Page 47 of Dead Heat

“I draw power from sexual encounters the same as Alessandro.” He flicked a piece of lint from his robe. “Unlike Alessandro, however, it isn’t my only source, nor do I require it to live.”

“Do you require it to live in the lap of luxury?” I asked, gesturing to the upscale condo.

“No, this is all down to Carrie. She comes from a very wealthy family.”

“Which is why you decided to hitch your wagon to her star?”

Del laughed, appearing unoffended. “Carrie was a tiny mouse when I met her, living in her older sister’s golden shadow.” His grin widened. “I changed all that for her.”

Gun nodded. “A mutually beneficial arrangement. I get that.”

“If Carrie provides the money, what does your magic provide?” I asked.

“The lifestyle. Carrie would never get invited to fabulous parties or exotic trips without my influence. She loves regaling her sister with tales of our exploits. Simone is now tethered to her McMansion in Millburn thanks to three children, a husband who travels extensively for work, and a mountain of volunteer positions.”

“Does Carrie mind that you use sex with other people to support this lifestyle?” I asked. Just because Del was the magic user didn’t mean Carrie wasn’t resourceful. She could’ve planned ahead and decided the next time Del invited someone else to join them, she’d exact her revenge.

“Carrie is the kind of supportive wife most people dream of. I’m a lucky man.”

“Why dark magic?” Gun asked. “It seems to me that all this is possible without losing your soul in the process.”

Del shrugged. “It’s the only path I know.”

“No ritual sacrifices, though, right?” Gun asked.

“No,” Del said. “Blood and flesh, yes, but nothing that causes irreparable harm.”

“Would you mind if I show you the mark on Alessandro?” I asked. “Maybe you’ll recognize it.”

Del’s expression turned serious. “Absolutely. I’d like tohelp if I can, if only for purely selfish reasons. Carrie and I would love to see him again.”

I pulled up the photo on my phone and turned the screen toward him.

Del squinted. “I don’t recognize it. I wouldn’t use a physical mark anyway, not that I would curse or hex anyone. That’s not part of my warlock toolkit.”

I glanced at Gunther, who nodded. Thanks to the tarot card Gun had subtly activated, I knew Del was telling the truth.

“Would you mind if we did a quick scan of the condo?” I asked.

Del’s brow furrowed. “What kind of scan?”

“If Carrie’s hiding any evidence of magic, we should be able to find it.”

Gun rose languidly to his feet. “I promise not to peek in your underwear drawer unless you want me to.”

Who needed to peek when it was on display?

“Be my guest. Our marriage isn’t the only thing that’s open. We have nothing to hide.”

I accompanied Gun as he walked through each room of the condo, holding another activated tarot card.

“No magical signature from Carrie, only Del,” he reported.

We circled back to the living room, where Del was still seated.

“You seem to be right about Carrie,” I said. “No traces of magic from her.”

“I know my wife as well as I know myself. It’s one of the reasons our relationship is as strong as it is. As boring as it sounds, communication is the key.”

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