Page 122 of Fallen Court

I raised a brow.

“It’s basically the birthplace of magical science,” she explained, “and one of the only places where anyone is still studying how and why spells work. Sorry, I’m a bit of an alchemy geek. I wish we had a lab in New Orleans.”

I thought of the makeshift one we’d concocted a few weeks ago at Gage Memorial and made a mental note to put the issue in front of Lach. We needed to have resources in the city.

“Let’s hope he picks up,” I muttered, hitting the video call button next to Sirius’s contact. The phone hummed a tense prelude before his image appeared on the screen.

“Hey, Cate.” Sirius’s voice was warm, but his eyes betrayed a weariness that tugged at my conscience.

“Did I wake you?” Guilt laced my words. I should have checked the time difference.

He managed a tired grin, shaking his head. “No, it’s been a long day. Was just about to call it quits for a bit and grab a bite to eat.”

“Back to the Otherworld?” I never thought I’d miss the fae world, but my stomach growled in jealousy at the idea of a blood apple.

“Yep, you caught me just in time.” His smile slipped some as he looked over my shoulder at my companion. “You okay?”

“Ah, yeah, this is Willow.” I motioned toward her, and she stepped into view.

“Hi,” Willow chimed, offering a small wave before leaning down to whisper, “He’s cute.”

I’d thought the same thing when I first met him, the combination of his rich brown skin and deep, genuine smile somewhat irresistible. But Sirius looked down, scrubbing his neck with the back of his hand. I turned toward her, keeping my voice low, even though I knew it was futile. “He’s fae, Willow. He can hear everything.”

Unfazed, she straightened up, her grin wide and unrepentant. “Don’t care, still cute.”

“So, uh, can I help you with something?” he asked, his eyes pleading to be saved before he died from embarrassment.

“We have a few spells that are acting off. Do you have a minute?” I asked. The ring on my finger suddenly felt like more than a weight. It was a shackle I couldn’t shake.

“Anything for you.”

Willow had moved behind the phone, and she clutched her chest, looking like she might swoon. She mimed writing something. I held up a finger to Sirius. “Just a sec.” I obscured the screen and mouthed, What?

“Ask if I can have his number.”

I did not have time to play matchmaker. Turning my attention back to the Astral Prince, I forced a smile. “Thank you. I feel like we’re asking a lot of you. I hope having Romy and Fiona there isn’t causing problems.”

Sirius waved his hand. “It’s been great. I really enjoy having them around,” he added, and I pressed my lips together to hold back my surprise. “It’s nice to not be alone in the lab or the library all the time.”

Willow was on the verge of death. She folded her hands together in silent entreaty.

“Good. That’s good,” I managed, forcing myself to focus on him. “Look, can you keep a secret?”

“Always,” he assured me, his eyes locking on mine through the screen.

“From…everyone?”

The edges of his eyes crinkled before understanding hit him. I wasn’t just casually checking in on his guests. “Whatever you say will stay between us,” he promised.

Lach was going to be pissed, but what choice did we have? We needed answers. With half the city ready to revolt, we couldn’t risk being unprepared if the bona fides spell fell and Oberon struck.

Hesitantly, I lifted my hand, displaying the ring that refused to budge. “It seems to be stuck.”

His gaze fixed on the ring for an uncomfortably long moment, and my pulse thrummed in my ears. Did he recognize it as a signet? Finally, he spoke, his tone lighthearted. “Have you tried loosening it with some butter? Old trick.”

“Actually,” Willow interjected, stepping into view, “it’s a spell. One I’ve never seen before.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of surprise crossing his features. “You’re a witch?”