Page 59 of Rogue Witch

Footfalls approach in the hallway and, an instant later, the door opens. Ethan and Blade enter. Ethan crossed the room and pulls me into a hug. He steps back and looks at my face “You had us worried.”

Blade slaps me on the back. “Matthias said you would return soon. I’m glad he was right.”

“Matthias is here?” I ask.

“Not right now,” Ethan says. “We saw him for the first time in thirty years two nights ago.”

I frown. “Thirty years?”

Blade grimaces. “He decided to become a bishop.”

I snort. “That sounds about right.”

A shadow stretches across the hallway in front of the door, then a tall vampire enters the room. His gaze flicks to me.

Ethan says, “Carter, this is an old friend, Caleb Dakota. He was in the Reaping. Caleb, a new old friend, Gabriel Carter.”

I angle my head in acknowledgement. He does the same, then says to Raith, “We found the body of Robert Janson in the woods.”

“Have the Watchmen prepare the body for return to his parents,” Raith says. “Thanks for your help.”

Carter nods. “I’m going to check with Cromwell and see if he needs a hand with the debriefings.”

“We can use the help,” Raith says without his usual condescension.

I guess it takes a vampire to command respect from another vampire.

Carter turns and leaves.

Ethan says to Raith, “We called Ariel’s and Chelsea’s parents. They’re on their way.”

“You’d’ better hope Robert’s mother doesn’t figure out that Ariel is responsible for his death,” Blade says. “Kathryn is a well-connected siren.”

Raith’s lips thin. “Then Kathryn better hope nothing happens to Ariel. Olympia will deal with the woman if that happens.”

“Speaking of Olympia,” Blade says. “Has anyone seen her today?”

Ethan and Raith both say no.

“Odd,” Blade says. “I haven’t seen her since I gave her my report on the Zidruhin this morning. No sign of her assistant, either?”

“I had Rebecca leave messages for both Olympia and Franklin,” Raith says. “But haven’t heard back from either of them.”

“What about Domini?” Ethan looks from Blade to Raith.

“I’d completely forgotten about him,” Blade says.

“Haven’t seen him,” Raith replies.

Blade arches a brow. “You don’t think…?”

Raith grimaces. “Anything is possible, though I’d be surprised if Olympia was fucking around right now. For the moment, however”—his eyes cut to me—“I’m interested in learning how Caleb ended up in the Reaping with Leilah.”

“Oh, I figured that out,” Blade says.

We all look at Blade.

“Come on,” the Fae says. “The answer really is too easy.”