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“But he was radio silent last night,” Roark said meaningfully, his gaze locking on mine.
The relief I felt was short-lived as Lach appeared in the living room, hair an artful mess from where my fingers had gripped it through the night, a smug smile on his perfect face, and still wearing my silk robe. He shrugged at my incredulous look.
Ciara blinked. “Where are your clothes?”
Shaw hitched a thumb toward the fireplace. “Over here with Cate’s dress—or what’s left of it.”
Ciara crossed her arms, brows raised, a slow grin splitting her lips.
Embarrassment stained my cheeks as they all looked between us. “I plead the fifth.”
“Sorry, princess.” Lach winked as he strolled over. “They probably smelled me on you anyway.”
And he’d gone there.
I sighed and covered my face with my hands.
“I told you they would bang before Samhain,” Shaw said, grinning.
“Shaw!” Ciara hissed. “We all knew that.”
I glared at her, but she only laughed.
Sirius cleared his throat, and we all looked at him. He shifted uncomfortably, holding up the folder. “Should I come back later?”
“Why is he in my apartment?” Lach asked slowly, as if he’d just realized there was an Astral Court prince sitting on his couch.
“Don’t ask me.” Shaw shrugged and pointed in our direction. “Ask those two.”
Lach looked between me and his sister. Ciara hesitated, and I jumped in. I had no idea what news Sirius would deliver, but this had been my idea. “We’ve been studying the alchemical makeup of clover. An older batch as well as the trinity strain. Well, Sirius has been studying it. We mostly bring him coffee.”
Lach studied me for a beat. “You have been doing what?” His voice was lethally soft. “Why?”
I swallowed, reminding myself that I was safe even now, that I was still in control of my life and my actions. I met his stare. “I thought if he could isolate what’s changed in its magic, you might be able to fix it.” I took a deep breath and glanced at Ciara. “And then you might not need ambrosia.”
Lach fell silent for so long I wondered if he was having a medical event. Finally, his gaze flicked to Sirius. “And what did you find?”
“Something that shouldn’t be there.” He tapped the folder. “Shadow court magic.”
I deflated at the revelation. Nothing. He had found nothing.
Lach scoffed. “Of course there’s shadow court magic. It comes from the Nether Court.”
“I’m sorry. I should explain,” Sirius said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought the same thing at first, when I only found shadow court magic. I was about to give up when I remembered that there are two shadow courts.”
Shaw leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Holy shit. Are you saying…”
Sirius glanced between all of us, looking slightly unnerved by his own findings. “So, I analyzed a sample of ambrosia. There are traces of Infernal Court magic in the newer batches. Have they been involved with clover production?”
“Apparently,” Lach said tightly, “but not with permission.”
Ciara clapped a hand over her mouth. Shaw stayed quiet this time. Even Roark looked shaken. But Lach…
I closed the distance between us and took his hand.
His eyes met mine, a rueful smile forming on his shapely lips. “That son of a bitch. Bain thought he could hide it in plain sight.”
“And he would have gotten away with it,” I said in a soft voice, “if we hadn’t trusted the Astral Court.”