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Tomorrow night, then.
I was going to suggest tomorrow morning, before we open.
Aiden’s knee pressed against mine as he sat next to me; the contact had the still-churning inner nerves easing just that little bit more. The man definitely made me feel safe, even if it was more illusion than truth when it came to the likes of Clayton.
That would mean getting up before dawn. It’ll be cold.
Freezing. But it’s our best chance to get answers without having anyone tagging along with us.
Meaning Aiden.
Yes.
He’s aware of the changes in you, Liz. He wants answers, even if he’s not currently pressing.
He’s not pressing because he’s waiting for his perfect wolf to arrive.
Not true.
I frowned. Meaning what?
Oh, he is waiting for Miss Perfect, but that has nothing to do with his concern for you. Out loud, she added, “What odd comment are we talking about?”
She picked up the tray of coffees and brought them over. Even from where I was sitting, I could smell the alcohol she’d added to hers and mine. The sooner we got the whole marriage mess sorted the better, or we were going to end up alcoholics.
Monty followed with three plates of black forest cake and a fourth containing a stack of brownies.
“I’m not sure even I can get through that many slices,” Aiden said, accepting the plate with an amused smile.
“I have every faith in your eating prowess,” Belle said, sliding a steaming coffee mug across to him.
Monty handed out the remaining plates, then leaned the tray against the table leg and sat down. “On discovering who Ashworth was, Lawrence said ‘that would certainly explain recent events in Canberra.’ I took it to mean Liz’s parents’ recent separation.”
I frowned. “But how would learning who Ashworth was—” I stopped. “He knows Ashworth’s sister is head of the Black Lantern Society.”
“Which is?” Aiden asked.
“According to Ashworth,” I said, “It’s a secret society of witches, werewolves, and vampires who work behind the scenes to right wrongs and bring justice to those who escape it.”
“Sounds more like a vigilante group,” Aiden commented. “And it can’t be too secret if your father knows about it.”
“The Society is whatever it needs to be.” Monty glanced at me. “And if Lawrence is now aware of it, they must have recently contacted your parents. It would certainly explain your mother’s sudden decision to separate from your father.”
“And that would explain why he’s now attempting to make amends for his actions thirteen years ago,” Belle said. “It’s still all about power and his need to retain it rather than any desire to put things right for his daughter.”
I picked up my fork and scooped up a thick bit of chocolaty goodness. “To be honest, I don’t care what his motivations are, as long as it ends in an annulment. But I don’t for one minute believe Clayton will leave it at that.”
“He has to,” Monty said around a mouthful of cake. “He swore an oath, and that’s something no witch would go against lightly.”
“Maybe sane witches, but I’m not entirely sure Clayton could be classified as that anymore.” I remembered the look in his eyes and shivered. “His aura was nigh on black, and it wasn’t grief. It was a fury so fierce it consumes him.”
“Somewhat understandable if he’s been incapable of getting an erection for nearly thirteen years. That might send any man mad.” Monty scooped up more cake. “What I’d like to know, though, is how the damn spell lasted so long. Don’t take this the wrong way, Belle, but it really shouldn’t have. At the very least, he should have been able to unpick it without much hassle.”
“I know, and I can’t explain it.” She shrugged. “It’s not like I was actively thinking that night—I was running more on instinct.”
“Were the two of you connected?” Aiden asked. “Is it possible that some of Liz’s magic leaked over to Belle and fortified her spell?”
Monty pointed his fork at Aiden, his expression excited. “By God, I think he nailed it. It explains so much.”
