We heard Lark asking a series of questions with not much response, but in a couple of places, we did hear what sounded like, “don’t go there,”and “be careful.” I felt a shiver race down my spine.
“Interesting,” Dev said, a look of concern overtaking his features.
Lark told us how Mary had been pointing emphatically, and how she had just assumed the lady of the house was distraught over the damage that had been done. It seemed that wasn’t the case.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. If the spirits of the house were already warning Lark away, I worried what the night had in store. But as I looked at Lark once more, and her chartreuse eyes met mine, I knew she was strong enough to handle it.
“By the way,” Hanlen said, breaking into my thoughts. I saw everyone turn their attention to her but noticed that she was solely focused on Lark. “I called in some favors, Birdie.”
“As did I,” Sky said, and Lark looked between the women.
“I have some of my law enforcement contacts both here and in Texas digging into everything they can find on Lionel Broussard and Balance of Light,” Hanlen continued.
“And I have my crime lab contacts working with their people to see what they can uncover from the evidence stored after the fire investigation,” Sky added and looked at Hanlen. “Hanlen and I want to make sure that we have everything ready in case this fucker comes for you. He’s not touching you. But just in case—”
“We want to be ready,” Hanlen interjected. “Obviously, we don’t hope that he makes a move, but if he does, it’ll be even easier for us to do something about it legally and get it to stick.”
Lark rubbed at her eyes, and I knew that just the thought of that likely had her heart rate elevating.
“And if he doesn’t,” Hanlen continued, “then we’ll go on the offensive. Because you deserve to live a happy and carefree life, girl. And I want to help that happen. Not to mention, nobody should live that way. If we can save even one other person who is willing to take off their rose-colored glasses, it’ll be worth it.”
“I . . . I don’t know what to say,” Lark said. “Thank you.”
I saw tears come to Lark’s eyes, and it made my throat close a bit, too. She had a lot of people in her corner. And I would be one of them. As Hanlen had said, Lark deserved a carefree and happy life.
I just hoped that she chose to spend it with me.
Chapter27
~Larken~
After we got to the Ninth and checked all the static cameras, microphones, and equipment, and Kholt double-checked all the things he had put in place to make sure everybody was safe, we gathered in the front yard, inside the gate on the little walk that led to the porch steps.
I walked over to Kholt. “Everything good?” I asked.
“Yeah, everything looks good,” he said. “I put a bunch of extra stuff in the areas that are the most concerning just in case, but I think we should be fine. And I can never be too careful—especially with you.”
“Good. And you’re the best,” I kissed him on the cheek. “Well, we’re about to get started. Did anybody walk you through this first bit?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not really.”
“So, the other day, Dev and I did our preliminary magical work to get the properties ready for the investigation, clearing residual bad energies, setting protections, drawing wards, creating circles, etcetera, but we always do the actual magic on camera.”
I paused to take him in, looking for any signs of confusion. He just tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and smiled at me, letting me know to continue.
“I will open a sacred space for us and close the magical circle we set earlier, and then Dev will open the way and ask the lwas to help us communicate with the dearly departed. None of that is going to freak you out, is it?” I asked, not able to keep the concern out of my gaze.
“No.” He smiled, reaching down to take my hand. “No. I love watching you work. You’re...transcendent. And none of this is scary to me. It’s fascinating. I have a million questions, but I can ask you all of them later.”
My body flushed at his praise. “Okay, good,” I said, relieved. I knew I had nothing to fear from him and inherently knew that he accepted all of me, but the fact that Icared enough to worry about it meant something. Luckily, I saw in his expression that he got it without me having to voice it.
He scooped a hand under my hair and pulled me to him, gazing into my eyes as he brought us as close as he could without being indecent. “Everything about you amazes me, Lark. Please don’t ever hold anything back when it comes to me. I want to be your safe place.” I felt the backs of my eyes prickling, but before I could even truly acknowledge that, he took my lips in a scorching kiss, and I melted against him.
I delved into his mouth, my tongue tangling with his, our breaths mingling and bodies touching. It awakened that primal part of me that we’d set free earlier, and I gasped.
Reluctantly, I pulled back and licked my lips, placing my hand on his chest over his heart. “I love the sound of that.”
I saw his eyes widen a fraction and realized what I’d said. I hadn’t said I loved him, but it was clearly an acquiescence tosomethingand seemed to affect him. I felt as if I should say more, but before I could, Turner walked up, a grin stretching his face.