Page 52

Fuck.

22

I went to the record store three times today trying to find Nix. On the last visit, Jett, the blond one who Freddie thinks is cute, told me he hadn’t seen him all day.

I tried not to let it get to me that I couldn’t find him and had no way to contact him. I’m used to Nix appearing when I need him—more so when I don’t. His absence is far more unsettling than I expected.

Yep, I have feelings for a demon. Surprising and accidental feelings that I have no clue what to do with. We’re two opposing sides that were never meant to meet in the middle, but we did.

Celeste left after breakfast. I stayed at the library most of the day, since it’s closer to the record store than the inn, and I wanted to spend time with Freddie before I went back home. I came back to the inn not long before sundown, just in time to see Sloane’s motorcycle screaming down the road with a sullen Rowan watching her go.

Now, it’s time for me to leave. I can’t wait any longer. I was hoping seeing Nix again would settle something, but maybe his absence was the answer I needed. Our connection was destined to be fleeting—like my premonitions. He was only ever meant to help me see the light and realize my destiny as a daughter of Solomon.

I pull the door closed behind me as I swing my bag over my shoulder and head downstairs. Nikita is behind the desk, her energy mostly full of her usual vitality, but there’s a flicker of sadness mixed in.

“Hey,” I say as I step up to her desk and slide my room key toward her.

“You’re off too?” She gives me a wobbly smile.

“Salem isn’t that far. We can visit.” I chew my lip as my eyes cast over to the bar. Rowan looks awful where he stands pouring drinks. “How did they leave things?”

Nikita blows out a breath as she looks at her brother. “Sloane said she needed to focus on this demon you guys are chasing first. Said she’d be back before the next full moon.”

I’m riddled with guilt for standing in the way of Sloane pursuing her own thing. I also hate that I’m hearing about my sister’s life from someone other than her. We’ve always been close, but I know I’m partly to blame for this rift between us right now. Maybe going home is what we both need. There’s been a lot to process in a short time.

“The office door was shut for a while, and there were some loud noises I’m trying to tell myself were nothing more than furniture rearranging in progress.” Nikita’s gold eyes flare. “So, I have hope it’ll all work out.”

“I’ll do my best to help her work through it.” I look over my shoulder once more at Rowan. “They both deserve to be happy. The bond is a gift.”

“That it is.” Forlorn energy ripples over my skin. When I turn back to Nikita, she’s twisting a gold band around her finger. “It’s undeniable. Even if your heart belongs to another, the second you meet your mate destiny takes over.”

“You’re a big believer in true love?”

Nikita shrugs off my question as if it doesn’t sting, but her heart beats a different tune. “I used to think so. I’m not so sure anymore.”

My powers can’t manipulate other supernaturals, but I reach for Nikita anyway, hoping a hug of friendship could still offer comfort even if I can’t take the hopeless emotion from her completely. “Thanks for looking out for us while we were here.”

“Anytime. Don’t be a stranger.” She squeezes me before letting go.

“Here.” She passes me a pastel pink pastry box filled with a few bite-sized treats. One looks like it has apples in it. “For the road.”

“Is that an apple pie I see?”

Nikita nods with a soft smile. “Mini apple pie tart, a pumpkin spice doughnut, and a honey-soaked lemon cake.”

“Thanks Nikita. I’ll message you when I get home.”

I step back with a nod and head for the door. I’ll make one more drive past Hemlock Vinyl before I leave town. If Jett’s there, maybe I can leave my details with him to pass on to Nix. I can’t leave without a word. It’s a little ridiculous, after everything we’ve done, that I don’t have a better way of contacting him. Will I have to summon him every time I want to see him? I pause just before sliding my key into the trunk’s lock.

A summoning. We haven’t tried to summon Catori. I know the curse doesn’t allow him to visit the human realm, but what if it forces a vision? I wouldn’t have considered it before now, as forcing my powers has rarely worked in the past, but I’ve felt stronger since meeting Nix. Maybe it would work now.

Throwing my bag into the car, I jump into the driver’s seat just as my phone rings with a call from Celeste.

“Hello?”

“Are you girls on your way home?”

“Sloane left not long ago; I’m just getting in my car now. Why?”