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Though I was unsure what she meant – or afraid to imagine too many possibilities – I leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Before we settle down, I’ll take a look around and make sure all of Stevenson’s posse is gone.”
I made a witchlight and handed it to her. “This’ll last an hour or so.”
“Thank you, Vincent.” She returned my kiss and the light followed her into the house.
Once the door was closed tight behind her, I turned to Rafe. Rain had slicked his hair and without his glasses, those dark eyes pinned me in place. “If you go light the grate I can take a look—”
“Hush. No one is here except the three of us.”
“You’re sure?”
Without answering, he steered both of us toward his workshop. The rain began to fall more heavily, though the rhythmic fall and surge of the waves soothed me. Once we were inside, he knelt to stir the coals in the grate. I made another witchlight, which cast shadows behind all the small creatures on the shelves.
I stood helplessly, unsure what to do. Yes, we’d rid ourselves of the Ferox Cor, but Rafe had just lost his mother. There was nothing I could say to take away that pain.
With a sharp pop, the fire in the grate burst into life. I took off my soggy overcoat and hung it on the back of Rafe’s chair. He took off his cloak, too, hanging it on a peg by the door. We faced each other, neither sure what to do next.
“You should take off your wet clothes.” I tracked the placket of his shirt. I didn’t intend to seduce him. I simply liked the feel of him, of knowing he was still with me.
He shrugged out of his shirt, and I mirrored him. Soon we were both down to our drawers. Lifting the blanket from the pallet in front of the fire, he extended his hand to me. With that invitation, I sat next to him. He reclined and pulled the blanket over both of us.
We needed to make a few adjustments, but soon we were comfortable, Rafe on his back and my head on his shoulder. His breathing was deep and even, and while I wanted to ask him how he felt, I couldn’t find the words. Instead, I allowed myself to drift.
“You’re very brave,” he murmured, his voice rumbling through his chest against my cheek.
I smiled, tilting my head so I could press a kiss to his skin. “As are you.”
I would have gone on listing his various attributes, his strength, his artistry, his hidden sweetness, but he spoke up instead. “I hope we’ll have some time together when we’re not fighting an earthbound demon.”
Snuggling in closer, I found another spot to kiss. “So do I.”
That seemed to satisfy us both, and soon, we were both asleep.
Only a few hours later, we woke to someone pounding on the workshop door.
“Rafe? Vincent?” Margaret’s apprehension carried through the door. Rafe sat propped on one elbow, while I clambered to my feet.
My overcoat was still damp, so I pulled on a shirt and cracked the door open. “What is it?”
Margaret’s braid still hung down over her shoulder and she wore the same muddy dress as she’d had on the night before. “It’s Madam Munro.”
I blinked, not sure I’d heard her correctly. “It’s...who?”
“Madam Munro,” she hissed. “She arrived in Seattle late yesterday and paid a fisherman a great deal of money to bring her here first thing.”
“Why?”
She made a disgusted sound. I rubbed my face, hoping I’d wake up enough to make sense of the situation.
“Just remember what Della said, that we mustn't tell her about Rafe.”
“Yes, all right, I won’t.”
Rafe came up behind me, warm against my back. “Tell who about me?”
“Madam Munro.” I reached for his hand, hoping Margaret wouldn’t notice. “Your mother was afraid that if the Council found out the extent of your power, they’d make you work for them.”
His laugh would have reassured me, but I was still too overwrought after last night.
