Page 40 of Two Who Live On

My phone buzzed. Lingering on the rooftop, I answered.

“Hello?” The gruff rasp of my voice echoed either from a glitch or the fact my mind was still linked to Milo, who was on the other end of the call.

“Thought we had an arrangement. I couldn’t take two steps into that alley without seeing potential futures of you barging into Cassidy’s club.”

“You were in danger.”

“I’m always in danger. You know this.” Milo took a heavy breath. It hit the phone harshly, and he straightened his tie on the other end, his composure shifting. In this brief conversation, he had a sterner expression than when faced with actual combat. “You said you wouldn’t interfere or involve yourself, remember?”

“That was before you were surrounded by twenty warlocks.”

“Half were warlocks at best, though a few others are certainly on the path to becoming them if they don’t change their ways.”

We sat in silence, his thoughts wandering around, avoiding topics and skirting past things he knew he shouldn’t say—shouldn’t think. He didn’t want to scold me. The idea of me throwing myself into a fight, ill-prepared, altering fates or plans, or leaving him unguardedbecause he feared any outcome that would bring me there. Then, he dwelled on the battle he had thrown me in last semester. His hands wrapped along my bloody throat, his world falling apart, my death imminent, and he had only himself to blame. Milo would never allow a future like that to come so close again.

“I won’t do that again. Get myself involved.” I picked myself up, brushed dirt from my pants, and walked across the cracked rooftop. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“I’m sorry I worried you, too.”

“I should probably apologize to the owner of this house.”

“How bad is it?”

“Not terrible. I’ll exchange insurance info and watch my casting liability premium skyrocket.”

“Just go home, Dorian.”

“They have specialists for this,” I groaned. Witches whose sole purpose was to track magical infractions. The damage done was mild, so if I stayed, it’d be a couple questions, a few forms, and a simple fee; however, casting, damaging property, then bolting—that was something that could get my license suspended.

“Text me the address, and I’ll have an acolyte file a Cerberus incident report. It’s easy peasy, and since you caused that damage chasing me, the guild is sort of liable. Trust me, the accountants will love the write-off.”

“Liar.”

“I’ll be working late. Please, get some rest.” Milo hung up. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I hopped off the roof, lightly descending, and went home.

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Taking Milo’s advice, I returned home and passed out. My telepathy soared while I wandered through a dreamless night. Perhaps no memories haunted me because the present frightened me enough. Perhaps my mind simply couldn’t sort past regrets and maintain such a powerful tether. Not that an answer mattered. I hovered beside Enchanter Evergreen as he strutted into La Maison de l’Infini, flashing an invitation Cassidy had been kind enough to acquire for him. Something about this secret club would help him solve the demon case and stop the murders.

It was stunning how he waltzed inside without raising a single quizzical response. Sure, he’d gotten enchantments laced with glamours to alter his appearance, but La Maison de l’Infini had hundreds of sigils, glyphs, and wards to hide its location and monitor all their clientele. Inside, those enchantments lined the high-archedceiling and marble floors. Then again, in a place where everyone hid who they were so they could be who they wanted, it wasn’t too shocking his glamoured appearance passed the check-in, especially since the support items Cerberus Guild provided were top-tier crafted.

The sigils in the diamond stud earrings he wore were quite discreet, despite nothing about his current glamoured look being inconspicuous. Pretty certain they called this peacocking.

Flashy to draw attention, yet Milo believed in a place like this, doing everything he could to stand out would ensure he went unnoticed. He’d changed the color of his eyes to a bright purple, which might explain why no one questioned his glamour enchantment. It seemed more than a few guests altered their aesthetic to stand out; either that or they possessed an augmentation branch. Milo had traded in his spiky blond trademark look for gelled-back black hair, closer to my length than his. Though his complexion hadn’t changed from his usual tan, he’d gained a small face tattoo of two hearts.

The appearance was something he didn’t mind for blending, but the outfit irritated him. The polo shirt was itchy compared to his soft dress shirts, and the raised collar tickled his ears. And the jeans. While I very much appreciated the view of his assets, he hated the feel of denim.

As expected, La Maison de l’Infini had a lot of illegal activities to offer, enough for him to spot in a few quick glances and shut down the club if he so desired. Milo eyed the upper floor lined with portals and a sign.

Le Port Sans Fin

Some portals had rippling watery blues, others made of fiery red mist, and a few made of sheen forest green. Each cosmic doorwaywas linked to a different lounge in a different city somewhere across the world. This place was international, and Milo had merely gained entry to the Chicago Lounge. Each glowing portal had a bouncer positioned and another necessary invitation to cross through.

Ignoring the warp portals that led to nearby lounges offering the same delights for the right price, Milo walked through the casino section, making note of every table, bar, and guest as he perused. Milo didn’t want to shut the place down. It’d simply open somewhere new in the city after a few weeks or months, and he had no interest in exploring the other guarded locations. He wanted to focus on this singular hotspot that’d become a hunting ground for a dangerous demon.

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