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EDMOND
By the time I wake Darcy, it’s nearly four in the afternoon, but my brother is as cranky as if I’d barged into his room at nine a.m.
“Bloody hell, Edmond,” he grumbles, dragging a hand down his face as he swings his legs out from under the covers. “What bloody fucking time is it?”
“It’s nearly sunset and we have business to attend to in Sultan’s apartment,” I say. “Annabelle was more forthcoming than expected.”
“Oh. Well…good.” He sighs. “Give me a moment to get dressed.”
“No,” Blaire mumbles groggily beside him, her eyes still closed. “Don’t do it. Don’t get up. We need sleep. Sweet, sweet sleep.” She exhales, sinking deeper into her pillow, “I love you, sleep. You’re so sexy.”
Darcy’s lips quirk as he glances over his shoulder at his sleeping mate. “I thought I was the only one you talked to like that.”
“Sleep is my secret boyfriend,” Blaire says. “Goodbye, Darcy. Sleep and I are going to make out for another hour before the alarm goes off.”
“Sounds good.” He leans down, kissing her forehead. “Give sleep a kiss for me.”
She smiles. “I will. And maybe we can have a three way later. If you’re feeling kinky.”
“When it comes to you? Always,” my brother says, the intimacy in his tone making me feel like I’m witnessing something more private than a forehead kiss.
It reminds me of my epic mistake with Casey this morning and how desperately I wish I could make that same mistake again and again for the rest of my life. Making love to her was as incredible as I remembered and as painful as I feared.
How can I leave her knowing she feels the same way I do—that no other lover will ever be as perfect for her as the two of us are together?
It’s fucking torture, but I brought it upon myself…and the woman I love.
I have to be stronger, to stay focused on the good I can do before I pass instead of causing more heartbreak I won’t have the chance to help heal.
“I’ll wait outside,” I say, clearing my throat. “But hurry, Darcy. I’m not sure what we’re going to find, and I promised Amy I’d be her flying monkey tonight. She wants me to fly her into the party on my back, so I have to be finished with this golden toilet business by no later than six-thirty.”
“Golden toilet?” Darcy’s focus shifts sharply my way. “What on earth?”
“Exactly,” I agree. “See you outside.”
Ten minutes later, my brother—impeccable as always in a pair of dark gray slacks, a white button-down, and a deep green wool vest—joins me at the entrance to the new tunnel connecting his small cottage on the outskirts of the property to the main house.
Pushing through the heavy wooden door, we walk brisky through the vestibule, which still smells of construction materials and fresh paint. I fill Darcy in on what I learned from Annabelle, and he growls beneath his breath.
“Why didn’t you wake me at once?” he asks.
“Because I knew you’d been burning the candle at both ends and…” I trail off, wishing I could delay the next revelation, but this bad news won’t keep. Sundown is coming fast, and we all need to be prepared for what’s coming. “And I had to run down to the village. While I was there, I learned a pink boat docked at the marina this morning.”
Darcy grinds to a stop, blinking in stunned silence for a beat before he breathes, “Priscilla? Here?” When I nod, he mutters, “When it rains it fucking pours, doesn’t it? Has she made contact?”
I shake my head. “Not yet, but she will and she’s going to be in rare form. I could feel her anger stinging at my skin through the day suit I was wearing. I’ve already alerted Colin and he’s briefed the guards and staff. Her room’s been prepared, and her favorites are ready to fawn over her as soon as she arrives. Hopefully, that will be enough to take the edge off her temper. But I’ve also crafted protection amulets for the Wonderfullys.” I pull one from my pocket and pass the slim chain to Darcy. “I should have left this for Blaire while we were there, but I was distracted by all the erotic sleep talk.”
Darcy’s lips twitch, but the hint of a smile fades as he takes the bracelet and tucks it into the pocket of his vest. “I’ll give it to her.”
“And I’ll deliver Annie’s and Casey’s before sunset.”
He sighs and starts walking again, though more slowly than before, as if the news that our maker is back has added a physical weight to his shoulders. “Good. Thank you. It sounds as if you’ve done everything that can be done. We’ll just have to…hope for the best.”
“Or distract her with the worst. I’ve been thinking—what if we enlist Priscilla’s help in sorting out the Shadowbane threat? Flatter her into believing she’s needed to save the day and all her grateful children?”
Darcy grunts. “She’d be more hindrance than help.”
“Of course, she would. But if we keep her occupied in ways that won’t actively hurt the investigation, it could be worth it. The more time she spends studying golden toilets, the less time she has to strangle Blaire or rip Casey limb from limb.”
