That wasn't the question I expected. "How do you mean?"

He looked down at his mug. "Shouldn't I want to kill him? For what he did to Ziggy? A part of me is ashamed for not wanting retribution. But isn't it better, at least in the long run, that I don't feel that responsibility?"

"You're not betraying him." I took his hands in mine. "It hasn't been that long. I'm actually impressed that you've gotten beyond blaming yourself. It's much healthier that way. And besides… "

How much should I tell him? That Ziggy had actually grown to like Cyrus? That he'd respected him and trusted him in small ways? That it had been me who'd unwittingly killed him, regardless of whose fangs had been involved?

There was no way Nathan was ready to hear that. "Ziggy wasn't a vengeful kind of person. And he would understand that you're just doing what has to be done."

Nathan nodded. "Well, I'm not doing what needs to be done now, am I? I'm having coffee with you."

He stood and made a shooing motion toward the living room. "So, what are your theories about this heart business? You'd be the foremost expert in losing one."

"You have no idea." I stood and kissed him. His mouth tasted like the coffee, sweet and coppery.

When I pulled back, he smiled. "You're not going to lure me away from research with sex. I like books too much."

I rolled my eyes, then collected my mug and followed him to the living room. How did he always see the ulterior motives behind my cunning actions? "Well, I suppose the Soul Eater could consume the Oracle's soul by eating the heart, couldn't he?"

"But why would the Oracle send it to him then?" Nathan groaned as he settled onto the couch. "God, this is uncomfortable."

My back protested as I sank into the armchair. "Well, if she didn't know he was going to eat her soul—"

Nathan gave me a withering look to point out my stupidity. Of course the Oracle would know what the Soul Eater intended to do with her heart. She could see into the future.

"What about this sword Cyrus mentioned?" I moved on quickly to avoid the inevitable taunting. "Maybe it's a metaphor, and her heart has something to do with it?"

Nathan took a sip from his mug. "Could be. We won't know until you talk to Cyrus. Do you think he's awake?"

I looked at the clock. "I don't know. He works third shift, so he's probably not even home."

"If he is, I won't lose too much sleep over disturbing his. Why don't you call him?"

I went to the kitchen and dialed Cyrus's number. After two rings, the answering machine picked up.