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Kol pursed his brow. “The murders did seem to follow a ritualistic pattern.”
“Like a cult ritual,” I inserted.
Breaking from the circle, Kol stepped back, his wings fluttering in agitation. “If it were a cult, everybody would’ve been treated the same. But there have been differences, particularly the last.”
“Right,” added Lucius, pacing back toward the fire before turning to face us. “This last victim proved we’re dealing with methodical thinkers, more like violent radicals with a cause rather than cult fanatics. Cults have no need to display their victims in so brutal, so public a fashion. Every murder has served a purpose.”
“If not for some cult ritual, then why would they do this?”
The mechanic hum of the steel outer doors opening snapped all our attention to the terrace archway. Julian stood by the alarm pad, peering at the statue-like guards as they came into view with the rising doors.
“Julian!” Jessen marched after him. “What did I tell you? Do not open the door without permission.”
“Aww, Mom. I just wanna see the Nightwing guards. They’re awesome.”
Jessen swung him up onto her hip and punched the key pad.
Kol stepped forward. “Hold, Jessen. Wait till I’m gone.”
I frowned. Jess crossed the living room to the hall, whispering to her son. “You need a nap.”
“No, I don’t,” he murmured, stifling a yawn.
Kol had already untucked his wings in half-open stance, readying for flight.
“Where are you going?” I walked with him to the terrace archway. “I thought you were staying for dinner.”
“I need to visit Petrus at once. See if he has any theories on the blood drinking. I have an idea, but I need to speak with him first.”
“I don’t suppose he has a comm device so you can speak with him that way.”
An arched brow. “Do you recall seeing a comm device among his feather quills and parchment paper?”
I sighed. “When will you be back?”
Kol stilled, rotating his body toward me, a beatific expression in place. “Why? Will you miss me?”
I pressed my lips together. He leaned closer and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. A gentle gesture, a lover’s touch. I couldn’t breathe. “Don’t go anywhere until I return and keep the doors locked.”
He strolled onto the terrace and shot straight up into the air.
I punched the alarm pad, the steel door sliding closed. Ensconcing myself in the chair next to Lucius by the hearth, I sighed, frustrated and excited about the new discovery, as well as the man who’d just left after ordering me to stay indoors.
Once again, Lucius was lost in thought, staring into the flames. For a while, we sat in silence, both of us steeped in our own reveries.
Kol’s gentle kiss when we’d arrived and tender caress when he left stirred something in me. I was uneasy, disturbed by his soft affection. And at the same time, all I wanted was for him to return right this minute and do it again.
“Lucius?”
“Hmm.”
“How did you know my sister was your mate?”
A swift sidelong glance. “Soulfire.” He steepled his forefingers at his chin. “Most Morgons don’t speak of it, so I didn’t recognize it at first.” He grew quiet again.
“How so?” I encouraged.
He tilted a smile at me. “Ever the curious one, aren’t you?”
