“Damn straight,” Creek said.

Shaking with the effort of controlling his fiery temper, Doc dropped Remo, stepped back, and called for the police chief. “Vernadetto, come get this piece of garbage.”

Vernadetto and his officers charged out of the other room.

“Was that enough?” Doc asked.

Vernadetto nodded as two of the officers cuffed a struggling Remo. They went to the ground with him, but Vernadetto had been smart enough to bring varcolai officers. They could handle Remo. “With Creek’s pictures and testimony, yes. Plus, I’m guessing if we search Remo’s quarters, we’ll find the evidence he intended to plant.”

“You need a warrant for that?”

Vernadetto shook his head. “Not if you give us permission.”

“Done.”

Vernadetto smiled. “I’ll have Barasa and Omur released within the hour.”

“Thank you.” Doc stared at the man who’d created so much chaos in his and Fi’s life. “One more thing.”

“What’s that?” Vernadetto asked.

Doc walked over to where Remo now stood between two officers, hands cuffed behind him. Doc punched him in the gut, lifting him off the floor. Remo doubled over, gagging in pain.

“That was for trying to frame Fi.” He nodded to the officers. “Get that disgusting animal out of here.”

Chrysabelle kneeled on the bathroom floor, the pouch containing the gold pipette in one hand and the scroll in the other. She glanced up at Damian. “After I open this portal, it must remain untouched. If the circle is broken, the portal will close and Mal and I will be trapped there. Also, some sound may filter through, but unless I call your name, stay on this side.”

He’d gone to retrieve his sacre while she prepared and now wore it sheathed across his body. He nodded, resting his hand on the leather strap that crossed his chest. “No one will touch this circle.”

“All right. I’m going to begin.” As he came around to her side, she closed her eyes and bent her head. Holy mother, give me strength to accomplish this task. Guide Malkolm as well, and help him do and say all the right things. And please, protect this child I’m carrying.

She opened her eyes and removed the thin gold pipette from the pouch with a steady hand that belied her trembling nerves. No matter how many times she’d done this, it was never easy.

Hopefully, this time would be the last. After this, she and Mal would be able to live a peaceful life. With that thought and a deep breath, she lifted the pipette with the small, tapered end facing her. She inhaled and forced the thought of the pain out of her head, and then she wrapped her left hand over her right and plunged the pipette into her chest.

To his credit, Damian didn’t flinch.

The stabbing pain sucked the breath from her body, but she steadied herself with purpose. This was a small price to pay for a life without Tatiana. Index finger over the pipette’s open end, she slid it from her chest. Blood trickled from the wound and trailed down beneath her leathers.

Using the pipette like a fountain pen and her blood for ink, she traced the portal onto the marble. Circle finished, she copied the signum from the edges of the torn page. When she was done, she sat back. Just as before when she’d drawn the portal for the Aurelian, the blood began to spread inward, filling the circle until a perfect, shimmering circle of blood sat before her.

The surface rippled like it had been touched by a breeze. A flash of golden light gleamed across the blood and the heady perfume of flowers rose up from it. Without question, she knew the scent came from the Garden. The portal was open.

She stood, tucked the map through the strap of one of the sacres crossing her chest, and stepped through.

“Lilith, please.”

After Tatiana’s third attempt to bring Lilith to them, Mal retired to the couch. From there, he watched her, his amusement growing in time with Tatiana’s frustration, but he finally decided to put an end to it. “How many more times are you going to call her?”

Hands fisted at her sides, she glared at him. “You have a better idea?”

“Yes.” He stood and freed a little of the beast so that it spilled into his voice. “Lilith.” The sound came out of him like a thousand voices speaking at once. “Now.”

The darkness swelled, shadows leaking into the center of the room from the corners until they coalesced into a familiar shape. She stepped out of the gloom, arms crossed, anger contorting her face. “What?”

Mal approached her. “Your mother’s been calling you.”

She eyed him warily. “So?”

“When she calls, you come.” Part of him couldn’t believe he was speaking to this monster this way and the other part of him couldn’t believe it was working.

Lilith sniffed. “She’s mad at me.”

“No, she’s not. In fact, she’s got something very special planned for you.”

A little of the pout disappeared from her bottom lip. “What?”

“Not until you apologize.” He pointed back at Tatiana. “Now.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

He leaned in, the beast still in his voice. “Like you mean it or that special thing goes away.”

She pulled away from him, shrinking toward Tatiana. “I’m sorry for killing Octavian without asking.”

Surreal didn’t begin to cover this. “That’s better,” Mal said.

Tatiana’s smile was shaky, but otherwise convincing. “Thank you, Lilith.”