Page 16 of Hextreme Measures

Ofelia nodded. “I’m also warding the floor. Only certain people — our people — will be allowed on it. The construction workers will bypass it every time. They can go to either floor above or below, but this floor is off limits to them.”

“Okay.” Sully nodded. “That’s a good start. What about food?”

“There are some staples there.” Ofelia pointed toward the grocery bag Bernie had brought with him. “I figured we could get her takeout for the other meals. It’s going to be easier than cooking.”

“Who is going to watch her?”

Bernie raised his hand. “Ofelia and I have already worked out the details on that. I live in the building. It’s easy for me to check on her multiple times a day.”

“I’m paying him,” Ofelia added.

“No, you’re not,” Bernie fired back.

“Don’t argue with me on that.” Ofelia extended a single warning finger. “I’m in no mood to play that game.”

“Well, neither am I.”

Sully sent Bernie a quelling look before turning his attention back to Ofelia. “My guess is that you’re going to start, first thing in the morning, looking for a cure.”

“Not just a cure,” Ofelia replied. “I’m going to be looking for a reason. Those banshees didn’t attack our party on a whim. They were there for a specific purpose.”

“I can’t ever remember seeing that many banshees working together,” Sully admitted.

“Me either.” Ofelia shook her head. “They could have done more damage than they did. It seems like the second you ripped out the throat of the one that was coming after me, they were done. They took off.”

“It’s possible she was their leader,” he said. “They might not have expected her to fall.”

“Maybe,” Ofelia agreed. “It could be something else entirely. We’re going to have to figure it out as we go.”

“So, Bernie is going to be taking care of her,” Sully started.

“And me,” Ben interjected. “I’m going to be taking care of her, too.”

Ofelia didn’t argue. It made sense. “If you want to set up a spot for yourself in the room next door, we can get another air mattress,” she suggested. “I will actually feel better if you’re close. Between Bernie and you, she’ll be safe.”

“And what if she starts turning?” Sully challenged. He hated the way Ofelia cringed, but he could hardly call it a night without asking the obvious question. “What then?”

“Then I’ll find the cure,” Ofelia replied simply. She didn’t back away when Sully held her gaze. “I have options. This is my town. I will be able to find a way to cure her.”

It wasn’t that Sully didn’t believe her. It was more that he was worried she was convincing herself that she could do anything because the thought of losing Angelique was too much to bear. Rather than call her on this, especially in front of Angelique, he just nodded.

“Let’s get Ben and Angelique set up for the night and test your wards,” he said instead. “We will figure everything out from there, okay?”

Ofelia smiled. “I’m glad you’re on my team.”

“I will always be on your team,” he promised.

“Is that why you planned a surprise engagement party with our friends tonight and didn’t tell me?”

His smile turned instantly rueful. “Who told you about that? I had to cancel it once the night went off the rails. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts.”

“I’m going to get you your party,” he promised. “One way or another, you’re going to get what you deserve.”

“That could be taken in a dirty way.”

He smirked. “That’s how I meant it.”