you were hoping for?”

“Actually…” I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. “I… I’m not sure I’m ready to go back yet, anyway, given what happened with Peter.” I said his name like a whisper, like I could barely acknowledge it. “And you’re right. I don’t think it’s safe.”

I’d once promised myself I wouldn’t do this again—alone. That I wouldn’t expose myself to danger and keep quiet. That I wouldn’t sit back and let Luke destroy my life while staying silent about it. Plus, Bastian didn’t seem to mind my presence in his home.

“I do like it here,” I admitted. “It’s peaceful, compared to the city.”

He grinned and his dimple appeared. “Glad to hear that. I feel the same. And since you’ll be sticking around a bit longer, that brings me to my next point.”

“Oh?” I sat up straighter.

“I might need your assistance.”

“Really?” The word came out breathy.

“Sure, why not? An extra set of eyes. An extra mind. Someone I can talk things through with.” His words meant more than I cared to admit. “I know you’ve got a smart brain under that head of pink hair. Might as well earn your keep while you’re here.”