“Let’s hope so.” Chase finished off his glass and poured another. “Are you up for another tour, Audrey?”
“Audrey isn’t going back to Rowan Estate,” Logan said. “None of us are.”
Logan stood up and went to the fireplace. Taking the small pouch of herbs out of his pocket, he tossed it into the flames. The burning herbs produced a cloying sweetness that turned Logan’s stomach, but he swallowed the bile that tried to climb up his throat.
His ploy was a tad overdramatic, but Audrey and Chase were still impressed by such things and Logan needed to keep them enthralled and obedient.
For a minute, Logan was afraid the spell hadn’t worked, but then Audrey shrieked. Her glass shattered on the floor.
“Damn it, Logan.” Chase had jumped up on the chair as if a mouse had entered the room instead of the wolf that sat silently in the corner, watching them. “Can you give us some warning before you pull a stunt like that?”
“He can’t hurt you,” Logan replied coolly, pretending that the very sight of Ren—even in spirit form—didn’t make his bones ache with fear.
“True,” Ren said after he’d shifted into his human visage. “But tragic.”
“I think that answer is justification enough for me to remain afraid of him,” Chase muttered.
Logan ignored his friend and offered the wolf a flat smile. “I have a task for you.”
“Wonderful.” Ren folded his arms across his chest. “I live to serve. Well, maybe ‘live’ isn’t the best choice of word.”
“Do you know who Sarah Doran is?” Logan asked.
Ren flinched at the name, but he nodded.
“And can you find her?” Logan continued. “Speak with her?”
“Yes.” His answer carried a growl with it. “Why?”
“I’d like to set up a meeting with Shay’s dear mother,” Logan told him. “It seems we may have a common cause.”
“I find that very unlikely.” Ren reached out as if to touch the petals of an orchid that decorated a side table. He watched his own fingers pass through the plant.
“I guess restless spirits lack imagination,” Logan said. “Tell her that I’d like to talk to her about Shay.”
“Is that all?” Ren wasn’t looking at Logan, but his tense bearing informed Logan that the wolf was desperate to find a way out of this scenario.
Logan smiled, ready to lay down his winning hand. “Ask her what she’d do to see her son again. The boy, of course, not the wolf.”
Ren shot a hateful glare at Logan. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Bringing Shay back,” Logan replied. “I thought that much was obvious.”
“You can’t do that,” Ren snapped. “It’s impossible.”
“Are you sure about that?” Logan continued to smile. “Has becoming a spirit gifted you with omniscience?”
Ren didn’t answer, but his lips drew back, revealing sharp canines.
“You won’t be lying to her, Renier. It’s just a matter of semantics,” Logan said with a smile. “Emphasize that it’s only a slim possibility if you prefer. Tell her how dangerous and risky magic this powerful will be. Say that it might not work at all. As long as you deliver the message, I’ll be happy.”
After glaring at Logan for a long moment, Ren finally bowed his head. He turned away, but Logan called him back.
“There’s one more thing.”
“What?” Ren kept his back to Logan.
“The Harbinger. I think it’s time I spoke with him directly,” Logan said. “You’re a fine messenger, but I’m tired of the riddles.”
Ren pivoted to face Logan, his fists clenching. “Did you really expect I’d make this easy for you?”
“That’s what I thought.” Logan walked in a slow circle around the Guardian. “You’re giving me the bare minimum, aren’t you? Anything you can withhold, you do.”
“What do you think?” The malice in Ren’s gaze was answer enough.
“I think it’s time to cut out the middle man,” Logan replied. “I can deal with Bosque directly. You’re better suited to other work, I believe.”
“If you can,” Ren shot back. “You’re an infant when it comes to magic.”
“Every child learns to walk on his own eventually,” Logan said. “I do appreciate your concern, though, Renier.”
Ren shifted to his wolf form, snarling at Logan.
“Yes, yes.” Logan waved him off. “Your complaint is noted. Now run along and find Sarah.”
Ren gave a harsh bark of protest, but then he turned and loped away.
Logan let his body relax. Despite Renier’s uncooperative attitude, he’d answered Logan’s questions exactly as the Keeper had hoped. That meant Logan’s work wasn’t done for the night.
“My goodness, Logan.” Audrey gave a breathy laugh. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Good show. Very good.” Chase nodded, teetering in the chair a bit, and Logan noticed that Chase had managed to finish off the first bottle of champagne and start in on another one within the short duration of Ren’s visit.
Guardians must truly frighten him. Even dead ones.
Logan tucked away that bit of information. He’d never know when he might need to substitute intimidation for charm.
“We all did good work today.” Logan gestured to the second champagne bottle. “Keep celebrating. I’ll catch up when I get back.”
Audrey paled slightly. “You weren’t serious, were you? About summoning Bosque Mar? I thought you were just winding up the wolf.”
“I was serious.” Logan maintained his easy manner, though the prospect of facing the Harbinger was hardly appealing. But it had to be done.
“I’ll come with you.” Chase jumped up, wobbled, and then fell back into the chair. “Be your wingman.”
“I . . . I suppose I should come too?” Audrey said, though she made no move to get up off the chaise longue.
“I don’t think speaking with Bosque requires a wingman, Chase,” Logan said. He didn’t need to make a poor impression by bringing a half-in-the-bag Keeper and his partly terrified, mostly annoying sister along. “If things go well, we’ll move on to introductions. The first time, though, I’m going to say requires a solo act.”