Page 55 of Cheater Slicks

“I have a theory.” I hadn’t been convinced of it until Dis Pater’s tantrum. “Humor me?”

“All right.”

“I don’t think he can force you to harm me. I think it’s tied into how I go where you go when you’re summoned. We’re bound somehow.” I rubbed my forearm and the hidden mark there. “There’s a chance he knew I couldn’t accomplish anything without your help, and that’s why he didn’t bother asking you to restrain me. If I couldn’t break his enchantment, then there was no reason to alienate us by pitting you directly against me.” As I said it, I had another thought. “Maybe it’s as simple as that. He could order you to get physical but won’t because he wants to cultivate our relationship in case I prove useful one day.”

“You’re not convincing me that staying is in your best interests…”

“It’s a risk.” I couldn’t deny he was right or turn a blind eye to the facts. “But you’re worth it.”

I wasn’t afraid to fight for him, even if one day soon it might mean fighting against him.

Back at Vi’s house, music spilled out the open doors onto the gallery, carrying down to the street where Kierce and I stood, staring up at what appeared to be a party happening in the living room. One that we hadn’t been invited to attend. Had Rollo gotten that desperate for social interaction? Really? He hadn’t lasted twenty-four hours under house arrest. I shrugged it off as Rollo being Rollo until it hit me.

Vi was upstairs. In her bed. Unconscious.

And Rollo, because no one else would have dared, had thrown a soiree.

My temper struck like a match after all the tinder Ankou had fed me, and I stormed upstairs only to stumble into a speakeasy from the 1920s. I might have been impressed with the flapper dresses and zoot suits, but it wasn’t thanks to attention to detail. These were authentic pieces, worn by authentic 1920s’ spirits.

“Frankie,” Josie yelled over the noise, proving real music was playing. “Come help me in the kitchen.”

Brain scrambling at the scene, I was glad for the direction. “Sure.”

Kierce was quick to follow me through the path the spirits carved to avoid brushing against him.

As weird as tonight had been, I was almost comforted to see this crowd recognized him for what he was. I had been starting to wonder after neither the nekomata or the toughs registered his—or my—divinity.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, Josie shoved me into a corner. “What’s going on out there?”

Back home, I was more mindful, but it was easy to forget when I was around so many who could see or speak to the dead, and her lack of ability to perceive spirits hit me like a ton of bricks. “Rollo didn’t tell you?”

“You think Rollo of all people would be useful?” She scoffed. “He started greeting people I can’t see then flipped on the record player. There are cold spots everywhere I walk, and I swear I feel eyes on me.” She cuddled into my side. “I’m so glad you’re back. Can you take me to my room and make sure no one is in there?”

Spirits couldn’t hurt her, most of them anyway, but that was still the safest place for her.

“Sure.” I guided her through the hall to her room, searched it top to bottom, then left her on her bed. As I turned to go, I bumped into Kierce, who had followed me. “Let’s find the man of the hour.”

A few steps later, Jean-Claude, who stood watch outside of Vi’s room, intercepted us.

“Care to explain what’s going on?” I glanced past him, to the noise. “What does Rollo think he’s doing?”

“He seized on the auction idea and invited Luca Tremain to visit, since he’s not allowed to step foot outside the house.” He rubbed his ears, the music too loud for comfort. “Tremain travels with this circus everywhere he goes.” His scowl deepened as whoops rose from the crowd of spirits. “You’ll have to reset the wards after they leave.”

Hmm.

Rollo must have lowered them to allow Tremain access and then raised them, locking in his guests. Otherwise, I would have noticed the breach on my way in. Tremain must trust Rollo a great deal to allow the magical containment of himself and his entourage.

“It’s no problem.” I racked my memory, but the name didn’t ring any bells. “Do I know him?”

“No.” He gripped my shoulders and pointed me toward my room. “You don’t need to either.”

The stern look he shot Kierce confirmed he wanted me under lock and key until Tremain left. As much as I itched to wade through the bodies to find Rollo and demand answers, I trusted Jean-Claude’s assessment of the situation.

“Come get me when you’re ready.” I was too tired to fight with him. “Kierce and I will be in my room.”

No sooner had we shut the door behind us than it swung open on Pascal carrying two plates and two glasses of milk. He thumped his hip against the knob, shutting us in again. He must have been the one who actually required help in the kitchen, but Josie sidetracked us before we could offer him any.

“I brought refreshments.” He held out the cake slices to Kierce and me. “Josie said it’s my best yet.”

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