“It’s not as simple as that,” he said.
“It had better be,” I threatened. “Or there will be hell to pay that’s so bad, even a demon like you won’t enjoy it.”
Dash helped me up from the couch, squeezing my hand once. He turned to face Nick. “If you do anything that makes me think you’re trying to leave, I won’t wait to give you over to the wardens. I’ll take care of you myself. I doubt I’d be convicted once they found out what you’ve been up to.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t try.” Nick held up the bottle. “One more for the road?”
###
We arrived at Nana’s house and waded through the extra guests. Lucky had managed to stabilize Fenwen and had put her in my old room like I’d suggested.
Several of the fae waited around downstairs to make sure the sprite was okay. Horatio filled up the foyer with his hulking mass as he offered support to Juniper. Flint complained to Goss about the state of the council. Ben and Lily gushed over wedding magazines together in the parlor.
Lavender came out of the kitchen, carrying a tray with glasses and a full pitcher. “Nick!” she squealed, spilling some of the tea as she rushed to put it down. With her arms empty, she threw herself at the demon. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I snorted. “You couldn’t get the girl organically, so you cheated?”
“She could see the auras every time I performed a transaction. I couldn’t have her giving me away,” Nick admitted. “If it were any other time or place, I definitely wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.”
“You’re so charming,” I spit out. “If you used said charms on her to get your way—”
The demon lay his hand across his heart. “I swear to you, nothing untoward happened with her.”
I pointed my finger. “Upstairs. Now.”
Dash ignored Lavender’s protests and prodded Nick up to the second floor. Lucky met us at the top, his eyes full of anger and resentment.
“Did ye think I’d forgotten what ye did to dear Fenny?” He spit on the floor in front of Nick. “By the time I’m through with you, they’ll have a heckuva time identifyin’ your body.”
“Revenge can wait,” I proclaimed. “Right now, he’s our best chance at waking up Nana.”
“And why would ye be trustin’ a scoundrel like him?” the leprechaun pushed.
Dash took Nick by his shoulders and guided him into my grandmother’s bedroom.
I grabbed Lucky’s arm and pulled him close. “There’s no time for full explanations. Let’s just say he knows what’s happening here and is willing to help us reverse it all. Once he does that, we can discuss what to do with him.”
Although the leprechaun was less than pleased, I couldn’t waste any more time. My heart raced at the thought of fixing Nana.
Matt stopped me at the door before I could enter. “Why is Dash manhandling Nick?”
“Because he’s here to cure Nana.” I tried to move past him, but my brother blocked me.
“He’s a spa owner and gives massages and stuff. I don’t think a chakra realignment is going to do anything for her.” My brother took my hand in his. “She’s not getting better, Birdy. Doc Andrews still can’t tell us what’s affecting her after all this time. Her breathing is getting more erratic and she has moments of restlessness.”
I pushed against him. “You’re going to have to trust me, I think Nick will be able to fix everything.”
“You’re not listening, Charli.” Matt tightened his grip on me. “I think you and I have to talk about next steps.”
There wasn’t time to talk about giving up or next steps. Now that I understood the root of the problem, I needed to make sure to cure the disease.
“Listen, I’ll explain later why this is important. But if you don’t move out of my way right now, then I won’t be responsible for what you’ll make me do to you.” I allowed my magic to rise and flow down my arms, crackling over my hand held in his.
“Fine. The last thing Nana would want is us fighting against each other.” Matt moved to the side and let me pass by.
Doc Andrews stood next to the bed, blocking Nick’s access to my grandmother. Dash kept the demon in hand but argued with the healer.
“Enough!” I shouted, earning all of their attention. “Doc, I’m sorry, but I need you to move out of the way.”
“Tell me what you think Mr. Draven will be able to accomplish and why,” he insisted. “Help me understand so I can approve any treatment of my patient.”
With Nick pretty much stuck inside the room, I tilted my head to have Dash move Doc Andrews out of the way. He motioned for Nick to do what he needed to and provided the demon the space to work.
The crossroads demon shuffled next to the bed and stared down at Nana. A heavy silence filled the room as we waited. After a long minute ticked by, my patience gave out.
“Why aren’t you doing anything?” I pushed, desperation lacing my words.
“Because I’m afraid I won’t be able to help, and I know how much this means to you.” With his fingers, Nick brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
Unwilling to let Nana suffer one more second, I rushed to the demon’s side to convince him. I set aside my irritation and appealed to his kinder side. “You said you wanted to help fix the problems you were a part of creating. Well, waking up my grandmother will be the best thing you could do for Honeysuckle.”
He swallowed hard. “I never intended for things to go as sideways as this. All I wanted was to know my other family. I thought it would help me figure out my place in this world.”
I thought about my biological family and how I still worried
